But by specialising in emulsifiers, enzymes and flavours, rather than such bulk ingredients as flour and milk, Danisco controls the ingredients that are critical in helping manufacturers to distinguish their products from rival ones.

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The company ships active ingredients in bulk to generics heavies such as Teva and Ivax.

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Producing big quantities in America has become harder, as the authorities have cracked down on bulk purchases of the ingredients.

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Chinese restaurateurs say that such imports are small-scale, and that it is simply not economical to transport ingredients across the globe in bulk.

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In fast food, fillers are additives that bulk up the weight of a food with less expensive, less nutritious ingredients.

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At a hearing last June, an FDA official said the agency does not know how often counterfeit ingredients make their way into U.S. products but that the vast majority of imported bulk drugs are safe and effective.

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