Africa

dispatches from HiE 2016

Teff: The next ‘ancient grain’ to make nutrition ripples?

02-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The success of chia and quinoa has opened the door for other less-known ancient grains, but one South African company exporting teff is wary of a boom and bust effect.

Diabetes game changer? Researchers to look at green tea catechins & insulin

26-Aug-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Botanical supplier Plandaí Biotechnology has signed a research agreement with North West University in South Africa to investigate green tea catechins and type 2 diabetes. 

DISPATCHES FROM FOOD VISION 2016

‘Demand-creation’ business model key to sustainability

11-Mar-2016 By Will Chu

How to create a new high-value, sustainable business model for African ingredients? By focusing on demand-creation first, production second and engagement with communities, says the founder of baobab start-up Aduna. 

HG&H Pharmaceuticals adopts sceletium through ABC’s Adopt-an-Herb Program

23-Feb-2016

HG&H Pharmaceuticals has ‘adopted’ the South African herb sceletium through the ABC Adopt-an-Herb Program.

live from EFSA's 2nd scientific conference

‘Starving Africa’ cliché used to push GM: Harvard Professor

16-Oct-2015 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn at the Milan Expo

An over-simplistic image of impoverished, malnutritioned Africa is being used to push the case for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a senior Harvard professor has warned.

Moringa just the tip of the iceberg, says African ingredients specialist

13-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

If high-profile ingredients such as baobab and Moringa oleifera really take off in the next couple of years, Africa could finally start to get the attention it deserves as a source of top-flight nutraceuticals, according to one supplier.

Big interview, Adolf Joubert, CEO Afrinatural

When will African ingredients get the attention they deserve?

08-Mar-2012

Africa has a wealth of indigenous plant species, but has not been as successful as India and China at commercializing them as nutraceuticals, one South African firm trying to spread the word about the continent’s natural ingredients tells Elaine Watson

South African anti-anxiety extract set for 2011 US roll-out

04-Oct-2010 By Stephen Daniells

The US launch of the proprietary plant ingredient Zembrin is on-course for the first half of 2011, after South Africa’s HGH Pharmaceuticals received the first ever bioprospecting permit for the anxiety-alleviating extract.

Pepsi launches Baobab Cola in Japan

23-Jun-2010

Pepsi has launched a limited release version of Pepsi Baobab in Japan to join its exotic range that includes Pepsi Cucumber.

Baobab fruit approved as food ingredient in US

11-Sep-2009 By Rod Addy

Baobab fruit pulp has been given the green light of approval for use in some food and drink applications, with the US FDA signing off GRAS status for the vitamin C-rich ingredient.

New US firm brings African plant extracts to market

19-Feb-2009 By Lorraine Heller

South African plant extract firm Afrinatural is introducing its ingredients to the North American supplement and functional foods markets, following the establishment of a subsidiary in the United States.

Baobab - newest kid on the novel foods block

01-Jul-2008 By Stephen Daniells

Africa farmers could be set to tap into a billion dollar industry
with baobab, as the baobab fruit pulp obtained novel foods approval
yesterday, FoodNavigator.com can report.

West Africa offers supplement potential for Optihealth

19-Feb-2008 By Alex McNally

A Canadian supplement manufacturing and research company has landed
a deal to see its products distributed in 15 West African countries
- and access to a market which is set to boom in the next few
years.

Soy industry involved in protein, AIDS research

04-Dec-2006 By Jess Halliday

The US soy industry is supporting a new research project in South
Africa to fill a gap in the data as to how soy protein
supplementation could help people living with HIV and AIDS.

EU set to bring 'super cereal' to supermarkets

30-Aug-2006 By staff reporter

The EU is funding an innovative new research programme that could
see the introduction of a highly nutritional cereal within the
bloc.

Out of Africa: Novel botanicals enter market

11-May-2006 By Stephen Daniells in Geneva

Functional food and beverage makers could soon be turning to Africa
for more and more novel plant extracts, Vitafoods attendees heard
yesterday.

NCCAM grant supports African plant research

18-Oct-2005 By Jess Halliday

An international collaboration to research the safety and efficacy
of South African medicinal plants has attracted a $4.4 million,
four-year grant from NCCAM, and could result in plant-based
therapies for diseases rampant in Africa,...

Africa looking to raise standards for herbals

02-Feb-2005

A quality push for producers of African medicinal plants could help
bring more novel products onto Europe's herbals market, reports
Dominique Patton.

Investing in paprika

09-Sep-2003

Paprika, used as a food colourant and flavour enhancer throughout
the world, has attracted the focus of regional economic
initiatives, governments and agribusiness from South Africa to
Zambia. In Zambia, family agribusiness Bimzi...

Safety strategy for alternative medicine

29-May-2002

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a global strategy
to address the issue of safety in the practice of alternative
medicine.