Sustainability

CSDDD backed by EU: What’s changed? GettyImages-/harrocks

CSDDD backed by EU: What’s changed?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

After weeks of delay, the CSDDD has finally gained EU backing. However, with a range of concessions and changes made to the legislation, what does the revised CSDDD look like?

Policy, the speakers agreed, should be at the heart of the food system. Image Source: Getty Images/Yagi Studio

The role of policy in a good food system

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

What makes a great food system? Panellists at the City Food and Drink lecture this week argued that policy has a key role in health, food security, and sustainability.

Researchers in Italy and Germany have sought to better understand hemp's nutritional potential in food. GettyImages/ollo

Is hemp the next functional food in vegetarian nutrition?

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

As regulatory restrictions ease, researchers studying Cannabis sativa L. identify its nutritional benefits and potential in vegetarian diets while highlighting the need for clarity on the safety of some concentrated extracts.

Food swaps to stop biodiversity loss. GettyImages/RealPeopleGroup

Food swaps to stop biodiversity loss

By Donna Eastlake

We’ve all heard of the rallying World War Two cry, ‘Dig for Victory’, urging citizens to combat food shortages by growing fruits and vegetable in their allotments and gardens. Well, now people are being urged to make food swaps to stop biodiversity loss....

The salty snack sector has witnessed positive growth, largely due to the vast array of products available in Europe and their relative affordability GettyImages/Moyo Studio

Salty snack supply set to grow and diversify in 2024

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Affordable, better-for-you and flavourful salty snacks lead producers’ formulation considerations in 2024, while creating resilient crops and exploring the metaverse landscape drive the wider value chain.

Tackling texture of plant-based proteins. GettyImages/Jovana Stojanovic

Tackling texture of plant-based proteins with non-UPF discovery

By Donna Eastlake

‘Dry’, ‘chalky’ and even 'gritty' are just some of the less than favourable words used to describe the texture of plant-based proteins. However, scientists at the University of Copenhagen believe they have discovered the secret to significantly...

The campaign showed success, in spite of the setbacks linked to the declining plant-based market and the cost-of-living crisis. Image Source: Getty Images/ArtMarie

Veganuary 2024: Success or failure?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Veganuary has historically led to a significant uptick in consumption of vegan food products. However, with the plant-based sector in decline, and a cost-of-living crisis sweeping much of the world, can the early-year vegan fervour continue apace?

Could a plant-based diet prevent chronic diseases in women? GettyImages/Daria Kulkova

Could a plant-based diet prevent chronic diseases in women?

By Donna Eastlake

Plant-based diets are proving hugely popular amongst men and women across the globe, with everything from animal cruelty to environmental impact being cited as the reason. But could the plant-based way of life also prevent against chronic diseases in...

Foodies are falling for luxury butters in a big way. GettyImages-carlosgaw

Foodies are falling for luxury butters in a big way

By Donna Eastlake

Whether you’re spreading it (generously) on a crumpet, making pastry for a pie or baking a cake, butter is a kitchen essential that’s loved by many. But this humble ingredient is having something of a luxury makeover and food lovers are flocking.

When passing its ban on cultivated meat, Italy did not go through the TRIS procedure. Image Source: Getty Images/sergeyryzhov

The future of Italy’s cultivated meat ban

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Last year, Italy attempted to ban cultivated meat production and the marketing of cultivated meat products. However, the law has come into difficulty for its failure to go through the right procedures at EU level.

Digital buying is central to how Gen Zers, people born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s, are approaching food purchasing. GettyImages/Klaus Vedfelt

‘Glocal’-loving Gen Zers seek brand reliability in 2024

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Falling into loyalists and reluctants, Generation Z consumers value reliability and brand experience, remaining avid trendwatchers, looking for products on social channels that appeal to their price and quality expectations.

Are red nets an eco-friendly alternative to pesticides? GettyImages/Dougal Waters

Are red nets an eco-friendly alternative to pesticides?

By Donna Eastlake

A recent study has found that red nets are more effective than black or white nets in preventing onion thrips from damaging crops. So, could red nets be the solution environmentalists have been searching for to help reduce agricultural reliance on the...

Image Source: Getty Images/D-Keine

NPD Trend Tracker: From mandarin orange juice to AI-generated recipes

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we see how high orange juice prices have led to the development of mandarin orange juice, and the rise of generative AI has led to the creation of an AI cookbook. Furthermore, we see a rebranding from Mallow &...

The CSDDD has been postponed. Image Source: Getty Images/Henrik Sorensen

What’s next for the CSDDD after postponement?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

After the announced abstention of Germany and Italy, the vote for a key piece of European due diligence legislation which would have ensured companies, including food companies, root out human rights and environmental abuses from their value chains, has...

Scientists have analysed consumer purchasing behaviours of goods with fair trade and organic labels on their packaging. GettyImages/TommL

Fair trade label retains purchasing power despite recession, study shows

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Using a combination of social psychology and economic models, a new UK study shows fair trade product sales increased in popularity during an economic downturn while organic product sales dropped, indicating a divide between the two labels’ favourability...

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil? GettyImages/MEDITERRANEAN

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil?

By Donna Eastlake

Palm oil is cheap to produce in large quantities but unsustainable production methods, notably deforestation, means the bad can far outweigh the good. As a result, brands are increasingly distancing themselves from the use of irresponsible palm oil in...

Are preservatives killing good gut bacteria? GettyImages/BDLM

Are preservatives killing good gut bacteria?

By Donna Eastlake

Research from the University of Chicago has found that one of the most widely used food preservatives, nisin, has a damaging effect on the good bacteria in our gut

Cutting carbon emissions in coffee production: ofi sets its sights on a 30% reduction by 2030 GettyImages/Hero Creative

How ofi plans to cut coffee supply chain emissions by 30%

By Donna Eastlake

Ingredients supplier ofi is setting the ambitious target of reducing supply chain carbon emissions for its coffee by 30% by 2030. So how will this be achieved and can other coffee manufacturers follow in their footsteps?

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