All news articles for December 2012

R&R Ice Cream boss James Lambert is reportedly looking for a bidder

Private equity firms seek majority stake in R&R Ice Cream

By Gary Scattergood

Informed sources say potential buyers for R&R Ice Cream put their first-round bids on the table this week – with the firm founded by US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney rumoured to be in the running.

Argos transport bosses have denied the 'Scrooge' claims

Argos transport bosses deny ‘Scooge’ claims

By Mike Stones

Transport bosses at retailer Argos have denied claims from Unite the union that they are being “mean-spirited” in scrapping two bottles of Christmas wine for staff in a dispute about work–life balance.

2 Sisters will offer staff training on dignity and respect in the workplace

2 Sisters ends dispute with workers

By Lorraine Mullaney

2 Sisters’ dispute with workers at its West Midlands sites is now over and the strike planned for today (December 21) has been cancelled.

Sales of robots to food manufacturers are expected to grow by 3.4% by 2016

UK robots set to grow by 3% by 2016

By Laurence Gibbons

The UK market for robots will grow by 3.4% from 2011 to 2016 as a result of increased investment in automation by food and drink manufacturers, according to market analyst IMS Research.

To reserve your free place at the webinar, email michael.stones@wrbm.com

Free webinar: Food fact and fiction, separating science from myth

By Mike Stones

Separating food science from food fiction is the aim of a free live webinar to be staged on Thursday, January 24, 2013. If the general media’s coverage of food science and technology topics makes you mad, if you long for a more balanced debate about controversial...

EC plans to introduce tougher fish quotas will damage sustainability, claims DEFRA

EC fish quotas plan ‘will make things worse’: DEFRA

By Mike Stones

European Commission plans to cut fish quotas next year will jeopardise the sustainability of stocks and “make things worse”, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Tomlin will join the Board at Sainsbury in the new year

Sainsbury appoints new non-executive director

By Laurence Gibbons

Sainsbury has announced that Jean Tomlin will join its board as a non-executive director from January 1 2013, following the retirement of Anna Ford effective from December 31 2012.

Richard Barker is a food and drink insurance specialist with Sutton Winson.

Don’t make a food manufacturing drama out of a crisis

By Richard Barker

There were 393 product recalls last year, 82 (20%) of which were food and drug related, according to the website www.recalluk.com. But this figure is not a true representation as a large proportion of recalls occur before product distribution.

Princes is to invest £40M in its Bradford soft drinks manufacturing site

Premier Foods acquisition boosts Princes sales to £1.51bn

By Lorraine Mullaney

The acquisition of Premier Foods’ East Anglian canning business has helped to boost the sales figures growth of food and drink manufacturer Princes by 28%, according to figures filed at Companies House last week (December 12).

Dawson will take on the role of president at IGD in the new year

IGD appoints new president

By Laurence Gibbons

Grocery think-tank IGD has appointed Mars Chocolate UK president Fiona Dawson as its new president, effective from January 1 2013.

Salmonella in UK eggs has been ‘effectively eradicated’ by the British Lion Scheme: BEIC

British Lion scheme helps ‘eradicate salmonella’ in eggs: report

By Laurence Gibbons

New research shows that the British Lion scheme has “effectively eradicated salmonella in UK eggs” and highlights the importance of buying eggs produced from birds that comply with EU rules, claims the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC).

Strain will replace Pennycook as finance director of Morrisons

Morrisons appoints new finance director

By Laurence Gibbons

Morrisons has appointed Trevor Strain as its new finance director, following Richard Pennycook’s decision to stand down from the role in June 2013.

Barry Callebaut is to become the globe’s largest cocoa processor with the acquisition of the Cocoa Ingredients Division of Petra Foods

Barry Callebaut to become largest cocoa processor

By Mike Stones

Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut is to become the globe’s largest cocoa processor with the acquisition of the Cocoa Ingredients Division of Petra Foods, based in Singapore for $950M.

Make mine a whisky: Flavoured whiskies feature in the top 10 adult drink predictions for 2012

Top 10 US adult beverage trends for 2013

By Mike Stones

Sweet wines, high-class beers and ‘next level’ ciders are the top three adult drink trends predicted by US food and drink consultancy Technomic.

Police are investigating an alleged assault on a 2 Sisters worker, said Unite

Police probe 'assault' on 2 Sisters worker: union

By Lorraine Mullaney

West Midlands police is investigating an alleged assault on a 2 Sisters worker who was leaving one of the food group’s sites after finishing a shift, claims Unite the union.

GM meat is common in London restaurants, claimed Paterson. But top London eatery Simpsons-in-the-Strand denied serving GM meat

GM food row sparked by DEFRA minister’s support

By Mike Stones

The row about genetically modified (GM) food re-ignited this week after a government minister said there were “real environmental benefits” associated with the technology.

Gary Frank with two robot-ready muffins

Fabulous Bakin’ Boys gets boost from robotics

By Mike Stones

Cake, flapjack and muffin maker, the Fabulous Bakin’ Boys are reaping the benefits of a £3M investment in robotic technology, which is enabling the firm to grow new markets, cut costs and boost efficiency.

Environmental health officers spotted a robin in the bakery twice

Life ban for Portsmouth baker for mice infestation

By Lorraine Mullaney

A Portsmouth baker was fined £5,000 and banned from operating a food business in the UK after environmental health officers found a robin flying around his mice-infested premises.

New Brakes chief executive, Ken McMeikan

Greggs boss to join Brakes

By Laurence Gibbons

High street baker Greggs has announced Ken McMeikan will stand down as chief executive to take up the same role at grocery and fresh food supplier Brakes.

Food manufacturers should sign up to the hybrid nutrition labelling scheme, said public health experts

Health experts back hybrid nutrition labels

By Michelle Knott

Food manufacturers that are serious about improving public health should sign up to the hybrid nutrition labelling scheme proposed by the government and backed by retailers, say public health experts.

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