Stem cells for taste identified
05 February, 2013Scientists have identified the location and certain genetic characteristics of taste stem cells on the tongue. The findings will facilitate techniques to grow and manipulate new functional taste cells for both clinical and research purposes.
Listening to what the tongue feels
01 February, 2013 by George van AkenCreaminess or astringency of new foods can be determined by measuring the sound generated by the food interacting with the tongue during consumption. This new technology, developed by NIZO food research, records and analyses the sound of rubbing of the tongue against the food and can be used to predict the sensory effects of food innovations.
Melamine involved in further health concerns
25 January, 2013Taiwanese researchers have found that people eating hot soup from melamine bowls excreted higher levels of melamine in their urine than those eating from ceramic bowls.
US appetite for high-protein products grows
25 January, 2013Introductions of foods and drinks making a high-protein claim are almost three times higher in the US than anywhere else in the world, accounting for 19% of global new product launches in 2012.
800 new additions to Food Fraud Database
24 January, 2013The US Pharmacopeial Convention has added nearly 800 new records of ‘food fraud’ to its Food Fraud Database, which contains information about foods that are vulnerable to fraudulent manipulation in today’s food supply.
Would you like fries with that nutrition information?
23 January, 2013McDonald’s take-away bags and fountain beverage cups will get a redesign in 2013, with packaging to include QR codes to give consumers greater information about its products.
Lupin hailed as secret ‘wonder food’
23 January, 2013The humble lupin is being hailed as Australia’s secret ‘wonder food’. The high-protein, high-fibre legume has an effect on satiation and satiety, which plays a role in weight management.
Ancient ‘lost’ grain is found again in Australia
22 January, 2013Traditionally grown in the highlands of Ethiopia, teff has been grown successfully in South Africa and the United States. But the little grain could soon be grown in Australia, thanks to research by RIRDC and TasGlobal Seeds.
Superyellow sweetcorn for super vision
22 January, 2013We’re often told to eat our carrots to ensure good eyesight, but rarely does sweetcorn get a mention when it comes to eye health. A new variety of ‘superyellow’ sweetcorn could challenge the carrot’s reputation as the most eye-friendly vegetable.
Genes may drive us to (soft) drink
21 January, 2013Endocrinologists from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have applauded a study that shows a direct correlation between consumption of sugary soft drinks, obesity and genetic predisposition to weight gain.
Soft drink campaign is “misguided”, says Bev Council
21 January, 2013The Rethink Sugary Drinks campaign is “misguided”, the Australian Beverages Council has said. Launched on 17 January, the campaign aims to tackle soft drink overconsumption in Australia.
Got milk? Nobel prize winners do
18 January, 2013Gloucester Royal Hospital employees have found a correlation between milk consumption and Nobel prizes per capita that they think could explain the strong association between chocolate and Nobel prizes that was published in the NEJM.
$1 million donation for salt perception research
17 January, 2013The Monell Center has received $1 million from food chemistry consultant Louise Slade to support the institute’s research program on the mechanism of human salt detection and perception.
Depression-beverage link is “unfounded”, says Bev Council
11 January, 2013The Australian Beverages Council has called findings from a recent study that suggests a link between beverage consumption and depression “unfounded” and has criticised the authors’ scientific methods.
Onion and garlic waste clean up heavy metals
10 January, 2013Indian researchers have discovered a use for onion and garlic waste from the food industry: mopping up hazardous heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin.
