Paul Magnotto, founder and chief executive officer of Chaska, Minn.-based Dynamic Food Ingredients, and Krisda Monthienvichienchai, chief executive officer of Mitr Phol Group, Bangkok, China, jointly announced that the companies have reached a strategic investment and partnership agreement to expand production of their natural sweeteners: erythritol and xylitol.

Geneva, Switzerland-based Firmenich announced that it is opening its first flavor facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Designed to expand the company’s footprint in all flavor business segments across the region, the new state-of-the-art facility features labs for sweet goods, beverages and savory product development, as well as offices, it says. The new facility will serve more than 200 customers across 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, it adds.

With natural and clean-label trends proliferating in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market, many CPG companies are transitioning from artificial to natural ingredients. Among those in high demand are natural vanilla ingredients.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) saw more than 23,000 attendees at IFT16: Where Science Feeds Innovation. The organization’s annual meeting and food expo, which took place July 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, featured various speakers, poster presentations, scientific sessions and a sold-out expo floor that had 1,222 exhibitors.

GNT Group, Mierlo, the Netherlands, is investing more than 3 million euros in its research and development capabilities. By constructing new laboratory facilities at its headquarters, the company will almost double its capacity for quality control and product development, it says.

Minneapolis-based Cargill announced that its primary market research data FATitudes — the consumer perspective of fat and oils in North America — has found that after sugar, fat is the second-most important ingredient consumers are monitoring on food product labels.

Kemin Food Technologies expanded its natural clean-label line with the release of a Kemin Fortra natural plant extract line, which provides triple-duty beverage protection by adding milkfat, flavor and color, while also preventing oxidation and degradation, the company says.

A new study commissioned by the International Food Additives Council (IFAC) on carrageenan, a stabilizing ingredient that also is used to support texture and nutrients in many foods and beverages, demonstrated that the ingredient does not induce inflammation in human cells as claimed by carrageenan critics.  

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) saw more than 23,000 attendees at IFT16: Where Science Feeds Innovation. The organization’s annual meeting and food expo, which took place July 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, featured various speakers, poster presentations, scientific sessions and a sold-out expo floor.

In response to a growing interest in vegan food, functional food and probiotics, Probil has signed distribution agreements with companies in Sweden, Iceland and Austria.