'Stop playing pass the parcel with our sector,' says Improve
Food and drink manufacturing skills council Improve has called on government to stop putting the industry's contribution to the nation's economy at risk.
Archives for June 30, 2011
Meet the new member of the slicing family
Interfood Slicing, part of the Interfood Group, has launched a new addition to the Weber slicing family: the 804.
Spirulina faces uncertain future as FSA stalls probe
The future for spirulina – the blue colouring derived from algae that is used in Nestlé's Smarties – remains uncertain as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported that it had delayed its investigations into this and a number of other substances used to...
Food ventures draw millions of euros to northern France
A cluster of food ingredients firms in northern France is attracting millions of euros of investment as part of a wider business development plan.
Chr Hansen refocuses after restructure
Chr Hansen's other Italian activities – dairy, human health, natural colours, wine and meat cultures – will move to another site in Parma after selling most of its functional blends business.
Run the good race
It's proving to be a year of mixed fortunes for those in the food and drink sector. Some small manufacturers particularly those in dynamic emerging markets such as the allergen-free sector are doing remarkably well. But, for the majority, it is a time of...
Risk assessment must adapt to rise in global sourcing
Manufacturers need to improve their assessment procedures to quantify the level of risk involved as they source more ingredients from around the globe, a food safety expert has warned.
Gorse flower ice cream to tempt royal garden parties
The market potential of a gorse flower ice cream flavour is being evaluated by Northern Ireland's Glastry Farm Ice Cream.
The only way is (Tiptree) Essex, says jam maker
Jam producer Wilkin & Sons is trying to establish a new home within its current and only base for over 125 years in Tiptree, Essex, as it bids to employ around 200 more people by 2030.
E.coli reveals traceability poor in many categories
Most product categories have similar traceability issues to those confronting the fresh produce industry following the E.coli scare in Europe, according to one supply chain expert.
Government cuts subsidies for green energy schemes
Large food and drink processors have been hit by slashed feed-in tariff (FIT) subsidies for solar panels under a recent government review.
Continuous slicing with precision detail
Engineered to produce continuous precision slices with extensive detail, the new E TranSlicer cutter joins the Urschel TranSlicer series.
Plant to make green refrigeration kit
WR Refrigeration has begun production of high-efficiency refrigeration systems at its facility near Port Talbot, Wales.
New promise of one-touch texture analysis
Food Technology Corporation (FTC) has launched a new touch-screen food texture analyser, the TMS-Touch.
The conveyor of hygienic solutions
Habasit Rossi has extended its range of Habaflow conveyor and processing belts to include three new products, developed specifically to improve food processing efficiency.
Recycled PET demand only limited by collection rates
The use of bio-polyethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) by brand owners such as Coca-Cola is perfectly compatible with growth in demand for recycled PET (rPET), says converter and recycler APPE (formerly Artenius PET Packaging Europe). The firm says...
Kerry expands citrus flavourings portfolio
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours has launched 'taste twists', a range of six natural citrus flavourings for beverages, plus prototype drinks to showcase them.
Beyond the gut: probiotics
The benefits of probiotics for digestion is well publicised, but research on their other strengths is growing, as Anne Bruce reports
All hands on spec
Chocolaterie Casemir is defiantly marching to the beat of its own accordion. When most firms are automating, streamlining and cutting costs, Casemir is looking for ways to diversify revenue sources that allow it to continue making chocolate by hand and...
Avoid a product recall and put safety top of your agenda
The recent E.coli outbreaks in France and Germany have put food safety back in the headlines. This makes Food Manufacture's Product Recall 2011 conference even more apt.
Premier Foods remains tight-lipped on Brookes Avana sale rumours
Premier Foods has refused to comment on rumours that it is close to selling its own-label chilled foods and cake business RF Brookes and Avana Bakeries to a major industry rival.
Manufacturers boldly go into new investment territories
Processors are braving the harsh economic climate to undertake big capital investments to increase their capacity, which reflects the results of Food Manufacture's 2011 survey.
Meet the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2011 Sponsors
An introduction to the sponsors of each category in 2011.
Pomegranate seed oil breakthrough
Researchers have created a stable pomegranate-seed-oil-in-water emulsion using gum Arabic, for functional beverage applications.
Value engineering threatens own-label product quality
Retailers are putting greater pressure on their suppliers to cut costs as consumers tighten their belts, according to Food Manufacture's annual state-of-the industry survey.
Full answer to weighty problems
There will always be a market for 'light' and 'diet' products, but the biggest trend in weight management today is towards functional ingredients. The contenders hoping to make the biggest splash fall into three basic functional groups: satiety boosters;...
Battle for the seas continues as EU intervention 'is likely'
There is still no resolution in sight for an international dispute that threatens the Scottish fishing sector and over 2,500 jobs, according to a trade body.
Clean up your act
As retailers call for more accredited food safety training, how can firms get staff up to speed at minimum cost, asks Freddie Dawson
Meat processors call for risk-based approach to inspections
Primary meat processors are increasing pressure on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to bring about a change to EU law that would allow a more risk-based approach to checking meat plants using private, accredited third-party inspectors.
Service level disagreement
w When we decided to have our kitchen re-fitted, I knew that choosing a reputable tradesman would be tough. It was my fault for not making the rules of the house clear in the first place.
Micro-wave or macro-trend?
What role is in-pack industrial microwave processing likely to play in the future chilled ready meals market? Paul Gander talks to experts for and against this technology about the likelihood of its adoption in the UK.
How d'ya like your eggs in the morning?
If you listen to Chris Evans on Radio 2, you'll be familiar with the classic 1951 song "How d'ya like your eggs in the morning?" To Helen O'Connell's question, Dean Martin croons: "I like mine with a kiss!"
Secondary system ups the output
Meadow Cheese has seen a 300% increase in output since it installed a secondary refrigerant system from Coolmation.
Pasteur Institute builds food research
Rod addyThe Pasteur Institute in Lille is making progress on a range of nutritional studies, including work with Roquette on eye health investigating the potential of feeding hens lutein and zeaxanthin to enrich eggs.
Breaking the ice
With frozen food enjoying a renaissance, it looks like Britain is entering a new ice age, reports John Dunn
Premium wines move to more innovative screw cap closures
If corks continue to bob out of the wine aisle in the face of fierce competition from screwtop bottle closures, it is at least, in part, because of recent innovation and differentiation in metal closure technology – from smoother finishes to tamper evidence.
Border Biscuits invests £2.5m in plant
Border Biscuits is investing a further £2.5 million to increase manufacturing capabilities and plant capacity over the next 18 months as the Scottish biscuit maker targets a 50% turnover increase over the next few years.
Charity partnership deal to boost launch of coconut water drink
Soft drinks manufacturer Iconiq Drinks has unveiled its latest product launch: Icoco – a healthy, natural, coconut water combined with fruit juices.
Soy story
Shaul Shelach, boss of Solbar, one of the world's top soy ingredients firms, talks to Rod Addy about his vision for the company and the industry
New trailers keep their produce cool
Cold storage and transport specialist company Rick Bestwick has taken delivery of five new trailers fitted with Carrier Transicold's Vector 1550 transport refrigeration units. Carrier Transicold is a unit of Carrier Corp, provider of high-technology...
Screen classification that can really cut it
A new Screen Classifying Cutter from Munson Machinery reduces hard, soft and fibrous materials into controlled particle sizes at high rates.
Game on for stevia...
The dynamics at large in the sweeteners market are similar to those in a football club. As on the football pitch, in the sweeteners market there is rivalry as each player strives to shine as an individual. But teamwork or combinations of sweeteners is...
Nature's nurture
Meet Natures Way, winner of the 2010 Food Manufacturing Excellence award for Fresh Produce and Gary Kilhams, fruit business unit manager, Natures Way Foods.
Rise of greener hardstocks
European processors can access greener hardstocks, requiring far less heat and generating far less waste water, thanks to developments by Sime Darby Unimills.
All squeeze please
Compared with the optimism expressed in last year's Food Manufacture state-of-the-industry survey, the mood today is far more subdued. This can probably be put down to a combination of factors that are putting the squeeze on Britain's food and drink...
Corn pellets for snack food processors
Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has launched two corn pellets called Dominos and Super Cornitos for snack food manufacturers aiming at natural, clean labels on packs.