Prawns are to become the first Fairtrade seafood, reports Independent.co.uk. The Fairtrade Foundation is working to create certification standards for small-scale king and tiger prawn farms in Asia by the end of the year. It’s likely that farms granted Fairtrade status will have to meet restrictions around taking breeding stock from the wild, and the amount of fishmeal they provide for food. By introducing certification standards, the Fairtrade Foundation hopes to stop the destruction by prawn farmers of mangroves, which are a crucial habitat for fish and other sea life and also defend against floods. As with all Fairtrade initiatives, farmers who adhere to these restrictions will be ensured the fairest possible price for their product.
McDonald’s considers diet burger
A burger that’s famous for its fat content could eventually have a light version, according to Delish.com. The head of McDonald’s Australia, Catriona Noble, says that the brand is considering the possibility of a diet Big Mac. “What if we had a version of the Big Mac that is, say, a Big Mac Light? It might have a low-fat sauce on it; it might have a wholemeal bun.” Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton has also shared her thoughts on how to create a healthier burger; suggesting that the amount of lettuce be increased, the amount of meat and cheese decreased, and a crustier bun used to provide more satisfaction. Changes like these would definitely help reduce the amount of calories in the current Big Mac (493), as well as the fat content (26.9 grams). However, it could be two or three years before the new burger is seen on McDonald’s menus, says Noble, as change of this magnitude is difficult due to the large size of the company.
Drinkable jelly and other delights
Ever wondered what it’s like to drink hot jelly? Well, now you can find out. According to Datamonitor.com, Japanese company Ito En has created what it claims is the first ever jelly drink designed to be served hot. Also new to the beverage market in Japan is a Mont Blanc-flavoured cola drink – Mont Blanc is a French dessert made from pureed chestnuts and topped with whipped cream. And in another part of the world, Datamonitor.com says that Americans have been introduced to fruit-flavoured tortilla chips. The Tangos All Natural Tortilla Chips range combines blue corn with strawberries, blueberries and cranberries.
Bacon nation
Sprinkles, nuts and chocolate sauce are all popular toppings for desserts, but what about bacon? According to Delish.com, Denny’s stores in the United States have created a sundae comprising layers of vanilla ice cream, maple syrup and diced hickory bacon. This is part of a limited-edition, bacon-themed menu being run by the company, which also features a bacon sampler, flapjacks and triple-decker BBLT. America is no stranger to unconventional pork products (remember the bacon-flavoured soft drink featured in Food & Beverage Today’s January issue?), which currently include gumballs, mints, jellybeans, lollipops and chocolate.
Masculine meals
An American-based chef has created a foodie resource, with a male focus. Independent.co.uk reports that Marcus Samuelson, who was once the youngest chef to receive a three-star review from The New York Times and has fed such luminaries as President Obama, recently launched Food Republic – a website catering specifically to men. As well as recipes, which cover everything from martinis and other drinks through to nutritious dishes for the entire family, there are also sections on cooking ‘power’ tools (think microplane zesters) and women talking about their favourite man-cooked meals. Sports stars, artists, musicians and other chefs will also share their experiences, including what they’re currently eating and drinking. Men are being increasingly targeted by the food and beverage industry, especially in America – in the April issue of Food & Beverage Today, for example, we reported that Dr Pepper had released a diet drink specifically for males. For more information, visit www.foodrepublic.com
Popular restaurant has promising future
Wagamama has found itself a new owner, reports Caterersearch.com. The restaurant chain’s UK stores went up for sale last year, but were recently bought by a private equity firm for what is thought to be £215 million. Duke Street is the lucky buyer, and was supported in its purchase by investment firm Hutton Collins. Interestingly, Hutton Collins has invested in Wagamama several times before. “Wagamama is an excellent business that has gone from strength to strength since we first invested in 2004,” says the company’s founding partner, Matthew Collins. “The fact that this is Hutton Collins’ first hat-trick investment demonstrates our confidence in the potential of this business. The company has ambitious expansion plans, and with Duke Street’s backing we look forward to helping it realise them.” Wagamama was founded in London in 1992, by restaurateur Alan Yau.
Did you know?
- Coca Cola and Pepsi are sold in almost every country in the world, except North Korea.
- The famous Italian explorer, Marco Polo, is partially responsible for the invention of ice-cream, having bought home a recipe from China for a dessert made with iced milk. The Europeans decided to substitute the milk for cream, and so the frozen confection we know today was born.
- Beer is served at McDonald’s in Germany.