All news articles for August 2019

The potential closure of Swancote Foods has put jobs at the potato processor at risk

Jobs risk at potato processor

By Gwen Ridler

Jobs are at risk at potato processor Swancote Foods after it announced it has entered a 30-day consultation period with its employees regarding the potential closure of its sole site in Telford.

Increased demand for plastics alternatives have led Aegg to search overseas for solutions

Aegg’s hand forced by UK shortage

By Paul Gander

Increased demand for glass from UK customers looking for alternatives to plastics has led to Aegg Creative Packaging having to source packs from overseas, the firm has revealed.

John Farrer & Co has chosen aluminium over bioplastics for packaging

Coffee pod firm opts for aluminium packaging

By Paul Gander

Coffee and tea merchant John Farrer & Co has chosen all-aluminium capsules for its first range of coffee pods after finding compostable bioplastics had failed to offer the necessary barrier while generating more complexity.

Encirc's Industry 4.0 ready production line will feature a number of 'smart' elements

Glass maker prepared for Industry 4.0

By Paul Gander

UK glass manufacturer and filler Encirc has disclosed more details about the ‘world’s first’ Industry 4.0-ready production line it plans to build on its Elton site in Cheshire.

Gander: ‘Environmental and commercial balance in the regulatory framework has been jeopardised by the EU’s recent moves’

Opinion

Unintended outcomes of packaging legislation

By Paul Gander

Food Manufacture’s packaging correspondent Paul Gander discusses the impact that new packaging legislation would have on materials sourcing and use.

A £50m price tag is a realistic figure Kettle Chips, claimed Wild

Kettle acquisition first step in larger food group?

By Gwen Ridler

The purchase of Kettle Foods’ UK and Ireland business by Valeo could be the first step in owner CapVest’s plans to create a larger food group that can float on the stock market, according to an industry expert.

Young's sale of Pinneys in Scotland cost the manufacturer more than £11m

Pinneys closure costs Young’s £11m

By Gwen Ridler

The closure of the Pinneys site in Annan, Scotland, owned by Young’s Seafood, cost the fish processor more than £11m, as it reported an operating loss in its financial results for the year ended 30 September 2018.

Bells of Lazonby is automating its portioned cake production using a bespoke robotics solution

Industry 4.0 pilot to benefit five food firms

By Rod Addy

Five food firms are set to benefit from an industry 4.0 pilot programme designed to boost their growth through Government match-funding to introduce digital technology.

Speechlys: ‘Full ingredient labelling regulations should not be seen as a singular solution’

Allergy rules: devil in detail

By Rod Addy

Updated allergy labelling rules have highlighted areas for further consideration, according to Jamie Cartwright, partner at legal firm Charles Russell Speechlys.

The FDF has pressured the Government to commit to net zero emissions

FDF presses Government on net zero

By Rod Addy

The Government’s promise to cut UK greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 must now be fleshed out, with concrete plans set forth on how to achieve that goal.

Birds Eye’s Hull factory is able to produce up to 61t of peas an hour

Birds Eye factory urination incident ‘a hoax’

By Noli Dinkovski

Birds Eye has allayed fears that thousands of tonnes of peas might have to be destroyed at its Hull site, claiming the video of a man appearing to urinate on a production line was a hoax.

Manufacturers have voiced their criticisms for Michael Gove's deposit return scheme

Challenges posed by an ‘all-in’ DRS

By Paul Gander

Former environment secretary Michael Gove has been accused of attempting to rush through an ‘all-in’ model for a UK deposit return scheme (DRS), with powers to set up such a scheme now widely expected to form part of the imminent Environment Bill.

Vigilance is food manufacturers’ best weapon against listeria

Opinion

Vigilance is the best weapon against listeria

By Phil Voysey

Diligence, vigilance and understanding risk are key components in the fight against listeria contamination in food and drink products, according to Campden BRI microbiology department section manager Dr Phil Voysey.

The Hemp plant is the most common sauce of CBD oil used in food and drink production

All you need to know about CBD

By Gwen Ridler

From its perceived medical benefits to the growth in the market, we run down the things you need to know about cannabidiol (CBD) and its use in food and drink production.

Stevenson: ‘The solution to climate change must not be seen as a one size fits all’

Red meat industry not climate change scapegoat

By Gwen Ridler

The red meat industry should not be used as a scapegoat in discussions surrounding climate change, according to the head of the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC).

Food safety body increases dust inspections

Dust control inspections to ramp up

By Helen Gilbert

Food manufacturers are to be targeted in a new series of inspections focusing on dust control, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced.

Manufacturers have been urged to prepare for Natasha’s Law

Opinion

Minimise allergen risk ahead of Natasha’s Law

By Simon Flanagan

Simon Flanagan, head of speciality analysis and food allergen services at Reading Scientific Services (RSSL), discusses the steps manufacturers can take to prepare for the implementation of Natasha’s Law.

AI inspection systems have boomed in recent years

AI inspection system boom

By Noli Dinkovski

Next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) inspection systems that include the likes of thermal, 3D, and hyperspectral imaging are playing an ever more critical role in helping manufacturers reduce product recalls, a supplier to the industry has claimed.

African swine fever poses no threat to human health but is fatal for pigs

Pig body warns of African swine fever ‘catastrophe’

By Noli Dinkovski

More resources should be allocated to surveillance at ports and airports to help keep illegally imported meat and African swine fever (ASF) out of the UK and prevent a “potentially massive catastrophe” for the pig industry, the National Pig Association...

An artificial tongue that can detect the differences between whiskies has been developed by scientists in Scotland

Artificial tongue detects counterfeit whisky

By Gwen Ridler

An artificial ‘tongue’ that can detect the differences between real and counterfeit whisky has been developed by scientists from the University of Glasgow.

QR code scanning technology is being increasingly adopted by the drink industry

QR code label growth led by drinks firms

By Ellie Woollven

Seafood and drinks firms are leading a food manufacturing trend in QR code labels, a report from Future Market Insights (FMI) has found.

The latest bakery and confectionery trends – photo gallery

MARKET TRENDS

All eyes on the latest bakery and confectionery trends – photo gallery

By Noli Dinkovski

From the rise of floral flavours in creams and custards, to the use of flour alternatives made from beetroot and spinach in bread, the bakery and confectionery sector is awash with innovation. We pick out a selection of what’s hot in this photo gallery.

Around Noon are to create 94 jobs as part of a £7m investment

Food-to-go firm invests £7m, creating 94 jobs

By Gwen Ridler

Northern Ireland-based food-to-go specialist Around Noon is to create 94 new jobs as part of a more than £7m investment to develop sales in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Nim's has secured listings with NHS Supply chain

Nim’s Fruit Crisps secures NHS listing

By Gwen Ridler

Healthy snack manufacturer Nim’s Fruit Crisps has secured a supply deal with NHS Supply Chain, marking the producer’s first inroads into the foodservice sector.

Smith: ‘We chose to handmake our products because, once you focus on large-scale production, all of a sudden it’s high volume, low price and you end up just churning something out’

Me and my team

Fatherson Bakery: Taking homemade to heart

By Laurence Smith

Fatherson Bakery owner and managing director Laurence Smith explains how his experience of bigger businesses is helping the company ‘punch above its weight’.

The closure of Quinfresh has led to the loss of 53 jobs

Quinfresh closure sees 53 jobs axed

By Gwen Ridler

Fresh fruit and vegetable supplier Quinfresh, based in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has closed its doors after almost 80 years, with the loss of 53 jobs.

Professor Tim Lang has called on the Government to reveal its no-deal Brexit plans to the public

Government urged to make Brexit planning public

By Gwen Ridler

The UK Government has been urged to make public its planning assumptions for disruptions to food supply caused by a no-deal Brexit, following a series of leaks revealing the impact a no-deal would have on the country.

Use of behavioural psychology can help bread a better food safety culture

A nudge in the right direction

By Gwen Ridler

The use of nudge theory – positive reinforcement and indirect suggestions – can help influence the behaviour and decision-making of workers to reinforce food safety culture and compliance, according to Shield Safety Group strategic advisor Sterling Crew.

Brown: 'The most effective way to reduce the risk is to eliminate the source of exposure'

The grainy truth about occupational asthma

By Pamela Brown

Vice-chair of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s Food and Drink Industries Group Pamela Brown discusses the dangers of occupational asthma and the steps manufacturers can take to mitigate the risks it poses.

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