Standard stevia processing does not meet USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, which is a problem for processors hoping to use stevia in certified organic products. SGF has developed a new technology to overcome these obstacles. [ + ]

Suntory has announced it will acquire all outstanding shares of Beam Inc for US$16 billion. Suntory will pay US$83.50 per share, a 25% premium on Beam's closing price of US$66.97 on 10 January 2014. [ + ]

Once Salmonella takes hold and forms a biofilm, it's exceptionally difficult - if not completely impossible - to kill it, even with powerful disinfectants, recent research shows. [ + ]

Evoguard GmbH, a subsidiary of Krones, will operate Krones' valve technology business on a stand-alone basis. Based in Nittenau, Germany, Evoguard is 100% owned by Krones. [ + ]

Five German breweries and seven individuals have been fined by the Bundeskartellamt (Federal Cartel Office) over illegal price-fixing agreements for beer. [ + ]

Frutarom says it will launch up to seven proprietary natural ingredients in 2014, while continuing to develop new studies and products. [ + ]

New product launches of dairy products featuring omega-3 claims have risen in the last five years; however, the share of total dairy launches with omega-3 claims has fallen from 2.4% in 2008 to 1.5% in 2013, new research from Innova Market Insights shows. [ + ]

Higher tree nut intake has been associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity in a study of Seventh-Day Adventists conducted by Loma Linda University. [ + ]

A new centre for food science research is to be established at Charles Sturt University, after the university secured $2.15 million in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). [ + ]

tna has announced it will showcase its bagging, seasoning, spray and distribution products at the 2014 Snaxpo exhibition, which will be held in Dallas, Texas, from 1 to 4 March. [ + ]

Three major US food companies face litigation after the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) issued demand letters regarding their use of deceptive labelling and marketing. [ + ]

Most participants in a recent eco-label study said they preferred the 'organic' coffee option when offered cups of conventionally produced coffee and coffee carrying an eco-label. This could provide food manufacturers with useful techniques for marketing their eco-labelled products. [ + ]

Coles' recent decision to stock only RSPCA-approved chicken is nothing more than a "hollow marketing tactic" which will have a similar effect on the poultry industry as the milk price wars, according to the Australian Chicken Growers Council (ACGC). [ + ]

Consumers can tell the difference between regular and salt-reduced bread - but they're still happy to buy the salt-reduced version, according to taste tests conducted by Oregon State University. [ + ]

Junk food really can turn your brain to mush. In a study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, UNSW researchers showed that rats fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet exhibited impaired memory after just one week. [ + ]