Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

One-stop-shop for sustainable food issues launched

29-Apr-2009 - A new website has been launched that aims to become the first port of call on issues surrounding food waste and inform food processors and other interested parties about the latest sustainability initiatives.

California declares swine flu emergency

29-Apr-2009 - California became the first US state to declare emergency status as the number of its laboratory-confirmed swine flu cases reached 10 with 64 cases now identified across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Swine flu impacts global economy

28-Apr-2009 - The swine flu virus first identified in Mexico cannot be contained, warns Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), as the economic impact of the outbreak continues to spread.

Sedex supplier-led database strengthens opportunities in ethical supply chain

28-Apr-2009 - The opportunity for confectioners to audit the ethical credentials of their existing, and potential, suppliers comes in the shape of Sedex, a database tool designed to serve an ethically-driven supply-chain.

Swine flu sparks global health emergency

27-Apr-2009 - The World Health Organisation has declared “a public health emergency of international concern,” following the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu which has killed at least 103 people in Mexico.

News in brief

Dole in move to further cut water footprint

24-Apr-2009 - US company, Dole Food, claims that by signing up to the Water Footprint Network, a global network that promotes the sustainable, fair and efficient use of fresh water resources, it can better measure and reduce its overall environmental footprint.

FDA relaxes prior notice rule for food imports

24-Apr-2009 - The FDA’s Department of Health and Human Services has published a new guide on the Prior Notice rule for small companies involved in the import and export of foods in the US.

Boost to Defra bee plan but no pesticide ban

23-Apr-2009 - The Soil Association has criticised Hilary Benn’s decision not to ban pesticides believed to damage honey bees’ neurological and immune systems while millions are invested in trying to halt honey bee decline.

News in brief

Wrigley SWOT analysis gives info for friends and foes

22-Apr-2009 - A new SWOT analysis of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company from companiesandmarkets will give insights for potential partners and competitors, said the research company.

SAP upgrade for UK baker slashes response times for customers

22-Apr-2009 - Matching IT infrastructure needs with rapid expansion in the business, UK baker Warburtons teamed up with data management firm NetApp to develop storage and backup for SAP implementation.

News in brief

Bakery ingredients supplier BakeMark USA launches tri-lingual website

21-Apr-2009 - Shortening and glazes supplier BakeMark USA targets its polyglot bakery customers with the launch of a new tri-lingual website.

Weekly comment

Who’s hoodwinked by a healthy halo?

20-Apr-2009 - What does health taste like? As a kid, I was encouraged to hold my nose and swallow down broad beans and cod-liver oil. If they tasted bad, it was only ‘cos they were good for me.

Food waste recycling for UK snack maker UB hits 99.5 per cent

20-Apr-2009 - Efforts by snack manufacturers to improve their sustainability credentials continue with UK firm United Biscuits reporting "great progress" in its six-pronged sustainability blueprint launched last year.

Ecolab links greenhouse gas cuts to sales

20-Apr-2009 - A pledge to cut its US greenhouse gas emissions 20 per cent per dollar sales between 2006 and 2012 has been made by Ecolab, a provider of cleaning, food safety and health protection products.

UK food sector seeks eco incentives and skills push

17-Apr-2009 - Fiscal measures to support the UK food and drink manufacturing industry through the economic downturn as well as stimulus package to help the sector continue to reduce its environmental impact are top of the FDF’s wish list for the impending UK budget.

Kellogg makes think-tank’s top ethical list

17-Apr-2009 - Countering the image of a corporate world knocked by the financial crisis, a US think-tank names the 'world's most ethical companies', among them breakfast cereal firm Kellogg.

News in brief

IFT to host IP swap shop

16-Apr-2009 - The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has announced a new event at its annual meet next month to stimulate the purchase or license of intellectual property rights.

Weekly comment

Food supplements proving recession-proof

14-Apr-2009 - The ongoing slide of global capitalism is decimating industries, but the food supplements industry is not one of them as fraught consumers turn to its potential low-cost, anti-medical, wellness promise.

Labour watchdog calls for Fairtrade commitment from Mars

14-Apr-2009 - Labour watchdog International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) recognises Mars' recent road map for sustainability as “an important step forward” but claims the chocolate behemoth needs to push further into Fairtrade certification.

News in brief

FDF adds environmental category to CPA awards

14-Apr-2009 - The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has launched its 2009 Community Partnership Awards, including a category to recognise environmental projects for the first time.

Green supply chain stance required by retailers - INCPEN

10-Apr-2009 - With recent research suggesting retailers like Wal-Mart are actively driving US manufacturers to adapt ‘greener’ packaging, one organisation says European counterparts need a more holistic supply chain approach to bolster their eco-goals.

Pava looks to Asia-Africa for export expansion

08-Apr-2009 - Russian grain processor Pava is looking for partnerships in Asia and Africa in order to diversify its export activities in response to what it describes as global economic turmoil.

Weekly comment

Could clones be hiding out in ice-cream?

06-Apr-2009 - Ben & Jerry’s campaign to ensure produce from clones is detectable in the food chain shows that bundling biotech in with conventional produce remains unacceptable – but lessons from GM do not seem to have been learned.

Cocoa stakeholders agree sustainability action plan

03-Apr-2009 - Representatives of the cocoa industry from across the world have agreed on a framework to achieve a sustainable cocoa economy and plan to set up a sustainability fund to help benefit producers.