Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

PWP unveils plans for second rPET plant on soaring demand

15-Jul-2009 - A projected surge in demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) materials in food and beverage packing has triggered a US company to announce plans for a second recycling plan, just a month after its first opened.

Food and drink companies clean up from saving water

13-Jul-2009 - A raft of UK-based companies have made a total cost saving running into hundreds of thousands of pounds during the first year of an initiative to boost water efficiency.

News in brief

Indian government launches food processing industry magazine

13-Jul-2009 - The Indian Government has launched a food processing magazine as part of its push to fast-track the development of the sector.

Energy recovery system to save energy and cut costs

07-Jul-2009 - The Kaak Group has released a new Daub Energy Recovery System for bakers, allowing them to cut energy costs while boosting their green credentials, according to the company.

All eyes on sustainable food under Swedish presidency

07-Jul-2009 - The CIAA has invited the Swedish presidency to take part in the recently launched Round Table on Sustainable Production and Consumption (SPC); while Sweden has made food and the climate one of its priorities for agriculture over the next six months.

NZ company eyes European markets for venom-spiked honey

06-Jul-2009 - A New Zealand company has applied to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) for novel foods approval to market its honeybee venom to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.

India to create up to 350 food processing units in next 100 days, sector seen as key to economic growth

02-Jul-2009 - The Indian Government has unveiled ambitious plans to help set up as many as 350 food processing units over the next 100 days as part of what it calls the country’s Evergreen Revolution.

Meat processors hail decision to shelve inspection charge increases

01-Jul-2009 - UK meat processors have applauded a Food Standards Agency (FSA) U-turn on its recent decision to hike annual inspection charges by four per cent in a bid to cut government subsidies to the industry.

Recirculating bulk bag filler moves free and non-free flowing material

01-Jul-2009 - Full mobility and even distribution of powder and bulk coatings onto food products are claims made for a bulk bag filler by manufacturers Flexicon.

Water inefficiency costing UK food and drink companies up to ₤160,000 a day - report

25-Jun-2009 - Food and drink producers in the UK may be pouring up to ₤160,000 a day down the drain by failing to maximise the potential for water efficiency, according to Envirowise.

Coke opens two plants as part of $2bn Chinese investment

25-Jun-2009 - Coca-Cola has opened two bottling plants in central and western China as it attempts to cope with booming demand across one of its largest and fastest growing markets.

Bar product distribution station increases plant efficiency, says company

25-Jun-2009 - Flexibility, cost effectiveness and ease of access for cleaning and maintenance all mean the latest distribution station from Sigpack Systems is designed to boost overall plant efficiency, said the company.

New high speed printing system promises production boost for HFFS lines

23-Jun-2009 - Increased production throughput and positioning versatility to minimize changeovers are claims made by the manufacturers for a printing system for horizontal-form-fill-seal (HFFS) and IV forming machines.

News in brief

ConAgra processing plant to reopen in August

19-Jun-2009 - The ConAgra food processing plant devastated by an explosion earlier this month will not resume production until August while its packaging section will be shuttered until further notice, the firm revealed.

News in brief

Processing firm to cut 95 jobs as demand shifts

18-Jun-2009 - Meat processor 2 Sisters Food Group has announced it is to cut almost 100 jobs at a plant in Scotland.

Husky targets quicker, lighter closure process

18-Jun-2009 - A beverage packaging manufacturer claims its latest development in high output closures can ensure more rapid processing without comprising quality or consistency.

High Tech Food Processors Win IFT Innovation Awards

17-Jun-2009 - Three out of four companies which won an Innovation Award at the Institute of Food Technologists’ Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Anaheim, California, were recognized for their food processing inventions.

News in brief

Viterra says acquisition to strengthen food processing presence

16-Jun-2009 - Viterra has said its takeover of a Manitoba canola crusher will boost its position in the domestic food processing industry.

‘Credit card’ snack process combines health with shape appeal

11-Jun-2009 - A new process to create credit card-shaped snacks has gathered significant interest from the food industry as it provides a novel format for healthy snacks, according to its manufacturer Baker Perkins.

Dispatches from IFT

HFCS: Controversial or just misunderstood?

11-Jun-2009 - High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is no different from table sugar (sucrose) and that the public cannot be expected to understand differences between the sweetener and "pure" fructose, says Dr James Rippe from the Rippe Lifestyle Institute.

Industry says creativity key to ensuring soft drink-sustainability

11-Jun-2009 - Representatives of the UK soft drink industry claim that ‘creative’ innovation across the industry is keeping manufacturers on track to meet their sustainability goals, though more must be done in the future.

Radical proposals to overhaul India food processing sector tabled

11-Jun-2009 - Sweeping plans to revamp the Indian food processing industry have been put forward in a bid to boost the sector and attract foreign investment.

News in brief

Explosion at ConAgra food plant kills 2, injures scores

10-Jun-2009 - Two workers have died and dozens were injured after an explosion at a ConAgra food processing plant in the United States.

Laser sorter set to boost detection of aflatoxin

09-Jun-2009 - A new laser sorter that makes aflatoxin-contaminated products easier to detect and reduces yield loss has the potential to revolutionise the processing of a wide range of crop plants, claims its manufacturer.