Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year
Sponsored by: Silverstone Search & SelectionShortlisted: AB World Foods, Premier Foods, Thorntons and Weetabix
Archives for December 5, 2011
Reduced sugar claims can mislead consumers
New research has revealed that British consumers feel misled by the claim ‘reduced sugar’ .
Bakkavör doubles its capacity with continuous ovens
New Primebake, part of the Bakkavör Group, makes chilled and pre-cooked speciality breads.
Step up to cater for our ageing population
Manufacturers are missing out on the commercial opportunities presented by an ageing population by not providing foods targeted at the dietary needs of the elderly, according to experts in the field.
Six-step guide to energy efficiency
ABB's latest version of its six-step energy saving plan is now available. It shows customers the best ways to save money via variable-speed drives and high efficiency motors.
Government must kick off nano debate
The government is failing to do enough to encourage an open debate on the use of nanotechnology and bodies such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should step into the breach.
Hunter-gatherer diet can cut obesity and aid food security
Reverting to the 'snacking habits' of our hunter-gatherer ancestors will help reverse the obesity epidemic facing the developed world and address food security issues, new research has revealed.
Food inflation eases but input costs are volatile
News that food price inflation had slowed in October gave hard-pressed shoppers some respite. Whether this will lead to greater stability in the roller coaster rise of volatile input costs for manufacturers is another matter.
Sealing the deal
Investing in a packing line because it offers above average hygiene control sounds, on the face of it, like choosing a new car purely on the basis of its fuel-efficiency. In each case, there will probably be other, more pressing priorities. And the...
We have more than the economy to cry about
As 2011 draws to a close, many in the food industry can look back and say that, in some respects, there has been more than just the state of the economy to cry about.
R&R Ice Cream acquires German rival
Europe’s largest own-label ice cream manufacturer, R&R Ice Cream, has continued its expansion on the continent with the acquisition of German ice cream manufacturer Durigon Gelato.
View from the bridge
Since I last interviewed chief executive Paul Berryman in January 2008, the name of the member-based organisation he heads up has changed. It is now Leatherhead Food Research (LFR) rather than Leatherhead Food International. But, more importantly, he has...
Discount voucher deals can prove dangerous for small firms
Small food firms that use discountvoucher sites to attract new customers must tread carefully or face disaster, experts have warned.
Easy-cleaning honey filter cuts downtime
Norwegian-based honey producer Honningcentralen has experienced steady growth over the years. The firm recently built a metal edge industrial filter with a 63 micron wedgewire screen into its new production line to remove foreign bodies from the honey...
Warburtons to double in size to £1bn
Warburtons plans to double the size of its bakery business to £1bn over the next 10 years. The firm will extend its range, build on its brand values and expand further across the globe, its executive director Ross Warburton has reported.
UK oysters: threat or Xmas opportunity?
More than three-quarters of oysters tested from UK growing beds contained norovirus, according to recent research from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
UK food sector in 'innovation emergency'
Manufacturers must embrace new technologies if the UK food and drink sector is to remain competitive against increasing competition from the developing world, Food and Drink Federation president Jim Moseley has warned.
Stomach bugs
We westerners are curiously fussy eaters. We'll happily consume the pulped nether regions of factory-farmed pigs if they're labelled as sausages, while some of us positively salivate at the idea of grotesquely enlarged goose liver. But when we see...
Call for adjudicator to ensure a deal's a deal
An adjudicator with teeth is needed to police the Groceries Supply Code of Practice to prevent overly powerful retailers reneging on deals with their suppliers, according to leading processors.
Fill me in
Like the format of some varieties of nut, new product development (NPD) in snacks and sandwiches is a mixed bag.
'Revive the 'dead art' of industrial engineering or lose profits'
Food processors have saved millions of pounds by reviving the use of industrial engineering techniques – particularly time and motion studies – which have become a "dead art", according to Alan Donaldson, md of Aim Interims.
New book on 40 years in the ingredients trade
Hugh Darrington, who spent more than 40 years working in the food trade press - including 23 years as editor of Food Manufacture and six years as editor of International Food Ingredients - has spoken candidly about the people, the companies, the...
New generation 'robot in a box'
Automation consultancy GB Innomech has launched a low-cost robotics concept it says will enable even low-volume manufacturers to cut costs and raise competitiveness.
Insolvency affects fewer food firms
The food manufacturing sector has seen a fall in the number of companies becoming insolvent, according to a new study.
100,000 reasons to support IFST surveys
The Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) is asking for food manufacturers’ help to survey the needs of the 100,000 technicians known to be working in the food sector.
Shelf-life and yield management solution for fish
Slovenian firm Vitiva has launched a line of natural solutions for increasing the shelf-life and yield management of processed fish.
Natural fruit flavours for yogurt
Many traditional fruit flavours have a natural affinity with high-fat dairy systems, such as strawberries in yogurt. When these same flavours are used in reduced- or fat-free systems they nearly always lose their flavour and integrity. Create Flavours...
Win-win event
The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards the industry's Oscars lived up to their promise again this year with the best companies in the business receiving the recognition they so richly deserved at the awards ceremony that was held in London last month.
Food Manufacturing Company of the Year
Sponsored by: The Cheese Warehouse The Food Manufacturing Company of the Year is selected by our expert panel of judges from the winners of the nine individual product categories. It goes to the company the judges consider to be the very best of the best.
Can do man
We serve the whole of Great Britain from here and will be looking at a significant uplift in our volume more than 20% to 51M cases next year. It will be the first time our output will have been above 50M cases. The plant will have the capability to...
Probiotics set to win health claims approval
New research on the efficacy of probiotics means it is inevitable they will win health claims approval, according to Paul Berryman, chief executive of Leatherhead Food Research.
Actimel boost for UK green plastics
Danone Dairies' decision to switch from petroleum-based polyethylene to the same plastic produced from plant-derived bioethanol for its Actimel drinking yogurt bottles signals a major advance for 'green plastics' in UK food and drink.
Market spreads bets to offset apple juice jitters
Volatile apple concentrate prices are forcing diversification and consolidation, despite the current buoyancy in the market, according to juice base processor David Berryman.
Growing-pains
The Cree Indians predicted that the white man would realise that he couldn't eat money only when the last tree had been cut down, the last fish caught and the last river poisoned.
Vitamin cocktail joins war on bugs
Growing interest in vitamin fortified, immune-boosting products have led to the creation of a new water crammed with healthy ingredients to safeguard consumers in the war against bugs.
Tesco's premium partnership
Five new ready-to-serve long-life desserts, packaged in combibloc Standard 500ml aseptic carton packs, have been launched in Tesco stores. The range comprises Tesco Long Life Single Cream and Double Cream Alternative, Tesco Finest Custard, Tesco Finest...
Industry takes action to fill skills gap
Details emerged last month of action the food and drink industry is taking to address the impending skills shortage. A staggering 137,000 new recruits are needed to replace people who will be retiring over the next five years. This represents around 34%...
Pulp egg trays become valuable biofuel
A briquetting press and shredder has helped Cheshire-based pasteurised egg producer D Wise turn a waste stream into a valuable biofuel.
Flexibles converters push for 'critical mass'
Within Europe, the lack of a credible 'number two' flexibles supplier after Amcor may be felt by some of the multinational confectionery and snacks firms. In the UK, however, restructuring at the top of the industry has enabled smaller converters to show...
Brewer unveils business park for food manufacturers
A new brewery development in Leicester could also create facilities for small food and drinks producers.
Food firms look to sensory claims
Frustrated food and drink manufacturers are considering sensory claims in preference to health claims; few of which have been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).