Frutarom has announced the opening of a new R&D facility in Switzerland, which will be the centre of innovation efforts in Europe for both flavours and fine ingredients.

The Israeli-based firm began construction of the centre twelve months ago.

True to the company's maxim 'Passion for Taste and Health', it will focus on developing new flavours and food systems, and products that fall under its fine ingredients division like herbal extracts and functional ingredients.

Genetics may play a large role in determining individual differences in sour taste perception, says a new study from the US that may lead to identification of the still-elusive taste receptor that detects sourness in foods and beverages.

How consumers sense food is crucial knowledge for a food industry constantly organising the building blocks of new food formulations.

 "Demonstrating a genetic component to individual differences in sour taste is the first step in pinpointing the genes that determine sensitivity."

Danisco is developing a range of emulsifiers aimed at reducing the need to use commodity products such as wheat, gluten, and vegetable oils in food formulations, as manufacturers feel the pinch of soaring prices.

The price of commodities has increased dramatically over the past nine to 12 months as a result of biofuel speculation, other emerging applications, and demand from emerging markets like India and China.

 A recent report from the FAO and OECD said that it could be as long as a decade before the sky-high prices come back...

US-based Effica has applied for authorisation to market a concentrate produced from the hardy kiwi as a food ingredient in Europe under novel foods legislation, which would pave the way for it to be used in a variety of food products.

KiwiBerry Concentrate is derived from the Actinidia arguta fruit, also known as 'hardy kiwi fruit', which grows and is commonly consumed in northern China, Japan, Korea and Siberia.

It is described as being "similar in taste" to the common kiwi fruit, but smaller and with a fuzzless skin.