Breaking News on the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector

Headlines > September 2010

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30-Sep-2010

Why size matters: What are the key application areas for nanotechnology in the food industry?

From antimicrobial sprays to nano-sieves for removing allergens, ultra-fine emulsions and anti-fouling nano-coatings, FoodManufacture.co.uk provides a round-up of current and potential application areas for nanomaterials in the food and drink industry.

29-Sep-2010

Nestlé sets 2014 deadline with Croydon Council to find new HQ site

Nestlé has agreed a deadline of 2014 with Croydon Council to locate a new UK headquarters site in the borough, after it gave the first public indication that it may be forced to relocate elsewhere.

Traditional sweet maker Uncle Joe’s wants to double turnover

Wigan-based handmade sweet producer Uncle Joe’s is keen to double its turnover "as quickly as possible" as it approaches full capacity at its current site.

CIAA welcomes level playing field with new 13.1 health claims approach

The European Commission’s decision to stop publishing article 13.1 health claims in batches and carve out botanicals from the process has met with more positive industry responses, as it will create more legal certainty and reduce implementation burdens of repeated label changes.

News in brief

UK gluten- and wheat-free market up 18% to £108.3m

UK sales of gluten and wheat free products soared 18% to £108.3m in the year to July 11, 2010, according to new data from Kantar Worldpanel.

Cranberry Foods v. Unite stand-off unlikely to recur, academic

The kind of stand-off recently seen between Unite and Cranberry Foods over workplace union recognition is unlikely to recur, according to a leading academic.

28-Sep-2010

United Biscuits: Fire at Amcor won’t disrupt supplies

A serious fire at a factory supplying packaging materials to United Biscuits’ McVitie's factory in Carlisle has not significantly disrupted production, the biscuit and snacks firm insists.

Chinese group looks to bright future with United Biscuits, report

In a move that has caught market analysts by surprise, UK based snack and biscuit maker, United Biscuits, is reportedly close to a deal with leading Chinese food group Bright Food in terms of a buy out.

AG Barr posts double-digit rise in sales and profits

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr has “substantially outperformed” the soft drinks market in the first half, posting a sharp rise in top and bottom line growth driven by increased distribution in England and Wales and strong marketing support.

Greencore expects profits to be 20% up

Greencore expects group operating profit on continuing businesses to be up 20% this year, bosses have revealed in a trading statement issued ahead of its full-year results on November 23.

27-Sep-2010

Swedish firm seeks partner to take nanocellulose to market

Stockholm-based firm Innventia is seeking a partner to help commercialise technology that will make the production of nanocellulose on an industrial scale commercially viable.

MEP 'quite confident' Council of Ministers will back traffic light labels

MEP Glenis Willmott is "quite confident" that the European Council will overturn the European Parliament’s (EP’s) decision to scrap colour-coded front-of-pack food labelling in the EU.

Graham's dairy makes 'major investment' in butter plant

Independent Scottish dairy Graham’s The Family Dairy is investing heavily to expand its butter plant following the acquisition of rival Claymore Dairies.

Can Robert Wiseman regain the initiative after profit warning?

While last week’s profit warning was a serious blow, Robert Wiseman Dairies is in a good position to try and claw back some of the initiative over the next 18 months, particularly if it is able to win business from Asda and Morrisions, according to Investec Securities.

24-Sep-2010

Robotics centre restructures to boost customer service

Food robotics body CenFRA (the Centre for Food Robotics and Automation) is dividing itself up into five distinct divisions in order to provide a more focused service for food and drink manufacturers.

SACN and School Food Trust on quango bonfire?

The School Food Trust (SFT) and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) are both on a list of quangos facing the axe, according to a leaked report published in today's Telegraph.

News in brief

Dawnfresh Seafoods Group appoints new MD

Brian McMonagle has been named as the new managing director of the Dawnfresh Seafoods Group of companies.

Tunnock's staff walk out as pay dispute escalates

More than 360 staff out of 500 employed at the Tunnock's caramel wafer and teacake factory in Uddingston, Glasgow, downed tools yesterday and will strike again next Tuesday.

News in brief

Culina posts 25% increase in turnover

Turnover at Culina Logistics surged 25% to £121.4m in 2009 after the firm secured 25 new accounts.

Nestlé to meet unions at Croydon HQ to discuss pay

Nestlé UK will meet representatives from the Unite, GMB and USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) trade unions at its Croydon HQ today in a bid to resolve an ongoing pay dispute, FoodManufacture.co.uk understands.

Last chance to vote for your Food Manufacture Personality of the Year 2010!

Voting for Food Manufacture's Personality of the Year award 2010 closes tonight (September 24), so this is your last chance to have your say!

23-Sep-2010

114 jobs at risk at Warburtons' Newport bakery

Staff at Warburtons' Newport bakery face an uncertain future as the company considers proposals to close the site for "operational reasons".

Pork provenance code of practice gains momentum

All the leading supermarkets, 13 caterers (including McDonald’s), 14 processors/suppliers and eight branded food manufacturers have now signed up to a voluntary code of practice on country of origin labelling (COOL) on pork and pork products.

22-Sep-2010

DEFRA to draw up new COOL guide by end of November

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is aiming to draw up a new voluntary code of practice on country of origin labelling (COOL) by the end of November.

Non-EU markets fuel UK food export growth

Food and drink trade figures for the first half of 2010 show that UK exports have risen by 8.1% compared to the same period of 2009, with non-EU markets fuelling growth.

Pay row threatens production at Scottish teacake maker Tunnock's

Production of more than a million teacakes could be in jeopardy if a strike at leading Scottish biscuit and confectionery maker, Tunnock’s, goes ahead.

Bone health still niche, but sharp rise in NPD

The UK market for functional foods on a bone health platform grew 6.8% in the year to March 2010, but at just £38M, it still represents a niche part of the £556m functional foods market, according to new data from Kantar Worldpanel.

Real Good Food Co posts £1.3m pre-tax loss, but remains upbeat about prospects for second half

Real Good Food Company (RGFC) has posted a £1.3m pre-tax loss in the first half, but says it has reached a turning point in its sugar business “after several difficult years”.

News in brief

Do functional foods have a future?

With a demographic time bomb ticking, the demand for foods, drinks and supplements to help people live healthier, more active lives as they get older has never been greater.

21-Sep-2010

Molson Coors defends move to triple payment terms

Molson Coors has defended its decision to triple the time it takes to pay its suppliers from 30 to 90 days.

Soy protein health claim: EC should be ‘pragmatic’

The firms behind a high-profile ‘article 14’ health claim application about soy protein are hoping the European Commission will “adopt a pragmatic approach” as it reviews a controversial negative opinion on their application from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Anti-fouling nano-coatings could slash downtime and cleaning bills

Applying nano-structured coatings to heat exchangers and other pipework in the dairy sector could reduce downtime and slash cleaning costs by up to 50%, according to the co-ordinators of a new research project.

20-Sep-2010

British Embassy in Warsaw probes Twinings grant

The British Embassy in Warsaw is probing the legality of an EU funding award for Twinings’ new Polish factory.

Industry radio silence is not moving nanotechnology debate forward

No one is expecting food manufacturers to share commercially sensitive information about nanotechnology projects, but adopting a policy of radio silence on the subject will only reinforce the perception that they have something to hide, according to experts gathered at an industry workshop.

News in brief

Tesco to trial premium Jamaican ready meals as interest grows in Caribbean cuisine

Willesden-based Jamaican pattie manufacturer Port Royal has developed a new range of premium chilled ready meals targeting shoppers looking for more authentic Caribbean cuisine.

Nano definition is a legal minefield, warn scientists

Agreeing on a legal definition of nanomaterials that satisfies food manufacturers, regulators, enforcement bodies and consumers will be hugely challenging, according to experts gathered at a nanotechnology workshop in Leatherhead last week.

Cranberry Foods workers lose fight for union recognition

Employees at the Cranberry Foods factory in Derbyshire have narrowly lost a battle for workplace union recognition.

Strike off at Vion Llangefni as Unite accepts 2% pay offer

A five-day strike due to start this morning at Vion’s chicken processing plant in Llangefni has been called off.

17-Sep-2010

MEP hails ‘constructive’ mackerel war conference

A Scottish MEP who represented the EU Parliament at a conference in The Faroe Islands to resolve the ongoing ‘Mackerel war’ has hailed talks as "constructive", ahead of further meetings between key stakeholders in the dispute.

News in brief

Gurkha sauce, anyone?

An unusual range of premium sauces and chutneys inspired by the Gurkhas is gathering steam in the independent retail sector.

16-Sep-2010

Could broccoli and garlic prove key weapons in fight vs arthritis?

A groundbreaking study exploring the potential of bioactive compounds in broccoli and garlic to slow or prevent the breakdown of cartilage is one of nine projects to secure a share of £4m, in the final funding round of the Diet and Health Research Industry Club (DRINC).

Analyst: Asda's discounting has decimated milk margins

Asda’s margin-crushing promotional activity on liquid milk has prompted a wave of price-cutting that has contributed to “a material destruction of category profitability”, according to one City analyst.

Robert Wiseman Dairies slashes profit forecasts

Robert Wiseman Dairies has slashed profit forecasts on the back of intense competition and higher fuel and packaging costs.

Organic dairy sector rebounds as industry aims to ‘win hearts and minds’

Sales of organic milk and yogurt are up but cheese is still suffering, as the industry strives to win “hearts and minds”after the recession, says farmers' co-operative OMSCo.

Unilever-backed mixer fails to meet nano expectations

A multi-million-pound ultra high energy mixer that its backers hoped would create nano-emulsions with exciting new properties has so far failed to live up to expectations.

15-Sep-2010

Cranberry Foods ‘wholeheartedly denies’ breaching union rights charter

Leading UK turkey producer Cranberry Foods has denied claims by the union Unite that it breached an industry charter safeguarding workers’ unionisation rights.

Grocery inflation +2.7% in 12 weeks to Sept 5

The recent surge in wheat prices notwithstanding, grocery price inflation in unlikely to top 4% in the UK this year, according to Kantar Worldpanel.

EFFP restructures to move to ‘clear commercial footing’

Food chain collaboration champion English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP) has embarked on a restructuring exercise to move it onto a clear commercial footing as government funding dries up.

News in brief

Article 13.1 health claims: batch 3 due in October

The third batch of opinions on ‘article 13.1’ health claims assessed under the EU health claims Regulation will be published at the start of October, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed.

14-Sep-2010

Unilever: Things will get worse before they get better

Life will only get tougher for Unilever in the second half of 2010, but things could improve in 2011 as its Genesis innovation programme starts to bear fruit, cost inflation cycles out and rival Procter & Gamble (P&G) starts to run out of steam, according to Investec Securities.

CBI: New 40% threshold would thwart Vion strike

Next week’s strike at Vion’s Llangefni chicken processing plant would be illegal if changes to labour laws proposed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) were to make it onto the statute books.

13-Sep-2010

Genius gluten-free brand is worth £10m, reveals Finsbury Food Group

The Genius gluten-free fresh bakery brand is now worth more than £10m at retail level, just 15 months after launch, making it one of the most successful launches in the free-from market over the last decade.

Union members at Vion Llangefni plan five-day strike

Members of the Unite union at Vion’s chicken processing plant in Llangefni will start a five-day strike over pay on Monday (September 20).

Twinings offers bonuses and ‘sightseeing trips’ to workers setting-up Polish site

Twinings has revealed that UK workers facing redundancy who help establish operations at a new Polish factory will have all their expenses paid, receive extra salary and sightseeing trips.

Premier Foods fined for “basic” health and safety failures

Premier Foods has been ordered to pay out almost ₤21,000 and slammed by UK safety authorities after an industrial accident in which a 65-kg metal pillar crushed the skull of one of its workers.

ABF sugar profits will be “substantially ahead” of last year

Profits from Associated British Foods’ (ABF’s) sugar business will be “substantially ahead” of last year driven by further growth in the EU and a strong improvement in China, the firm has revealed.

News in brief

Kantar: Filled cones and chocolate snacks drive 8.1% rise in UK ice cream sales

Double-digit growth in filled cones and chocolate snacks helped the UK ice cream market grow by 8.1% to £693.7m in the year to August 8, according to new data from Kantar Worldpanel.

Baked Snacks Co administrator in exclusive talks with potential buyer

The administrator handling Middlesbrough-based snacks manufacturer Baked Snacks Company (BSC) has entered into exclusive talks with a potential buyer, FoodManufacture.co.uk has learned.

10-Sep-2010

News in brief

Arla Foods UK finally reveals location of £150m mega dairy

Arla has revealed that its £150m ‘super dairy’ will be located on a 70-acre site in Aston Clinton, Aylesbury.

Strike action back on at Coca-Cola Edmonton as ACAS talks break down

Industrial action will go ahead at Coca-Cola’s Edmonton facility from next Wednesday, September 15, after discussions between trade union Unite and the firm broke down.

Commercial sales and NPD offset Thorntons' retail woe

Higher commercial sales coupled with new product development could help Thorntons offset its high street sales slump, according to Investec analyst David Jeary.

Increased UK M&A activity sees plcs sell off 'peripheral' businesses

The UK appetite for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is gradually improving, with an increasing trend towards the sale of non-core businesses by plcs, says legal firm Rollits.

09-Sep-2010

Government must secure the future of our food industry

Manufacturers and retailers have called for a “shared vision and strategy” with government to ensure the UK’s food and drink industry is sustainable and doesn’t descend into catastrophe.


Scots fishermen feared attending mackerel summit would 'legitimise' over-fishing

The Scottish Pelagic Fisherman’s Association (SPFA) says it pulled out of a summit to discuss the current ‘mackerel wars’ because it feared legitimising overfishing by Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Ex-Tulip manager drives UK roll-out of Danish traceability system


A software package designed for traceability in the food sector is set to be rolled out across the UK. 


New factory to boost dairy production in Jersey

Jersey Dairy’s multimillion pound 3,000m2 factory, at Trinity in Jersey, is complete.

News in brief

Chase Distillery founder reveals vodka petrol plans

Chase Distillery founder and ceo William Chase is set to pioneer the use of waste from his Hertfordshire vodka distillery to make high-grade vehicle fuel.

Major food and beverage players make large water savings

Leading UK food and drink manufacturers saved more than two million cubic metres of water throughout 2009 compared to 2007, according to a new report from a government-funded body.

Interfruit moves to new plant

Fresh fruit and vegetable wholesaler Interfruit has moved into a new 1,600m2 refrigerated food processing plant at Witton.

08-Sep-2010

CenFRA could be self-funding by autumn 2011, says boss

CenFRA (the Centre for Food Robotics and Automation) is aiming to achieve financial self-sufficiency “as early as autumn next year”, after securing additional cash from regional development agency (RDA) Yorkshire Forward designed to tide it over until at least next spring.

News in brief

Nisa-Today’s to open new Scottish depot

Strong turnover last year means that buying group for independent retailers Nisa-Today’s is expanding into a 195,000 sq ft distribution centre in Livingston, Scotland.

Union suspends strike at Coca-Cola Edmonton as ACAS is called in

A wave of strikes at Coca-Cola’s Edmonton plant that was scheduled to begin today has been suspended after members of the Unite union and company bosses agreed to return to the negotiating table.

News in brief

New guidelines help dairy processors calculate carbon footprint

New guidelines will ensure that UK dairy processing companies benefit from a common approach to calculating carbon footprints across the whole supply chain.

A third of groceries on promotion as food inflation hits new peak

A third of groceries are now on promotion as retailers seek to remain competitive in the face of rising food inflation, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

07-Sep-2010

Fruitapeel creates jobs in Wales

Growing demand for fruit juice has helped Fruitapeel turn around the fortunes of a former SunJuice facility in South Wales, restoring 47 of the 100 jobs lost when the site originally closed in January 2009.

Multi-million pound investment at Nature's Way Foods

Nature’s Way Foods (NWF) is investing millions of pounds in upgrading kit at three plants in Selsey and Runcton and building a fourth factory at a third site.


Brewers fear duty rise will damage a dynamic sector


The government’s alcohol taxation review could spell bad news for the brewing industry, with a further rise in alcohol duty on the cards.


Pepsi RAW: Where did it all go wrong?

Branding experts have blamed a combination of poor timing, poor marketing and a confused proposition for the failure of ‘natural born cola’ Pepsi RAW.

Snack plant at Warburtons' Bolton bakery out of action until spring 2011, but bread plant back to 100% capacity

Warburtons will be back to 100% production capacity for bread-making at its Bolton bakery by the end of this week, just five weeks after a serious fire.

Union slams Twinings move to make UK workers train Polish replacements

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has slammed a decision by Twinings to encourage staff at its North Shields site to train the Polish workers who will make them redundant.

06-Sep-2010

Pizza ‘is meant to be fun’ – even if it has reduced salt

Own-label pizza manufacturer Freiberger has made massive strides towards hitting the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) salt-reduction targets and now sells a range of pizza bases and sauces with minimal or no salt.

Private sector law will be the ‘answer to globalisation’

Private sector standards and self-regulation are set to become far more important than the public sector law for international trade within the food supply chain, predicts a legal expert.


The final frontier for healthy food

Yorkshire-based Frontier Foods is a start-up that manufactures traditional food products that contain less fat and fewer additives than their original recipes.


Icefresh posts 2.5% sales growth

Frozen desserts and ice cream specialist Icefresh Foods has achieved modest growth in the past 12 months, spearheaded by increased sales of its Weight Watchers Iced Desserts brand.


Sweet new markets for colours


Natural and nature-identical colours face increasing competition from colouring foodstuffs, according to a new Leatherhead Food Research (LFR) report.


Better cold stores from new EU project

UK processors will shortly be canvassed about an EU cold store efficiency project, which aims to offer companies a tailored approach to saving cash.


Healthy school meals could be under threat from government spending cuts

Concerns over safeguarding healthy school meals are growing as the government plans to alter funding for consumer health campaign Change4Life, limit free school meals for primary school children from poor backgrounds and end the School Lunch Grant.


Flavours of the future

International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has introduced a new range of 2011-EU-compliant ‘natural’ flavours for beef and chicken. 


DSM resists the impact of rising input costs


Ingredients prices could impact on the entire food supply chain if production costs keep rising, according to Gareth Barker, head of marketing, human nutrition and health at DSM.


US is an untapped playground for dietary fibre suppliers

The US represents a vast, largely untapped playground for manufacturers of prebiotic fibres and probiotics, according to global ingredients firm Beneo.


Sterol-enriched milk hits Chinese market

The commercial success of Cognis Nutrition & Health’s plant phytosterols has been boosted by the national launch of China’s first sterol-enriched milk by Meng Niu, China’s biggest milk firm.


Major firms explore algae-derived omega-3

Major manufacturers are looking into using Eau Plus’s algae-derived omega-3 in their products, according to the London-based company.


Opinion

united we stand, divided we fall

If there's one thing I hope that the 21st Century will become known for, it's joined-up thinking. 'Silo' thinking led to World Wars I and II.

Processors crack down on supply chain inefficiencies

By rod Addy
The vast majority of manufacturers reported having boosted supply chain efficiency in the past year – some by as much as 25% – in a new industry survey conducted by Culina Logistics.


EU research opportunities open up with new funding

A fresh tranche of EU funding under Framework Programme 7 (FP7) has created new opportunities for collaborative, global packaging research.


Accident puts spotlight on maintenance training

The spotlight has fallen on maintenance training and the proper guarding of machinery in the wake of a United Biscuits worker having two fingers sliced off in a mixing machine.


Opinion

Fond farewell to a food industry leader

I dedicate this column to Leatherhead Food Research chairman Dr Alistair Penman, who died on August 3 after a long battle with illness.


Fairtrade supply gets nuttier

The Fairtrade Foundation aims to boost the amount of Fairtrade certified fruit and nuts and intermediate ingredients for UK manufacturers of compound products such as cakes, biscuits, ice cream and ready meals.


Brakes launches whoopies aiming for ‘new cupcakes’

Brakes Group is riding the growing craze for whoopies and has announced plans to launch them as part of its new Christmas range for foodservice outlets next month.


New research into digestion of fats could help to reduce binge eating

Scientists at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) in Norwich have made some unexpected discoveries about the way in which the body breaks down fat. This could lead to new ways of slowing down fat digestion and, ultimately, to food structures that help to make people feel full earlier when eating.

Soil Association seeks 'indefinite delay' on nitrate ban

The Soil Association and other industry bodies are seeking to indefinitely delay an EU regulation that would ban the use of nitrates and nitrites in organic cured meats from 2011, and potentially ruin some producers.

FTA slams "gratuitous and cynical" price hikes at Severn Crossing

Hauliers are being “held to ransom” by the operator of the Severn Crossing, an essential trade corridor between England and South Wales, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has claimed.

Feature

The Big Interview: Fiona Phillips, Dairy Crest

Dairy Crest’s new product development boss for foods talks to Rod Addy

Plan to train jobseekers to work in food industry

Food and drink sector skills council Improve has launched a scheme to tackle the industry’s severe skills shortage.

Pump up the pasty production

Switching to a Watson-Marlow peristaltic 520 series process pump has reduced failures and downtime on Rowe’s pasty production line.

Put energy into cocoa production

Nutrexpa has installed Russell Finex Compact Sieves to improve the processing of its chocolate powder drink Cola Cao. 


The cold facts about cold storage

Delivering greater pallet selectivity and order assembly has helped a cold store operator meet consumers’ changing demand for frozen food.


Welcome to the green scheme

Noble Foods is set to gain environmental certification to ISO 14001 standard this month.

Bakery paves sustainable path

An innovative British-made paving system manufactured from recycled plastics has had its first major installation at the bakery of Frank Roberts & Sons in Cheshire. 


Inject a cheaper labelling alternative

Linx Printing Technologies says its new thermal inkjet (TIJ) printer is a cost-effective alternative secondary packaging labeller for small manufacturers.


Roll up, roll up for sustainability show

Multivac will be presenting its sustainable ranges at this month’s Fachpack trade fair in Nuremberg. 


Firm pops efficiency in the bag

Popcorn manufacturer Cornpoppers has ordered four 53LTi thermal transfer coder machines for its factory in Wednesbury in the West Midlands. 


Denesters deliver dividends

Jacob’s Biscuits of Liverpool has made significant cost savings by installing Turbo tray denesters on three of its biscuit lines.


Export expertise

In partnership with UK Trade & Investment, the new Exportese Food and Drink Programme aims to help small food and drink firms unlock their potential for exports.


Fair share up North

Fareshare, the national food charity that redistributes surplus food from the food industry to local charities, has opened a new depot in Liverpool.


RSPCA is ‘too hasty’

The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has been too hasty in its call for action to address broiler chicken welfare, according to the British Poultry Council (BPC).


Sales are smoking for Scottish fish specialist

Arbroath-based smoked fish firm RR Spink has secured two major contracts worth £4.5M in the first year – a 50% increase in turnover.


Dawnfresh opts for Spidex maintenance expertise

Dawnfresh Seafoods has selected the Mainsaver computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) from UK distributor Spidex Software to manage engineering maintenance activities at its main production site in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.


French lardon processor gets its fill

A complete solution for the weighing and packing of salmon lardons has been supplied by Ishida Europe to smoked fish specialist Meralliance based in France, enabling the company to reduce product giveaway while enhancing pack presentation in retail outlets. 


Salmon firm thinks outside the polystyrene box

One of Europe's biggest smoked salmon producers is finding that it pays to recycle. Farne Salmon and Trout, which is located in the Scottish Borders, acquired...

EU pilot project sees positive yields

A Swedish pilot project on seafood traceability called eTrace, conducted as part of the SafeFoodEra EU food safety programme, has led to higher profits for those involved, says project manager Niklas Hild.


Cabinplant claims new path to processing first

With its robot-supported processing and packing system for fish and shrimps, Cabinplant claims to have followed a completely new path.

Funds champion innovation in East Midlands engineering firms

Further funds have been granted for the East Midlands-based Championing Innovation between the Engineering and Food Sectors (Chiefs) project.


Every burp helps

Tesco is using a detector from Crowcon to monitor methane emissions in burps from cows on its dairy farms to evaluate different feeding regimes and reduce dairy’s environmental impact.


Mars maps skills

Mars has proposed a skills map for operations staff after meetings led by MCP Consulting and Training.


Sustainable fish service


Provision of sustainably farmed fish has moved forward with the formation of a Wolverhampton-based hub for the marine fish cobia.


How to Bring home the vegetarian bacon

Pan-European chemicals distributor Azelis has developed a bacon flavouring that can be also be used in vegetarian food products as it employs no animal fat. 


hydrosol launches stabilisers and emulsifiers

Hydrosol has launched a range of stabilisers and emulsifiers for use in anything from ice cream to sausages.


Beanz keepz 
in the fridge

Heinz appears eager to play down expectations, but the arrival of the Heinz Beans kilo-containing plastics Fridge Pack has fuelled speculation around metal’s future share of the ambient foods category – and around possible imitations. 


Accurate apertures

The accuracy of wide-aperture metal detection in bulk packs and products has taken a leap forward with the introduction of a more sensitive system, says supplier Mettler Toledo Safeline. 


Retailers to converge on sustainability

Retailers’ divergences on the packaging and sustainability agenda could be resolved by the shift in focus under the new Courtauld Commitment Two (CC2) agreement, says environmental consultant Julia Hailes. 


Treatt’s ginger flavour is to go global

UK ingredients company Treatt is globally rolling out a product made in the US to aid processors struggling with ginger flavours.


Pop your patty in the toaster

Next month a breaded meat patty that can go from frozen to ready in minutes will be launched on the UK market.

Everybody salsa

Foodservice firm Discovery Foods is continuing to build its Mexican theme into the fast food industry with the launch of 10 new recipes under its Santa Maria brand. 


Super school sausages

A new range of ‘healthy’ sausages will be on Pembrokeshire schools’ menus next term now that Preseli Gold Sausages has won a two-year contract to supply meat products to the Welsh local authority.

Partnership in dietary prime

Gluten- and wheat-free food supplier Nutrition Point has launched a partnership with Lloydspharmacy to sell its Dietary Specials products from the pharmacy’s online store. 


Amber lager from Suffolk

Suffolk brewer Alec Williamson has launched a new amber lager called Calvors Amber. 


Tests to fight food fraud

As prices of commodities are rising, so are attempts to pass off cheaper foods as their more expensive counterparts.


Malt grows in demand

Malt is seeing increased use across various sectors of food manufacturing within the UK, according to malster Muntons.


Deprived more at risk 
of listeria, finds research

Social deprivation has again been identified as a major risk factor in listeria food poisoning in research from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which faces closure in the next few years under government cuts.


New non-EU export licences could help hard-pressed UK beef producers

Nine new export licences for UK beef could help home producers survive tough economic times, according to EBLEX, the UK trade organisation for beef producers.

FSA probes third-party assurance schemes

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a probe into third-party assurance schemes such as the Red Tractor and Lion Eggs standard in a bid to understand the extent to which they improve compliance with food legislation.

News in brief

Campden BRI in new nuts, seeds, herbs and spices probe

Scientists at Campden BRI have set up a consortium to examine the microbiological issues associated with nuts, seeds, herbs and spices in the food supply chain.

News in brief

BPEX embarks on novel pig welfare scheme

The British Pig Executive (BPEX) has launched a new project that takes a novel approach to pig welfare by focusing on outcomes rather than inputs.

03-Sep-2010

Opinion

Scorch and burn Coalition

Phew, what a scorcher! Not the weather, but the blistering pace at which the Coalition has set about delivering a programme for government during its first 100 days. 


Opinion

Shocking spreadsheets

Forget embezzlement and insider trading. If you really want to shock colleagues, one crime tops them all: use of a spreadsheet.


Opinion

Two must become one

At 12 minutes past eight on the morning of February 3 1783, Antoine Lavoisier placed a guinea pig in an ice machine.


Opinion

Investment 
all starts in 
the kitchen

As a great believer in giving consumers a mix of culinary pleasure and technology-led products, I am encouraged by the investments being made in the UK’s food manufacturing industry. 


Opinion

Which God made the seven-day milk rule?

The European Parliament’s (EP’s) call for milk labelled as ‘fresh’ to be under seven days old raises the question of the meaning of ‘fresh’ in relation to any food.


Feature

Functional drinks: Here's to your health!

Satisfying health-conscious consumers and EU health claims means functional drinks makers are walking a tightrope. Chloe Ryan reports

Feature

Omega-3: One claim too many?

While consumer demand for omega-3 continues to rise, the industry that processes it faces an increasingly complex set of technological, environmental and regulatory changes. Anne Bruce reports


Feature

The incredible bulk: Fibre in focus

Whether it’s satiety, moisture retention, mouthfeel or gut health, fibre has a multitude of functional properties to offer new product developers. Rod Addy reports


Feature

Healthy ice cream in focus: Rebranding the ice treat

With its dependence on fat and sugar, making a healthy ice cream that people will eat all year round is a challenge. Michelle Knott reports

FAIRTRADE: It’s a matter of fairness, stupid

UK Fairtrade is projected to be worth £2bn by 2012. But, as Rod Addy discovers, there are also other sustainability questions to resolve

A whole lot 
of shaking


Silver Spring’s Ian Rose has seen a lot of shake-ups 
on his journey from shopfloor to factory manager


Packaging machinery in focus: Pit stop pack changes

Increased emphasis on just-in-time production has made long runs and dedicated lines a thing of the past. Sebastian Day finds out how machinery suppliers are helping to streamline the changeover process

Fish and seafood processing in focus: Joined up thinking


The drastic depletion of fish stocks means that manufacturers must find new ways to maximise processing efficiency. John Dunn reports


Get on the groovy train

New training projects are leading the industry out of bleak recruitment into a land of upskilled staff, says Freddie Dawson

Union members at Vion Llangefni vote narrowly in favour of strike action

Members of the Unite union at Vion’s chicken processing plant in Llangefni will meet next Wednesday (September 8) to decide whether to take industrial action over pay after the results of a ballot were announced this week.

FDF: Coalition offers more consistent approach to nutrition policy than Labour

UK food manufacturers are expecting a more consistent approach to the implementation of nutrition policy under the coalition government than under Labour, but many fear next month’s comprehensive spending review could present challenges.

Mintel: UK ice cream sales up 7.5% to £799m in 2009

UK sales of ice cream rose 7.5% in 2009 to £799m and are predicted to top £814m in 2012, according to new research from Mintel.

Strikes imminent at Maple Leaf Bakery’s Walsall site

Staff at Maple Leaf Bakery UK’s Walsall factory will begin strikes next week after a trade union reballot produced a majority of members in favour of action.

02-Sep-2010

News in brief

Bulk of UK/German wheat harvest now in, but quality questions remain

More than three-quarters of the UK and German wheat harvests are now in, but questions remain over the quality of what's still in the ground.

Dairy UK: Gov’t must take more science-based approach to nutrition

Trade body Dairy UK has urged the UK government to take a more science-based approach to nutrition policy when staff from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) join the Department of Health (DoH) in the autumn.

News in brief

Ethnic Cuisine auction date set for October 6

The contents of the defunct Ethnic Cuisine ready meals plant in Swansea will be sold off at auction on October 6.

Mackerel fisheries could lose MSC accreditation by 2012 if overfishing not tackled, warns body

If overfishing by Icelandic and Faroese fishing boats in the Northeast Atlantic continues, then all Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified mackerel fisheries will lose their accreditation by January 2012, according to a spokesman for the body.

01-Sep-2010

Lactofree sales up 37% as Arla posts profit surge

Arla's lactose-free brand Lactofree is generating value growth of 37% year-on-year, bosses have revealed as the dairy giant unveiled a sharp rise in interim profits.

Web health claims likely target in UK online crackdown

New Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) powers to monitor and adjudicate on online marketing materials will place web-based messaging for healthy foods under serious scrutiny for the first time, with many likely to fall foul of the agency’s guidelines, according to a UK labelling expert.

Sipsmith spirit success sees distillery approach capacity

Premium spirits firm Sipsmith is already running at around 70% capacity just 14 months after launch following the success of its copper-distilled barley vodka and London Dry Gin, and is looking to possibly purchase a further still "at some point" during 2012.

Tapioca starch prices reach record levels

More price hikes for tapioca starch look to be on the cards as drought and pink mealybug infestation of Thai cassava crops has driven up raw material prices to unprecedented heights – with no relief on the horizon.

British Sugar in cane processing trial at Newark

Beet sugar giant British Sugar could produce another 120,000t of sugar a year from refineries in Wissington, Newark and Bury St Edmunds by introducing raw cane sugar inputs to its refining process, the firm has revealed.

Tayto to close Red Mill Snack Foods plant in September

Tayto’s Red Mill Snack Foods factory at Wednesbury is scheduled to close next month as all remaining production is transferred to its factory at Corby in Northamptonshire.

News in brief

Emerging markets will account for 20% of Heinz sales by 2013

Sales from emerging markets will account for at least a fifth of group sales at Heinz by 2013, bosses have revealed as the ketchup and baked beans giant unveiled a strong set of first quarter results.

150 UK jobs to go and 24 to transfer to other sites as Givaudan restructures savoury flavours business

More than 20 roles at Givaudan’s savoury flavours factory in Bromborough – which is earmarked for closure in 2012/13 - will be retained and will transfer to other sites owned by the Swiss flavours giant, bosses have revealed.

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