Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Quaker pioneers new snack process to cut time, costs and waste.

US cereal and snack maker the Quaker Oats company has developed a new way of processing granola and snack-food products which cuts time, wastage and costs.

Ozone nano-bubbles harnessed to sterilise water

A new steriliser uses ozone nano-bubbles to produce a water mixture that can be used for food processing.

Nano scale coating process developed for baking sector

A US company claims to have developed a way to apply micro- and nano scale coating processes directly onto food products and their packaging materials.

FSA aims to cut mycotoxins from cereal ingredients

Codes of practice to help UK farmers reduce the levels of mycotoxins in cereals could improve the safety of the ingredient supply chain.

ProLogis purchase consolidates warehouse supply

ProLogis' purchase of Parkridge's industrial development unit this month is a sign that the consolidation of the European warehousing market is continuing.

Processors must take responsibility to stop slavery

UK food processors using forced and trafficked labour must take responsibility and do more to protect the workforce they employ, according to a new report.

Heater offers extreme processing control

A redesigned heat transfer fluid system offers improved energy efficiency while providing accurate temperature control at up to 316C (600F), its manufacturer claims.

Sainsbury's 'open' to milk price rise

A little piece of Fairtrade Fortnight touched the UK dairy industry this week as the head of the Sainsbury's supermarket told farmers he was willing to pay more for their milk.

Top US dairy rejects milk from clones

Leading US dairy firm Dean Foods has said it will not accept milk from cloned cows, adding weight to an industry and consumer move against the technology on both sides of the Atlantic.

Detection system pinpoints packaging leaks

A new detection system pinpoints individual leaks in packaging, which reduces recalls by raising the alarm before unsealed products leave the production line.

Opportunity knocks for Fairtrade suppliers

Fairtrade foods are coming in from the fringe with record growth and wider selection, says new research from the UK, highlighting growing advantages for food and drink firms choosing the ethical path.

Ceiling-mounted vision packager saves floor space

A new vision robot can pack food at high speed while positioned above conveyer belts to save space, its manufacturer claims.

Statistics-based sampling approved for trimmings

Processors may now use statistically-based sampling as a method to ensure meat trimmings have the required legal minimum amount of lean tissue present.

Nano project aims to reduce packaging waste

Danone, the French food and beverage giant, is taking part in a research project into nanotechnology that could result in stronger plastic packing that also reduces waste.

Scanner labeling makes consumer choice easier

Checking to find the right personal care product might get easier, thanks to a new labeling innovation from Dupont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (DP&IP) and Scanbury that helps to distinguish a product's exact formulation at the touch of a mobile phone.

More food contact materials assessed

Two more additives for plastic packaging for use in direct contact with food have been assessed by the European food safety authority.

Weekly Comment

Turning advertisers into educators

Instead of trying to hide confectionery from children by restricting advertising, chocolate-makers should be encouraging them to make the same health-conscious choices as adults when it comes to confectionery they're sure to buy anyway.

High-shrink film covers unusually shaped containers

A new label film designed for narrow neck containers, can combine high-shrink properties with a tamper evident seal, its manufacturer claims.

Denmark food research to focus on emerging technologies

A merger between the National Food Institute and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) will help focus risk research on emerging issues such as nanotechnology.

Software provides machine malfunction alerts

A new software programme informs plant managers of poorly performing machines and predicts unexpected failures, its developer claims.

UK consumers rate food safety issues of low concern

UK consumers rate the issue of food safety as one among the lowest of their concerns, behind even house prices and traffic congestion, according to the results of a new survey released yesterday.

Industry unites to aid cocoa growers

Members of the World Cocoa Foundation have extended their five-year plan to help 150,000 cocoa farming families in Ghana and the Ivory Coast – protecting the supply chain and ensuring ethical practices are in place.

Kiremko and Tna link up processing and packaging lines

Kiremko and Tna have teamed up in a bid to provide complete processing and packaging lines for the potato snack food sector.

Dust filter system clears the air

A modular filtration system designed for purifying air ensures dust levels in food production plants are far below the most stringent hygiene standards, its manufacturer claims.

UK firms missing out on R&D tax relief

UK manufacturers are missing out on tens of millions of pounds of research & development (R&D) tax relief because they are not investigating whether their activities qualify for the benefit.

Healthy performance for nutrition-focused Nestlé

In a year dominated by acquisitions and changes within its operational structure, Switzerland-based food group Nestlé has still exceeded expectations with full-year organic growth boosted by the company's focus on nutrition, research and core brands.

Continuity planning saves the bacon, says UK law firm

About one in five UK companies do not have a business continuity plan in place to help restart operations as quickly as possible after a disaster, according to a law firm.

Water temperature controller withstands washdowns

A new portable water temperature control system is constructed from stainless steel so as to withstand harsh washdowns in food plants, its manufacturer claims.

Adept calls its Quatro robot 'world's fastest'

Adept Technology said yesterday it has shipped the first of what it is calling the world's fastest light payload packaging and handling robot targeted at the food industry.

New inspection system to launch in April

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) today said it will launch a new risk-based inspection system in April, initially targeting meat processing plants at 30 locations across the country.

Temperature controls upgraded for washdowns

A new controller added to Mokon's range of temperature systems and chillers is designed to withstand the harsh washdowns used in food plants, its manufacturer claims.

Bernard Matthews lays off workers due to bird flu

Bernard Matthews yesterday laid off 120 workers at its turkey plant in the UK, with the possiblity that another 500 could go if the bird flu scare continues to damage sales.

UK food product recalls fall by 7 per cent

Product recalls in the UK food sector fell by seven per cent last year, according to a report by law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.

Monitor protects plants round-the-clock

An automatic monitor and alarm system alerts plant managers to breaches in food safety round-the-clock, ensuring they remain aware of emerging production problems -- even if they are off site.

EU agency sets food safety agenda for year

Risk assessment research into nanotechnology and marine biotoxins are some of the areas the European Food Safety Authority plans to target this year.

New mathematical model developed for plastic packaging

A new mathematical model developed by German researchers is designed to help processors estimate the amount of plastic packaging additives that may migrate into foods.

Hygiene reforms for local Irish poultry proposed

Hygiene laws regulating Ireland's poultry processors will include smaller operations once consultation on a proposed amendment is complete.

Rexam to raise prices for packaging this year

Rexam today said it would raise prices for its beverage and plastic packaging products this year due to higher input costs.

Gum rescues Cadbury from sticky situation

Even after a year marred by salmonella contamination, product recalls and financial irregularities, Cadbury Schweppes has posted 9 per cent growth in full year profits as the company's portfolio feels the benefit of strongly-performing gum brands.

ConAgra estimates peanut butter recall will cost $60m

ConAgra's recall of peanut butter products linked with the recent salmonella outbreak will cost the company up to $60m, the company said today.

Inspectors to focus on meat plants with problems

Meat processors with poor food safety standards will face tougher and more frequent inspections under proposals made by a regulatory arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Bottle washer reduces energy costs, manufacturer claims

A new heating system for bottle washing can reduce energy costs by up to 30 per cent, claims its manufacturer.

Hershey plan targets supply chain efficiencies

Hershey's three-year restructuring plan provides an example of the moves food companies are making to sort out their supply chains.

Blowtorched sheep can be safe to eat

The practice of making smokies -- blowtorched sheep meat -- can be done hygienically under controlled plant procedures according to a report by the UK food regulator.

Weekly Comment

Coming clean in crisis management

In the area of crisis management, companies seem keen to repeat history by making the same mistakes -- over and over again.

Lawmakers renew call for single food safety agency

An effort to consolidate food safety oversight in the US last week gathered momentum after the reintroduction of the Safe Food Act.

Proposals aim to bring down wall of technical trading rules

New proposals released this week aim to break down the wall of technical rules across the EU that often form a barrier to intra-bloc trading.

Nestlé teams up with Barry Callebaut

Chocolate producers Nestlé and Barry Callebaut have joined forces to improve their respective positions in the competitive European market as the maker of Smarties chocolate hands over facilities and a supply contract to the Swiss processor.

New bottle labeller automatically handles size changes

The new labeler automatically handles various bottle sizes without the need for changeovers.

EU unveils milk shake-up plans

The European Commission has proposed a raft of mini-reforms it says will simplify the EU market for milk and dairy products.

Bernard Matthews denies sales drop figures

Since this story was published Bernard Matthews has confirmed that sales of some products have fallen by 40 per cent on some days since the avian influenza outbreak began.

Bernard Matthews's subsidiary defends poultry trading

Sága Foods, the Hungarian subsidiary of Bernard Matthews, has defended its decision to continue exporting its products throughout the EU, despite an ongoing investigation into a bird flu outbreak at the company's UK operations.

Octanoic acid passes taste, appearence test

Using octanoic acid treatments on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products is an effective means of killing pathogens such as Listeria without much effect on taste, according to a new study.

Regulator releases poultry held over bird flu scare

Bernard Matthews, which is at the centre of a storm over an outbreak of avian influenza at its turkey production site in the UK, has been given the go ahead to release a batch of poultry products held over the possibility they contained meat from Hungarian birds.

Britvic to recycle drinks bottles

UK soft drinks group Britvic will begin recycling its glass drinks bottles, mimicking trends in the premium spirits sector and helping Britain lurch toward its EU recycling commitments.

FSA to discuss EU food labelling policy

The UK's food standards agency is planning a comprehensive review of EU labelling at its annual board meeting this morning.

Traditional French begin switch to bag-in-box wine

The bag-in-box is finally making inroads into France's traditionally conservative wine market, according to experts who gathered here in Montpellier for a seminar this month.

Invention detects stones in dried fruit

Pits and stones that are missed during the processing of dried fruit can be detected using a new low cost innovation, researchers claim.

Central chiller designed for outdoor installation

A new industry central chiller is designed for ouside the factory, freeing up valuable indoor equipment space.

Label paper designed for PET bottles

A new label paper is designed as a more ecological alternative for beverage makers who use polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Debate centres on revision of UK meat inspection system

Further proposals on revising the UK's meat inspection system will be debated tomorrow at a meeting of the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) board of directors.

Tetra Pak convenience package claims prolonged shelf life

A new convenience aseptic package for ice-lollies and juice drinks can hold different volumes without the need for machine changeovers.

Legislators vote in favor of five-step waste hierarchy

EU legislators yesterday voted in favour of proposals to introduce a controversial five-stage hierarchy of priority for the bloc's waste management policy.

Bubble bursts at CCE as job losses loom

Bottling group Coca-Cola Enterprises will cut five per cent of its workforce, around 3,500 jobs, after the firm was flattened by cost rises and falling demand for fizzy drinks.

Hungarian virus link undermines food safety

The effectiveness of Hungarian food safety measures could face renewed criticism after food safety officials yesterday confirmed a link between outbreaks of avian influenza in both countries domestic turkey flocks.

Green crimes take centre stage

Crimes against the environment are to be taken more seriously by several of the world's leading dairy countries, forcing the industry to check standards more rigorously.

Modular workstation designed to withstand frequent washdowns

A modular computer workstation requires no tools for installation or maintenance, reducing downtime and service costs, its manufacturer claims.

Regulator investigates whether H5N1 entered UK food chain

The Food Standards Agency is investigating whether poultry from a Bernard Matthews' production site infected with the avian influenza virus entered the UK food chain and is being sold in stores.

Machine embeds RFID into labels

A new machine embeds radio frequency identification (RFID) tags into 100 labels per minute, accurately and at a low cost, its manufacturer claims.

Cadbury faces prosecution over salmonella, newspaper reports

UK-based Cadbury Schweppes is set to be prosecuted under environmental health laws after the company allegedly released chocolate for sale that was contaminated with salmonella, according to the Guardian newspaper.

Color vision improves processing precision

A new food inspection system uses color vision to automatically detect spoilage and recognize individual products, its manufacturer claims.

Online database develops into useful tool for packagers

An online database allows food companies and others to assess the environmental impact of their product's packaging and make adjustments if necessary.

EU Parliament to vote on waste hierarchy proposal

The EU Parliament opens today with a debate on proposals to introduce a controversial five-stagehierarchy of priority for the bloc's waste policy.

UK publishes first good hygiene guide

The UK has published its first industry good hygiene practice guide, part of a series intended to help manufacturers comply with new EU-wide regulations on food safety.

Flavouring pump offers tamper-proof design

A new tamper-proof flavouring pump for food and beverage processors offers accurate multiple flow rates, while reducing downtime needed for washdowns, its manufacturer claims.

Weekly Comment

Allergens: no room for mistakes

It would be a mistake for governments and industry to misinterpret the recent progress in food allergen labeling as a final solution: there is much that yet remains to be done, for the well-being of both consumers and manufacturers.

Tests detect Alicylobacilli and its off flavours

Three ready-to-use tests provide beverage makers with a means of detecting Alicyclobacilli, blamed for contamination of drinks and for producing off flavours.

Safe and sustainable bio-resin eyes commercialisation

A naturally epoxised oil from Ethiopia's vernonia weed could provide food and drink processors with a safe and sustainable substitute for the resin used to line packaging.

Salmonella DNA test returns faster results

A new salmonella detection system that uses genetic profiling to analyse food samples could slash result times, claim researchers.

Storage of meats could double acrylamide levels

Acrylamide concentration levels almost double during the storage of precooked, battered protein foods, according to a new scientific study.

Bernard Matthews under investigation over Hungarian imports

The investigation into the avian influenza outbreak in the UK took a new twist yesterday, withthe authorities launching an investigation into whether Bernard Matthews' imported the H5N1 virus from Hungary.

EU food regulators meet to discuss common projects, fees

Representatives of regulators in the EU's 27 members begin a two-day meeting today to discuss common proposed projects on food safety issues, data collection, folic acid supplementation, and fees for mandatory risk assessments.

Sweden culls poultry due to Salmonella infection

Sweden's claim to have poultry stocks with the lowest Salmonella infection rates in the EU hascome under severe attack after 100,000 birds had to be culled this week after an outbreak of thedisease.

Overmolded RFID withstands extreme processing

A new radio frequence identification (RFID) tag is designed to withstand extreme processing environments where line-of-sight detection is unsuitable, the company claims.

Meat trade opposes inspection taxes

Government proposals to charge meat processing plants for licensing and inspections are bad for the industry and consumers, according to an influential trade association.

Federal auditor calls for massive reform to food safety system

The current federal system for food safety regulation is fragmented, ineffective and inefficientand needs to be fixed, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Consumers confused by food safety recalls, study finds

Federal warnings of a recall of fresh bagged spinach were effective in getting the message out to consumers, but many others were left confused afterwards, according to a new study.

Bericap introduces tamper-evident closure for vinegar

Packaging supplier Bericap has adapted its tamper-evident neck closure for the vinegar market.

Constellation swoops for Swedish vodka

Constellation Brands has announced it intends to buy the fast-growing Svedka vodka brand for $384m, as the group looks to improve earnings by delving further into the US spirits market.

GE confirms stake in France-based water purfier

US-based GE Energy Financial Services yesterday confirmed it would take a majority interest in Idex Aquaservices, a France-based supplier of purified water to the food, beverage and cosmeticsindustries.

Copper alloys surfaces touted as pathogen killers

Three types of alloy surfaces containing at least 90 per cent copper completely eliminate E. coli O157:H7, according to an ongoing UK study of the pathogen-killing properties of the metal.

Soup system fills without spills, manufacturer claims

A new machine can fill and seal up to 30 pots of soup per minute without spilling a drop, claims its manufacturer.

Produce sector urged to adopt supply chain coding standard

A commonly used global identification standard would improve logistics and should be adopted by the produce sector, according to a food industry association.

DuPont to eliminate PFOA packaging chemical by 2015

DuPont said yesterday it has developed new technologies that will allow the company to eliminate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from packaging by 2015, a move made due to consumers' health concerns about the chemical.

Quality key to future EU food profitability

Quality will be key to a strong European food sector, agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel told a Brussels conference on food quality certification yesterday.

Tesco carbon rating to force greener processing

A major UK supermarket is set to assign a carbon rating to everything it sells, pressurizing manufacturers to become 'greener' or face losing trade.

GE to buy France-based industrial water supplier

France-based Idex Aquaservices, which supplies industrial water to food, beverage and cosmeticsmanufacturers, is about to be bought out by a unit of General Electric, according to the FinancialTimes.

High friction modular belts help protect products

A new range of modular belts come with a high-friction coating to reduce product damage and processing line downtime, claims the manufacturer.

Six countries ban UK poultry exports

With six countries placing import bans on UK poultry due to the outbreak of avian influenza, one of the country's largest processors is fighting a rearguard action to retain its markets.

Food safety remains top in USDA budget proposal

The safety of America's food supply again remains a government priority for next year, according to details released yesterday from the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2008 budget.

Study highlights milk BSE risk

Fears that cows with BSE could pass on the disease to humans via proteins in their milk has gained more credence from a new study, which has encouraged stricter analysis of dairy products.

Robotic egg picker speeds up packing lines

A new robotic egg picker and sorter can reduce labour costs by about 83 per cent and improves packing quality, claims its manufacturer.

Food industry calls for a more balanced biofuel policy

With the increasing use of some of their raw materials for the production of biofuels, the foodindustry is calling on the European Commission to take measures to ensure they do not face further price hikes for their supplies.

Test aids sugarcane extraction

A new test has been developed to aid sugar processors in the difficult task of extracting the substance from raw sugarcane.

Avian influenza hits UK domestic flock

Poultry processors across Europe are bracing themselves for another downturn in consumption after the discovery of the deadly form of bird flu in a domestic flock of turkeys in the UK.

Weekly Comment

Food versus fuel: is a happy ending possible?

The era of biofuels is here but this does not necessarily mean unending food price shocks or a critical diversion of agricultural production away from food.

X-ray detects hidden chicken bones

A new x-ray and colour vision hybrid system, allows faster poultry processing, by detecting embedded bones and defects missed during the deboning of chicken carcasses, its manufacturer claims.

EU to drop dairy hygiene case against UK

The European Commission is expected to drop a court case against the UK over dairy hygiene practices, following an inspection of the country's industry, this publication understands.

UK food training academy gets green light

A National Skills Academy for workers in Britain's food and drink manufacturing sector will open this April, in the latest attempt to reduce a shortfall of qualified employees.

Asda aims to cut own label packaging by 25 per cent

UK supermarket chain Asda has announced that it intends to reduce the amount of own label packaging by 25 per cent over the next twelve months.

Retailers 'receptive' to milk price increases

Supermarkets in the UK have softened their stance on farmgate milk prices in recent weeks, as public scrutiny of the dairy supply chain has grown.

Tate & Lyle to close UK citric acid plant

Tate & Lyle has been forced to close its UK citric acid operations in the face of intense competition from Chinese imports and oversupply in the world market.

Chemical online portal goes global

Food and drink companies can now get a second opinion on their chemical analysis using the world's first global online product safety assessment portal, its provider claims.

'All-natural' extract prevents meat oxidation

A new solvent-free extract reduces lipid oxidization -- extending shelf life of meat -- while protecting the flavour, its manufacturer claims.

New PP grade cuts need for multiple sealing films

A new grade of polypropylene (PP) reduces production costs for converters by eliminating the need for different sealing films, its manufacturer claims.

Oxygen-scavenging PET gets the all clear

A newly developed clear monolayer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an oxygen-scavenging barrier can now be used for packaging ketchup after gaining regulatory approval in the US this month.

Labor board rules against Smithfield in union vote

Stung by a labor board ruling against it and a $1.1m settlement, Smithfield Foods has been forced to announce it will allow workers to hold a new vote on unionisation at its giant Tar Heel, North Carolina.

Manufacturing software integrates shop floor data

As part of the wave of new networking products that integrate management tools with shop floordata, Informance International has released its version of what is called manufacturing intelligence (MI) software.