Horsemeat: learning the lessons of an avoidable crisis
WRBM
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Dairy manufacturers and supermarkets will receive a welcome boost to their coffers in the form of a rebate from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) this summer after the watchdog agreed to reduce fines in its price-fixing probe.
The president of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has rejected US proposals for a mandatory reduction in salt levels in processed foods on the grounds that they are not based on scientific evidence.
On-shelf-availability at the leading UK supermarkets has increased by more than 1% over the past year to 97.8%, according to the latest ECR UK (Efficient Consumer Response) availability survey.
Indian ready meals and accompaniments sold in UK supermarkets contain “frankly outrageous” levels of salt, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
We're delighted to announce the new date for the NutraIngredients Antioxidants 2010 Conference is confirmed for 30th June 2010. This one-day conference is a must for senior and middle managers, scientists and marketers of multinational manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to the food, drink and supplements industries.
The number of UK food and drink manufacturers in financial distress has crept up again this year, highlighting the fragility of the economic recovery, new figures reveal.
Manufacturers supplying the leading UK supermarkets have slashed saturated fat in selected chilled prepared foods by up to 50% over the past 12-18 months, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
A dairy processor in the UK is installing an anaerobic digestion (AD) system to convert waste into energy as the government considers how best to encourage others to follow suit.
Small food manufacturers are not spending sufficient time analysing how reformulation programmes to reduce salt, fat and sugar are impacting the safety of their products, microbiologists at Campden BRI have warned.
The potato vodka firm set up by Tyrrells Crisps founder Will Chase is rapidly expanding its empire with the development of a tranche of new products including pressed apple juice and marmalade vodka.
Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons all aim to launch own-label sucralose-based sweeteners this year to compete with Tate & Lyle’s Splenda product, FoodManufacture.co.uk has learned.
Meat-free sales have continued to slide at Premier Foods, with first quarter sales in this division down 4.7%, a performance criticised by analysts as “disappointingly weak”.
Marks & Spencer ready meals supplier RF Brookes will be powered by energy produced from its own food waste next year following the installation of a £5m anaerobic digestion facility at its site in Rogerstone, Newport.
Patents filed by PepsiCo and Cargill reveal they are exploring new sources of natural sweeteners from oats and monatin, a naturally-occurring substance found in a plant grown in South Africa.
The UK frozen pizza market has undergone something of a renaissance in the past year, notching up sales growth of 6.8% in 2009, while chilled pizza could only manage 2.2% growth, according to a new report on the European frozen and chilled food market from Leatherhead Food Research (LFR).
Novel sensors being developed for a £1.2M project backed by the Technology Strategy Board could transform efficiency in fermentation processes used in a range of industries from brewing to biofuels, according to the firm behind the technology.
An inventor behind a novel packaging concept that would enable food manufacturers to package multiple snack bars, coffee granules and other products at up to 12 times the speed of conventional flow wrappers, is looking for a partner to take his idea to market.
Bakkavör, Kerry Foods or Premier Foods could all be in the running to produce Sainsbury’s Chinese ready meals following Northern Foods’ decision to close the factory that currently makes them, say City analysts.
There has been a resurgence of interest in ohmic heating – a novel food sterilising technique that came to the fore in the 1980s – following refinements to the technology that have improved efficiency and reduced costs, according to Campden BRI.
Administrators handling Seatek, the last portion of the now-defunct British Seafood empire still up for sale, admit they have yet to receive a credible offer for the business.
Many food manufacturers are surprisingly vulnerable in the event of a crisis because they lack appropriate insurance cover, according to a forensic accountant specialising in business interruption cases.
The UK food industry has proved surprisingly reluctant to embrace vendor-managed inventory (VMI), despite its many proven benefits, according to the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) and standards body GS1 UK.
Canadian firm Functional Technologies is seeking partners to help commercialise a radical new approach to tackling acrylamide formation in baked goods based on a proprietary strain of yeast.
More than 230 staff face redundancy at Northern Foods’ ready meals plant in Swansea because bosses have failed to reach “mutually agreeable” terms with Sainsbury, its biggest customer.
Food manufacturers sourcing egg products are predicting further price hikes and availability worries as European egg producers struggle to get to grips with changing welfare legislation.
An Isle of Wight-based firm is targeting food manufacturers with a novel ‘green’ cleaning fluid that kills bugs on impact, does not need to be rinsed with water and can be flushed away without requiring waste disposal.
New guidance promising to alleviate the nightmares caused by inconsistent results from allergen testing kits has been published by an industry taskforce.
UK trading standards officers have been advised to adopt a “pragmatic approach” to the use of nutrition claims on food and drink packaging that are not currently in the official annex of approved claims but are under consideration by regulators.
Organic baker Honeyrose has expanded capacity at its north London factory, reflecting its confidence in the organic cake market in defiance of the doom and gloom surrounding the sector.
Plans to build the UK’s first ‘community’ anaerobic digestion facility fed by waste from food manufacturers and caterers in central London have been put on hold after the firms failed to secure funding from the London Waste and Recycling Board.
Peterlee-based meat and poultry supplier Kookaburra Foods has appointed Lyndsey Castle as its new business development manager and Christine Dunn as its new head of technical.
The first wave of job cuts at Twinings’ North Shields tea factory will begin in September after union bosses failed to persuade parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) to keep the plant open.
The volcanic ash cloud crippling European air travel is causing unexpected challenges for the food industry, with buyers stranded in exotic locations, bosses stuck in Easter holiday destinations and engineers worried that spare parts cannot be flown in if something goes wrong.
Food and drink exports from the EU slumped by 10% in the first seven months of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008, according to new figures released by EU food trade body the CIAA.
The firm behind heart-friendly beetroot juice Beet It is aiming to complete its first production run of a ‘one-shot’ 70ml version this month to provide a healthy alternative to drinks such as Red Bull Energy Shots and Lucozade Alert Plus.
Nestlé UK has offered staff at its York factory a 1% pay rise in order to avert the threat of industrial action.
“Many in industry are pinning their hopes on EFSA showing them the light at the meeting, including the likes of Danone, which withdrew three probiotic immunity/digestive health article 13.5 claims in April, citing clarification it is expecting on Big Monday as the reason.”
UK food and drink exports grew by 4.4% to a record £9.65bn in 2009, boosted by the weak pound, according to figures just released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
UK shoppers on lower incomes (social grades D and E) are eating no more fruit and veg than they did four years ago, with just a quarter claiming to get their 5-a-day, according to consumer research conducted by grocery think tank IGD.
Chilled food giant Uniq has installed its own staff at Marks & Spencer to help ensure shelves are stocked, its boss has revealed.
Premier Foods could save far more cash through tackling the “mind-boggling” complexity of its procurement operation than trying to squeeze out operational efficiency savings, according to City analysts.
Peppersmith - the premium chewing gum firm created by former Innocent Drinks executives Mike Stevens and Dan Shrimpton, is aiming to expand beyond gum into mints and other confectionery products.
A hearing to consider Ajinomoto's appeal against a High Court ruling over the rights to call aspartame 'nasty' will take place on May 10 or 11.
‘Green’ transport options such as electric vans, hybrid trucks and fuel cells have so far failed to deliver significant efficiency benefits, according to supply chain bosses at Marks & Spencer.
New research into the impact of adding chilli powder to foods has revealed some surprising results.
Speciality food manufacturers are being invited to pitch their wares to Holland & Barrett and Julian Graves at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on May 13 as the retailers seek to spice up their Christmas range.
Sales of organic products in the UK fell by 12.9% in 2009 to £1.84bn, according to new figures published this morning by the Soil Association.
The first functional clean-label starch from sweet potato will be available in commercial quantities later this year.
Establishing a supermarket ombudsman “as quickly as possible” would be a top priority for a Conservative government, the Tories have revealed.
New figures reveal trade credit insurance claims have dropped from a peak in early 2009, although accessing insurance is still difficult and expensive, according to food manufacturers.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign's allergen management standard will only succeed second time around if at least one of the major supermarkets supports it, Sainsbury has warned.
With the trend towards dark chocolate gaining momentum, cocoa bean prices are rising, as are calls for certification. Michelle Knott reports
The industry may think its health and safety track record is pretty good, but this is no time for it to be resting on its laurels, reports Rod Addy
Exploiting marine resources from around its coastline could help Ireland become a major player in the world’s functional foods market. Lou Reade reports
Elaine Watson reports on changing tastes, consumer trends and profit margins in the world of food flavourings
Here's a sobering set of statistics: if current trends continue, 55% of boys and 70% of girls in the UK could be overweight or obese by 2050, according to the government's Foresight report. And while there is some evidence that the childhood obesity tide may now be turning, it's still shocking stuff. Not unreasonably, the media, politicians and parents are looking for someone to blame.
I recently gave a lecture describing food industry successes in reducing salt, fat and sugar in foods. Sharing the platform were speakers from Heinz; the Food Standards Agency (FSA); and a representative from the catering sector.
With record levels of national debt and a general election looming, the FSA faces an uncertain future. Rick Pendrous reports on changing times
A little knowledge can be dangerous when it comes to maintaining automated equipment, according to delegates at Food Manufacture's Robotics and Automation Roundtable.
Justifying return on investment and retailer dominance are two of the biggest barriers to automation in food and drink manufacturing, with smaller firms in particular tied to short-term payback.
Confectionery firm Swizzels Matlow is one of the first companies to test a qualification for the food manufacturing industry based on the principles of lean manufacturing.
Meat processor Moy Park is poised to invest millions of pounds in a concerted automation programme across several manufacturing sites.
Baker Perkins has developed a new control system for Tweedy mixing systems now renamed Tweedy2. The system promises industrial bakers using the Chorleywood process improved consistency and quality of the baked product, plus enhanced efficiency and ease of use.
Seydelmann's range of mixers, blenders and bowl cutters are suitable for all types of food applications and can be used to process a wide variety of fresh and frozen materials.
Using the latest in gear-drive technology, Chemineer's new side entry agitator promises very high mixing efficiency in food, beverage and dairy processing.
Sewtec Automation has designed and installed a bespoke packing line for the new plastic tube in Tangerine Confectionery's iconic Sherbet Fountain.
Chiltern Cold Storage Group chose Sealed Air's TurboTag T-700B to monitor the temperature of goods being transported in its fleet of modern, refrigerated vehicles.
Standing on hard floors causes an immobile standing pattern, leading to poor circulation and stiffness in the joints and muscles.
Industrial Speciality Lubricants (ISL) is a new company that has been appointed exclusive UK distributor of the speciality US lubricant brand Whitmore.
GEA Westfalia Separator has developed a new separator for the clarification of wine, grapemust and fruit juice. In must and fruit juice clarification, the GSE 100 delivers a capacity of up to 10,000l/h, in wine clarification capacities can reach 20,000l/h.
Daikin Europe has developed the ZEAS range of compact, high-efficiency, low noise and low cost condensing units for deep freeze and medium-temperature applications. Two parallel ranges each have seven models and one, two or three compressors, with capacities of 12.2kW to 37kW for medium temperature applications and 5.41kW to 15.1kW for low temperature applications.
Air Products has launched a flexible cryogenic freezing solution that allows manufacturers to freeze individually quick frozen (IQF) and non-IQF food products in a single machine. The two-in-one freezer promises significant capital savings as well as improved IQF quality in seafood, meat and poultry, vegetables, fruit, dairy produce and pasta.
The Food Ethics Council has launched 'Ethics: a toolkit for food businesses'. It provides a framework for ethnical decisions and helps to dispel common myths. It is free to download and is funded by the environmental charity Naturesave Trust.
Silver Spoon, part of British Sugar, has installed energy-efficient lighting systems to reduce the carbon footprint of its production and distribution facility in Newark.
A ground-breaking project to convert domestic and industrial waste into energy is being commissioned at Dargavel in Scotland. Part of the plant's advanced thermal treatment employs compressed air from an Atlas Copco system.
Charity FareShare, which distributes excess food from the industry to vulnerable people, is to receive a £362,000 grant from the London Waste and Recycling Board.
Experts on the Food Standards Agency's (FSA's) Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) have decided not to issue guidance on the production and storage of biltong in the UK because too many uncertainties exist about controlling its safety.
Like all businesses, food processors must confront age-related issues, says Rod Addy
A researcher at the University of Bath is looking for food and drink firms to participate in a six-month project looking at ways to improve on-site energy efficiency.
Combining respiratory and eye protection, the Draeger X-plore 5500 full face mask features a bayonet fitting for fast, simple replacement of particulate, gas and vapour filters. It also benefits from a triple seal around the face.
Dyson says its Airblade hand dryer works more efficiently than warm hand dryers. It has gained accreditations that attest to its hygienic credentials, including hygiene certifications from the National Sanitation Foundation International and the Royal Society for Public Health. The machine is being used in hospitals.
UK buying co-operative Bako North Western is now offering fork lift training in accordance with the health and safety guidelines set out by its accreditation to the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB), to meet individual company needs.
Nevis Bakery will be moving into a new food production facility this month, as part of a £300,000 investment.
Many firms even 'blue chip' ones are leaving themselves open to prosecution for failing to protect employees from potentially dangerous imported machinery, it has emerged.
Elaine Watson finds out what’s on offer at the Vitafoods show at the Geneva Palexpo on May 18–20
Food and drink manufacturers such as Mars, Warburtons and Glanbia are backing the development of a suite of asset care and engineering qualifications for the industry.
Processors using at least one half-hourly electricity meter in 2008 and not part of another carbon emissions reduction programme must register with the Environment Agency by September 30 under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Finnebrogue will invest £2.5M to expand its exports business, which includes a range of added-value sausage and venison products.
Soft drinks firm A G Barr is closing its Mansfield production site and has started a £10M investment in increased production capacity at its Cumbernauld site.
Regulatory woes notwithstanding, there’s never a dull day working in R&D at the world’s leading supplier of vitamins, carotenoids, and other biochemicals, discovers Elaine Watson
Provisional National Diet and Nutrition Survey findings suggest that the government is successfully encouraging consumers to eat more fruit and vegetables, although there are concerns over certain groups and other nutrients.
Kraft, Danone and Nordzücker are the first major food manufacturers to gain certification under new food safety management scheme FSSC 22000.
EU food hygiene proposals could cost the food industry millions of pounds extra annually, according to several trade groups.
Like Halley's comet, the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA's) second tranche of opinions on article 13.1 health claims has been a long time coming. And in many ways, it was a scientific and commercial earthquake, shattering the hopes of product developers and scientists alike.
High levels of lycopene can improve skin health, according to a study conducted by the department of dermatology at the Charité University of Medicine Berlin.
Solbar Industries has invested over $1M in new technology over the last 18 months to develop Solpro 842: a new, low-viscosity soy protein isolate.
SpringThyme Oils has launched a new range of bakery shortenings that have been infused with herbs and spices. The ingredients promise the functionality of hard fats combined with the convenience of liquid oils.
The first fruits of a collaboration between flavours giant Firmenich and biotech firm Senomyx will bear fruit this month with the launch of a new ingredient that enhances the taste of the high intensity sweetener sucralose.
If the pulse industry wants a slice of the healthy foods market, it must educate manufacturers about using pulse flour, fibre and starch to deliver 'stealth nutrition', and specifically target the gluten-free sector, according to experts gathered at a recent Pulse Growers' Research Organisation (PGRO) event.
Provexis, the firm behind the anti-thrombotic tomato extract Fruitflow, has struck a deal with DSM Nutritional Products to give it exclusive global rights to Fruitflow, one of just a handful of ingredients to receive a favourable opinion from European Food Safety Authority under EU health claims legislation.
Food for Health Ireland (FHI) has identified scores of bioactive ingredients from milk that could potentially be developed into functional food ingredients as its 'intelligent milk mining' initiative gathers pace.
European firms importing poultry from Brazil and Thailand face higher prices this summer as rising costs and stronger domestic demand tighten supplies, according to one leading supplier.
A UK firm pioneering the use of electrostatics to apply flavourings to food has seen sales grow by 25% this year as food manufacturers have started to embrace the technology.
Firms using formulations containing multiple functional ingredients face "commercial catastrophe" due to the decision to publish approved article 13.1 health claims in batches over a two-year period rather than all at once, Czech MEP Milan Cabrnoch has warned.
Crop failures and inflation are giving the frozen food market a tough time. Rod Addy reports
Being prepared for the unexpected could save your company cash and its reputation, reports Rick Pendrous
You have been very naughty. Now go to your room and forget about dessert! Before you have any inappropriate thoughts, let me tell you that I am dead serious. You have been telling lies and you ought to be punished.
Gist has pledged to retain staff at G&S International following its acquisition of the temperature-controlled logistics operator.
New technologies such as 2D barcoding can support the market for Fairtrade products such as sustainable palm oil by ensuring ingredients are ethically sourced, according to supply chain solutions provider Zetes.
One of the latest examples of clear barrier polypropylene (PP) twinned with an oxygen scavenger underlines the benefits of this type of food pack, particularly given the wider sustainability debate, says supplier RPC Bebo.
A study commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), from Loughborough University has confirmed what many have long suspected: that so-called 'oxodegradable' plastics are neither strictly speaking 'degradable' nor environmentally beneficial, as is often claimed.
Retailers and food manufacturers have been quick to sign up to Courtauld Commitment Two (CC2), the second phase of the voluntary agreement to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and waste.
Forget the ongoing domestic debate about front-of-pack nutrition labelling. The real action is in Europe. By the time you read this, the European Parliament's (EP's) Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, ENVI, will have agreed its report on the proposed Food Information Regulation (FIR) firing the starting pistol for a complex negotiation that will impact every reader of Food Manufacture magazine.
Dry powder beverage specialist Aimia Foods has installed one of the most advanced continuous agglomeration production plants in Europe, in an investment to the value of £1M.
A worldwide open access alert system developed by a team of scientists from Kingston University in South London could simplify and speed up the identification of major emerging sources of food contaminated with harmful bacteria and toxins.
Through encapsulation technology, TasteTech claims to have developed a form of menthol powder that is up to five times stronger than spray-dried menthol but will not re-crystallise compared with stronger alternatives.
An intense natural sweetener derived from monk fruit (luo han guo) is starting to attract more interest from EU manufacturers after gaining regulatory approval in the US.
I used to think that Birds Eye was just being ignorant when it put 'white fish' on the front of its packs and then I realised that it's because it has long packaging runs and can never guarantee which types of white fish go into each meal. That aside, I should applaud Birds Eye for the work it is doing with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to help ensure that we are all supporting the cause, which is sustainable seafood.
Colloides Naturels International (CNI) has launched Fibregum Clear for the fibre enrichment of functional beverages.
Dorset Cereals has been working with the Fairtrade Foundation and the Southern African Macadamia Growers' Association (SAMAC) to launch new breakfast granolas.
A poultry processor based in Northern Ireland has launched a six-strong range of frozen chicken products, after making a £4.4M investment at its factory in Lisnaskea in county Fermanagh.
Coffee manufacturers must appeal to the younger consumer if the market is to sustain long-term growth, according to market researcher Mintel.
Clayton Park Bakery has produced a Scouse pie exclusively for Liverpool Football Club.
Heinz is launching Heinz First Steps Toddler Cookies and Heinz Organic Stock Cubes.
Glendale Foods has launched a range of microwaveable Takeaway Favourites under its Yankee brand. The range has a side portion of chips added to its hot snacks.
Mrs Crimble's has launched fresh seeded loaf, which is made with a variety of natural gluten-free flours, ground flax and linseeds.
New Hellmann's Vinaigrettes from salad dressing specialist Unilever Foodsolutions come in five varieties including: balsamic; basil; citrus; raspberry; and sesame soy flavour.
Now is the time for meat processors and manufacturers that use British meat in products to be "selling themselves" to the public, as pressure mounts to clamp down on "dishonest food labelling", according to Paul Kelly, md of Kelly Turkeys.
Ardo UK officially opened its Charing site in Kent last month, complete with a new packing plant that doubles the capacity of its previous operations from 25,000t to 50,000t annually.
Nottingham University has launched a BSc food science course that aims to deliver practical and relevant training in partnership with industry where other courses have failed.
The recent Food Policy Council's second report recognises that a healthy, low-impact diet must be demand-led.This, by implication, is preferable to strategies based on government interference, attempts to browbeat the food industry into changing recipes, or manipulation of consumer choice by fiscal means.
Food firms could save huge costs by using a new simulation software package that will help them optimise the energy consumption of their refrigeration systems and cold stores.
Finsbury Foods boss John Duffy has not ruled out the prospect of the firm being open to more approaches, after a bid to acquire the firm fell through last year.
The industry must develop skills including scientific and technical, analytical and leadership competencies to address future challenges, according to Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of grocery think tank IGD.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched its 2010 Community Partnership Awards.
Foodborne viral infections including Norovirus continue to go largely unreported, with cases far more widespread than official figures indicate, it has emerged.
Many British consumers still regard sweeteners with suspicion, although in practice, very few actively avoid products that contain them, according to research commissioned by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).
Staff across Nestlé’s UK factories have until April 23 to decide whether to hold a strike ballot over pay and pension arrangements.
Consumers are more interested in the price of meat than its impact on the environment, according to new research.
Uniq is pumping more than £10M into its desserts factories this year as it embarks on a mission to “reinvigorate” the category.
EU approval for natural sweeteners from the stevia leaf has moved one step closer after scientists at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gave them a clean bill of health.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting stakeholders to its Parma, Italy, base for an “open meeting” to discuss health claim developments in the European Union.
Meet the smart cookie in charge of bringing leaner, meaner McVitie's Hob Nob biscuits to your tea table
Warburtons has bought North East Bakery’s former baking plant on the Newburn Industrial Estate in Newcastle.
Bioscience offers the promise of a world powered by the sun, rather than one fuelled by petroleum, it was claimed at the official launch of the Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) at Lancaster House in London last week.
The upturn in food and drink mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity predicted by many corporate finance experts in 2010 has “not really materialised”, according to legal firm Rollits.
Coca Cola has upped its stake in healthy smoothie maker, Innocent, to 58 per cent in a non-disclosed move one analyst said followed the gradual erosion of Innocent’s once vibrant and booming business plan.
Planning permission has been secured for a site modernisation project at privately owned Frank Roberts & Sons’ Rudheath bakery in Northwich, Cheshire in the UK, reports our sister site Food Manufacture.
Northern Ireland-based fruit processor Orchard County Foods has bought Wilson's Country's stake in a joint business forged just two-and-a-half years ago under the banner Simply Fruit.
Astec Conveyors recently installed two new RG Luma Automation lines to increase speed of crumpet production at Honeytop Speciality Foods.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking views on new guidance that will update 'best before' and 'use by' dates.
Leeds-based Stonegate Instruments has announced an 18% increase in sales of its Trapped Personnel Alarm system for refrigeration systems, as companies with cold stores and refrigerated warehousing facilities comply with stringent health and safety legislation.
Alfa Laval's new Rotary Jet Mixer Iso-Mix (RJM) is designed for fast, efficient and economical mixing of powders and fluids within tanks and other storage vessels. It promises up to 30% faster mixing times compared with conventional technology.
An Ishida iTPS integrated multihead weigher and bag maker is achieving speeds of 160 bags a minute (bpm) at snack manufacturer Snacks Unlimited.
Incidents of food poisoning associated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) are higher among certain groups of people, according to recent findings from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). These include certain ethnic groups, older people and pregnant women living in deprived areas who tend to purchase food from convenience and local stores.
After some serious spring cleaning, FoodManufacture.co.uk has been re-launched as an all-singing, all-dancing daily news website.
A number of MPs and the National Farmers' Union (NFU) are urging parliament to hasten the Grocery Market Ombudsmen Bill's passage in a bid to get it enacted before the next general election.
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