Meat, fish and savoury ingredients

The UK and the US are currently at odds over differing food standards including poultry production

US-UK food standards war breaks out

By Aidan Fortune

The Government has been warned against a “race to the bottom” in food standards, following the US ambassador’s suggestion that the UK embrace practices such as chlorine-washed chicken.

Consumers are favouring a less is more approach, cutting back on the amount of meat on their plate

In-depth: meat trends

Meat industry under fire

By Aidan Fortune

The meat sector is under threat from a number of quarters – but there is hope. Premiumisation, better standards and more efficient processing operations are all expected to fuel market growth.

Food Standards Scotland has issued a Public Information Statement on the dangers of STEC in food

FSS issues STEC food safety advice

By Aidan Fortune

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has issued a Public Information Statement to make clear its position regarding the presence of a group of harmful E.coli bacteria called STEC in food.

Crisp Sensation has launched ZeroFry which allows the production of crumb-coated snacks without deep-frying

Crisp Sensation launches new coating system

By Aidan Fortune

Food coatings business Crisp Sensation has unveiled a new coating system that enables manufacturers to produce crispy, crumb-coated snacks without the need for pre- or deep-frying.

Concerns have been expressed over the destination of animals slaughtered without stunning that have been deemed unfit for religious consumption

Fears over destination of non-stunned animals

By Aidan Fortune

Animal welfare groups have expressed concern over the potential of meat from non-stunned animals being sold to consumers unaware of how it was slaughtered.

HRH The Countess of Wessex pictured (centre) at the Smithfield Forum, House of Lords on 29 January, alongside representatives of the British beef and lamb industry

New red meat forum created to promote sector

By Aidan Fortune

A new group has been created in an attempt to have a “single independent industry voice” to address key issues affecting the UK’s red meat sector.

The British Free Range Egg Producers Association wants to restore balance to contracts

Egg contracts under scrutiny

By Aidan Fortune

A “gross imbalance” in contracts between egg producers and packers has led to reform calls by the industry trade body.

Premium Halal Meat & Poultry has recalled some of its produce due to approval issues

NEWS IN BRIEF

Premium Halal Meat & Poultry issues recall

By Aidan Fortune

Birmingham-based Premium Halal Meat & Poultry has recalled some of its Direct Poultry Products because they have been produced without approval.

AHDB has finalised the sale of meat classification division MLCSL

AHDB completes sale of MLCSL

By Aidan Fortune

The Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has completed the sale of its carcase classification arm Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Limited (MLCSL).

(l-r) HSBC UK’s Will Jones, Patchwork Pâté owners Jen Whitham and Mags Carter, chairman Graham Jackson and managing director Rufus Carter

Pâté manufacturer to expand range and workforce

By Aidan Fortune

A Welsh pâté manufacturer has announced plans to expand its range of pâtés and vegan dishes and install a new product development kitchen following a £400,000 finance package from HSBC UK.

The sale of meat classification body MLCSL to Hallmark Veterinary Compliance Services is reportedly on track

MLCSL sale on track

By Aidan Fortune

The sale of the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB's) meat and livestock subsidiary is expected to be completed in the next few months.

MuscleFood has launched its festive range including a giant pig in blanket

MuscleFood launches festive range

By Aidan Fortune

Online food retailer MuscleFood has launched a new Christmas range, featuring the biggest pig in blanket available in the UK.

UK nutritionists have backed a US study that found low-carb diets could shorten life expectancy

Nutritionists back low-carb diet warning

By Noli Dinkovski

A US study that found low-carb diets could shorten life expectancy by up to four years has been broadly welcomed by leading UK nutritionists.

Young's has launched two new frozen food products

Young’s launches steam-cooked frozen meals

By Gwen Ridler

Young’s Seafood has launched a new range of frozen meals that can be cooked in minutes, as it jumps on a growing trend of consumers looking for healthier meals high in protein.

Retail moves towards cleaner labelling for sausages have been fuelled by growing demand for premium varieties

Negative press about sausages prompts supply chain scrutiny

By Alyson Magee

Provenance and a more handcrafted appearance are driving a growing premium sausage category, but with provenance has come a greater need for transparency throughout the supply chain, according to collagen casings firm Devro.

Environment secretary Michael Gove would support the imposition of tariffs on imports of food and drink post Brexit

Food tariffs if Brexit ends up on WTO terms

By Michelle Perrett

The government would support the imposition of tariffs on imports of food and drink post Brexit to protect UK producers, despite it increasing prices for consumers, environment secretary Michael Gove revealed to MPs last month.

Michael Gove has enlisted the help of food manufacturers to plan a new ‘gold-standard’ for British food and farming

Oxford Farming Conference

Food firms help DEFRA plan new ‘gold-standard’ produce scheme

By Mike Stones

Food manufacturers and farmers are helping government devise a new “gold-standard” scheme that measures food quality, in a bid to boost exports after Brexit, environment secretary Michael Gove revealed at the Oxford Farming Conference yesterday (January...

Food firms have been advised to promote from within their organisations

Promote from within, food and drink firms advised

By Noli Dinkovski

Food and drink manufacturers should focus more on developing their existing workforces rather than sourcing staff externally to combat the skills shortages they face within the industry, an expert in the field has claimed.

Some butchery skills – such as deboning carcasses – are more difficult to automate than others

Feature analysis

Food processors seek efficient and hygienic kit

By Alyson Magee

Processors want equipment that is efficient and hygienic, and a reduction
in manual handling. But they also need sustainability, says Alyson Magee.