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Headlines > January 2008

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31-Jan-2008

New md joins Moy Park

Nigel Dunlop has this month joined Moy Park as md, becoming only the second to hold the title since 1983. Dr Trefor Campbell, who has...

FSA appoints novel foods committee members

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed six new Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) members, who each began their three-year term of...

28-Jan-2008

Salt Awareness Week sees processors under fire again

Salt Awareness Week 2008 was launched with another offensive from Consensus Action on Salt & Health (CASH) against high levels of salt in food and...

Smart labels offer cheap traceability

Manufacturers could soon benefit from a cheap smart label traceability system, which is being developed by researchers at Leatherhead Food International (LFI).“We are working on...

Online allergen-management course launched

A standalone, online allergen-management course has now been launched by West Sussex-based allergen-free food manufacturer Castle Kitchens in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire.The...

Eco-management and Audit Scheme to strengthen green credentials

The environmental performance of Europe’s food and drink sector is to come under greater scrutiny by regulators as the European Commission (EC) introduces changes to...

Ready meals manufacturers stamp out the stink

Ready meals firms have taken a stand against cooking odours by installing a novel air purification system, which is cost effective and promises low carbon...

EU food industry productivity lags behind

Productivity in Europe’s food and drink sector continues to lag behind that in manufacturing generally, according to the industry’s EU trade body CIAA.In its Data...

25-Jan-2008

firms help to give unemployed a fresh start

Employers from the food and drink industry are pitching in to entice people who have been unemployed for some time back to work as part...

Blueprint for soup production

Stevens Group's Recipe Formulation System is helping ensure batch consistency and traceability at soup manufacturer, Blueprint Foods.Portsmouth-based Blueprint Foods specialises in the production of high...

Fit answer for sick staff

Bosses must steer a middle course between catching the skivers and dealing fairly with legitimate sickness absences, reports Rod Addy

Bakery mixes right on the button

West Midlands' catering and bakery mixes company, Middleton Foods has installed Mettler Toledo's FormWeigh.Net recipe formulation software, linked to an advanced ID30 application terminal. The...

Single device eases batching and recipe management

A new development from Sartorius makes batching and recipe management very easy. The Phase application kit for the Sartorius Combics Pro weighing terminal enables manual...

Weigher boosts yield for salads

Increased yield previously considered unattainable for salad products is one of the major benefits that German salad supplier Gartenfrisch Jung is getting from an Ishida...

Forklift monitor improves truck safety

The use of the Lamerholm ImpactManager ID system on its fleet of forklift trucks has made a world of difference to operations at Taypack Potatoes...

Finlay's produces greener tea

Established over 250 years ago, Finlay's produces decaffeinated and speciality teas. Pressure from local water authorities to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels in the...

Ozone transfer cabinet beats bugs at sliced meat supplier

Forza AW, a sliced meat supplier to Asda, is making use of a novel transfer unit that uses ozone to sanitise materials and products passed...

Explosion regs - bakers too slow

More than three years after the introduction of the European ATEX explosive atmospheres regulations, government statistics show that 37% of industry fires still take place...

Sifter nets particles at 400 mesh

A new batch sifter has been developed by Kason Corporation Europe to meet stringent food and dairy standards. The dust-tight sifter has a stainless-steel housing,...

Aimia Foods' packers keep at it with evaporative cooling

CoSaf Environments, distributor of Seeley International's Breezair evaporative cooling systems, has helped keep workers more comfortable at Aimia Foods.Aimia supplies food and beverages to the...

Portable containers - chill way to save energy costs

Many food manufacturers and processors have systems to reduce energy in their chilled and frozen food operations. However, these do not always apply to their...

Maintaining the perfect pint

Wells and Young's, a UK brewer of speciality beers, has invested in a Reavellife maintenance contract from compressor maker CompAir to ensure the continuous availability...

Overseal finds insects have the answer to Red 2G

Overseal Natural Ingredients has perfected a range of naturally sourced alternatives to Red 2G, the red pigment that was banned by the European Commission in...

Power's in the mix for powder

A new variant of caramel colour powder has been introduced by global colour manufacturer Sethness-Roquette, based in Merville, France.Because of its lower tinctorial power compared...

Cleaner way to caramel hue

Ingredients specialist S Black is distributing natural brown colourings derived from malt and malt extracts supplied by Muntons, based in Stowmarket, Suffolk, under the brands...

Colour me natural

Replacing synthetic colours is not a simple process and is presenting a host of challenges surrounding formulation and shelf-life, says Rod Addy

You say tomato, LycoRed says Tomat-O-Red for health

Current health trends are seeing ingredients supplier LycoRed's tomato-based natural colourings grow in popularity.The latest evidence, based on a German study published in the Journal...

Zip up your trays and packs

The Mistral BB ZIP Servo from PFM Packaging Machinery offers an open and re-close zip application system which is ideal for products such as cheese,...

Bowls kick cans into touch for Spanish tuna balls

RPC Bebo UK Corby and RPC Barrier Containers France have provided new plastic packaging for Spanish fish processor Salica, enabling its range of tuna-based ready...

Clean-in-place for thermoform

A new generation of 'Clean and Clever' thermoform packaging machines has been introduced by Multivac. The first model of the new line is the high...

Gourmet food at a gallop

While innovation is key, processes that give extended shelf-life are still the holy grail for ready meal producers, says Paul Gander

Venting system helps cook frozen meals to perfection

The Amcor VentValve from Amcor Flexibles has been chosen by the Dutch company Vion for the launch of its frozen ready meals. It uses a...

Successor to Bradman-Lake in Germany

After the insolvency of the UK based Bradman-Lake Group companies and the subsequent sale of the businesses in October 2007, the management of the Bradman-Lake...

Get Serious about dessert filling

After rigorous tests, Serious Desserts has chosen Riggs Autopack to supply 10 single-head depositors for the manufacture of its chilled desserts brand range.Serious Desserts at...

Large format transfer printers combine flexibility with speed

A range of large format intermittent and continuous thermal transfer printers has been introduced by Allen Coding Systems. Offering maximum production flexibility with increased print...

You can see clearly now, PET

Detection of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, even those with thin walls and complex shapes, is easy now with the new E3ZM-B sensors from Omron Electronics....

Intelligent thermal transfer printer keeps labels legible and long-lasting

The Brady IP printer system is a new thermal transfer printing system that safeguards against illegible or faded labelling caused by the incorrect combination of...

Robots bag big business at Walkers

Walkers Snack Foods has installed three new Schubert automated robotic packaging systems for packing crisps at its factories in the Midlands and the North East.Two...

It's a wrap for chocolate-coated cereal bars

Redpack Packaging Machinery has supplied an innovative, purpose-designed packing line for wrapping individual chocolate-covered cereal bars at a well-known manufacturer of nutritional foods based in...

Shape of the future

In a market where 'fresh' has become the widely used buzz word, canned food products might appear to have acquired a somewhat dated image. But, as Catherine Quinn discovers, the canmakers are fighting back

More than meets the eye

Even the most trained eye has its limits. But the latest quality control equipment is on hand to ensure that food products tick all the boxes. Sarah Britton reports

Green versus convenience

Packaging machinery designers face the difficult task of reconciling consumer demand for convenience with less packaging, says John Dunn

A taxingly sweet issue for the industry to tackle

High Court confusion about the definition of confectionery for VAT purposes is giving manufacturers a headache, says Ian Hyde, tax partner at Pinsent Masons.The dilemma...

Brass up front!

Constant innovation and a culture of investing in people keep Barnsley-based Fosters Bakery ahead of the game in a challenging market, says md John Foster

Cost of hired guns

Proposed changes to employment law could put temps on an equal footing to full-time staff. Processors take heed, says Georgina Houghton

Boardall Group

Frozen specialist Reed Boardall Group is extending its food cold store at Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, adding another 22,000 pallet spaces to the existing 90,000....

Asda tries out green liquid nitrogen fridge in trailer

Asda is planning to replace the traditional diesel-fuelled fridges in its transport fleet with an emission-free, silent running alternative, which, it is claimed, will reduce...

Lean makes mathematical sense

Here's a riddle for you: Your raw material costs are going up rapidly. Your customers are by nature very price sensitive. Increasing your prices with...

More from upstream at Interpack

The April 2008 Interpack event in Germany will see more of a focus on packaging converting equipment and integrated form-fill-seal systems, and more space will...

Ink specifications and migration limits are vital

Food manufacturers need to be clear about the printing inks they specify, say ink suppliers, and the European Commission (EC) needs to lay down realistic...

Recycled and reinforced

Expect to see lighter, stronger materials in future with a greater proportion of recycled content. That is the message from plastics packaging supplier Sharp Interpack.Its...

The claims countdown has begun

I guess not everybody will be a fan of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), but in many instances its policy of openness is to be...

MPMA wants positive messages for consumers

The new director of the Metal Packaging Manufacturers' Association (MPMA) has warned that the temptation for one pack material to exploit negative comparisons with another...

Unusual shape challenges processor

Growing demand for Thai and southeast Asian dishes has seen Bedfordshire-based Parripak Foods begin processing Galangal alongside its fresh vegetables and garlic purees.The physical shape...

Kill it, cook it, eat it!

In a previous column I mentioned that I had part ownership of a Gloucester Old Spot pig, Delia, which was due for slaughter. I am...

Manufacturers encouraged to dive in to information pools

Allergens are a key focus, both for manufacturers, desperate to minimise product recalls, and also discerning consumers who are keen to know what they are...

Easy peasy Pancakes

General Mills is putting the focus firmly on pancake day with the launch of a marketing campaign to support its Betty Crocker Shake to Make...

Square Sausages for scots

Richmond is expanding its range with the launch of a brand new square sausage for the Scottish market.The square sausage market in Scotland is worth...

Seafood firm shells out on compostable packaging

Dawnfresh Seafoods, is launching an easy peel, jumbo, ready-to-eat prawn in the UK seafood industry's first compostable packaging solution.Branded under the All Natural Seafood Company,...

Get creative with raisins

The California Raisins Innovation Award is in its fourth year and thousands of pounds worth of advertising is up for grabs for the winning company.Last...

Extract pleasure from baking

Having successfully launched the first organic Fairtrade Vanilla Extract last year, spices specialist Steenbergs Organic, is increasing its Fairtrade offering with the launch of a...

Marshmallow makes an impact

Tangerine is entering the Easter market with the launch of a limited edition Princess Marshmallow Egg.Brand manager Helen Sears says: "The Princess Marshmallow Egg combines...

Virtual desserts could soon become the real deal

Got an idea for a new food product, but want to give it a test drive before you spend any money on it?According to Charles...

Cous cous is the right stuff to influence innovative recipe concepts

Symington's is aiming to reinvigorate the stuffings market with the launch of a string of new products under its Ainsley Harriott brand.Using cous cous as...

Trade Talk

Nutrition labelling - a bit of a Catch-22

LETTER

Recalls down, not up

LETTER

Support for regional food

Novel Food proposal to limit exclusivity rights

The EU's proposal to revise the Novel Food Regulation would allow all food companies to market approved novel foods in most cases, according to Brussels-based...

FSA guide welcomed

International law firm Eversheds has welcomed the Food Standards Agency's new voluntary guidelines on warning consumers about possible allergens in food eaten in restaurants and...

Meat renderers favour food waste for biofuel

The UK Renderers' Association (UKRA) has come out in favour of using rejected and unusable food materials to create biofuels.David Green, technical director of the...

Search for salt solution

Bakers work with researchers on effects of salt in bread dough

Local food safety bid gets nod

Major industry support for Salsa accreditation scheme for small local food producers

Leatherhead looks overseas for work

Food research consultancy Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is to seek work from overseas governments and organisations such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as...

Changes in milk law cause concern in the dairy sector

Consumers could be baffled by the relaxation of European Commission rules on fat levels in milk, according to dairy industry representatives.Products outside of standard milk...

Future of colours

Food colours are under threat as processors scrap them or turn to colouring foodstuffs and as the prepared foods market growth slows, warns the latest...

Pentagon's immune-booster

Experts say there may be a case for mandatory fortification of foods with the ingredient

Cheer up, spend down

Manufacturing has proved resilient in the face of fears of an economic slowdown, the latest CBI Industrial survey reveals. 62% of food companies said they...

Junk food ads lobby

More than 50 organisations have written to MPs calling on them to protect children from junk food advertising. Signatories include the British Heart Foundation, Cancer...

Filippo Berio change

R H Amar, the importer and national distributor of fine foods, and Filippo Berio (UK) are to part company when their current distribution agreement ends...

Freeman's sells up

Sun Valley Europe, part of Cargill, has acquired the chicken processing business Freeman's of Newent, which has 120 employees. Terms were not disclosed. Richard Maxfield,...

Foodex scene set

Foodex Live! and two Independents' Days for butchers will set the scene for Foodex Meatex 2008, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC from April...

Butt Foods denies 'stealing' bread bowl idea

The makers of the innovative edible bread bowls featured in Food Manufacture ('It's bread, Jim, but not as we know it ...', January, p28) have...

Irwin's does quickstep to business integration

Northern Ireland's largest independent bakery, Irwin's Bakery, has invested £800,000 in IT to improve business efficiency.The company has bought an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system...

Rare sugars attract interest as functional ingredients

Sugar from wood could be 'next big thing'

boost for Own-label

Rising food prices driven by using food crops for biofuel may force consumers to buy cheaper supermarket own-label products instead of branded goods, suggested market...

Safety first

Processors are set to benefit from new industry guidelines that will clarify food safety training requirements. The Food Standards Agency is working in partnership with...

Call to can tuna in own oil and add omega-3

The best way to increase UK consumption of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids would be to can tuna in its own oil, according to experts.The Parliamentary...

People's apathy could be the main nanotechnology block

Consumers show lack of understanding and indifference, rather than opposition

Website raises stink

The seafood industry has been enraged by claims from environmental group WWF's new Stinky Fish website that any fish not certified by the Marine Stewardship...

Boost for own-label

Rising food prices driven by using food crops for biofuel may force consumers to buy cheaper supermarket own-label products instead of branded goods, suggested market...

S&N takeover final

Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) has ended months of battling by submitting to takeover by Carlsberg of Denmark and Heineken of the Netherlands, giving the nod...

Which? slates govt

Consumer watchdog Which? has slammed the government for not cracking down hard enough on obesity. A total ban on adverts for unhealthy foods around TV...

Safety first

Processors are set to benefit from new industry guidelines that will clarify food safety training requirements. The Food Standards Agency is working in partnership with...

Industry leads drive to reduce water use

An industry-wide framework to slash water use by food and drink processors, driven by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Envirowise, was announced this...

EU labelling: freedom of choice likely

The European Commission (EC) is expected to allow EU member states to choose which front of pack nutrition labelling system they prefer when it adopts...

Business chiefs expect M&A among smaller food firms

Time to fight back, round-table debate told

Yorkshire and Humber regional food group unveils several innovations at Leeds forum

Allergen management assessment and a process slashing hours off the manufacturing time for ice cream are among the innovations announced by the Regional Food Group...

Tesco suppliers feel the chill as Sir Terry bans price rises

Industry sources say 'project iceberg' is part of a strategy driven by Sir Terry Leahy

24-Jan-2008

Greencore appoints chief financial officer

Geoff Doherty has been appointed chief financialofficer (CFO) of Greencore and chief executive of its property and agribusiness activities. Doherty's appointment will take effect from...

General Mills UK appoints new commercial director

Ed Culf has been appointed to the role of commercial director for General Mills UK's new combined dough business.Managing the newly integrated Jus-Rol and Saxby's...

Ben Ford joins Peter Rabbit Organic

Peter Rabbit Organics has appointed Ben Ford as its new chief executive officer. Ford will have overall responsibility for the development of the business on...

21-Jan-2008

Calibrated photo system assists industry

Manufacturers are set to benefit from a calibrated image system, which can be used to photograph specific areas of interest on a product.“We’ve calibrated a...

Most people don’t eat enough dairy, say experts

Academics and food manufacturers will gather in London tomorrow (January 22) to discuss how industry can tackle negative perceptions about dairy products and educate consumers...

EFSA splits additives panel to cope with rising workload

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is splitting its scientific panel on food additives in an effort to speed up the rate at which it...

Study to resolve Norovirus problems in food

A major new £800,000 collaborative research project is underway, which seeks to investigate the effectiveness of existing methods for inactivating Norovirus in food.The project is...

UK government reviews its support for collaborative food research

The government is reviewing the future of its collaborative Food Link pre-commercial research programme, which supports a number of projects lasting up to three years...

The show’s not over yet, say unions as Cadbury ploughs on with closure plans at Keynsham

Campaigners and union activists are meeting tomorrow (January 22) at Cadbury’s Keynsham chocolate factory to discuss their next move after bosses at the firm pledged...

14-Jan-2008

Finsbury targets growth in premium and healthy eating

Finsbury Food Group plans to double its Thorntons range of cakes and relaunch its Weight Watchers range, catering for consumers’ appetites for indulgent and healthy-eating...

Northern: 2008 a challenge

Northern Foods chief executive Stefan Barden has admitted that 2008 will be a challenge for manufacturers, with rising commodity costs an ongoing issue and medium-value...

Consultation on recycled plastics in contact with food

Food manufacturers and packaging suppliers considering recycled plastic for food packaging have until March 6 to respond to a consultation document issued by the European...

British Poultry Council defends abattoir safety

The British Poultry Council (BPC) has rejected claims by Unison union that abattoirs are risking meat safety by allowing untrained staff to carry out inspections.“Unison’s...

Test due to slash E.coli 0157 risk

Manufacturers could dramatically reduce the risk of E.coli 0157 outbreaks by using an extremely fast analysis process - or assay - due to launch later...

Lacors presses EC to strengthen nutritional labelling

The food industry must do more to provide consumers with consistent nutritional information about their food, the body overseeing local authority regulatory services has said.The...

Innocent clinches £32M finance package

Innocent Drinks has secured £32M worth of funding from Bank of Scotland Corporate, which the business intends to use to support its expansion plans in...

11-Jan-2008

New members of FSA advisory committee

Six new members of the General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) have been appointed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Professor Janet Bainbridge, Professor Jeya...

08-Jan-2008

Leatherhead Food International appoints new chief executive

Dr Paul Berryman has been appointed chief executive of Leatherhead Food International (LFI). Since 2005, Berryman has operated as LFI's research director, improving the profitability...

New global sourcing manager for Coldwater Seafood

Coldwater Seafood has appointed Stephane Weston as global sourcing manager. Weston will be responsible for developing new seafood opportunities from Coldwater's existing supply base along...

07-Jan-2008

Global management role for Paul Morrow

Paul Morrow, md of British Bakels - ingredients suppliers to the baking industry - is to relinquish the post in the second half of 2008...

Warburtons staff accept revised pay offer

Strike action has been averted at Warburtons after staff voted to accept the company’s latest pay offer, union bosses confirmed this morning.Employees at the Bradford-based...

Government food paper provokes serious concerns

The Cabinet Office strategy unit document on food and food policy could generate a confused approach to food policy and fails to address regional sourcing...

Firms losing research and development cash

Food processors could miss hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of tax credits for research and development (R&D) costs following imminent regulatory changes, according to...

Local supplier food safety scheme hailed as triumph

A food safety approval scheme aimed at making life easier for smaller local manufacturers has proved a success since its launch in March 2007, according...

Coffee trade bodies unite to provide single voice

The British Coffee Association (BCA) and The Coffee Trade Federation (CTF) have marked the New Year by merging to form one body.With effect from January...

Allergen-related product recalls soar

Cock-ups on allergen labelling are set to increase in frequency in 2008, continuing the trend established last year associated with mislabelled products containing unlisted allergens.Natural...

Butt Foods faces patent infringement challenge

The makers of the innovative bread bowls featured in last month’s Food Manufacture face a legal challenge from an inventor who claims he came up...

02-Jan-2008

Now you do the maths

Rod Addy zeros in on how one firm is bringing its employees up to speed in the basics of numeracy and literacy and more in-depth subjects

Forklift truck fleets get a battery boost

An intelligent battery organisation system has been developed by Jungheinrich for forklift trucks. By monitoring and controlling battery use, the JiBOS system can make significant...

Weigher cuts fruit giveaway

An eight-station Packhouse packing system supplied by Marco is playing a pivotal role at Village Nurseries' soft fruit establishment in Keyingham, East Yorkshire.The Marco system...

Pick-and-drop racking is right move for malt warehouse

A Link 51 pallet racking layout using very narrow aisle design and pick-and-drop stations is helping Europe's largest manufacturer of malt extract to make the...

How to eliminate freezer burn

Two ways to help eliminate the problem of freezer burn of meat, fish, pizzas and other frozen foods have been developed by Versaperm.The company has...

Food machinery firms to join forces in drive for innovation

Machinery manufacturer Marel Food Systems of Iceland, which owns AEW Delford Systems in the UK, is to acquire Stork Food Systems from Stork of The...

Dairy burns own whey biogas

Rotherham-based Dunphy Combustion has recently completed a state-of-the art, carbon-neutral, energy installation for a major dairy and cheese-making factory in Wels, Austria.The system uses biogas...

Screener takes apart for cleaning

A new centrifugal screener from Kason Corporation Europe has been designed to allow all its internal parts to slide freely from the shaft for cleaning,...

Extracts of tamarind and rooibos

Flavour and fragrance ingredient specialist Treatt has launched two new products in its 100% natural Treattarome range.Tamarind Treattarome 9860 provides a tangy, somewhat savoury flavour,...

Adjustable nozzles for improved spray-dry powders

The food and dairy division of Niro has developed the technology for incorporating adjustable nozzles in its spray dryers. This allows the nozzles within a...

New tastes to mask soy

Global flavour manufacturer Mastertaste is now offering a full range of soy masking flavours, from mild taste enhancers to products with a stronger masking power....

Business division will focus only on natural flavourings

Clevedon-based flavour company Create Flavours has restructured its business to incorporate a Natural Flavours Division to meet the growing requirement for savoury and sweet natural...

Dry saturated-steam cleaning beats all bacteria

ProVap from OspreyDeepclean is the first dry saturated-steam cleaning system to offer proven, microbiologically validated results for the bacterial decontamination of a variety of surfaces...

Below the salt

Although no one ingredient can replicate the many characteristics of salt, flavour experts are doing their damnedest. Sarah Britton investigates

Game's up for E. coli that glow

Microbiology specialist Lab M has introduced a new medium for the enumeration of presumptive E. coli in milk and milk products. Its modified lauryl sulphate...

Silver reduces surface bugs

Trials at a cooked-meat processing plant in the West Midlands have shown how BioCote's silver technology can reduce levels of bacteria by up to 96.4%...

Assay beads speed bacterial identification and up accuracy

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tool has been developed by Q Chip to speed up bacterial identification with greater accuracy and less variability. Identification using...

Brains for business

Innovation and technology centre Malmo Park is on a mission to seek out the development chefs of tomorrow. Sarah Britton joined its Chef Idol judging panel to see what was cooking

Speed is the key

Pressure to speed up results turnaround and product release is driving developments in testing and analysis technology. Lynda Searby reports

Chewing the fat

After securing a record number of patents, Unilever's former chief scientist has finally hung up his industry boots and returned to the world of academia. Elaine Watson catches up with the man who invented zero-fat spread

It's bread, Jim, but not as we know it ...

It's a devastatingly simple, but brilliant idea: edible bread bowls sturdy enough to hold soup or a curry but soft enough to eat. So when did the eureka moment come for Butt Foods?

Sometimes duplication is necessary

I find it fascinating to watch a business open up to supply chain thinking. One day it operates in isolation, mistrusting the competition, suppliers and...

Culina and Baylis merge their supply chain operations

This month sees the creation of a new supply chain business which brings together Culina Logistics and Baylis Logistics under the Culina title, part-owned by...

Premier's Wisbech site used as benchmark

Premier Foods has extended its largest distribution facility in Wisbech, expanding pallet capacity by almost 50%, and refurbished the existing warehouse.Work on a 20,000-pallet extension...

Cartonboard aims to play to environmental strengths

The multiple options for diverting paper and board from landfill risk generating confused environmental messages, warns the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) carton group.Mark Kerridge,...

Beauty fruity in a high-gloss pack

New product categories call for new pack structures, and when it comes to freeze-dried fruit pieces, one European converter has responded with a high-barrier, high-gloss...

Spanish supplier blazes a trail in antimicrobials

International debate about the future (or lack of it) of antimicrobial food packaging is becoming more polarised, with larger suppliers still deterred by perceived risks...

Wholesome foods: the whole story

Consumer research commissioned by National Starch Food Innovation has provided insight to guide customers on the future development of new wholesome ingredients.The research was conducted...

A lump of coal or stocking full of pressies?

January is often a time for reflection on the previous year and anticipation of what is to come.With the various 'gifts' of legislative change on...

Nose to tail development

Why do British consumers opt for the bland and the boring when it comes to pre-packed meat cuts? We really are an unadventurous lot when...

Cheese stabiliser cuts costs, but causes controversy

Ingredients firm Hydrosol claims it can cut the raw material cost of feta cheese production in half by removing milk from the equation, but whether...

Shortbread: a matter of fat

For consumers who love the taste of shortbread, but only indulge in the traditional Scottish snack occasionally, Paterson Arran has launched a new range of...

Director goes with a banger

Snowbird Foods' operations director Rodney Masters has launched a sausage recipe - The Director's Choice - to celebrate 30 years in the sausage business.His product...

Veg out with sausage rolls

Natural and organic foods company Hain Celestial has announced the addition of Vegetarian Sausage Rolls to the iconic Linda McCartney range.The new sausage rolls join...

Sport-inspired snacks

Southern Alps, which specialises in slow dried fruit products including mueslis and porridges, has created an unusually shaped snack.The Slow Puck bar, named for its...

Beer offers an organic experience

Cains Beer Company has jumped on the trend for all things natural, with its new organic wheat beer."Natural British and continental ingredients give this beer...

Slimming smoothies help take the weight off your mind

Naturally Gorgeous, the new brand from Naturally Drinks, has just launched a range of healthy beverages for those looking for a little more than just...

Collaboration gets new products off starting block

A good packaging concept can give your new product the best start in life, and as Leicester curry ingredients firm Spice 'n' Tice has proved,...

Arriba! Arriba! Ándale! Ándale! Tex Mex meals in a matter of minutes

Busy chefs can now create Tex Mex dishes in just a few minutes using Unilever's new Knorr Americas sauces.The reformulated, prepared sauces, including Sweet Hickory...

Let them eat cool cake

Buxton Spa Bakery (pictured above) makes ambient sweet cakes, tarts and pies, not bread, as we depicted on p87 of our December issue, in which...

Sugar division will go from drags to riches

Associated British Foods' (ABF's) sugar division should go from profit drag to growth driver in the next couple of years, according to City analysts.In a...

Trade Talk

A problem shared is not always a problem halved

Paying the price of food commodities

Food prices are still pushing upwards, according to the latest government figures, reflecting a global trend as raw material commodity prices are soaring.The Retail Price...

Festive price rises muted

Turkey processors were benefiting from retail price rises of 10% prompted by climbing feed costs in the run-up to Christmas as Food Manufacture went to...

Milk of EU kindness for soya manufacturers

The European Commission (EC) has offered a ray of hope to manufacturers who have been lobbying for the right to put 'soya milk' on their...

Keep it on the shelf

Victory for four-year campaign as 10-day shelf-life is reinstated

Not a law unto themselves

gangmasters are clamping down on unsafe and illegal working practices

A clear solution for grape-based vodka

Alcohol distillers, including Diageo, are toasting receiving the right to label spirits manufactured from grapes as 'vodka' under an EU accord.The agreement, made last month,...

Absolutely fabulous growth for the boys

The Fabulous Bakin' Boys (FBB), the sales and marketing company for nut-free products, last month took over full control of its sister manufacturing arm Baking...

Nanosalt plans to cut content

researchers explore ways to reduce salt levels in food, while retaining product taste

'No' vote for GM

In an online poll conducted by Food Manufacture last month, 61% of readers said that consumers would not accept genetically modified (GM) foods, even if...

Local contacts could cut red tape for food industry

Processors may have an easier time liaising with local authorities if the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill becomes law, according to the Chartered Institute of...

London's food fund

The London Development Agency and London Food Link has launched a £70,000 fund to promote sustainable food events in London. The grant scheme will help...

Free safety service

The British Safety Council has launched a free online assessment tool in response to concerns over the burden of health and safety legislation on small...

Foodex food safety

A series of food safety seminars will be run at the Foodex Meatex exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from April 6-9 2008. See...

Solid as a rock

Lees Foods has bought speciality bakery and dessert manufacturer Patisserie UK, based in Livingston, Scotland. In a deal worth £2.45M, Lees Foods will acquire the...

Gimme five for clarity, says the BRC

Version five of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) global standard will provide far greater clarity for manufacturers and auditors so that it is interpreted more...

Culture vulture

Christian Hansen has acquired the Medipharm probiotic cultures arm of Swedish Arla Foods for an undisclosed sum. Medipharm, which has subsidiaries in the US and...

Employers count the cost of sickness absence

New tool addresses employee absenteeism

Ethnic food peaks in UK

The ethnic food market in the UK is running out of steam, according to the latest Food Manufacture market report.The study, compiled in association with...

Suppliers warned that loose talk could cost them dearly

As supermarkets share hefty fines, manufacturers are warned to share data with care

Bulmers' plans for the very worst crises with its risk management strategy

Drinks producer Bulmers Cider has introduced a risk management strategy to help cope with potential disruptions to its supply chain - however serious the crisis.It...

Hell's chilly launch

Ultra-premium chilled soups under the Glorious! brand from celebrity chef Marco Pierre White will be launched this year by Conival. The loss-making firm, which has...

Chocs away for zetar

The new owner of luxury boxed chocolate maker Lir has promised to make a "significant investment" in the company's production facilities. Zetar, which has just...

A beefy campaign

Brazilian beef producers and exporters are opening a London office for The Brazilian Beef Information Service as a prelude to a European promotional campaign. The...

Charity status

The Charity Commission has granted charity status to the Membership Company of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST). This puts IFST members on...

Big freeze continues

The frozen food sector showed a 3.6% increase in value over 2007 with volume up by 0.4%. The year's stars include frozen fish, which grew...

Jan date for Novel Reg

The European Commission hopes to publish its long-awaited proposal to revise the Novel Food Regulation in January.The Regulation imposes a formal authorisation process and safety...

Food from Britain's funding slashed

Export market development consultancy, Food from Britain's (FFB's) annual grant of £5M is to be cut by 25% in the next three years as part...

Tesco takes the green track moving to rail in Scotland

Retailer invites interest from processors

Baker faces strike action

Staff at Warburtons were considering a new pay offer from the company as Food Manufacture went to press.They had planned to strike on December 13-14...

Union floats new strategies to save Cadbury's threatened Keynsham plant

Union officials have given Cadbury two strategic plans to mull over during the Christmas period that make a business case for maintaining production at its...

2008 will be tough for small firms, but big boys are secure

With business at home squeezed, exports to emerging markets offer better prospects

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