Slick system for oil maker
Anyone building a new development in the food manufacturing industry needs to think very carefully about fire protection, but when dealing with oils...
Archives for June 25, 2006
Bubble bath for vac packs
Pack-Vac leak detection kit maker Witt Gas Techniques has adapted its low-cost 'bubble' system to handle vacuum packaged food products for the first...
Diabetic foods fuel debate
The diabetic debate has swung into overdrive following the Co-op Group's decision last month to stop selling foods aimed at people with...
Research to look at energy saving in food
The government is to fund two research projects to improve the energy efficiency of food refrigeration and distribution as new research by the Carbon...
Cadbury may face legal action over salmonella scare
Cadbury has vigorously denied allegations that it broke the law by failing immediately to inform the authorities that some of its products had been...
Lack of producers cuts hopes of British beef export revival
Competition from Australian and new Zealand imports threatens Europe's suppliers
Small but perfectly formed
Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels may be divided by language and tastes, but they offer very loyal customers for UK suppliers prepared to make the effort. Sue Scott reports
More lunchbox-ready products help kids pack in the fruit
Children are notoriously fussy when it comes to food, so trying to include fruit in their diets has proved challenging for even the most doting of...
Commercial Links
Firms are often not showing the commitment needed in order to see R&D projects through to fruition, as John Dunn discovers
LETTER
Food firms don't welcome student visits
Taste preferences start to develop in the womb
If you want your children to enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods, you might be able to set the perfect example before they are even born, according...
Greencore empowers workers
Operators on shopfloor will be allowed to act on flow of better factory information
Jaundiced” suppliers seek direction on data synchronisation
A group of 'early adopter' food manufacturers have started uploading product data into the new GS1 UK data pool as part of an industry drive to...
Radio tagging enters crucial trial in US
At least one major US food corporation is taking part in trials this summer to evaluate the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for...
Asda rejects GMB's claims over cool chain as union steps up pay dispute at depots
Asda has dismissed as "frankly baloney" claims by the GMB union that it was compromising the quality and safety of products by failing to maintain...
Uniq slims down following further loss in UK division
Prepared foods company Uniq is to sell its French spreads and Belgian salads businesses. The sell-off is part of a recovery programme that has...
Omega-3 alternatives
Long chain fatty acids found in oily fish are recognised as the most beneficial form of omega-3, but it has been well publicised that consumers...
Dairygold buys base
Dairygold Food Ingredients (UK) has bought Dan Dairies of Leeds for an undisclosed sum, largely as a production base for its new Ezycheese liquid...
Full omega-3 study held up
Lack of funding stalls trial into effects of omega-3 supplements on all children
Awards beg the question: is it more important to be green or to be seen?
With the announcement of the 2006 Starpack winners looming - among them a category recognising efforts to reduce household waste - several finalists...
Food safety experts fight to keep advice on the safe cooking of burgers
Safety experts have fought off a challenge from a US fast food chain to relax advice to consumers, caterers and manufacturers on the cooking of...
'Anti-freeze' proteins heading for ice cream
Unilever could launch “near-zero fat” ice creams and similar products in the UK in a couple of years thanks to the sort of ice structuring...
Frustration at UK's slow start in the emerging field of nanotechnology
Food packaging could be one of the main beneficiaries of advances in nanotechnology, says a cross-sector industry network - but funding for a major...
More pallet storage for McCain Foods
A heavy-duty pallet handling system, which provides buffer storage between production and cold store, has been installed by European Conveyor Systems...
Global data exchange system shows huge growth
Companies using the GS1 Global Data Synchronisation Network (GDSN) - a global yellow pages supported by retailers such as Tesco and Asda, which...
Get motivated
Food and drink employers need to focus on staff retention and motivation techniques, not recruitment, if the industry is to tackle falling employment levels. Rebecca Green reports
Alfa and omega in separators
Liquid processing specialist Alfa Laval is stirring up the beverage market with a new range of Clara 200 centrifugal separators.Designed principally...
Panels to keep fire in check
A new insulated panel system has been launched by Hemsec Manufacturing in response to the need for greater fire protection in food, hygiene and...
In search of excellence
The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, now in their sixth year, recognise the very best in the UK's food and drink sector. An independent panel of judges, including experts in continuous improvement and customers from retail and foodservice, will select...
Aico has fire safety all wrapped up with new sleeves
With the responsibility for fire safety shifting to the employer, it is now more important than ever for manufacturers to ensure their systems are as...
Smooth movers
Moving through every part of the factory, from raw material intake to final product packaging, today's conveyors have to meet the same standards of hygiene as other parts of the process. Mike Spear describes what's new
Big ideas from Double D
A new generation of programmable cookers from Double D Food Engineering is giving recipe developers another string to their bow.The Revorack...
X-ray solves a nutty problem
Avoiding hazards associated with the use of organic and natural ingredients proved a hard nut to crack for snack bar manufacturer Healthbars...
Suppliers land Young's deals
Packaging machinery supplier T Freemantle is one of two companies to land a deal with seafood firm Young's Bluecrest.Its pre-glued sleever has been...
The heat is on
The most radical reform of fire law to date puts the onus for fire safety onto employers. But while it might seem like a chore, it could save them money in the long run. Rebecca Green reports
Manage your small retailers
As you measure the real costs to serve your customers and can see the true trading margins created, you will be faced with some interesting dilemmas....
What's the story, morning glory?
With volumes going through the roof and a new warehouse and data capture system to bed in, Jordans' operations director (designate) Kevin Smithson has his work cut out
New angle on baby food
Having successfully hammered away at the purée market, Hosokawa Micron is now aiming its Rietz RA angle disintegrator at baby food manufacturers.The...
Going the distance
The term 'food miles' is a phrase often bandied about by the food industry, but is it an issue that's taken seriously?A recent Department for Food,...
A colourful review
As this is my last column for Food Manufacture before I move on to pastures new, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back over the last...
Tensions run high over fish farm deal
The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) has accused the Salmon Farm Protest Group (SFPG) of scaremongering after it claimed 500 jobs could...
Poland attracts more food investment
Poland is now the top Eastern Europe location for foreign food company investments, according to a new study looking at the relative attractiveness...
Cash promise puts EFSA budget freeze on ice
Fears that the European Food Safety Authority would not be able to meet its commitments next year after a budget freeze have been allayed following...
Mycotoxin problems for cereal processors
New limits for resistant toxins make decontamination difficult
Backing sought for study of processes to cut allergens
The research and development company Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is looking for collaborators for a proposed study into how various...
Zetar buys again
Confectionery and snack foods group Zetar has made its third takeover since joining the Alternative Investment Market in January 2005, with the...
Modelling optimises flavours
Research will allow equipment makers to design snack machines for better flavours
Educators express healthy scepticism over school food standards
Vague wording in the new nutritional standards for school food could allow manufacturers to pass off unhealthy food as healthy, warned the director...
Grocery market investigation criticised
The Competition Commission (CC) has been accused of going over old ground with the issues it plans to cover in its investigation into the grocery...
Colleges dismiss training go-betweens as 'damaging'
Fears over relationships with employers
Firms warned to back skills academy with more cash
Training scheme needs financial commitment by firms if it is to get go ahead