Study replaces soy lecithin with sunflower

01-Nov-2011 - Lecithin is a natural emulsifier used in chocolate production to help produce a homogeneous, low-viscosity chocolate mass that melts gently.

Cargill invests in chocolate innovation

01-Nov-2011 - Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate has launched three chocolate flavours as interest in speciality chocolate continues to burgeon in Europe.

Food Manufacturing Awards: one week to go

01-Nov-2011 - There is just one week to go before the stellar evening when food and drink manufacturers celebrate the best of the best at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

EU sugar reform could cost 850 UK jobs

28-Oct-2011 - Recent proposals to reform the EU’s sugar regime could cost 850 UK jobs, claims leading sugar producer Tate & Lyle.

Intersnack relaunches following NPD investment

24-Oct-2011 - Pom-Bear and Penn State Pretzel owner Intersnack is planning UK relaunches of its brands next year.

Premier Foods trusts in Power Brands and partnerships

21-Oct-2011 - As pressure mounts on troubled food giant Premier Foods, the firm clarified its Power Brand strategy based on stronger supplier partnerships and hired the financial services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to handle crunch talks with its banks.

FDF’s social media campaign aims to recruit trainees

21-Oct-2011 - A social media campaign that could “provide a pipeline of talent into the industry” was announced by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) earlier this week.

Robotics workshop to help food firms match Europe

20-Oct-2011 - A robotics workshop will take place next month to help UK food and beverage manufacturers catch up with their European competitors.

Why water is the new carbon

19-Oct-2011 - Mounting pressure on dwindling water resources means that food manufacturers must cut consumption sooner rather than later, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Food firms to double apprenticeships

17-Oct-2011 - The food and drink industry has pledged to double the number of apprenticeships in the sector by the end of next year.

News in brief

Tangerine Confectionery snaps up Highland Toffee

14-Oct-2011 - The largest UK-owned sugar confectionery and popcorn maker, Tangerine Confectionery has acquired retro sweet brands Highland Toffee and Wham Bars.

Kerry to close Okehampton site in move to Tenbury

14-Oct-2011 - Food and flavours firm Kerry Ingredients has confirmed that the closure of its Okehampton factory will be complete by the end of March 2012, with the loss of over 90 jobs. But it has also revealed expansion plans for its Tenbury Wells site, which will create 50 new jobs and double the site’s production capacity.

Manufacturers come out fighting in obesity row

14-Oct-2011 - Food firms have rejected criticisms that the industry is failing to combat obesity after the government’s framework to tackle the problem drew flack from campaign groups.

Mars Food recall highlights contingency planning

13-Oct-2011 - Mars Food’s recall of some of its Dolmio PastaVita products underlines the need for effective contingency planning, according to legal specialists.

Sugar reforms are 'good news' for food firms

13-Oct-2011 - The European Commission’s plans to abolish beet sugar quotas by 2015 will be welcomed by food manufacturers, predicted market analysts who slammed the current sugar regime for being “completely illogical”.

Food firms join chorus of disapproval on CAP reform

12-Oct-2011 - European food industry body FoodDrinkEurope has joined farmers and environmentalists in a chorus of disapproval following the publication of the Commission’s plans to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Food prices to fall? Not necessarily, say food firms

10-Oct-2011 - Food producers have sounded a cautious note following speculation that food prices are set to fall.

Small firms unimpressed by Bank of England cash boost

10-Oct-2011 - Small food firms have expressed doubts that the Bank of England’s £75bn injection into the economy will make their lives easier.

News in brief

Familiar snacks make kids feel fuller and may cut obesity

06-Oct-2011 - Parents who want to cut their children’s snack intake should give them products they know, according to new research from the University of Bristol.

News in brief

British Sugar workers call off strikes

06-Oct-2011 - Plans for industrial action at British Sugar plants have been abandoned after workers failed to back the move.

News in brief

Prime minister chews over UK fat tax

05-Oct-2011 - Prime Minister David Cameron is considering the possibility of introducing a Danish-style fat tax to tackle the nation’s £9bn obesity crisis.

New, sweet way to save energy

03-Oct-2011 - Baker Perkins has enhanced the efficiency of its microfilm confectionery cooker.

Feature

Raise the bar

03-Oct-2011 - Now in his 90s and bright as a button, Giancarlo Vanini, ICAM's former head of sales, still drives to its office and helps out, having worked for the company since it began in 1946. Anyone who meets him can tell there's nowhere else he would rather be. His unassuming work ethic symbolises the entire business.

Danish fat tax divides UK opinion

03-Oct-2011 - News that Denmark is to become the first country in the world to introduce a tax on foods with saturated fat, in a bid to foster healthy eating, has sharply divided British opinion.