NZIFST Newsletter - Nibbles # 441, May 27th 2025
Revolutionizing dairy alternatives with BENEO’s Faba Bean Protein |
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With plant-based foods gaining momentum, more consumers are shifting toward dairy-free choices.i |
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Research conducted on behalf of BENEO reveals that over 30% of consumers are cutting back on dairyii, while nearly half (49%) have already embraced dairy alternatives. Also, an important number is that 32% enjoy plant-based treats like chocolate.iii Yet, there’s still room to grow with another third of flexitarian consumers being curious about dairy alternatives, and 42% are keen to explore plant-based sweets.iv These flexitarian consumers are a crucial audience for plant-based product manufacturers, making it essential to understand what influences their purchasing decisions. According to BENEO’s survey, their top motivations for choosing dairy alternatives include health benefits and overall well-being (49%), a preference for natural ingredients (44%), and the desire to maintain a balanced diet (44%).v |
Not surprisingly, offering a pleasant taste and texture is also a key driver to repeat purchase.vi To appeal to this audience, brands must emphasize nutritional quality and reinforce their positioning as ‘better-for-you’ options. After learning all of these above statistics and trends, enter BENEO’s delicious dairy-free cocoa dessert! A delightful application possibility that showcases the power of faba bean protein, all while ticking off the above needs of today’s consumers. The indulgent treat proves that dairy alternatives can offer a desired taste, texture and nutrition. Download the in-depth paper and discover how faba bean protein can elevate your next dairy alternative innovation. BENEO source references for this article are available on request. |
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Conference 2025
Would you like to link your brand with the NZIFST Conference?
We still have sponsorship opportunities available. Click here for more details.
Registration is Open
We are very excited to let you know our new website is ready for Conference Registrations!
Hopefully you can now see the ticketing details, a basic programme, our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors, and the registration button!
Earlybird registration closes on May 31st.
Please let us know if you have any issues accessing anything.
There is more content to come, so keep your eyes peeled.
Other Food Industry Events
Join New Zealand Food Safety for the next offering in the Emerging Food Allergy Risk Webinar Series:
Our current understanding of the psychological impact of food allergy
11am-12pm NZST, Thursday 29 May
Professor Rebecca Knibb, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Do you have a food industry related event you would like to advertise with us?
Contact the NZIFST Executive Manager to find more about costs and discounts by offering discounts to NZIFST Members.
Latest Food New Zealand Issue
Food New Zealand:
April/May 2025
Featuring in the April/May issue
- Focus on INGREDIENTS
- NZOZ Sensory Symposium Report
- NZFSSRC: Marine Research on the case of Ciguatera
- Accessible Design - Packaging for everyone
- Tiny food farms: A big deal.
Remember, you can download a pdf from this link
Food Industry Consultants Directory Details
We are in the process of launching the Food Industry Consultants Directory on our new platform, so hold tight while this happens.
NZIFST Food Industry Consultants Directory
In August we soft launched a new page on the NZIFST website in conjunction with the Auckland Branch FED Talk "Is Consulting for You?"
If you are considering moving to consulting, you can check out the recording of the FED Talk in the members only recordings section of the website.
If you would like to advertise your consulting services with us or are looking for someone with skills you or your business may not have, please email the Executive Manager for more details.
NZIFST Head Office Notes
NZIFST Annual Awards
Thank you to everyone who nominated someone for one of our annual awards.
The Mary Earle Mentorship Award is still open, so if you know someone who excels at mentoring others so they can achieve their career goals and objective through moral, social and intellectual support, you can nominate them here.
The nominations for this award close on May 31st, 2025.
NZIFST Elections
Eligible NZIFST members will have received 2 emails this morning about the upcoming election of Elected Officers.
- 1 with the link to the voting platform
- 1 with the profiles of the nominees for the position.
Please check your junk mail/spam folder if these did not arrive in your inbox, otherwise please email the Executive Manager.
The Earle Travel Fellowship Applications are now open
The Earle Travel Fellowship is awarded annually to support and encourage young professional engineers and food technologists. The aim of the fellowship is to increase the knowledge and skills of professionals through overseas travel.
Applications are invited from young (under 40 years old) members of NZIFST, Engineering NZ, IChemE in New Zealand or PDMA.
Applications close on 21st July 2025.
IUFoST Committee Nominations
NZIFST is a member of the International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST).
IUFoST is seeking nominations for representatives to the following groups:
- Early Career Scientists
- Various Food Processing Committees - depending on your area of interest or knowledge.
- Food Safety Curricula Benchmarking Committee.
Let me know if you would like to know more about these committees.
NZ Food Safety News
Entries Close Today
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MPI Consultations, Legislation, Standards and Reviews. If you are interested in what MPI is currently working on, check here for Consultations, and here for Legislation, Standards and Reviews. |
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To hear more about food importer responsibilities, upcoming changes to imported food requirements, current events such as recalls related to imported foods and future webinars, you can subscribe to the quarterly Food importer news by visiting this page: Food importer news | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz). |
FSANZ Notifications
Call for submissions
FSANZ invites written submissions on the assessment of the following application via the FSANZ Consultation Hub.
General procedure
- A1288 - Thermolysin from Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus Rokko as a processing aid: this application seeks permission for the enzyme thermolysin to be used as a processing aid for protein hydrolysis in: dairy foods, egg, meat, fish, yeast, protein concentrates and isolates, and brewing. 11:59pm (Canberra time) Thursday 03 July 2025.
New applications and proposals
FSANZ has completed an administrative assessment and accepted the following application. An opportunity to comment will be available at a later date which will be publicly notified.
General procedure
Approval - Food Ministers' Meeting notification
FSANZ has approved variations arising from the following applications and proposal on 30 April 2025. FSANZ has notified this approval to the Food Ministers’ Meeting:
- A1279 - Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) mycelia as a processing aid
- A1307 - Milk fat globule membrane as a nutritive substance in infant formula products
- A1308 - 2′-FL from GM Escherichia coli W in infant formula products
- A1310 - Food derived from insect-protected soybean line MON94637
- A1311 - Prolyl oligopeptidase from GM Trichoderma reesei as a processing aid
- P1064 – Australian only Infant Formula Product Standard
Once FSANZ has notified the Food Ministers’ Meeting of its decision, it has 60 days to either request FSANZ to review the approved standard or inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review. Further information on the process is available at The Food Ministers' Meeting website
Work Plan update
The Food Standards Work Plan has been updated - Food Standards Work Plan
Further information is available on the FSANZ Gazette web page.
For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the Food Standards Work Plan.
Previous Notification Circulars and Gazettes are available on the FSANZ website.
CHANGING YOUR JOB?
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT IT!
If you have changed jobs, or are back in New Zealand from overseas, please email your news to the team at Food New Zealand so it can be included in the journal.
