Food Safety

The £700,000 laboratory provides 3D imaging and metrology services. Image credit: RSSL

News

New £700k 3D imaging and metrology lab opens in Reading

By Michelle Perrett

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is focusing on expanding its laboratory services after investing £700k in a new laboratory providing a suite of advanced 3D imaging and metrology services.

Heavy metals in tomatoes and salad crops: a new food safety concern? Credit: Getty/Susumu Yoshioka

Food Forensics

Are heavy metals an emerging risk in tomatoes and salad crops?

By Alison Johnson

Amid reports of cadmium contamination in tomatoes and in anticipation of Food Manufacture's upcoming Food Safety Briefing later this month, food safety expert Alison Johnson examines the gravity of this heavy metal threat.

Meat-related fraud has been a big issue in recent times. Credit: Getty/Platforma

Short read

The biggest threats to UK food safety

By Bethan Grylls

The UK is known for its commitment to food safety, but the last few years have given way to new opportunities for unscrupulous activity. As the saying goes, we are only as strong as our weakest link – are you ready for what's to come...?

Consumers have been warned to avoid products containing mustard if they have a peanut allergy. Image: Getty, Pixel_Pig

News

Contaminated mustard sparks allergy warning

By Gwen Ridler

Consumers with a peanut allergy have been warned to avoid eating any food or drink containing mustard ingredients because they may be contaminated with peanuts.

Technology is now critical for enhancing transparency, traceability and security throughout global supply chains. Credit: Getty / Monty Rakusen

Feature

Standing up to food fraud

By William Dodds

How can the food and drink sector work to mitigate and tackle the damaging impacts of food fraud? Food Manufacture hears from the experts.

Adhering to the future of stricter labelling and packaging - guidance from food regulatory lawyer. Getty/Drazen Zigic

Legal Brief

Be prepared for tougher packaging laws

By Melissa Haskell

With UK food safety and labelling requirements facing greater stringency and deviation from EU legislation, businesses must stay ahead of the curve to ensure compliance and consumer trust. Melissa Haskell, partner in the regulatory & licensing teams...

How to win the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards

Short read

How to win a Food Manufacture Excellence award

By Bethan Grylls

Entering a competition can be daunting – questions such as ‘am I good enough to stand out’ and ‘how and where do I even start my entry’ may flit across your mind – but if you’re keen to enter, you absolutely should!

Food Standards Scotland issues public health warning over potentially harmful fake vodka. Credit: Getty/Shutter2U

News

Toxic chemical found in fake vodka

By Bethan Grylls

Food Standards Scotland has issued a public health warning after lab results from seized counterfeit vodka revealed the presence of chemical isopropyl.

The next edition of The Talent Poole is out and this time around, Jon Poole is discussing leadership during a crisis.

The Talent Poole

Navigating through a crisis

By Jon Poole

Nothing stretches and tests a leader more than being faced with a crisis. And food, perhaps more than any other sector, has the potential to throw up some pretty significant crises to challenge the very best of leaders. Sharing his experiences this month,...

PTF boss Rod Addy wants to see more resources thrown behind bolstering UK border control

We need to talk about ...

We need to talk about illegal meat imports

By Rod Addy

Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy looks at the impact of the new UK import regime, which kicked off in earnest on 30 April 2024.

New testing methods could detect adulteration in honey without opening the jar. Image: Getty, Hiob

News

Detecting honey adulteration without opening the jar

By Gwen Ridler

Food firms could soon be able to test for adulterated honey without even opening the jar, thanks to a new study into detecting fake products by researchers led by the Cranfield University.

Kate Clawson (in blue dress, left), following the announcement of her win of Factory Manager of the Year at 2024's award, will join the judging panel for 2025

News

What's up for grabs at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025?

By Bethan Grylls

Whether you're a start-up or an industry leader, the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards invite food and drink processors to showcase their capabilities and celebrate the efforts and achievements of their companies and teams. Here, we summarise each...

The RQA Group report summarises food recall data between Jan-June 2024 across the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand. Credit: Getty/Colleen Michaels

News

Global food recall trends 2024

By Bethan Grylls

Recall incidents in the US, EU, UK and Australia are set to exceed 2023 figures, suggests data from recall and crisis management firm RQA Group.

Birmingham Food Council gamifies crisis scenarios to improve UK food security. Credit: Getty/hyejin kang

News

Birmingham Food Council creates food security game

By Bethan Grylls

Birmingham Food Council has developed a game for food sector professionals, planners and policymakers to improve their understanding of how system shocks could impact the UK’s food security.

Cyanide risk, undeclared allergens and unauthorised production sparked recalls this past week. Image: Getty, Colleen Michaels

News

Cyanide risk sparks extended recall of nut products

By Gwen Ridler

Possible contamination by foreign bodies and the risk of hydrogen cyanide sparked the recall of several food and drink products at the end of last month, covered in this round-up.

 Probios has acquired 100% of free-from food firm BiotoBio. Image: Getty

News

Probios acquires free-from food firm BiotoBio

By Gwen Ridler

Health foods manufacturer Probios has acquired 100% of free-from food firm BiotoBio in a ‘transformational’ deal that will push revenue for the company past €100m.

Coeliacs are paying more than a third more for their weekly shop, according to Coeliac UK.

News

Coeliacs unable to afford gluten-free food, report claims

By Gwen Ridler

People suffering from coeliac disease are paying up to 35% more for their weekly food shop, with a growing number of consumers unable to find gluten-free products on shelves, according to Coeliac UK.

Research uncovers hidden dangers in our seas. Credit: Getty/vuk8691

News

Fibreglass found in oysters and mussels

By Bethan Grylls

In an alarming first, a study has found concerning levels of fibreglass particles have contaminated the food chain via natural bivalve populations.

Most foods are processed to some degree. Credit: Getty/Monty Rakusen

News

UPFs linked to 10% higher death risk

By Bethan Grylls

A study of older adults who reported consuming higher amounts of ultra processed foods, as defined by the NOVA classification system, were found to have shorter lifespans.

'Absolute chaos’ in food security jeopardises food safety, warns leading food expert. Credit: Getty/Olekcii Mach

News

Rogue traders spy UK opportunity

By Bethan Grylls

A series of threats to UK food security are converging to create “absolute chaos”, according to leading food scientist, as unscrupulous players seize opportunities in UK’s broken trade system.

Several manufacturers have taken precautionary measures, recalling items including sandwiches. Credit: Getty/luismmolina

News

E.Coli outbreak leads to death

By Bethan Grylls

A person has died in England after being infected with E.Coli - with 49% of cases admitted to hospital since outbreak began.

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