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

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

International debate about the future (or lack of it) of antimicrobial food packaging is becoming more polarised, with larger suppliers still deterred by perceived risks in some markets, while in others rigid and flexible packs are already in use.

Sampling methods, use of faecal indicators, detection and enumeration of pathogens are all explored in Microbiological analysis of red meat, poultry and eggs.

The second edition of Ingredient interactions: effects on food quality examines how food ingredients respond to other constituents within a food product.

With health still high on the consumer agenda, cereal products are seen to be healthier snacks than their confectionery rivals.

Due to the trend towards minimally processed foods, pasteurisation has assumed greater prominence in food processing, claims the Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA).

A new technology developed at The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen removes 100% of contaminants from food processing waste water using an activated catalyst in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions has launched a high pressure water mist fire protection system that offers improved protection, reduced water demand, lower installation costs and less property damage.

Weighing machine supplier Sartorius has built a bridge between the requirements of customised weighing systems and easy-to-use, uncomplicated programming with the Sartorius PR 1750/60 graphic development tool.

Endress+Hauser has introduced the Promag 55S electromagnetic flowmeter for tough metering jobs in food and beverage manufacture. With a high performance transmitter and robust sensor design, it is ideal for fluids with high solids content and abrasive, hot and chemically aggressive liquids.

Dairies can now measure the composition of their milk in 60 seconds with two new ultrasound spectroscopic Milk Examiners launched by Milk-Lab UK.

A burns dressing that shows up under metal detectors has scooped the Innovation Award for Best Non-Food Product at Belgium's Broodway 2006 show for the bakery and confectionery industry.

Bakery equipment integrator, Eurobake, working in conjunction with Komatec, now offers a range of automated packaging and palletising systems for bakeries

Waste management company F & R Cawley has partnered with renewable energy business Bedfordia Biogas to divert over 30,000t of food waste a year into biogas energy generation plant.

Cooling specialist Star Refrigeration has completed a state-of-the-art abattoir for one of Scotland's largest beef and lamb processors.

Scare stories about sinister synthetic colours and 'evil' E-numbers have regularly haunted the headlines. However, increasing use of natural colours and colouring foodstuffs containing phytonutrients may revive the image of hues that, literally, make meals a feast for the eyes.

Frozen food producer Findus has recently installed a Kliklok SFR end load cartoning machine from Kliklok-Woodman at its ready meal line at Longbenton in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Chiltern Thermoforming made sure it was ready to handle the Christmas and New Year rush of orders for bespoke plastic food containers.

Increased demand for its range of frozen pasta ready meals has led Manchester-based H20 to install a D2700 R tray sealer from D2 Europack. The compact unit, part of a package that also includes polypropylene containers and lidding film, has already helped increase capacity at H20 by 25%.

Chilled ready meals are creeping up on their frozen cousins, as consumers demand what they perceive to be less-processed convenience food. While the frozen sector accounted for 64% of the market by volume in 2004, that share had dropped to 58% by 2006. The chilled sector rose from 29% to 35% over the same period, according to the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB).

Danish bacon - it's almost iconic. For those of us of a certain age it's synonymous with the 'great British breakfast'; something its marketers have been keen to exploit with their recent Danissshhhhh sizzle advertising campaigns. Which makes it even more ironic when you consider that the succulent slice of back that we Brits associate with the brand bears no resemblance to the streaky offerings served up by the Danes at home. But that's probably because they export the best bits to us; while countries such as China find Danish pig snouts, tails and trotters far more irresistible.

You are what you eat, which puts Christopher Dawson, the md of London-based organic and traditional food company Clearspring, in a pretty good position when it comes to healthy living.

When the md of the Serious Food Company describes the team as "a bit weird", you'd be forgiven for thinking he's being unpleasant, but he isn't. In fact, he's referring to the "bug" that all the staff have (not that sort) - that of passion, energy, drive and integrity for the food they make.

It was 7am, Wednesday November 1: the morning after the Food Manufacture Excellence awards. Waking up in a London hotel room, Dave Brooks switched on his mobile phone. He had one message - left at 1.10am by Archie Cunningham, the boss of Finsbury Foods' subsidiary United Central Bakeries (UCB) in Bathgate. It was short, and to the point: "The factory is burning down."

There is no doubt that food and drink manufacture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a sector in which banks and private equity firms back management buy-outs (MBOs). This is happening at all levels, from the recent £1.1bn buy-out of Unilever Frozen Foods, all the way down to the significantly smaller £5M deal for FH Ingredients.

Phil Acock, md and chairman, Fourayes

The world's supply chain managers should brace themselves for government intervention as high oil prices and shortages become permanent, with no viable alternatives to cheap fossil fuel in sight. So, as more companies move production out of the UK on the grounds of capital and labour efficiency, can we really condone the long term transportation of basic manufactured foodstuffs from Spain and elsewhere to the UK in high volumes?

Cadbury subsidiary Monkhill Confectionery this month goes live with a mid-range preconfigured food and beverage enterprise resource planning (ERP) system across four of its plants, in a move designed to improve its supply chain management.

With the UK's collection networks for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) still in their infancy, the cost of collected and reprocessed post-consumer recyclate (PCR) bought from mainland Europe is almost the same as virgin polymer, says a major converter.

The launch of a Kraft board salad tray for Pret A Manger, and the promise of new fibre-based packaging in the spring with even broader applications, demonstrates how foodservice is setting the agenda for major retailers, says the designer.

The greater availability of servo drives, electronic controls and robotics is transforming the levels of flexibility offered by mid-range packaging machinery now available on the market.

The arguments putting bio-based packaging on a par with biofuels in Europe, and so justifying EU regulatory and fiscal support, are filtering through to decision-makers, claims industry association European Bioplastics.

A medium-sized company, part of a larger group, is experiencing some 'quality cost delivery' problems. The main board decides the plant needs a new operations manager. The new boss arrives, sees that output is low and fires the production manager.

Britain's smaller food and drink manufacturers are being urged by leading equipment suppliers to reconsider the use of robotics in their processes.

Happy New Year! I hope it was a good festive season for everybody.

The increase in vegetable protein consumption has led ingredients manufacturer Roquette to develop a new protein sourced from peas.

Soya may have a positive effect on the cognitive function of menopausal women, according to new research.

Edinburgh fruit snacks company Snapz Crisps has shaken hands with Tesco on a deal worth almost £500,000. Over the next year the firm will supply Crunchy Apple Crisps to over 100 Tesco Extra stores across Britain.

Welsh firm Castell Howell Foods has launched its brand new Gourmet Range. Welsh food forms the core with red meat and dairy produce prominent. Celtic Pride Welsh premium beef and cuts of Welsh lamb also feature.

One word which ranks high in a Google search of 2006 food buzzwords would have to be 'provenance'. In December I was at a conference discussing this very topic and it was interesting to hear how many food businesses had successfully incorporated regional British produce into their mainstream new product development. Despite the continuing challenges presented by seasonality and cost, there clearly is a groundswell of industry support for provenance and regional sourcing nationwide.

Many manufacturers struggle to provide for consumers who love the idea of preparing their own dishes, but lack the skills and time to put their plans into action.

Dawn Foods is offering bakers an easy shortcut to making choux pastry products. The company's marketing director Maggie Dagostino explains: "Many of our customers find that making the pastry from scratch is extremely difficult, entailing many HACCP (hazard analysis critical control points) issues and requiring skills that are often not available."

When snacks were mainly based on corn and potatoes, texture and the ability to add flavour were priorities for snack equipment suppliers, claims Keith Graham, marketing manager for Baker Perkins.

Athletes need no longer get in a sweat now that Glanbia Nutritionals has developed a ready-to-mix recovery drink. The ingredients firm has created Provon Revive using a combination of carbohydrate and protein to reduce fatigue and accelerate recovery. The drink works by replenishing the glycogen and branched-chain amino acids lost during energy-intensive activities such as rugby and weight lifting. Rich in antioxidants and electrolytes, the drink aids rehydration, boosts the immune system and minimises muscle damage. Whey protein isolates in Provon Revive maintain muscle growth and improve endurance.

Consumer insight research conducted by Northern Foods has revealed a revolution in the characteristics consumers associate with health food.

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The Ofcom proposals for censoring the advertising of junk food to children embrace some natural, lightly processed foods whose nutritional content falls within the Food Standards Agency's (FSA's) definition of junk food. This is not necessarily deliberate on the part of the FSA. It is because unambiguous criteria are necessary to distinguish between junk foods and non-junk foods and these will inevitably capture some of the latter along with the real targets. The victims include agricultural products, such as cheese, bacon, ham and other meats, which are not treats but nutritious components of a healthy and varied diet.

Sheffield Hallam University has won £1.2M of government cash to boost innovation in the Yorkshire and Humberside food manufacturing sector.

Fat-blocking chocolate pellets, sparkling coffee, chewing gum that makes your skin smell beautiful and probiotic vinegar drinks are all doing a roaring trade in Japan and could be winging their way into UK supermarkets before the decade is out, according to market researcher Mintel.

A meat processing plant in Northern Ireland has gone to court to overturn a Food Standards Agency (FSA) action banning it from supplying meat products. Despite objections from the FSA, Eurostock Foods Newry, which processes cow's head meat, obtained an interim relief from the High Court in Belfast permitting it to continue supplying products, subject to compliance with technical controls.

The GMB union has threatened demonstrations outside the head office of Tesco unless the retailer demands an end to an allegedly "dreadful health and safety regime" at supplier Katsouris Fresh Foods. The action is part of a wider campaign for union recognition at the firm's three north London sites, which employ 2,500 mainly migrant workers.

Six months after the government's School Food Trust (SFT) first outlined its guidance on what types of drink will be acceptable inside Britain's schools, manufacturers say they are still confused as to what ingredients are permitted.

Mandatory fortification of flour and bread with folic acid to increase uptake of the B vitamin in pregnant women is just one of four options being put forward by government, following scientific advice.

A new study from Leatherhead Food International (LFI) should help identify the key messages about glycaemic response and how best to communicate them. The 2007 study will also investigate the effects of low, medium and high glycaemic index (GI) foods on fat uptake in the body.

The UK arm of ECR, the European supply chain initiative, has announced its 2007 programme to boost industry efficiency. It will develop guidance on date coding on packaging, a guide to retail-ready packaging, and a survey on availability of new product introductions.

The md of frozen Thai food importer CP Foods UK has dismissed accusations that companies such as his are killing off UK poultry processors who can't compete on price.

The only way for food manufacturers to avoid media flak over health issues is to avoid token gestures and act with integrity, according to cereal company Kellogg community and social responsibility manager Bruce Learner.

Finsbury Foods has finally struck a deal to contract out production of yum yums to M&L Foods' Chelmsford factory following a fire at Finsbury's United Central Bakeries (UCB) subsidiary in Bathgate, Scotland.

A significant proportion of so-called 'beauty foods', drinks and supplements are not backed by scientific proof, according to a nutriceuticals expert.

On-shelf availability in the leading supermarkets topped 97% in the third quarter of 2006, according to new data from ECR UK and IGD.

The Food Standards Agency is calling for applications for

Conival is creating a new brand in 2007 called Blenheim Palace Provisions, inspired by the palace's walled garden and orchards.

Pasty and pie maker Brittons of Devon has been bought out of administration by Tredinnick Fine Foods. The deal is believed to have secured the future of 107 jobs at its factory in Newton Abbott.

Albemarle Interim Management claims it is now the biggest provider of interim managers in the UK following the recent acquisition of a majority stake in Armadillo, the Bath-based interim management provider.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has helped Northern Foods dramatically reduce the number of invoice disputes with its largest customer, Marks & Spencer, its boss revealed. This delivered a significant cash flow benefit, said chief executive Pat O'Driscoll.

Sainsbury is launching a gap year scheme to entice more graduates into the food industry.

Food and drink firms are rallying in support of efforts to drive up skills across the industry.

Heart-healthy pomegranate drink Pomegreat has become the latest in a string of functional food and drink brands, including Flora pro.activ and St Ivel Advance, to fall foul of advertising codes.

People's DNA data should be collected alongside other consumer information as part of the planned national diet and nutrition survey (NDNS) being set up by the Food Standards Agency, its management board has urged.

Academics at Exeter University have challenged firms that offer personalised dietary advice to consumers based on screening just a handful of their genes.

The livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions than transport, according to a new report from the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation.

The European Food Safety Authority is re-evaluating 45 food colours as part of a systematic review of all authorised food additives in the EU.

The retail price of orange juice could rise by as much as 25% in the New Year, owing to sharp increases in the cost of frozen concentrate, according to the British Soft Drinks Association.

King's College London has launched a £5M study examining whether exposure to nuts in infancy could help reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies in later childhood.

Irish butter and cheesemaker Kerrygold is pumping £30M into redeveloping its cheese plant in Leek, Staffordshire, over the next three years.

The Hygiene Group is trialling a radical new approach to tackling the problem of pests in imported cocoa beans destined for chocolate production.

Experts who advise the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on microbiological risks have expressed serious concerns about the lack of resources at the Health Protection Agency (HPA) needed to carry out surveillance into the rising incidence of foodborne diseases such as listeriosis.

Ice cream maker Hill Station, which made a reverse takeover of rivals Loseley Dairy Ice Cream and Granelli McDermott in November 2005, has finally consolidated production of all its lines at its Cwmbran plant in South Wales.

The proposed £1.2bn acquisition of RHM by Premier Foods is likely to lead to head office job losses rather than factory closures, analysts have predicted.

The Food Standards Agency has reassured meat industry chiefs that its Food Fraud Task Force (FFTF) won't make life difficult for legitimate processors as it attempts to drive rogue traders out of business.

As many as 150 schoolchildren could start a Young Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacturing this year.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has admitted that it needs to learn lessons from the way it handled the Sudan 1 contamination recalls in 2005, which cost the food industry more than £100M.

Salmonella is no longer the most common cause of food poisoning in the EU, according to a new report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which revealed campylobacter was responsible for more cases of animal infection in humans.