Industry body Seafish has just launched a free legal guidance service that could help seafood businesses avoid costly mistakes.

The smoking ban has been a boon to confectioners, said equipment manufacturer Baker Perkins.

The UK egg market is undergoing huge upheaval, with the largest egg company set to be broken in two by 2008 and food manufacturers being hit by rocketing egg prices, which are up by half.

Supermarket buyers are "too well briefed, too disciplined and too cute" to leave electronic audit trails exposing their bullying tactics to investigators at the Competition Commission, manufacturers have claimed.

Macroeconomic factors, rising feedstock prices and regulation are just as much to blame as overzealous supermarket buyers for the woes of primary producers, according to the Competition Commission (CC).

Manufacturers have slammed the way certificates for export to the EU were handled during the latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Guildford, Surrey, on August 3.

Aldi, Lidl, Netto and Poundland are easier for suppliers to deal with than the major supermarkets, according to bosses at the discount chains.

Potato processor McCain Foods plans to cut half the workforce at its Wombourne site in Staffordshire because of environmental problems caused by its French fries production line. It will now focus on speciality products, with French fry production moving to another site.

Dairy farmers will struggle to meet the cost of proposed changes to the government's Nitrates Directive in England, claimed Dairy UK.

Preparations are well in hand for April's Foodex Meatex show at Birmingham NEC - the only event to bring food processing and packaging together under one roof. The premier meeting point for manufacturers, it attracted more than 16,500 food industry professionals in 2006. Foodex Meatex is part of Food and Drink Expo 2008, which will also feature the Baking Industry Exhibition.

Logistics firm TDG Temperature Controlled Services has won a three-year contract with multi-million pound Avana Bakeries for all its frozen and chilled pastry and cake requirements.

Low levels of vitamin D in children's diets could threaten bone health, according to a report from raisingkids.co.uk and dairy manufacturer Petits Filous. It called on the government to set daily recommended intakes.

Tate & Lyle will cease production of the sugar-based farmed fish food asthaxanthin at its Selby site this month and withdraw from its partnership with Igene Biotechnology after taking a £3M hit from the loss-making business. It blamed rising raw material and energy costs. 45 staff will lose their jobs.

The first wheat earmarked for glucose production at Cargill's former maize processing plant in Manchester has arrived at the Guinness Road site. When fully operational, the plant will handle 750,000t a year, making it one of the largest processors in Europe.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is launching a new forum for small to medium-sized manufacturers on September 4 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Bristol. Speakers include Tate & Lyle chief executive and FDF president Iain Ferguson and Dorset Cereals. The event is co-hosted by regional food group South West Food & Drink.

Processors are being forced to look at reformulating products or paying substantially more for palm oil as pressure builds for them to switch to sustainable supplies. Meanwhile, oil traders predict a bidding war this autumn as food and energy industries compete for tightening stocks of rape, which have come under additional pressure as processors seek relief from rocketing sunflower prices.

Seafood processors could be the first to benefit from pulsed light technology being tested at Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA), which could eradicate bacteria and prolong shelf-life.

A handful of food manufacturers, including direct competitors, has taken collaboration to an "unprecedented" level in a programme designed to reduce transport costs.

The British Cheese Board (BCB) has responded cautiously to warnings that some cheese manufacturers may have to restrict supplies to customers unless they are prepared to pay higher prices.

More consumers than ever before are seeking out home-grown poultry, said British Chicken Marketing (BCM). Nearly three-quarters of female shoppers only wanted to eat British, although just a quarter of them looked for the Red Tractor logo as proof of provenance. Overall, the number of consumers wanting British bi

Lloyds TSB is pointing farmers in the right direction with its new Signpost Guide for Local Food. The pamphlet gives practical tips on joining the local food revolution, including key questions that should be asked before diversifying.

New Covent Garden Market operators host a breakfast conference for food producers from the South East and East Anglia next month in a bid to source more local product.

Scotland's Food and Health Alliance (FHA) has launched a website for professionals wanting to keep up with developments in food and health north of the border. The site at http://www.fhascot.org.uk includes news, events, research and publications.

Manufacturers have slated a report by consumer group Which? that pilloried firms for using cartoon characters to promote kids' food.

The first purple cornflour to reach the UK market is now available from distributor Of the Earth Superfoods, which is looking to cash in on growing interest in its health benefits.

Health claims about the ability of foods to reduce the risk of cancer are "very unlikely" to be approved in the short term, despite growing evidence in favour of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, scientists said.

This year's Food Manufacture Excellence Awards feature an important new category: Personality of the Year.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has attacked what it considers to be a flawed government-funded survey of salt in food.

An online database of food safety consultants has been launched to help firms manage food safety, hygiene and quality risks throughout the food chain.

Tyrrells is believed to have become the first UK crisp-maker to start producing potato vodka, which is set to hit the market next spring.

Greencore Group has unveiled ambitious plans to swell foodservice production to a fifth of its business, as well as revealing details of its environmental and nutrition strategies.

Demand for robots is accelerating in food and drink manufacturing as companies recognise their benefits in process applications and end-of-line packaging duties.

The University of Central Lancashire has teamed up with allergen-free food manufacturer Castle Kitchens in West Sussex to create a course dedicated to allergen management.

Tindale & Stanton bakery has been restored to full production after a fire wiped out 25% of its business two years ago.

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued updated guidance on reducing dust explosions in the food industry.

The government is probably congratulating itself on its swift handling of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) crisis, but the public will be unaware of the enormous disruption to trade that escaped the media's gaze.

Although manufacturers are becoming more aware of beans, they aren't aware of how much variety there is, claims Phaseolus md Sandra Hooper.

Beverage manufacturer Kenzai Europe, has launched the UK's first organic ready-to-drink green and white tea soft drinks, brewed from organic tea leaf rather than produced from extract.

Northern Ireland-based, RHM Bakeries, has launched a new range of products under its Ormo brand, designed to extend the typical usage and occasion of breakfast foods into the afternoon by adding a premium twist.

A marine-based omega-3 paste, Nutromega, available from ingredient supplier Bakels, will enable bakers to make heart health claims on their bread.

While most of us are still praying for a bit of sunshine so we can wheel out the barbecue and grill a few burgers, catering giant Brakes has been busy developing its Christmas range.

It seems Christmas comes earlier every year. Advertisements go up in the summer and as soon as the dark nights start drawing in, the puddings and cakes are on supermarket shelves.

This month sees a new addition to Kepak Convenience Foods' Rustlers brand. The new Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese features high quality back bacon and Swiss cheese. The company claims the product is set to increase the UK's hot snacking market, which has already grown to £104M in just six years.

Annabel Karmel has launched a foodservice range for children, developed by Creative Foods, which is part of Brakes.

Fine food preserving company Bennett Opie has linked up with Asda's annual Tickled Pink Campaign in order to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Care and the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Ancient Ethiopian grain teff - a type of grass - offers an impressive nutritional profile and is making its way over to the UK. But manufacturers will need convincing that its advantages justify its additional costs before they start using it in large quanities.

Recent conflicts in Africa have resulted in problems in the supply of gum arabic used by the soft drinks industry, spelling potential delays in development and manufacture, claims ingredients supplier National Starch Food Innovation.

With flooding and foot and mouth disease both affecting many individuals and impacting the food industry adversely, this has not been a happy summer.

Conveyor specialist Isoma has developed a real-time simulation pack, which replicates the total production of any plant and can be used to analyse machinery efficiency. This enables the company to work out the cheapest way of increasing production at a plant.

A new Certificate in Manufacturing has been launched by The Manufacturing Institute (TMI) to equip managers with the world class skills necessary to transform their factories.

Wine brands have tried everything from beverage cartons to flexible pouches in recent months, and success with non-standard pack formats is not restricted to the UK.

All retail categories may be under pressure to reduce packaging volumes but, despite the availability of film and laminate alternatives, cartons seem to be retaining their share of the breakfast cereals market.

Pre-formed bag and system supplier Automated Packaging Systems (APS) is sure there is still a market for short-run, semi-automatic bagging in the UK food industry to complement higher-speed reel-fed options.

The establishment of closed loop recycling for food-grade plastics could be scuppered even before launch by demand from the Far East.

Voice-directed work specialist Vocollect expects to start trials which combine radio frequency identification (RFID) and voice direction systems - so-called talking tags - in a UK chilled distribution centre by the end of the year.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking that the title of supply chain manager or director implies that the person in this position looks after the whole supply chain?

Napoleon may have surrendered at Waterloo, but his favourite tipple - Courvoisier - is winning the battle to become Britain's cognac of choice.

Craig Hamilton, general manager, Birds Eye, Lowestoft

Dodgy tertiary brands, lousy merchandising, limited ranges and wafer thin margins ... If you're looking for a sure fire way of scuppering relationships with existing customers and sending the equity of your carefully nurtured brands down the drain, start trading with the discounters - right?

The presence of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in food is concerning due to the cancer-causing properties it demonstrates in animal feeding studies. As a result, regulatory authorities worldwide have taken the view that its presence should be reduced to the lowest levels that are technologically achievable. The FSA has now initiated a survey of retail foods to check the food industry's progress in achieving these aims.

If you've ever placed a minty breath-freshening strip in your mouth, you've encountered edible film. But where you may not have consumed it so consciously is with your peanuts, or on your grab-and-go fruit portion. In fact the development of whey- or sugar-based edible films has a very promising future in the food manufacturing industry. And so far they look set to do anything from prolonging shelf-life to preventing soggy pie-crust.

First it did it with Actimel, then it did it with Activia, and now it's doing it again with Essensis. By going where others fear to tread and launching beauty yoghurt Essensis into several European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Belgium and Malta, intrepid dairy giant Danone is single-handedly creating a new dairy sub-category.

Marks & Spencer's chief executive Stuart Rose was recently seen giving up his Bentley and driving an environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered BMW to work in an effort to be consistent with the retailer's Plan A green credentials.

For far too long, products containing alcohol have been restricted to mince pies, brandy butter and Christmas pud - do you see the pattern here? But some developers are eager to advance alcoholic foods beyond their stodgy stereotypes and prove to customers that their products can be consumed throughout the year.

Be honest. Did you tuck into a wholesome bowl of cereal after you got up this morning? If you work for a company that makes breakfast cereals, your answer could be particularly ironic.

Low carb is dead. Long live satiety! That is the message coming out loud and clear from recent research into what consumers want from new product development (NPD) targeted at the healthy living sections of our supermarket shelves.

With many consumers desperate to maintain or rejuvenate their appearance, it is hardly surprising that the cosmeceuticals market is under the spotlight. Be it lotions and potions, popping pills or eating the latest beauty food, there is no denying that this is a profitable, all be it niche, market.

A recent study confirms that the low glyacemic carbohydrate Palatinose, manufactured by Palatinit, promotes utilisation of body fat as an energy source and improves metabolic fat oxidation in comparison to other carbohydrates.

A range of baked goods made using Ulrick & Short's clean label fat replacer Delyte were praised by consumers at a blind tasting session held by the Regional Food Group for Yorkshire & Humber.

A new one-to-one bakery fat replacement system developed by Cargill's texturising solutions business can reduce the fat content of a range of baked goods by 10-50%.

Bakers looking to serve people on a low glycaemic index (GI) diet may be interested in BakeMark UK's new bread base mix.

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While the food industry has used liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide 'snow' for decades to freeze food, several drivers are converging to encourage companies to employ cryogenics for more novel applications.

Britain's food industry may not be renowned for its eager adoption of automation, particularly the glamorous stuff such as robotics, laser scanners and vision systems. Yet, ironically, one of the least glamorous corners of the industry is now going ape for automated systems.

Slicing tomatoes for displays, or a garnish, has never been easier thanks to the new Nemco Easy Tomato Slicer II. It now features a removable cartridge to ensure minimum downtime if a blade snaps. Food companies can save time, labour and achieve uniform slices with this new and improved model from Gilberts Food Equipment.

The Blixer 4 from Robot Coupe combines the features of a cutter and blender-mixer to ensure a perfectly finished end product for dressings, purées, cheesecakes, herb dressings and many more blends.

William Robertson and Sons on the outskirts of Edinburgh has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of a new Tipper Tie Alpina

The Whizard Series II Trimmers from Bettcher Industries are ideal for defatting beef strips and rounds, where the precise trimming action of the tool's large circular blade improves yields and product appearance.

Until recently, manufacturers were deprived of high quality, comprehensive and consistent training that covered all the issues that those responsible for hygiene and cleaning would face. Large detergent firms still offer to train companies in the use of their products, but independent training has been thin on the ground.

Swabbing trials have demonstrated that by applying its exterior surface coating biocide technology, BioCote has cut the amount of bacteria contaminating the surfaces of Priorclave autoclaves by almost four fifths (78%).

Abbeychart has launched a wall-mounted sanitising hand gel dispenser for its new surgical quality cleanser.

Arco has supplied baker JG Ross with janitorial, hygiene and health and safety products and equipment at its recently opened £4.2M site at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. Arco provided personal protective equipment, workwear and workplace safety products as well as advice, services and safety solutions. The company worked with paper towel maker SCA, industrial floor cleaning machinery supplier Nilfisk Alto, and Vikan, supplier of colour-coded housekeeping products and brushes, to kit out the JG Ross site.

Safeway Hygiene Services has launched a hand washing system combining sensors with high pressure water jets to improve the consistency and effectiveness of hand washing.

BioCote has developed a patented antimicrobial coatings technology using silver ions, which it has applied to food instruments and equipment such as Comark Instruments' probes, furniture, fixtures and fittings to fight the growth of bacteria, fungi and moulds.

An anti-microbial technology has been launched by Byotrol for all members of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), enabling them to provide total hygiene control across the supply chain. The aim is to cut hygiene costs and eliminate the need to change cleaning products every few months to combat germ resistance.

Brakes has added a selection of new products to its range to help food suppliers and caterers with cleanliness and convenience in their kitchens.

The Insectron 600 insect exterminator can now be fitted with a glue board, instead of just an electrified tension-grid, to stop dead flies and other insects falling into food products. The glue board incorporates a non-smelling pheromone for extra attraction to pests.

Johnson Diversey has appointed Needlers to provide hygiene and health and safety advice to its smaller clients in the food and drinks sector. Needlers, which supplies cleaning products, protective workwear and associated equipment, will now provide support for open plant cleaning and internal equipment cleaning to factories that spend less than £20,000 on cleaning chemicals.

Wholefood packing company Day Plus One has devised a non-toxic pest control system suitable for use with organic products.