Vion strikes delayed after Sainsbury’s contract loss

09-Mar-2012 - Workers at meat processor Vion have postponed two strike dates in the row over pay and conditions after the firm revealed that it had lost a significant contract with retailer Sainsbury, according to Unite the union.

Unite slams ‘vulture-like’ Tulip for Tranfood closure

06-Mar-2012 - Pork manufacturer Tulip has been slammed by Unite the union and accused of “vulture-like behaviour” after the firm abruptly closed its Tranfoods site yesterday (March 5).

Research bid to breed bug-resistant chickens

05-Mar-2012 - Chickens resistant to Campylobacter – a bacteria that is the biggest cause of food poisoning in the UK – could result from a new £1.3M research project.

2012 Olympic Games pledges free-range egg support

02-Mar-2012 - The London 2012 Olympic Games has backed the government’s ban on the production of battery eggs in the UK after Lord Sebastian Coe confirmed that all caterers for the event will use only British Lion free-range egg products.

Food firms cautious over Schmallenberg virus

29-Feb-2012 - Food manufacturers have adopted a cautious approach to the Schmallenberg virus, which causes abnormalities to livestock, despite the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) claim that the scare poses a minimal risk to humans via the food chain.

Put the muscle in vacuum filling and portioning

27-Feb-2012 - Processing equipment specialist Handtmann will exhibit a variety of machinery for vacuum filling and portioning for meat, dairy, bakery and seafood applications.

High-speed tray sealer for meat and poultry

27-Feb-2012 - High-speed tray sealers which make use of a full vacuum system are now available from heat sealing specialist Proseal. While the company's existing equipment can deliver gas flushing for modified atmosphere packaging applications, the new GT1V has been developed for products such as meat and poultry where residual gas levels need to be less than 1%.

New portioner for poultry production

27-Feb-2012 - French food processor Farmor has invested in a second RevoPortioner from Marel Townsend to cope with increased production.

Poultry packing partners reaps rewards in Russia

27-Feb-2012 - The Meyn-Ishida alliance has designed, supplied and installed a new 10,500 birds per hour (bph)plant for Russia's largest poultry producer, Zao Prioskolie - one that could expand to 12,000bph.

Phosphate-reduced chicken tonight

27-Feb-2012 - Three companies (Marigot, AllinAll Ingredients and Naturis) have joined forces to develop a new brine system that offers a clean-label alternative to using phosphates in poultry.

Vion Foods fined £16,000 after worker's fall

27-Feb-2012 - Multi-national food and ingredients firm Vion Foods was fined £16,000 after a worker was blown from the top of a shipping container while moving corrugated metal sheets.

X-ray system gets to the bones of it

27-Feb-2012 - Selo will focus on technologies that integrate meat and poultry and packaging, together with those which maximise shelf-life, increase efficiency and add value.

CAP reform threatens farmers who manufacture food

23-Feb-2012 - The requirement for “active farmers” under the latest proposals to reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could hit those who derive most of their income from activities other than farming, such as food manufacture, an expert has warned

News in brief

Irish government support for food exports 'vital'

20-Feb-2012 - The Irish government’s role in maintaining a healthy domestic market is vital to growing the country’s food and drink exports, according to Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDIE).

Synthetic meat moves closer after Dutch research

20-Feb-2012 - Environment-friendly synthetic meat has moved a step closer with the publication of research detailing how Dutch scientists used stem cells to create strips of muscle tissue.

News in brief

UK now net lamb exporter but challenges remain

17-Feb-2012 - Strong sales to Europe last year have driven the UK to become a net exporter of lamb but key challenges remain, according to the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).

Kerry Foods confirms fatality at Burton site

16-Feb-2012 - Irish chilled foods manufacturer Kerry Foods has confirmed the death of a worker at its Staffordshire factory after a man suffered a heart attack in the early hours of Valentine’s Day.

Food industry robots soon to take meat samples

13-Feb-2012 - Robotic sampling of meat quality on slaughterhouse production lines could be commercially available next year, as a result of a £1M research project.

News in brief

Morrisons buys meat processing plant from Vion

01-Feb-2012 - Supermarket chain Morrisons, the only major multiple retailer to operate its own meat processing factories, has struck a deal to acquire a 9,755m2 meat processing facility in Winsford, Cheshire from Vion UK.

FSA threatens abattoir bullies

01-Feb-2012 - The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is threatening to withdraw inspectors from abattoirs and primary cutting plants that fail to deal with a culture of bullying, which is said to be "endemic" across the industry.

Treasury pledges support for food and drink firms

31-Jan-2012 - The Treasury has pledged to support the growth of UK food and drink manufacturers by creating the conditions in which the sector can thrive.

UK freezers designed for Thai poultry firm

30-Jan-2012 - Starfrost has supplied five spiral freezers to a leading chicken processor in Thailand.

Comment

People control their diets, not governments

30-Jan-2012 - The evergreen Tim Lang, professor of Food Policy at City University London, has never been afraid to rattle cages and elicit strong reactions.

Firms lament country of origin label burden

30-Jan-2012 - Country of origin labelling (COOL) looks set to cause manufacturers serious headaches and extra cost burdens when the new rules start coming into force in 2014.