Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

New weigher claimed to boost accuracy

24-Aug-2009 - The new Cut-Gate Weigher offers precision weighing of granular products and gentle handling which preserves particle size and structure, claims its manufacturer Ishida Europe.

News in brief

Vietnam to build its largest food complex

19-Aug-2009 - Vietnamese food company Vissan has unveiled plans to build the nation’s largest food processing complex worth $39m (700bn VND) in the southern province of Long An, according to the company’s website.

New lubricant for food machinery claims to cut costs

18-Aug-2009 - A new lubricant for food and beverage machines helps to cut maintenance costs, claims its manufacturer Lubrication Engineers.

Water savings could boost food industry profits, says Siemens

18-Aug-2009 - Cutting water use could help food and beverage companies save hundreds of thousands of dollars and make businesses more sustainable, says Siemens Water Technologies which is promoting a six point water-saving strategy.

Multi-lane checkweigher delivers space and cost savings

14-Aug-2009 - Significant cost and space savings are two benefits claimed for a new multi-lane checkweigher by manufacturers Ishida Europe.

Kraft reaps rewards from sustainable processing strategy

14-Aug-2009 - The need to maximise profit combined with a desire to help the environment have been major drivers in Kraft slashing water use in its food processing operations by more than 20 per cent in three years, the company said.

Listeria risks from high pressure cleaning

13-Aug-2009 - Food plant managers have been cautioned that washing down floor drains with high-pressure equipment could make it easier for Listeria monocytogenes to transfer from the outlet back onto the processing line.

Food processing workers prioritised in new pesticide risk assessment

12-Aug-2009 - Workers in food processing plants have been included in a new assessment of acute risks posed by exposure to the most hazardous pesticides, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said.

Meat processor linked to salmonella recall warned over animal handling practices

12-Aug-2009 - A US meat processor at the centre of last week's huge recall of beef linked to antibiotic-resistant salmonella was rebuked over animal handling practices last year, it has emerged.

Smokies' £3m cash potential for meat processors - Report

11-Aug-2009 - New research has shown that abattoirs and processors could be major beneficiaries from a move to legalise production of skin-on sheep meat, estimated to be worth more than ₤3m annually in Wales alone.

New system halves cost of extruder barrel replacement, says company

11-Aug-2009 - Cost savings, a reduction in downtime and ease of fitting are the benefits claimed by a manufacturer for its new food extruder barrel liner replacement system.

Cash boost helps electron beam company make waves in aseptic packing

07-Aug-2009 - A US company that uses electron beams to sterilise aseptic packaging plans to use a $14m-cash-injection to develop new technology, increase sales and boost its finances.

New shortening machine promises greater control and savings

07-Aug-2009 - Tanis Food Tec (TFT) is launching two processing machines for biscuit and cake makers including a shortening machine for manufacturers seeking greater quality control without sacrificing space and time.

PepsiCo buys bottlers for $7.8bn

05-Aug-2009 - PepsiCo Inc has agreed the takeover of two of its bottle makers in a deal worth $7.8bn that will see the consolidation of 80 per cent of its North American beverage volume.

Separate policy and R&D boost for Indian food processing sector

03-Aug-2009 - Formulation of a separate policy for food processing and a targeted R&D programme to boost processing and packaging technologies are two of the latest proposals unveiled by the Indian government for the sector.

Self cleaning barcode system cuts costs and downtime, says company

30-Jul-2009 - A unique self-cleaning method that ensures low cost of ownership, minimal downtime and high quality printing of barcodes onto outer case packaging are the benefits claimed by the manufacturers of the system.

Dehumidifying system cuts meat processor’s costs by a cool 43 per cent

29-Jul-2009 - A meat processing company has slashed part of its energy costs by almost half after the installation of a new cooling system, said the US manufacturers.

Baking case firm installs high speed machine

27-Jul-2009 - Chevler has installed a new reel-fed machine that will allow it to produce over 250,000 muffin and cupcake cases an hour.

Organics not embraced by Canadian processed food makers: Report

24-Jul-2009 - Food manufacturers are resistant to using organic ingredients because they perceive investment to be high and returns to be low, says a new report from the USDA on the state of the Canadian organics market.

New markets set to benefit from gentler MAP system

23-Jul-2009 - Bakery products and delicate perishables are just two markets set to benefit from the US launch of new modified atmosphere packing equipment that is gentler on fresh produce and extends shelf life, said Cougar Packaging Designers.

News in brief

Asian beer and spirits market still bubbling: Euromonitor

21-Jul-2009 - Despite the global economic downturn, the Asian beverage market remains strong, and will continue its impressive growth, according to Reuters.

Talk more to food industry, committee tells policy makers

21-Jul-2009 - More dialogue is needed between the food industry and policy makes to ensure future food security in the UK, with an increase in sustainable domestic production, says a new government report.

Clinton backs Indian food processing industry expansion

20-Jul-2009 - The upsurge in the Indian food processing industry continues as US secretary of state Hillary Clinton backed government expansion plans and the groundwork was laid to bring overseas expertise to the sector.

Performance monitoring system cuts downtime for vibratory conveyors

17-Jul-2009 - A reduction in downtime and labour, as well as improvements in processing efficiency, are claims made by the manufacturer for a new wireless performance monitoring system for vibratory conveyors.