Processing

23-May-2012 - A developer of software to monitor all aspects of food manufacturing and distribution has claimed its software offers "complete control" to the industry.

Del Monte Foods to close processing plant

18-May-2012 - US-based Del Monte Foods will close a food processing plant due to “consumer sentiment and macroeconomic factors.”

News in brief

Bühler's Leybold takeover approved

18-May-2012 - Bühler’s takeover of Leybold Optics has been cleared without any restrictions by the relevant anti-trust authorities.

Ireland launches technology transfer strategy for food firms

11-May-2012 - Ireland has launched a technology transfer strategy to support the development of its food and drink industry.

Food solution integration costs hit otherwise satisfactory GEA Q1 results

10-May-2012 - GEA said continuing strong demand for food processing technology meant it was “satisfied” with performance in the first quarter of 2012 even as one-off integration costs for its food solutions unit were largely responsible for its year-on-year operating profits tumbling by almost €30m.

Facility expansion key to future - firm

10-May-2012 - A factory upgrade has enabled a US food packaging and distribution centre to be in the ‘best position possible’ as future trends develop, claim the company.

Beef Products Inc. and Tyson Foods hit by latest ‘pink slime’ fallout

09-May-2012 - ‘Pink slime’ manufacturer, Beef Products Inc. (BPI), has confirmed the almost immediate closure of three of its four plants, in the latest wave of repercussions surrounding the product.

The future trends of stevia in bakery and snacks

09-May-2012 - Attracted by its natural, low calorie profile, food manufacturers across the industry are turning to stevia but it is the market for snacks and non-alcoholic drinks that is leading the way. Datamonitor data shows that snacks made up 38.5% of new stevia-sweetened products between 2005 and 2009. But the sweetener is not without its drawbacks – namely a bitter aftertaste and a high price tag.We ask if the market is ready to embrace stevia in baked goods such as cookies and bread.

Dutch bar manufacturer VSI opens third factory

09-May-2012 - Dutch non-branded bar manufacturer VSI has begun operations at a €10m plant in Leerdam, Holland, which incorporates a research and development (R&D) centre and has the capacity to make triple-layered bars.

'Global leading’ poultry processing kit maker sold by private equity owners

07-May-2012 - The world’s largest poultry processing machinery manufacturing company has been sold, said its private equity owner, after more than doubling its size and profits in just seven years.

Explosive growth predicted for Indian packaged food sector

04-May-2012 - The Indian packaged food industry is forecast to see average annual growth of up to 20% that will see it double in value to reach US$30bn by 2015, according to a leading trade body in the country.

Ecolab forecasts strong 2012, as Nalco takeover costs hit Q1 results

03-May-2012 - Ecolab’s year-on-year income almost halved in the first three months of 2012 after the firm revealed integration and restructuring costs following the acquisition of Nalco last year reached more than US$41m.

Online eco-benchmark for dairy processors launched

02-May-2012 - An online tool has been created for dairy processors to track their carbon footprint as the industry aims to cut emissions by 25% by 2020.

Campden adds continuous sheeting process to research bakery

02-May-2012 - Research institute Campden BRI has incorporated a continuous sheeting process into its bakery to enable it to analyse different formulations and processing regimes.

News in brief

GEA completes Aseptomag takeover

30-Apr-2012 - GEA’s strategy to expand its sterile and aseptic offerings has been given a boost after it confirmed the completion of the acquisition of Swiss valve specialists Aseptomag.

Meat processors urge ‘inflexible’ EC to delay second phase of DSM ruling

30-Apr-2012 - The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued guidance on and executed the first stage of its moratorium on the production and use of desinewed meat (DSM) – much to the disapproval of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).

Mad cow disease case won’t impact processors – American Meat Institute

26-Apr-2012 - A rare case of mad cow disease in the US is unlikely to have a significant impact on the processing sector, according to the American Meat Institute (AMI).

Reading Bakery introduces ‘first’ continuous mixing system for crackers

24-Apr-2012 - US-based technology firm Reading Bakery Systems has claimed to have developed the world’s first continuous mixing technology for snack crackers.

News in brief

Food engineering degree could revolutionise industry

23-Apr-2012 - A new university degree in food and drink manufacturing will revolutionise the delivery of engineering into the industry, said the UK trade body behind the initiative.

Pallet lifts ‘ticks all the boxes’ for supermarket produce supplier

23-Apr-2012 - The exclusive fresh produce supplier for supermarket giant Asda has installed a number of pallet-lifts that ‘ticks all the boxes’ in solving food processing problems.

DISPATCHES FROM ANUGA FOODTEC 2012

Krones spots new Asian horizons in teas blended with fruit juices and milks

20-Apr-2012 - In this exclusive video shot at Anuga FoodTec 2012, Hans Hiendl from Krones explained the principles behind the firm's Twin-Flow concept launch to BeverageDaily.com, and identified an interesting new Asian mixed-drinks trend.

UK desinewed meat moratorium objections are 'nonsense' - sausage manufactuer

20-Apr-2012 - A UK-based sausage manufacturer has given backing to a European Commission (EC)-imposed ban on cattle, sheep and goat desinewed meat (DSM), blasting the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) for their support of the “unsavoury” product.