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The approved treatment for IBS symptoms and childhood constipation in Canada used to be eating prunes. Now Health Canada has approved two health claims for Taiyo’s Sunfiber product for the same purpose. Sunfiber is now the only fibre in Canada that can claim to improve bowel regularity, relieve constipation and gastrointestinal discomfort in people with IBS. “Sunfiber is the only …

Think of it as a food industry Dragon’s Den: an entrepreneurial program aimed at supporting companies which are developing new probiotic food or beverage products. The Probiotic Innovation Jumpstart, the brainchild of probiotic research and product development company Ganeden, is inviting scientists, entrepreneurs and inventors to submit their ideas for new probiotic products by May 6. Canadian companies can apply, …

RiceBran Technologies’ new exclusive supply agreement has given it a foothold in the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. food and beverage market, that of natural, organic and functional foods. The company has entered into an agreement with Thailand-based Narula Group, one of the world’s largest growers of organic rice, which gives RiceBran exclusive worldwide supply and distribution rights for Narula’s …

Balances “Free-from” and Functional Text by Sarah Theodore Juice drinks in Canada have struggled in recent years, with volumes declining 1.3% in 2014 and 2.7% in 2015, according to Mintel estimates. Cost has played an important role in consumption declines, as have changing consumer demographics that favour older consumers who tend to drink less juice than younger consumers or households …

  Text by Jenny Zegler Consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks among children and young adults has been a focus for local and national governments worldwide. As Mintel Trend Supernanny State describes, many governments are enforcing taxes, fines and, occasionally, outright bans to encourage people to improve their behaviour. Lithuania was the first country to ban sales of high-caffeine drinks to …

Text by William Miller There is a science to flavour. The field of food science has evolved significantly to meet the growing demands for food composition and characteristic determination. Trends and demands of consumers, the food industry, and national and international regulations challenge food scientists as they work to monitor food composition, authentication and to ensure the quality and safety …

  Text by Art Hill I developed a love for the dairy industry growing up on my parents’ dairy farm on Manitoulin Island. We started shipping cream in 1961 when I was five. My parents were grateful when the Ontario Milk Marketing Board (OMMB) was formed in 1966 and soon thereafter they received market sharing quota and began shipping milk …

Food division focuses on clean label, freshness, and fortification solutions Text by Kelly Townsend In a market that is becoming increasingly health-conscious, finding the balance between creating a product that meets a consumer’s health standards and one that still meets their taste expectations can be a challenge. Delavau Food Partners is a company that creates those types of solutions. Described …

Tealeaves, in collaboration with Pantone, launched an online exhibition in November that showcases the influence colour has on food and drink experiences. The exhibit, paletteforyourpalate.com, profiles Tealeaves’ Whole Leaf Pyramid Teabag collection and displays the tea-infused creations of 34 world-renowned culinary, pastry and mixology artists. The exhibit also includes a documentary that explores the potential of colour to excite and …

McCormick & Company has unveiled its annual Flavour Forecast, revealing the tantalizing trends that will shape culinary exploration and innovation around the globe. Among the emerging trends is a spotlight on underexplored Southeast Asian fare – Malaysian and Filipino – and the evolution of our insatiable appetite for spicy. Also featured are pulses which serve as a protein-packed canvas for …