African flavors and health extracts will see a dramatic rise in applications in the near future, as further attention shifts towards the continent, reported Food Ingredients First.

In July, fruit from the African baobab tree moved a step closer to approval for use as a food ingredient in the EU, with the publication of a positive opinion from the UK Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) novel foods committee.

Marula is better known, particularly in South Africa, primarily because of its use in the popular Amarula Cream liqueur. But now its health benefits are also being marketed. Recent new product applications have included Roemerquelle Emotion Marula Flavored Water in Austria. The bottle includes a description of marula and its benefits. Also, a new cosmetics application was recently announced, with the launch of a new marula oil cosmetic and skin care range by The Body Shop.

“A rapidly developing trend towards beauty foods exists, spearheaded by launches such as Danone Essensis. Going in line with this, The Innova Database believes that marula will be an extract to watch in food applications marketed on both beauty and fair-trade grounds,” said Robin Wyers, an Editor at Innova Market Insights.

In addition to baobab and marula, the Innova Database also predicts a bright future for honeybush, buchu, prickly pear and the already well-established rooibos. A scan of rooibos products launched in the last year found that while chief applications were still limited to hot and iced teas, the flavor was also being incorporated into juice, juice drinks and chocolate.

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT UNVEILS
NEW ORGANIC LOGO

Canada unveiled its new organic logo in July. The logo, which is a part of the new Organic Products Regulations announced in December 2006, will tell consumers they are purchasing products federally certified as organic. The Canada organic logo will be permitted for use only on those food products certified as meeting Canadian standards for organic production, such as using natural fertilizers and raising animals in conditions that mimic nature as much as possible. Certified products must also contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Following the phase-in period ending in December 2008, it will be mandatory that all organic products be certified for interprovincial and international trade.

“HEALTHY” CANDY TREND BOOSTS
NON-CHOCOLATE CANDY SALES

Sales for non-chocolate candy are expected to grow by 4 percent in 2007, according to Packaged Facts' The U.S. Market for Non-Chocolate Candy report. However, the market is predicted to grow by smaller increases ranging between 2.9 percent and 4.2 percent per year over the next four years, leading to a $10.6 billion market by 2011.

The continuing trend toward "healthy" candy, including single-serve, organic, functional and fortified candy, is expected to play into the market's future growth, according to Packaged Facts. Other factors influencing growth include the increasing buying power of kids (89 percent of whom consume non-chocolate candy) and the expected population domination of the 50- to 69-year-old crowd, which generally lacks traditional brand loyalty but not the desire to indulge in treats, despite health concerns.

INDUSTRY TO HOLD MEETING
ON FOOD IMPORT THREATS

The Food Import Industry Town Meeting will be held September 25-26 at the Doubletree Hotel in Washington, DC. The meeting, sponsored by the Association of Food Industries, will feature presentations covering recently introduced legislation targeting food imports, upcoming regulatory changes, information on U.S. food standards and steps importers can take to protect their interests. Invited and confirmed speakers include members of Congress and high-ranking officials at government agencies such as the FDA, USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 25 and from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 26. Registration is available at www.afius.org. Members of NAFFS may register at the AFI member rate.

STUDIES INDICATE
ASPARTAME IS SAFE

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is reportedly safe, according to a review of 500 studies conducted over a quarter of a century, reported Reuters. A panel of American, British and Dutch experts rejected the notion that aspartame causes cancer, seizures, neurological damage or learning problems, or contributes to obesity.

The group did not conduct original research but assessed existing studies on the safety of aspartame, first approved by FDA in 1981. The panel saw consumption of it increasing, but called it safe for adults or children and even among the heaviest users.

"Controlled and thorough scientific studies confirm aspartame's safety and find no credible link between consumption of aspartame at levels found in the human diet and conditions related to the nervous system and behavior, nor any other symptom or illness," the researchers said in a paper published in the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology. "There is no credible evidence that aspartame is carcinogenic," they added.

The panel did conclude, however, that “a small subset of the population” might be prone to headaches after consuming it.

FDA FOOD ADDITIVE
UPDATES

FDA amended the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of glycerol ester of tall oil rosin to adjust the density of citrus oils used in the preparation of beverages and to provide for the use of steam stripping as a purification method for producing glycerol ester of wood rosin, gum rosin or tall oil rosin. Comments may be submitted on the rule by September 21 to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments

FDA also amended the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of polydextrose as a bulking agent, formulation aid, humectant, and texturizer in all foods, except meat and poultry, baby foods, and infant formula. Comments on this rule may be submitted by September 20.

NAFFS WELCOMES
NEW MEMBER

Pinnacle Food Products
750 Oakwood Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Phone: (847) 847-3131
Fax: (847) 438-1236
e-mail: sswoik@pinfoodpro.com
Contact: Sandy Swoik, Tech. Services Mgr.
Products: dry, powdered beverage mixes

NAFFS CALENDAR

October 18-21 – The 90th Annual NAFFS Convention, The Resort at Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, Fla.