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Millions of people are missing out on their fair share of the $424 billion aquatic food industry

A new study found that social, economic and political barriers hinder the global distribution of the $424 billion aquatic food industry's benefits. The study calls for policies to ensure equitable access to this sector, which supports both welfare-based benefits like jobs and affordable nutrition, as well as wealth-based benefits.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2022

UF researchers find new sugar substitutes in citrus that could change food and beverage industry

Researchers at the University of Florida have identified eight new sweetener compounds in 11 citrus cultivars, providing a potential solution to reduce sugar content in processed foods while maintaining sweetness. This breakthrough could lead to the development of natural, non-caloric sweeteners for the food industry.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateSep 20, 2022

UBC Okanagan team examines the roots of great wine tourism

Research from UBC Okanagan suggests that wineries can revive lagging tourism by focusing on multi-sensory experiences, such as participation in agricultural activities and workshops. This approach helps create memorable and authentic experiences for visitors, setting wine destinations apart from one another.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalFood Quality and Preference·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2022

What sea cucumbers can teach us about self-defense

Researchers have discovered how sea cucumbers produce defensive chemicals using genome mining techniques. The animals' unique ability to biosynthesize toxins has been found to be linked to the diversion of a sterol-producing enzyme, resulting in the production of valuable medicinal compounds.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Nanoparticle technology provides healthy trans, saturated fat alternative

Researchers have developed a method to create edible nanoparticles that can transform healthy oils into gel-like blocks, providing a shelf-stable fat alternative for food manufacturers. This new approach could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by replacing unhealthy fats with healthier options.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalFood Hydrocolloids·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

Antioxidant derived from unripe acerola can replace synthetic additive banned in several countries

Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a natural antioxidant from unripe acerola, replacing banned synthetic additive TBHQ. The antioxidant microparticles were found to be effective in a range of applications, including food products and cosmetics, without affecting color, flavor or odor.

Virtual tours make pig farming more transparent

Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that virtual farm tours using virtual reality glasses and tablets can improve transparency in pig farming. Participants appreciated the comfortable and entertaining information intake, but suggested that additional explanations be provided to support virtual farm tours.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 2, 2022

How to ruin the taste of a cookie with just 2 words

A recent study from Ohio State University found that labeling identical products as 'new and improved' resulted in higher overall liking ratings compared to those labeled as 'consumer complaint.' The researchers suggest that this negative bias has a bigger impact on consumer perception than positive labels.

SourceOhio State University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateJan 26, 2022

Healthful food for children is the same as for adults

A new position paper argues that healthful foods for children are the same as those for adults, with age-appropriate adjustments in texture and portion size. Nutrition educators play key roles in shifting consumer demand and social norms to promote healthy food choices.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 6, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists invent a protein-rich product made from plants that could replace dairy and eggs in certain foods

A team of scientists from NTU Singapore has developed a plant-based emulsifier that is rich in protein and antioxidants, allowing it to replace eggs or dairy in food staples. The emulsifier is made by fermenting brewers' spent grain and can help cut down on food waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalFood Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2021

A salty treat: Extracting high-quality magnesium sulphate from seawater desalination brine

A team of Korean researchers has successfully extracted high-quality magnesium sulphate, without calcium impurities, from seawater desalination brine using a novel ethanol-based process. The process achieved up to 67% magnesium recovery efficiency and has potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalDesalination·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021

A sustainable revolution for drugs, agriculture and food industry of the future: Cryform project starts at the Politecnico di Torino

The CryForm project aims to replace synthetic stabilizing agents with crystalline materials, enabling innovative multiphase formulations for safer, more sustainable and affordable products. The project will develop biocompatible crystals for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food applications, contributing to the European Green Deal.

Four reasons why businesses won't adopt reusable packaging – and one way to address them all

A new study by Lancaster University identifies four major concerns that hinder the adoption of reusable packaging: affordability, digitalization challenges, regulatory hurdles, and data collection limitations. To address these concerns, researchers propose implementing a track and trace system using unique barcodes to enable businesses...

SourceLancaster University·JournalSustainable Production and Consumption·TypeObservational study·DateNov 1, 2021

Sim City for food science takes on Listeria outbreaks

A new study from Cornell University uses digital twins to identify optimal times and locations for detecting Listeria bacteria in produce facilities, reducing the risk of contamination. The researchers' model provides a novel way for food safety managers to visualize microbial contamination risks and experiment with different sampling ...

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 18, 2021

Americans are eating more ultra-processed foods

An 18-year study found a significant increase in ultra-processed food consumption among US adults, contributing to obesity and chronic diseases. The study recommends policies to reduce ultra-processed food intake, such as revised dietary guidelines and taxes.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 14, 2021

An efficient and low-cost approach to detecting food fraud

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a model that can efficiently detect food fraud by analyzing oxygen isotope ratios. The model, which uses publicly available data on temperature, precipitation, and humidity, simulates the regions of origin for various plant products with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2021

Artificial sweeteners disrupt bacterial communication and may influence gut microbiota, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev scientists find

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered that artificial sweeteners can significantly impair bacterial communication. Three out of six tested FDA-approved sweeteners were found to inhibit quorum sensing, a key process for bacteria to communicate with each other.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Scientific paper urges nutrition scientists to advocate for sustainable food systems

The scientific paper highlights challenges in global food systems, including climate change, production of unhealthy foods, and inadequate nutrition. The authors propose rebalancing agriculture research towards healthy crops, nutrient-rich foods, and nature-positive technologies to create a more sustainable future.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 17, 2021

Less salt, more protein: Researchers address dairy processing's environmental, sustainability issues

A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign introduces an electrochemical redox desalination process that removes up to 99% of excess salt from whey while refining over 98% of its valuable protein content. The process uses less energy and operates at a lower cost compared to conventional desalination systems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021