Puratos Group, Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium, and Grand-Place Holding, Brussels, Belgium, two international groups active in the business-to-business supply of raw materials and ingredients to the food industry, have finalized negotiations for a joint venture agreement in Vietnam.

The three UN food agencies urged governments to take quick action to curb the rising prices of corn, wheat and soybeans and avoid a repeat of the 2007-2008 food crises. The sharp rise in food prices in recent months could make life even more difficult for tens of millions of people, especially those in poor countries, warn the heads of the UN World Food Program, FAO and International Fund for Agriculture Development. A prolonged drought in the U.S., the top exporter of corn, wheat and soybeans, has helped drive up commodity prices.

The HealthBread Project will develop whole grain and white breads with improved nutritional value, taste and product quality.

Though the movement has been slow, in the last few years, Mexico has begrudgingly earned the respect of Italy or France as a destination for the world's foodies. It’s a great model for the new global trend to cook ‘paleo,’ and eat local.

The Burnsville, Minn.-based custom powdered ingredient systems provider broadens its spray-dry capabilities through the acquisition of both equipment and expertise. Augmenting Quality’s custom formulation, spray-drying, spray-chilling and dry-blending services will be additional tall-form spray dryers suited for applications with highly-specialized toll manufacturing needs, including flavors, functional ingredients and dietary supplements.

Retailers and food companies know that it makes business sense to meet the needs of millions of people who cannot tolerate gluten. That’s why gluten-free versions of many foods are cropping up, usually at a higher price. But sales are soaring.

A lawsuit forces General Mills to defend the accuracy of its ‘Natural’ labeling claims on its Nature Valley products. The labels state the products as natural when they contain highly processed ingredients.