Horsemeat: learning the lessons of an avoidable crisis
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Unicorn ingredients, which specialises in seeds and pulses, believes it can save processors money by offering them a more reliable supply base.
Corporate change may be painful for the staff involved, but it can be made easier, says Rod Addy
There are 150 different species of insect that are commonly found in foodstuffs after they have been harvested. The culprits range from flour beetles and...
Flexco in the US has released its improved aluminium multi-rivet driving tool to assist in the splicing of conveyor belts in working environments where heavy...
The installation of the Fuel+ system from Maxsys at the Newcastle plant of Findus has reduced the natural gas consumed by its three boilers by...
Two of Europe's food equipment companies have joined forces to bring manufacturers new options in cold-fill sauce production. Pursuit Dynamics and Air Products have collaborated...
Power support company, Merlin Power Management, has enabled Randall Parker Foods, a producer of high quality meat products, to continue production after a major fire...
The Lazur is an advanced water disinfection system combining ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ultrasound in a single unit. Recently introduced by water treatment specialist Hydroscape,...
A company involved in extracting the juice from apples and other fruit has recently installed a specialist flooring system from Sika at its processing plant...
Advanced Hygienic Cladding's maintenance-free rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic wall cladding systems, plus a variety of internal doors, have been installed throughout the production areas...
A new self-contained circular vibratory screener and fluid-bed dryer from Kason removes oversize and undersize material, and dries on-size material. The pre-packaged system scalps and...
Tricool has supplied custom-built heating and cooling systems for Baker Perkins' confectionery depositors that are at the heart of the confectionery-making process for many of...
European Safety Systems (E2S), Europe's leading manufacturer of sounders and beacons, has developed Spectra to extend its industrial range of visual signalling devices. The B350...
Invest in robotics and protect the long-term sustainability and profitability of the UK food and drinks industry. That was the message from guest speakers at...
Butcher's-style meat and ham slicers have to be sharp, quick, clean and, above all, safe to operate.The high power Galileo 350 butcher's-type meat slicer from...
No manual adjustment is needed to produce consistently uniform corn tortillas and chips with the Paragon automatic weight control sheeter from Australia's Heat and Controls.Conventional...
Interfood Technology has introduced the new Food Robotics slicers from Weber to help processors automate food handling.Weber Food Robotics can be customised to satisfy a...
Chilli-flavoured pastry and garlic pizza bases could soon be on the supermarket shelves thanks to new infused fat technology from Springthyme Oils. Springthyme currently produces...
Loders Croklaan, supplier of oils and fats is saving 10% in steam consumption and achieving a 15% increase in production following the installation of GEM...
An innovative and environment-friendly storage solution to storing solid edible oils has been launched by The Kerfoot Group. The company has harnessed technology used in...
Increasing demand has brought the cost of oil to record levels. Mary Carmichael reports on a commodity that is liquid gold to manufacturers
German food company Raps launched a range of low-fat sausage products some years ago. Now this range has been complemented by a 3% fat sausage....
Roberts Bakeries has integrated five purpose-built high speed print and apply labelling machines into its Cheshire factory, allowing individual loaves fed from various lines to...
RTS Flexible Systems has joined forces with Excel Automation to roll out a space-saving solution for automated tin handling to help independent bakers.Plant bakers often...
BakeMark UK has redeveloped its Merjel cold process jellies to boast only natural colours and flavours, enabling its customers to meet growing demand for clean...
European Process Plant has installed the first Gouet double action tunnel oven in Britain at Village Bakery's new £3M gluten-free bread bakery in Wrexham.It is...
With rocketing wheat prices, bakers are having to find some ingenious routes out of a very sticky situation. Rod Addy reports
The new Food Creation Centre at National Starch sees culinary and technology experts joining forces to help the firm offer a more streamlined approach to development. Sarah Britton reports
Sugarcoat it all you want, but health concerns are impacting the bakery and confectionery sector. The BCCC's Barbara Gallani tells Sarah Britton of her quest to get her sector heard
The official opening of a Dagenham recycling plant for plastic bottles highlights the hotly-debated fate of mixed plastics, reports Paul Gander
Barloworld Handling has developed an independent mark of quality for pre-owned Hyster trucks. The Approved Used mark provides a guarantee that all used Hyster trucks...
Toyota Material Handling has added two new low-level order picker models to its range of warehouse equipment. The BT Opus OSE180X and BT Opus OSE180XP...
Hull is at the heart of the North of England's fishing industry, and at the heart of Hull is the state-of-the-art Hull Fish Auction. Since...
One of the fastest growing trends is the outsourcing of logistics to so-called third-party logistics (3PL) operators. The reason is that companies are moving from...
An increasing number of forklift trucks operate in potentially explosive atmospheres. Explosion protection specialist Pyroban argues that factory operations managers need to understand the risks...
Changing consumer habits, environmental pressures and traceability requirements are making efficient logistics ever more important.Freshness and food safety are also important requirements and this is...
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) specialist Lakeview has significantly extended the functionality of its established Service Management module, with the development of call progression capability and...
Pallet logistics systems supplier CSi has completed a £3.7M project to design and install an automated sortation and palletising system for Walkers' snacks factory in...
Sterling Commerce, an AT&T subsidiary, has announced the availability of Sterling Supply Chain Visibility On Demand.The software provides partner connectivity, process integration and real-time visibility...
Ross enterprise resource planning (ERP) software from CDC Software has helped KK Fine Foods achieve an 82% increase in net profit before tax and achieve...
ABB has released the newest version of its IndustrialIT ECS Enterprise Connectivity Solutions. It includes enhancements for quicker integration of systems, improved performance, and simplified...
Producing a line of own-label ethnic ready meals for Asda is no mean feat. S&A Foods talks to Rick Pendrous about life on the short shelf
When it comes to making a profit in the food and drink industry, mastering supply and demand is essential. Michelle Knott reports
The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards celebrate the very best in UK food and drink manufacture. The closing date for entries is now July 14, so you'll need to hurry. To download an entry form, visit www.foodmanawards.co.uk
Over 12 years ago, Sam Wrist took a temporary job on the production line of an ice cream factory. Now he's general operations manager and ready to muck in
Frozen food transport and storage provider ACS&T Logistics has extended its national frozen consolidation service for foodservice operator 3663 with a second centre at its...
I bought a new calculator recently. I thought my old one was faulty: the numbers didn't add up! Let me explain. Over the past 10...
Road hauliers in the UK, which pay twice the diesel duty of competitors in other EU Member States, are pressurising the government to ease the...
Human food applications of the Starpack Award-winning Easylift can end are "in the pipeline", says Crown Foodcan, adding that cost premiums and canning line modifications...
Ishida Europe will be among those demonstrating new equipment at Birmingham's PPMA Show 2008 at the end of September.The manual, entry-level QX-300 traysealer will handle...
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has thrown the blame for any limitations on what is 'recyclable' back at UK local authorities and the huge variation...
Public statements from directors of the UK's major retailers over recent weeks indicate a shift in policy over packaging choices, says the Packaging and Films...
Manufacturers contemplating the use of wholegrain in their products will be encouraged to hear that the government is expected to quantify its consumption guidance in...
In a bid to keep up with the demand for healthier products, Werther's Original has launched Sugar Free Butter Candies.The company has announced a series...
I lived for a while in a village which was split in half by a stream. On entering the village pub we were asked if...
A rising demand from operators in the hotel and restaurant sectors for a premium quality, added value chip with distinguishing features gave the Aviko development...
Tangerine Confectionery is re-launching Orchard Fruits as Taveners Proper Sweets Fruit Jellies.The range has been reformulated and is now made with all natural colours and...
High Tea will never be the same again now that Premier's mammoth cake brand Mr Kipling has launched a new product: Mr Kipling Cake Bites.Aiming...
To drive down sodium levels in its brined range, the Big Prawn Company company has replaced is existing sodium ingredient with Low Sodium Sea Salt,...
It is no secret that vegetarians tend to get a raw deal when it comes to eating out due to the limited options available to...
Consumers who love the unmistakable taste of beetroots, but can't be bothered with the formalities of plucking them from a glass jar may be interested...
The sweet-toothed followers of Islam - the second largest religion in the UK - will soon be able to sample a taste of the good...
This autumn's school lunch boxes could be laden with more fruity treats as the Glisten group has launched a new fruit snacking concept called Sun-Maid...
Do you have a formal documented strategy for your new product development (NPD)? I often ask this question of senior management at the food businesses...
Long live the bent cucumber!
To raise a thaw point
Experts raise concerns over FSA's possible adoption of 'open access' research policy
To GM or not to GM?
Confusion over defining alcohol units has prevented the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board from calling for their inclusion within the food information regulation being prepared...
Under a fifth of food and drink processors have a training budget, but over 90% believe it improves products and services, according to sector skills...
Researchers at Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) have installed a pilot plant that is capable of transforming hundreds of kilos of food waste...
Radical UV technology extends the shelf-life of fresh produce and boosts profits
Experts have warned manufacturers that they risk damaging their brands if they cut the quality of their products as a short-term measure to maintain margins...
Unilever plans to work more closely with ingredient and equipment suppliers through 'open innovation' as it prepares to release a volley of novel ice food...
GM Food's ability to help the current food crisis is sparking increasingly heated debate
A growing body of research suggests that low glycaemic index (GI) foods can have significant benefits for cardiovascular health, weight control, memory and eye health,...
The Food and Drink Federation has joined forces with Business in the Community to develop a Healthy Eating Toolkit for employers looking to boost productivity...
Greencore is taking legal advice to find out how much, if anything, it is able to recover after bosses discovered an alleged fraud at the...
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has launched an online database of food safety experts.The database will provide details of food scientists that EFSA can...
Pizza maker Paramount Foods has been forced to lay off 300 staff at factories in Deeside and Salford after losing a major contract with Asda.The...
Almost three quarters (72%) of respondents to Food Manufacture's latest online poll felt that the level of promotional activity in the sector was damaging the industry.
Traditional pastry maker Ginsters will stipulate British Lion Quality egg products across its range.Ian Jones, vice chairman of the British Egg Product Association, said: "By...
Unilever is combating potentially dangerous temperature rises in food before it is loaded into retailers' freezer cabinets by testing insulated blankets on roll cages containing...
Heinz has sold over 5M packs of Snap Pots since they were introduced in 2007, making them one of the most successful product launches in...
Ready meals are worth £3.42bn in retail and foodservice contexts and have grown annually by 4.8% on average from 2002-2007, according to Food Manufacture's latest...
Global data synchronisation (GDS) is gathering pace in the catering sector, with increasing numbers of firms supplying Country Range Group and 3663 now uploading product...
A 44-year-old factory worker was thrown 7.6m through the air in an accident at a ready meals factory that provoked the collapse of the company...
Recycling is biggest 'green' issue for public
Firms are joining forces to save road miles, according to Grocery think tank IGD
Leading agricultural charity the British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) has described the decision by EU agriculture ministers to accept the European Commission's proposal for new...
The International Agri-Technology Centre has been awarded the UK Trade & Investment contract in partnership with Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association to help agri-food...
The secretary general of the Chilled Food Association (CFA) has been awarded an MBE for services to the food industry in the Queen's 2008 Birthday...
Ice cream firm Hill Station has secured new funding to take the business forward following weeks of uncertainty. The company, which makes branded and own-label...
The Food Standards Agency has warned firms about an identity theft fraud, which it fears could lead to the sale of unsafe food.Fraudsters supposedly target...
Manufacturers' failure to label 'hidden' lactose powder in foods means many lactose intolerant children are going undiagnosed, a health expert has warned.Dr Stephanie Matthews, a...
Confidence levels plummet as costs rise
PepsiCo has lashed out at the School Food Trust (SFT) for failing to provide clear nutritional guidance as the processor searches for a new route...
An explosion of technical innovation for processors is being fuelled by a new joint initiative.The Championing Innovation between Engineering & Food Sectors (Chiefs) project is...
Manufacturers could benefit from products with a higher micronutrient content if they studied ingredients further down the supply chain, according to a food innovation researcher...
Major retailers stifle genuine innovation through short-sighted cost cutting tactics
There should be a fresh, co-ordinated approach to food policy making that puts food-related concerns at the heart of government.That was the verdict of a...
Functional food sales should continue to grow in double digit percentage terms as consumers demand dietary solutions to keep them healthy, young-looking, energised, wrinkle and...
The Competition Commission (CC) has dismissed retailers’ concerns that an ombudsman would hinder the food industry.“We’re disappointed by some of the [Grocery Inquiry’s] findings because...
New research has identified the types of foods that need to be developed for people who have increasing difficulties chewing and swallowing as they get...
Superheated steam (SHS) could become the frying and drying technology of choice as manufacturers learn more about its unique benefits, according to Dutch contract research...
Processors are set to save hours of time and effort as Rentokil rolls out its online, real-time pest control system, PestNetOnline.Historically, pest control has mainly...
More than a third of the top 1,000 food manufacturers are struggling financially, according to industry analyst Plimsoll Publishing.Plimsoll gave firms strong, good, mediocre, caution...
Independent confectioner Lees of Scotland has appointed Steven Purves to its board of directors. Purves joined the Coatbridge-based company last November as supply chain director....
A record-breaking number of seafood processors applied to industry body seafish for funding to support this year’s Seafood Fortnight, resulting in the total sum of...
Anglo Dutch Meats (ADM) has been plunged into administration with the loss of 90 jobs at its meat processing plant in Eastbourne.The company was hit...
Food manufacturers could further help consumers maintain heart health by fortifying products with omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), according to a nutrition expert. “DPA sits between...
Unilever expects to bring more larger, exciting ice foods concepts to market far more rapidly, following the launch of its twin-site research and development centre...
European Commission (EC) proposals to ban certain pesticides in the EU could halt production of some foods currently made in Europe and similar foods imported...
Product differentiation in food and drink is set to divide the winners from losers, as pressure on consumer finances affects their spending and they increasingly...
A total of 150 employees have been made redundant at a Liverpool bakery plant supplying Sayers & Hampsons, following a management buy-out (MBO) of the...
Dutch meat processor Vion has today signed a deal to acquire the UK food business Grampian for an undisclosed sum, following several months of speculation .Subject...
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned manufacturers to ensure that their machinery is properly guarded after it prosecuted Weetabix when an employee at...
Chilled Food Association (CFA) secretary general Kaarin Goodburn has been awarded an MBE for services to the food industry in the Queen's 2008 Birthday Honours...
Britain’s food and drink exporters can expect a further record-breaking year in 2008 following their outstanding achievements in 2007, which saw sales in excess of...
Manufacturers must improve their water efficiency as they are set to bear the brunt of costs when the price of water soars, an expert has...
HJ Heinz scooped the British Frozen Food Federation’s (BFFF’s) retail product of the year award for its Marks & Spencer Chocolate Marquise.The pudding also won...
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board last week agreed that clarity of front-of-pack food labelling was more important than a “proscriptive” minimum size for text...
The soft drinks industry has called on the government to press on with the development of a national energy strategy in order to deliver the...
Mark Carroll has been appointed UK operations director of Improve, the food and drink sector skills council.The newly created position, which sees Carroll take charge...
Retailer pressure will remain the major driver behind consolidation of food and drink companies, with rising raw material costs and reduced credit availability compounding issues,...
Food and drink processors in the north-west will be able to access free advice, facilities and services from Northwest Food and Drink Hub Enrich, which...
Food additives such as hydrocolloids and enzymes that help manufacturers create lower-fat products without affecting taste and texture are driving growth in the market, according...
Parripak Foods has expanded its operation across the UK with the acquisition of Gretna-based Solway Veg, which will become the company’s northern operation.The two companies...
Food and drink processors must adapt to more environmentally friendly practices or die, according to Jonathon Porritt, programme director of sustainable development charity Forum for...
Juice drinks manufacturers will be forced to drop on-pack health claims when legislation comes into play in 2010, one leading food law expert has predicted.The...
Sainsbury chief executive Justin King has strenuously attacked “well-intentioned, but ultimately flawed, regulation” resulting from the government’s need to ‘be seen to be doing something’...
Chilli flavoured pastry and garlic pizza bases could soon be on our supermarket shelves thanks to a new cutting-edge technology. Elaine Watson talks hard fats
Fat and salt reduction in meat products can raise some serious technical challenges, as John Dunn discovers
Masking bitter or unpleasant tastes in foods requires both art and science, says Synergy's chief flavourist Gail Underwood
Gum makers are seeking to take advantage of new marketing opportunities for their products, says Nicola Cottam
The EU's impending regulation on health claims is failing to stifle the growth of the dairy culture industry. Michelle Knott reports
Despite making a false start a few years back, functional breads now appear to be rising rapidly. By Lynda Searby
With volume growth of just 0.5% and value growth of 1.5% a year, the meat products market is pretty sluggish, says RTS Resource
In sports drinks, the hard sell and hard science are both important, but appear to be heading in opposite directions, says Paul Gander
Despite European concerns over labelling, Dow Wolff's global market manager Stephanie Lynch has faith in the company's cellulosics offering and urges manufacturers to get involved. Sarah Britton reports
Vocal, ill-informed and sometimes deranged. That's Dr Paul Clayton's opinion of the people who have hi-jacked the health debate. Elaine Watson meets the author and advisor on health and diet
Researchers have been experimenting with new extraction techniques to improve the purity and yield of green tea. Andrew Liu reports from Guangzho
Few people realise the importance of the role of the men in white coats in tackling obesity. Ex-Unilever scientist Dr Tim Foster talks to Elaine Watson
With raw material prices soaring and customers often unwilling to take a price rise, manufacturers are stuck between a rock and a hard place, says Rick Pendrous
Sensory analysis costs money, but so do products that flop because consumers don't like them, says Elaine Watson
Has the European Commission gone loco with its organic logo plans? Certainly, many of the leading champions of the organic movement believe that it has...
DMV International has launched a new vegetable-based powdered topping suitable for use in ice creams, aerated instant desserts and bakery applications. Aerion DP 90 is...
Over recent years there have been several reports of suspected fraud in the supply of olive oil. In March 2008, the Italian police arrested 23...
Israeli firm Solbar Industries has launched a low-sodium 90% isolated soy protein. The firm maintains that it can reduce typical sodium levels in its soy...
Cognis Nutrition & Health is marketing a liquid form of Tonalin, its brand of the weight management ingredient, conjugated linoleic acid. Tonalin can be taken...
Ingredients firm Synergy has launched a line of sweetness boosters for dairy applications. The range enhances natural sugar perception, while delivering a fruit flavour profile....
French plant extract company Naturex is marketing a patented hops extract that is said to reduce the effects of the menopause. Two placebo-controlled clinical trials...
The global popularity of the cranberry continues with 223 new cranberry-based product launches reported by Mintel in the first quarter of 2008. This follows 900...
Always famed for its health-giving qualities, the nutritional content of the apple is now being heralded as an elixir of beauty and slimming aid by...
Healthy lipids firm Lipid Nutrition has produced a powdered version of its appetite suppressant ingredient PinnoThin. Derived from pine nuts, PinnoThin is claimed to stimulate...
The latest chefs' council event run by flavours giant Givaudan in Barcelona has generated scores of ideas that utilise ideas from the world's leading chefs.The...
Vollmond lager is not your average beer. Made in the Swiss Alps by Suisse Connection and recently launched in the UK, the beer is brewed...
A New Zealand-based firm is hoping to take the European market by storm with a herb native to the country that boasts strong anti-fungal qualities.Horopito,...
General Mills is taking a more targeted approach to open innovation as its worldwide innovation network (G-WIN) celebrates its first anniversary.The company, which has been...
Worryingly for companies that are plugging fibres as the hottest healthy ingredient on the block, UK consumers at least do not seem to be getting...
Lies, damned lies and PR spin. Welcome to the nonsensical world of food legislation, says Neville Craddock
Inflamed situationComparison of low fat and low carb diets on circulating fatty acid composition and markers of inflammation.Abnormal distribution of plasma fatty acids and increased...
The annex of nutrition claims permitted under the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation will be reviewed in the third quarter of this year, raising hopes...
GlaxoSmithKline is confident that it will not fall foul of the nutrient profiling clause in the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation with its new Lucozade...
Consumers in different parts of Europe like to talk about gut health in very different ways, according to a new survey commissioned by ingredients giant...
Nestlé will open a new research and development (R&D) centre in Beijing in July, housing more than 80 scientists.The centre will conduct basic research plus...
Marketing functional and health-giving foods by targeting consumers at certain life stages could bring some structure to a fragmented market, according to a leading market...
Omega-3 fish oil suppliers are hopeful that a compromise will be struck this month that will end a legal dispute threatening fish oil supplies into...
The big guns in confectionery will start lobbying in earnest this summer in a bid to prevent the nutrient profiling system in the EU Nutrition...
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is actively seeking partnerships with entrepreneurs, academics, suppliers or other third parties to develop brands like Ribena, Horlicks and Lucozade as it builds...
The company behind the Novel Food application for pulp from the baobab tree is preparing a second application to gain approval to market oil from...
Martek Biosciences will conduct a new clinical study into the effects of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) on cognitive function in children, bosses...
Probiotics will continue their journey from dairy into a wider range of products - from salad dressings and ice cream to cereals with chocolate -...
More than a quarter (26%) of the planet's arable land will have to be devoted to fuel production by 2020 in order to meet current...
A German firm with one of the world's largest databases of natural products is looking to partner with ingredients firms or food manufacturers seeking biologically-active...
Manufacturers have been warned against slashing the quality of ingredients in their products in attempts to offset soaring costs.While rising costs were putting margins under...
Retailers will be forced to think twice before they use emotive, unscientific and inflammatory rhetoric about E-numbers if the UK's second largest grocer loses a...
Premium cake manufacturer Finsbury Foods has repositioned four members of staff to further strengthen its sales and marketing teams. Mark Bruce has taken up the...
Joe Street has been elected as the new chairman of the Federation of Bakers. He takes over the role from Brian Robinson.Street joined Fine Lady...
Food and drink sector skills council Improve has appointed Rachael Owen as skills development advisor.The role will see her take responsibility for Improve’s Careers Information...
Uniq has appointed Stephen Draisey as md of its UK business.Draisey, 48, has held a number of senior positions during a 17 year career with...
Doncaster-based Paragon Quality Foods, which manufactures standard and Halal burgers, and doner and chicken shish kebabs, has named Simon Edmonds as its second technical manager....
In response to the changing international legislative landscape, National Starch Food Innovation has expanded the function of its European regulatory compliance manager. Julie Scott will...
Scientists at the University of Reading are in talks with leading milk processors about developing milk and dairy products with significantly less saturated fat.The saturated...
Frozen food processor McCain is exploring the benefits of using potato peel as a source of biofuel.“We are interested in this area,” said corporate affairs...
A prebiotic fibre derived from wheat bran has significant advantages over market leader inulin, according to the firm in which Tate & Lyle’s venture capital...
Brazil’s chicken processors and exporters have held their first presentation in Europe as they continue a charm offensive designed to tackle negative perceptions.Brazil’s poultry firms...
Unilever has pumped £9M, its biggest marketing spend this year, behind a ‘Cooking with Schools’ campaign linked to its Flora brand to strengthen training facilities...
Kellogg and the First Milk Cheese Company have opened learning centres for Usdaw union members at their Wrexham plants and both firms have signed lifelong...
Some of the UK’s largest meat companies have joined forces with the University of Bristol in a training scheme designed to raise the skills of...
UK breakfast cereal and cereal bar business Jordans is to merge with Associated British Foods’ (ABF’s) Ryvita crispbread and healthy snacks business in a deal...
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