Horsemeat: learning the lessons of an avoidable crisis
WRBM
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Mexican is becoming a favourite ethnic cuisine in the UK, according to Sweden-based manufacturing group, Santa Maria, which is gearing up to cash in on the trend.
Pre-close trading updates from Robert Wiseman and Dairy Crest today highlighted the continued turf wars between the major UK processors, with no clear winner in sight.
Bakery firm Woodhead (Scarborough) went into administration on March 29, with 30 of its 310 staff made redundant.
Managers at Northumbrian Fine Foods have bought the company off private equity owners and plan to invest in the business in a bid to push turnover above £12m in 2011.
Unilever says it is spending around £2.6m to upgrade production and expand production at its historic Colman’s mustard factory in Norwich, but admits that it could shed up to 20 jobs as a result.
The increasing number of SALSA approved businesses over the past 24 months and greater retailer recognition are indicators of both the scheme's growth potential and its suitability for the SME sector, claims one of the trade groups behind the scheme.
McGhee’s Bakery Group put its Fords Bakery business into liquidation on 20 March, following continued trading losses, less than a year after it bought the business from administrator KPMG.
The collapse of talks on the novel foods amendment will have a detrimental effect on innovation and competitiveness in Europe, says the CIAA and an economist, while Commissioner Dalli is still figuring out what to do next.
Somerset cheese producer Cricketer Farm is planning to reach into new channels following the recent appointment of a new md Greg Parsons.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says its new strategic plan to 2015 reflects recent changes in nutrition responsibilities in the UK, with principal spending areas covering its core remit of effective regulation and food safety.
Real Good Food Company (RGFC) chairman Pieter Totté said he hoped the “difficult years” for sugar were over after the firm saw a slight increase in 2010 pre-tax profits, but warned that it would look abroad for stocks after sharp UK price rises.
Somerset food manufacturer Framptons says that a planned new building will allow it to harness continued business growth, as it predicts a 2011 turnover of £30m up from £25m last year.
Last ditch efforts to salvage the novel foods regulation were derailed yesterday after the European Parliament and Council failed to reach agreement over the issue of cloned animals – with each side blaming the other for the impasse.
The English fishing industry has secured a £1.9m EU funding award that will be used to improve fish processing factories in Devon and North Shields, in addition to other schemes.
Up to 22 jobs are expected to go at Tata Global Beverages’ factory on Teesside, where Tetley tea bags are produced.
Union leaders have expressed concerns about Ranjit Boparan’s intentions after he completes his £342m takeover of Northern Foods and begins to identify cost savings that could mean office closures or job losses.
Michael Meacher MP says he worries that not enough research has been done on the long-term effects to human health of eating foods produced from animals fed GM soy, after it emerged that many such branded items may be on UK sale.
The new PepsiCo plant bottle appears to tick all the “green” boxes for a disposable drinks bottle but the innovation should not be taken too seriously until it arrives on shelves.
The digestibility of foods like pasta – made up of starch in a protein matrix – may depend on the processing method, says new research that shows the importance of mixing on a finished product.
Burger King onion rings supplier Fountain Frozen has announced a £1.2m expansion programme that could mean up to 16 job losses at its Cambridgeshire site.
The co-author of an influential new report on UK food policy has hit out at the coalition government for its inertia on sustainable food policy since it came to power in May 2010.
The European Union is to step up controls on food imports from Japan in the wake of the nuclear accident at Fukushima – but stressed there was no evidence that consumers in the region were at risk from radiation-contaminated food.
New Forest Ice Cream is about to complete its purchase of a new 20,000 sq ft factory, which will allow it to increase production five-fold.
Liquidators are taking offers from potential buyers for parts of High Wood Brewery in North Lincolnshire, after it collapsed on 11 March owing £2m.
Premium desserts supplier Rhokett says it plans to double turnover in the next three to five years, following the opening of an 8,000 sq ft factory in November.
The bread and bakery industry is facing costs that are “spiralling out of control”, despite the fact that the UK is effectively self-sufficient in wheat, according to a new report.
Heinz has confirmed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that it plans to invest $2.2m (£1.36m) in its Kendal facility in 2012, after pumping $1.8m (£1.1m) into the site this year.
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) director general Melanie Leech has hailed the 2011 budget for positive announcements, such as a fuel duty cut, that she says could spur food and drink manufacturing growth.
US food giant Kraft has confirmed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that it is selling off Cadbury’s iconic Somerdale site as a mixed-use residential development.
Ranjit Boparan today clinched victory in the fight to take over Northern Foods, as he declared his offer ‘unconditional as to acceptances’ and announced that he now controls 79.52% of the food group’s shares.
Uniq Desserts has confirmed that up to 85 management and production roles at its desserts site in Minsterley could go after the firm lost a £10m desserts contract in January.
Finsbury Food Group chief executive John Duffy says that a turnaround in the firm’s cake division has led to growth in the first half year, as it bids to recoup losses from the egg dioxin scare that struck it in January.
5.3m tonnes of UK food is wasted each year, representing 3% of the UK’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions, a new report from Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) claims.
Jim Dobbin MP says he understands local anger about controversial proposals from The Yearsley Group to build a new cold store in North Manchester, but says 150 potential new jobs should not be forgotten.
Lobby group Farmers for Action (FFA) says its bold plan to build a processing plant to turn liquid milk into powder for export will see British farmers “take control” of the milk marketplace.
Soya milk specialist Alpro has confirmed that it is considering expanding production facilities at its UK base in Northamptonshire and creating new jobs.
Two food firms that closed in early March have been bought out of administration, with new owner Abbeydale Foods re-employing around 80 former staff in a bid to restart production as quickly as possible.
Cumberland sausage producers believe there may be an opportunity to get better prices now that the European Union (EU) has given official recognition to their products.
Some parts of the canned foods industry are doomed, according to a new report from analysts at research firm Key Note, which predicts that total UK volume sales will continue to fall, despite a predicted rise in sales value.
Kepak Convenience Foods is bidding to double its Rustlers UK turnover of £70m within the next five years as it adds Hot Wraps to the range.
Unite has written to Kraft ceo Irene Rosenfeld asking her to fulfil a legal obligation to consult union leaders on any changes to pay and conditions for Cadbury workers.
Uniq today received court sanction for its novel 'pension deficit for equity swap', which will see the firm's shares delisted from the main market and relisted on the AIM on April 1.
Total volumes of UK goat milk used to make goat dairy products increased by 13.5% during 2010, according to the Goat Dairy Trade Association (GDTA).
Regional development agency (RDA) One North East says the potential benefits of awarding administration-hit Longbenton Foods a £2.49m grant in 2009 outweighed the "threat of failure".
The European Commission (EC) says that UK MEPs must prove the body acted in an unlawful manner to block payment of a €12m (£10.4m) factory grant earmarked to develop a new Polish site.
Harrods supplier Browne’s Chocolates has been placed into liquidation, following a creditors meeting today.
Ranjit Boparan is one step closer to taking over Northern Foods after announcing yesterday that he now controls over 70% of the convenience food group’s shares, although one analyst said the industrial logic of a tie-up with Greencore would have been "more compelling".
Frozen food specialist PinguinLutosa will invest almost £13m in its UK manufacturing site at King’s Lynn throughout 2011.
Greggs has confirmed its new bakery in Balliol Park in Newcastle will open in the second half of 2011, where it forms part of a £60m capital expenditure plan this year.
Steve Brine MP will meet with a government minister and Storck UK representatives on March 30, to discuss the proposed closure of Winchester chocolate firm Bendicks.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) Scotland has commissioned research aimed at improving hygiene standards of fish and shellfish eaten in the country.
Consensus Action on Salt & Health (CASH), a leading UK health group which campaigns for reduced levels of salt in processed foods has welcomed the targets announced in the Public Health Responsibility Deal for food, published by health secretary Andrew Lansley this morning.
Grant Thornton says it is seeking to sell Longbenton Foods as a going concern, after the Newcastle firm entered administration last Friday.
Twinings has denied USDAW claims that its new Polish plant is experiencing teething problems, as the union maintains pressure on the firm to repay a controversial grant that helped establish the site.
A member of the House of Commons select committee that questioned Kraft executives on the Cadbury takeover this morning has told FoodManufacture.co.uk that he is concerned by the company's failure to commit to safeguarding UK jobs beyond 2012.
Newcastle firm Longbenton Foods entered administration last Friday, putting an end to a month of uncertainty for staff who were kept in the dark over whether they still had jobs.
Under-investment was the reason why Quorn failed to realise its full potential under Premier Foods, the meat-free firm's ceo Kevin Brennan has told FoodManufacture.co.uk.
Startup Ilkley Brewery has moved to a new site which will allow it increase production to 20,000 pints a week as part of its nationwide expansion plans.
The UK’s Food Standards agency has reiterated its guidance to feed babies only breast milk or formula up to around six months of age, as there is evidence that there may be an increased risk of coeliac disease if gluten-containing foods are introduced too early.
A producer of honey with added bee venom has described the Food Standards Agency (FSA’s) rejection of UK - and by extension EU - licensing for his product under the novel foods regulation as “hard to rationalise”.
The recent European Commission (EC) ruling that Cornish pasties must be produced in Cornwall is an insult to quality pasties, according to some artisan companies.
New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL) says UK food firms now recognise that tropical oils are the only viable alternative to less healthy fats, as it announces plans to build a new £9m processing plant dedicated to bakery and foodservice products.
Staff at Headland Foods’ factory in Flint – scheduled for closure in April – could be thrown a lifeline following reports that a food manufacturing company is interested in buying the plant.
The future of Harrods chocolate supplier Browne’s Chocolates hangs in the balance as insolvency practitioner Neville & Co examines its books.
Dairy UK has notified the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the salt content of mature cheddar should be increased, following an incident in which a child suffered an allergic reaction to Co-operative cheddar with high levels of histamine, FoodManufacture.co.uk understands.
Nichols chief executive Brendan Hynes has revealed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that the Meryseyside-based drinks giant is on the acquisition trail, after it reported a 23% rise in pre-tax profit to £15.1m for 2010.
Scottish vegetable company R & K Drysdale (Drysdales) is spending a £647,647 government grant on extending its premises in a move that will create new employment opportunities.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has driven a Cornish drinks producer to lower the alcoholic strength of its ‘nettle beer’ and stung it with a stiff duty bill, after it decided that the drink should be classified as a wine.
Ranjit Boparan today urged Northern Foods shareholders to accept his offer for the firm “as soon as possible” after Greencore pulled out of the running, and revealed that he has now acquired, agreed to acquire or has valid acceptances for 48.25% of Northern’s share capital.
Greencore said this morning that it does not intend to make a revised offer for Northern Foods to rival Ranjit Boparan’s 73p/share offer, which means the Midlands businessman is one step closer to tying the knot with Northern shareholders by March 16th.
Fruitapeel md Terry Haigh says his firm could potentially create up to 15 more new jobs at its newly acquired fresh juice extraction facility in Wales.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is investing £5m to develop a purpose-built polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling facility in Lincolnshire.
Okehampton-based premium chocolate firm Browne’s Chocolates has closed its doors and sent around 30 staff home, in a town already reeling from the news of 300 food manufacturing redundancies.
With food manufacturers busy reformulating or developing products to cut ‘nasties’ such as salt and sugar, Leatherhead Food Research has warned that associated food safety issues should not be an afterthought.
Major food manufacturers are revamping their packaging amid concerns over the long term health hazards posed by mineral oils leaching from recycled cardboard into foods.
Quorn Foods’ new private equity owner has revealed ambitious international growth plans for the firm’s brands to build upon their “very prominent position” in the UK.
Chocolate maker Bendicks has announced the start of a consultation on the future of its Hampshire chocolate facility that could see 87 UK jobs moved abroad.
As the food industry shifts from synthetically-derived colours, past ‘natural’ ingredients to colouring foodstuffs, we highlight the challenges this is currently creating.
Popular uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East have led to further uncertainty about oil supplies that risk putting more pressure on food manufacturers, industry players have warned.
Premier Foods plans to close its distribution centre in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire as it rationalises its south coast operations, while the firm has also rebuffed rumours of a management change.
An Anglesey meat producer is hoping for Welsh Assembly funds to help finance its expansion into new premises on the island, in a move which could create 30 new jobs.
Britain faces dipping back into recession this year, although this could benefit frozen food firms, according to experts.
Kettle Chips will shortly begin work on a £6.8m investment in extra production facilities at its Norwich base, in a move that could create up to 35 new jobs.
Bakkavör has announced plans to close its fresh produce factory in Kirton, Leicestershire, putting 116 staff at risk of redundancy.
Jardox md Alex Gardener has launched a new online company selling ready meal kits using his firm's existing production facilities.
Provexis is drawing closer to the commercialisation of many of its functional food ingredients, chief executive Stephen Moon told Food Manufacture.
The owner of a Grantham-based startup that claimed a Guinness World Record for the world’s hottest chilli in March 2010 is calling for investment in his business.
It is almost impossible to alter UK consumer perceptions of frozen food as the cheap, low quality option, according to Malcolm Walker, boss of frozen food retailer Iceland Foods.
Even water is toxic when enough is taken, but some compounds can be toxic at much lower levels. The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has published a scientific bulletin on chemical hazards in food.
Visitors to Chadwicks’ futuristic-themed stand are promised new ways to get the most from packaging by using 360°, top-to-toe decorative sleeves with value-added extras such as tamper evidence and recycle strip capabilities.
The UK’s only biennial processing and packaging exhibition for the food & drink industry takes place from March 13–16 at London’s ExCeL centre in Docklands.
Brakes foodservice has made a series of commitments to the environment, responsible sourcing, health and nutrition and communities, following a wide-ranging review of its corporate, social and environmental responsibility strategy.
A supplier of digester mixing systems for anaerobic digestion, System Mix, suggests that effective mixing is the key to maximising gas production in waste-to-energy digestion systems.
A survey instigated by natural colours supplier GNT has raised concerns over chemically modified colours from natural sources.
In a joint project with Ulma Packaging, Kliklok is about to install its Celox end load cartoner at The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys factory in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Mouldy fresh fruit could become a thing of the past thanks to cold plasma beams that extend its shelf life by up to five days, according to an academic heading a new study into the technology.
A US oil tycoon is genuinely interested in acquiring the famous Malvern Water premises from Coca-Cola and restarting production, according to the president of a Herefordshire spa association.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) says it is disappointed by Robert Wiseman Dairies' confirmation that it will close its Okehampton dairy and Cupar distribution depot with the loss of up to 134 jobs.
The GMB union has accused Longbenton Foods bosses of treating workers disgracefully as uncertainty over jobs at the firm’s Tyneside factory continues.
Ranjit Boparan has failed to secure a controlling stake in Northern Foods that will guarantee the immediate success of his takeover bid, after revealing last night that 23.03% of Northern shareholders accepted his offer, but remains in pole position to acquire the firm.
The battle between food titans Greencore and Ranjit Boparan to take over Northern Foods could still go right to the wire, despite the expiry today of a deadline set by the latter for Northern's shareholders to formally accept his bid.
Brewers enjoy experimenting with hops – and there are more available to them now than ever before...
Retirement guidelines are changing, but firms must tread carefully before retiring employees to avoid ending up in court.
Despite the clamour to reduce food miles, the food industry relies on transporting products and ingredients whether it is milk, poultry or hops between locations, in order to add value to them.
Automation can make a major contribution to the bottom line. But the logic behind where and how you automate processes is not as simple as might first appear...
The new Proficiency in Food Manufacturing qualification by Improve has been awarded to two UK companies – and not before time.
Complacency about food safety threatens many food companies, with the risk of the next media feeding frenzy just around the corner.
Reformulating foods to reduce levels of fat, salt and sugar is key to reducing the UK’s spiralling obesity epidemic. But it’s no mean feat.
Oliver James Foods’ pie factory must fulfil a tough brief to commercialise the delivery of artisan-style, quality products
Waitrose is working with supply chain systems firm Aldata Solutions to roll out an ordering system across all its food categories.
By Lorraine Mullaney Diva Popcorn is a new flavoured popcorn that boasts a healthier cooking process: it has been air-popped rather than oil-popped, which means that it has 33% less fat, according to its manufacturer, Fresh Marketing.
By Lorraine Mullaney Demand for Moo Free’s dairy-free chocolate Easter eggs is so great that the manufacturer has doubled the size of the chocolate room at its Reading factory, taken on new staff and plans to move to new premises later this year.
Food and agricultural businesses are often unknowingly illegally employing workers from Romania and Bulgaria within the 'black economy' because of a loophole in the law regarding self-employment status, it has emerged.
The concept of late customisation looks to be expanding out of the confines of research departments and into mainstream manufacturing operations. It’s a way of cost-effectively making a variety of products that use a common ingredient by adding flavour or making other last-minute changes during production.
The Agency Workers Regulations were published last year and will come into force on October 1, 2011 with an estimated increase in costs of £1.7 to 1.9bn a year.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has released an updated guide to road transport law.
While not a publication, the first documentary dedicated to telling the science behind – and benefits of – friendly bacteria could prove interesting watching to manufacturers involved with probiotics.
Label expert Ravenwood Packaging will be showcasing its linerless, adhesive-backed label technology in a 22ft long US airstream trailer in a ‘field’ with life-sized farm animal replicas.
Able to operate with all intermittent labelling and packaging machines, Open Date Equipment’s Thermocode iQ thermal transfer printer works well with food products.
Wooden pallets are coming under scrutiny for hygiene in the US, according to Jim Hardisty, md of Goplasticpallets.com. The company will be promoting the hygienic benefits of plastic and showcasing a range of food containers and pallets.
Euromark, supplier of continuous ink jet printers and drop-and-demand systems, will showcase its new U2 printer and flagship Hitatchi PX coder.
Bpi.films – the manufacturer of polythene shrink, stretch and convertor films will use its stand to showcase its growing portfolio of technically advanced downgauged films, which allow users to improve efficiency, reduce costs and minimise their environmental impact.
Cleone Foods, maker of Caribbean-style patties, has invested more than £1.3M in a new production line, cookers and a warehouse extension to increase its production capacity to 500,000 patties a week.
A new packaging material derived from corn-starch can extend product shelf-life and boost green credentials, says its developer.
Drying machinery maker Simon Dryers has reduced its operational and capital costs by installing ABB variable speed drives (VSDs).
Food-grade lubricants manufacturer Rocol says it is now the UK’s first ISO 21469:2006 certified lubricants producer, which provides independent assurance that products have been formulated, manufactured and supplied hygienically and safely.
Watson-Marlow’s MasoSine pump technology has solved a number of problems at Pukka Pies. The firm replaced pneumatically operated air pumps with MasoSine SPS 2.5 pumps to transfer meat fillings at its Leicestershire site, from where it produces over 60M pies a year.
Investment in a new vertical scraped surface heat exchanger has allowed Meadow Cheese to expand the range of desserts and processed cheese formulations it supplies to the food industry.
German barbecue-ready chicken processor Stolle has improved the speed and accuracy with which sticky marinated chicken pieces can be weighed since installing an Ishida Screw Feeder multihead weigher.
Confectionery manufacturer Tangerine is installing a combined heat and power system (CHP) that promises to save almost £200,000 and 630t of carbon.
Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard, has recently taken delivery of a new fleet of Hyster forklifts at its Paisley bottling operation, which produces up to 13M cases a year.
The combined application of Flexicon stainless steel screw conveyors and a range of bulk bag unloaders has helped manufacturers of the MaraNatha brand of organic and natural nut butters to increase productivity five-fold.
Sick has developed a new fluid-level probe. Designed for use in hygienic environments, the new liquid level sensor, which has been designed using Food and Drug Administration compliant materials, features a level display, level measuring and overfill/demand indicator in a cost-effective, durable and highly flexible device.
A new range of refrigerant air dryers has been introduced by Hi-line Industries.
Increasingly frequent food fraud incidents and urgent demand for allergen and genetically modified ingredient testing have spurred on a government initiative to boost the robustness of DNA sequence testing for food
Naturex aims to launch a portfolio of colouring foodstuffs later this year to suit beverage, confectionery, ice cream, fruit preparation and dairy products.
To stay ahead in the ready meals sector, manufacturers must be quick to innovate and diversify.
Venison processors are ready to expand their market presence but are hampered by a lack of supply.
Dorset Cereals has installed a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to support its engineering operations at its factory in Poundbury, near Dorchester.
New ways to help food and drink firms maximise yield, minimise waste and keep control of their costs against a background of retail pressure to reduce prices, were covered in a seminar organised by Lawson Software in The Netherlands last month.
Moulton Bulb, one of the UK’s largest onion packers, has installed a Microsoft Dynamics NAV-based Linkfresh software to manage its operations supplying major supermarkets.
South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) is installing an Integreater enterprise manufacturing execution system (e-MES) from Systems Integration for complete stock control and traceability.
I recently presented a paper on reformulation at a food and health debate run by The Grocer. I described Leatherhead research to cut salt, fat and sugar in foods but still maintain taste and texture. The research showed how micro-particulate salt could be used on crisps to fool the tongue into overestimating the salt present and how water-in-oil-in-water emulsions could cut the fat in mayonnaise. Those in industry also shared their reformulation successes.
By Paul Gander In the same month that Asda bafflingly began trials on a ‘paper bottle’ for milk, citing its sustainability, the fresh milk supply chain is demonstrating best practice with the existing high density polyethylene (HDPE) format.
The queen marched on, confident of her move. The bishop stayed near her, knowing that his position was vulnerable to attack. If the enemy struck, he would be the victim. Yet it would be an honour to die protecting his queen. The moment was tense. Then, out of nowhere, came the black knight. A weakness in my strategy had left my queen exposed after all. In a flash, her majestic figure came crashing down. Her fall signalled the end of our game.
Manufacturers cooking or heat-treating foodstuffs can, for the first time, access revolutionary biomass boiler technology that will enable them to cut utility spending and carbon emissions.
It’s going to be another challenging year for industry. With VAT increases, soaring fuel costs and extreme weather conditions influencing ingredients, it hasn’t begun well.
Research is underway to develop lower cost and greener equipment that can cool water-cooked meat joints such as hams safely and rapidly, without compromising flavour and texture.
A Kuka robot has turned the tricky, cumbersome task of palletising large 30kg boxes of cheese into a quick, agile operation at one of Britain’s oldest cheese makers.
An automated bagging line by Pacepacker has enabled Merseyside chip shop potato grower Baxters High Brow Produce to improve pack presentation, increase throughput by 38% an hour and reduce production staff.
The Authentic Food Company plans to expand capacity at its rice and snacks and ready meals plants to keep pace with strong growth driven by restaurant and pub chains, according to its md, Nik Basran.
Cardboard could replace aluminium and plastic as the material for ready meal and sandwich trays in the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) process, if a new development takes off in the UK.
Elau has received independent confirmation that its robotic systems are suitable for hygienic food production applications.
From June this year, all three-phase AC induction motors in the range 0.75–375kW used in new equipment will need to meet minimum energy efficiency levels.
Meat product supplier Tulip has awarded a five-year contract to logistics provider Gist, which is worth an estimated £50M.
A new forum for food logistics has been launched, which will enable supply chain managers to collaborate and share ideas about new ways of working together.
A total of 86% of UK consumers said they would treat themselves to high quality food and drink this year, despite rising inflation and the threat of a double-dip recession, according to research commissioned by Cornwall Development Company.
The fourth British Polish Food Sector Forum takes place in Warsaw on March 17.
The CIAA (Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the EU) has welcomed the Council’s Common position on food information to consumers.
Frozen food sales and cold storage logistics firm Yearsley Group has acquired Leeds-based Ice Pak seafood specialists for an undisclosed sum.
Automation specialist Schubert will demonstrate the world’s first TLM packaging machine featuring fully-automatic tool changing at the Interpack show, which takes place in Düsseldorf from May 12–18.
Significant public and private sector initiatives look set to spur food and drink processors to meet urgent environmental targets, starting with a call from the UK’s largest food waste recycler.
Consumer data certification may be required as the amount and accessibility of consumer information about food and drink grows with the development of new technology.
Can manufacturer Rexam’s aluminium Fusion pack has seen its first application in the outdoor events market for wine, suggesting that metal could have a place alongside plastics in this lucrative market.
Lambertz Group company Wolff has replaced metal detection with X-ray on its gingerbread line, resulting in far greater sensitivity and far fewer consumer complaints.
As it plans to demonstrate how its vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) options can be integrated with high-pressure processing (HPP) at this May’s Interpack show in Düsseldorf, Multivac claims that the process technology is being driven by regulatory as well as quality considerations.
The new Videojet 2120 large character inkjet printer can code onto a variety of porous and non-porous materials: from cardboard to plastic and foil.
Britain may not be able to boast anywhere near the hours of sunshine of some Mediterranean countries, but that doesn’t mean companies based here can’t benefit from greater use of photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy sources.
Ardo UK has formed a new company, Ardo Food Ingredients, to break into supplying frozen fruit, vegetables and herbs to food processors.
Heinz has introduced three new additions to its Kids Pasta range, including two licensed brands: ‘Hello Kitty’ and ‘Madagascar’ pasta shapes and Pizza Flavoured Tortellini.
Chilli Jam Man has boosted sales by including specific nutritional breakdowns on all its labels with the help of advice from food group Deliciously Yorkshire.
Panda Liquorice is adding Blueberry to its range of fruit-purée-infused liquorice.
DDC Foods has added Tasty Little Numbers to its UK foodservice distribution network.
A new snack, from Asian food distributor Hisaki Snacks, will be in pubs, bars and delis this month.
Cider experienced value sales growth of 60% between 2005 and 2010 to stand at £2.2bn, according to Mintel research.
Gluten- and wheat-free company Nutrition Point has launched a new foodservice range.
Aiming to combine quality with convenience, Lake House Table has developed a new range of premium chilled meals that can be cooked from fresh in 10 minutes.
Responsibility for food labelling in England moved to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) last year. Since then, there has been a deafening silence on the fate of the draft Date Marking Guidance and decision tree.
Retailers are putting UK food processors at a disadvantage to their European counterparts, according to companies that supply processing equipment to food manufacturers.
Exporters to the US can expect much closer scrutiny of their food safety controls, following the signing of the US Food Safety Modernisation Act by President Barack Obama in January.
Some food safety certification schemes accredited under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) will fall by the wayside over the coming year as they fail to meet stricter new benchmarking requirements, a food safety expert has claimed.
We report from the Global Food Safety Conference in London last month.
Around 300 workers employed at a Newcastle frozen food factory who lost their jobs after the site was gutted by fire in early 2009 are finally starting to receive statutory redundancy pay.
Goldenfry Foods has a won a legal judgement against three former employees who misused trade secrets to establish a breakaway company and appropriate a £5m supermarket contract for gravy granules.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is investigating whether a controversial ice cream made with donated breast milk, and sold in a London restaurant, breaches food safety regulations.
Family owned Italian chocolate manufacturer Ferrero has revealed to FoodManufacture.co.uk that it is considering investing in UK production sites as it bids to double current UK chocolate sales by 2015.
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