Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

New SRM rules reduce processor costs, free up supplies

The age limit at which the vertebral column must be removed from beef carcasses without specific measures has been lifted from 24 to 30 months, which should help reduce processors' costs and free up supplies.

Arsenic in baby rice sparks calls for updated regulations

A lack of regulation means a third of baby rice on sale in the UK contains worryingly high levels of carcinogenic inorganic arsenic, according to researchers.

Machine-makers highlight hygiene at Interpack

Easy-clean design is a major priority for designers of processing equipment, say companies at Interpack introducing their latest innovations to the market.

Montezuma starts shift to green packaging

British chocolatier Montezuma is one of the latest confectionery companies to promote its green credentials by introducing recycled and recyclable packaging.

Trans-fats harm mechanism proposed

Trans fatty acids (TFA), an enfant terrible of the food industry, may promote cardiovascular disease by triggering inflammatory processes in the cells lining blood vessels, American scientists report.

Packager looks to uncap closure potential

Food processors wishing to maximise the value of jarred food products should look to using closures to literally add an extra sparkle to their goods, according to a leading packaging supplier.

BfR expands food safety role by increasing expertise

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is tightening food safety measures by creating fourteen new committees to provide expert advice on food, feed and consumer product safety.

Fruit drinks squeeze UK soft drink growth potential

The growing prevalence of smoothies and other fruit based-beverages in Britain's soft drinks market failed to prevent overall sales volumes declines within the industry during 2007, according to the British Soft Drink Association (BSDA).

Tesco carbon footprint labels back organic, says Soil Association

Organic potatoes have the same carbon footprint as conventionally grown varieties, shows an assessment by supermarket Tesco.

Mars-Wrigley merger creates world's largest confectionery player

Leading global confectioners Mars and the Wrigley have announced that they will merge, creating what Bill Wrigley called 'the world's leading confectionery company'.

Health claim 'Chinese whispers' may haunt approval process

"Subtle language differences" may confound regulators in the midst of translating thousands of health claims ahead of a pan-European 2010 approval deadline, according to various industry sources.

Record world wheat production forecast in 2008/09

The International Grains Council (IGC) and Rabobank Group, a specialist in food and agribusiness banking, forecast that the prospect of a record world wheat harvest in 2008/09 could help to reduce wheat prices on global markets.

Zip-Pak sees zipper's first use for meat in Europe

Zip-Pak is expecting that the first use of its re-sealable zipper on deli meat packaging in Europe will lead to a new trend that will have sustainability and marketing benefits for food manufacturers.

FDF encourages best practice for greener supply chain

A one day conference organised by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the London Technology Network (LTN) was held last week to encourage food and drinks companies to share their knowledge and experience on making the industry greener.

Weekly comment

No quick fix to the food price crisis

The food crisis is neither new nor sudden. The several underlying causes have been independently, steadily gathering speed and have collided in a perfect storm not seen for generations. It is going to take a coordinated, long-term effort to untangle them.

EU warns of end to cheap food and looming global crisis

EU development commissioner Louis Michel has warned that the days of "cheap food are over" and that the world faces a major food crisis unless there is a global response to higher prices.

Reducing food waste a matter of compliance, expert

Huge volumes of food waste could be diverted from land-fill sites and back to the table, if only there was proper attention was paid to processes and compliance with regulatory safeguards, according to an industry expert.

Food Design opens new chocolate panning room

UK-based Food Design has extended its chocolate coating facilities as a means of increasing its market reach in both the UK and worldwide.

EU glass bottle makers accused of price fixing

A German member of the European Parliament (MEP) has called on the European Commission (EC) to investigate claims that glass bottle makers have been fixing prices.

Cross-linked pectin to lead to better emulsions for food?

Using enzymes to cross-link pectin may produce new emulsions with enhanced functional properties, and opportunities for food formulators, American researchers report.

Industry innovation to be covered at Interpack

Packagers and processors will today gather in Dusseldorf, Germany for the opening of the Interpack trade show with innovation across the food production chain firmly on the agenda.

Cargill cranks up European operations with Polish expansion

Ingredients firm Cargill yesterday completed the expansion of its Polish wheat processing facility, designed to meet consumer demand across the European bloc.

Safer, smarter, simpler: the future of packaging

Food packaging will in the future have to offer more protection, greater flexibility and be simpler to produce, according to trends identified by Oman-based packaging group Octal.

Packager enters can coating innovation deal

Nordson will work with US-based Sensory Analytics in a collaboration it claims will allow it to improve quality and reduce the costs of coating beverage cans and other metallic packaging.

UK industry following quality standard guidelines, FSA

British food companies are by and large playing by the rules when it comes to providing information to consumers about the quality of the food they are eating.

Swiss food retailers demand information on nanotech

Switzerland's leading food retailers have introduced a new code of conduct that will oblige their food and packaging suppliers to provide detailed information about nanotechnology products.

Dekker ingredient makes pricey oils last longer

Jan Dekker has launched a new ingredient to extend the use of vegetable oils for frying - an innovation expected to save costs for manufacturers as oil prices soar.

News briefs: AB Foods, Nestle, Cadbury and volatile commodities

The global commodity market continues to worry confectionery and sugar firms, as AB Foods profit is dented by sugar reforms, Nestle combats costs with price hikes, and Cadbury may be ripe for takeover.

Wild removes bitter taste of antioxidants

Ingredients supplier Wild has introduced a solution for adding natural antioxidants to light-coloured ice cream and baked goods products without compromising on flavour.

Nordson, Sensory Analytics combine measurement technologies

Nordson, the US-based producer of coating measurement machinery for packaging manufacturers, has teamed up with compatriot Sensory Analytics to offer a wider range of facilities to its clients.

Stork, Marel merger gets EU green light

The European Commission (EC) has given the go ahead to the acquisition of Stork Food Systems (SFS) by Marel after an investigation by the European competition authorities.

Green packaging still facing barriers to growth, report

Food companies wanting to swap plastic packaging for biomass polymer-based alternatives to stress their green credentials still face a number of barriers, according to a new report.

Additive-free tops beverage claim list

Preservative and additive free knocked low sugar off the top spot of leading beverage claims in 2007, according to the Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD).

Syngenta sowing seeds to meet full-year sales growth

Syngenta expects to exceed its sales estimates for the 2008 fiscal year after a strong first quarter for its operations globally.

Weekly Comment

The dangers of selective science

Antioxidants are back under the microscope for all the wrong reasons. But the use of meta-analyses to pool data is controversial, and scientists need to keep perspective before publishing conclusions.

Companies urged to 'green' their supply chain

Firms should look at measures to make their supply chains 'greener' not only because it is seen as 'doing the right thing' but because it is also the 'right thing to do', a new study suggests.

Ireland issues multi-lingual food labelling guidance

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published new labelling guidance for food manufacturers, which it hopes will help international companies meet the nation's labeling requirements.

Tetra Pak sales reach record high

Sales at Swedish packaging group Tetra Pak reached €8.7bn in 2007, a 6.1 per cent increase on the previous year, the company said last week.

Imperial Sugar to rebuild refinery damaged in blast

The Imperial Sugar Co today said it will rebuild the parts of its Georgia sugar refinery that were damaged in last year's explosion, reinstating it as the second largest refinery in the US.

Flavanol content of cocoa cut during manufacturing

Alkalising cocoa beans reduces the total flavanoid content by two-thirds, reducing the antioxidant potential of the product, according to new research.

BASF to extend biodegradable focus

BASF is planning to significantly step up production of its biodegradable plastic materials amidst growing demand from various industries including packagers.

EFSA calls for caution on bacterial resistance

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says that the growing use of antimicrobial agents in food could be damaging human resistance to bacteria and other microbes.

Canadian packaging group opts for ethical sourcing

Canada's Earthcycle, a producer of palm fibre-based packaging, has confirmed that its source material is made from sustainable sources that have not contributed to deforestation.

Sidel invests to target Mexican wellness demand

Processing group Sidel is investing €3m into its Mexican packaging operations in a bid to keep up with changing industry demand in the wider Central American beverage market.

New BPA evidence piles pressure on FDA to set exposure limits

Pressure is growing on the US Food and Drug Administration to set new restrictions on the use of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging following a new safety study.

Ingredients firm targets local sourcing cooperation

Cobell, a UK-based nationwide fruit ingredient supplier, is aiming to step up local sourcing for its products by teaming up with a regional promotion agency in the South-West of England.

Amcor sells European flexible packaging plants

Australian packaging giant Amcor has announced the sale of two of its European flexible packaging production facilities as part of its restructuring programme.

Green logos create brand tension

Logos to identify green products and packaging will become increasingly common, but could lead to tension as competitors fight to keep their brands looking unique, says industry expert.

Bill Bryson's deposit plan fails to sway drink makers

Soft drink manufacturers have branded calls for the adoption of a nationwide deposit scheme on bottles and beverage cans by a UK-based environmental charity as unworkable.

Biodegradable packaging makes UK cereal debut

A new compostable laminate is making its UK market debut with the re-launch of a popular cereal brand.

Green efforts too often fall foul of scepticism

Companies with good green intentions face tough challenges in substantiating their advertising claims, leading to accusations of 'green washing', says an industry expert.

New technology driving US food safety sales

New products designed to help food processors verify the safety of their products at every stage of the food production process are driving sales in a buoyant US market, a new report states.

Farmers hit out at dairy attacks

The UK National Farmer's Union (NFU) has hit out at 'fashionable' environmental criticisms of dairy and other livestock-based farming it claims are based on outdated exaggerations.

ADS stays ahead of the market with greener machines

ADS, a French supplier of blow moulding machinery for PET bottles, is redesigning its entire range ahead of anticipated demand for more environmentally friendly machines.

Cryovac extends vacuum packing for cost demands

The manufacturer of vacuum skin packaging technology for food and dairy products has developed a new machine designed specifically for lower output cost effective processing.

Italian wine protection questioned, says report

A scandal has engulfed the manufacturers of one of Italy's most prestigious wine varieties over claims that it is failing to meet its own strict production guidelines, the US department of Agriculture (USDA) has said.

French food firms preoccupied by safety

Food safety is the main preoccupation of the French food industry, according to a recent survey commissioned by the organisers of a major food processing exhibition.

Chalk-based dairy packaging enters home market

A new packaging product produced from chalk by Swedish firm Ecolean has been launched in its home market after several successful years in China and Russia.

EFSA flags high intakes in lycopene safety opinion

Lycopene from natural sources and as a food colour would likely be within the ADI for most people, concludes EFSA, but its use in beverages is high and young children may consume more.

US salmonella outbreak linked to cereal

A salmonella infection spreading through states in the US could be linked to a recently recalled batch of cereal, the nation's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

Nitrogen vs CO2: Air Products' handy guide

Air Products has commissioned a new study that will help food processors navigate their way through the potential minefield of meat chilling products.

Renewed calls for European ban on Southampton additives

Forty-two organisations across Europe have united to call for the Commission to suspend the use of the six colourings linked to hyperactivity in the Southampton study.

Americhem targets cross-industry pack innovation

Americhem, a manufacturer of encapsulated additives for the packaging industry, has opened a new research centre it claims will allow food and beverage processors to adapt technologies from other industries into their own products.

New guidelines to help food industry communicate safety risk

Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published new guidelines on how it will communicate with both the food industry and the general public during "food incidents".

Skullcap needs to wear quality hat

The active constituents in many botanical products varies greatly, leading to anomalies in efficaciousness which damage the whole sector, according to UK researchers.

Nanoparticles could improve food safety

Silver nanoparticles could improve the safety of the world's food supply, according to a research project at Iowa State University.

Irradiation key to fruit and veg safety, study

A new study claims that irradiation is the safest method of reducing the risk of foodborne diseases such as E. coli in fruit and vegetables.

Irish food authorities review tuberculosis meat concerns

Ireland's food safety authority (FSAI) has published an updated report on the potential for transmission of zoonotic tuberculosis through the food chain.

EU delays launch of organic logo

The launch of the European Commission's organic logo, scheduled for 2009, has been delayed following complaints it was too similar to a symbol used by German supermarket Aldi.

High acid drinks packaging devised for eco-improvements

A new range of resealable beverage cartons offers a more environmentally friendly method of packaging high acid ambient drinks like sport beverages and iced tea in a variety of sizes, according to its manufacturer.

Canada proposes crackdown on food safety

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday unleashed a proposed consumer safety bill that could force food manufacturers in the country to improve tracking of suppliers and processes.

Sustainable labels planned for global beverage brands

Plans for a new global system to measure and record the carbon footprint of beverages on their packaging labels is being launched at the InnoBev Global Soft Drinks Congress in Moscow today.

Food firms urged to help monitor imports of Chinese rice

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling on food firms to help ensure that Chinese rice and products made from that rice being used in the UK do not contain the unauthorised GM Bt63.

Consumers go for green products, Mintel

Research by Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows that an increasing number of new products boast environmentally-friendly claims.

US warming to air chilled chicken

Seven US poultry processing plants have switched to using air chilling equipment to meet EU import requirements for the product, with more expected to follow, according to USDA researchers.

Dairy flavourings designed for clean label sugar reduction

A new range of natural flavourings for use in dairy formulations offer a clean label alternative to existing products and reduce sugar content by as much 30 per cent, according to the manufacturer.

Global consumer conscience to boost fair-trade sales

Increased consumer sensitivity to ethical shopping will send the UK fair-trade market rocketing to over £800m (€1,000m) by 2012, according to a new report.

Packaging waste fine highlights food industry obligations

The UK food industry has received a gentle reminder of the need to recycle part of its packaging waste, after a frozen food firm was slapped with a fine for breaching Producer Responsibility Regulations.

Purac helps cut salt without raising listeria risk

Biochemicals company Purac has stepped up development in products that prevent growth of listeria bacterium as reformulation to cut salt content increases the risk of the food-borne illness.

STV launches plastic click box for confectionery

Packaging supplier Ileos STV (Seufert Transparente Verpackungen) says that its new plastic click-top box provides confectioners with the transparency required to showcase their products and set them apart from the competition.

FSA appoints expert body on food contaminants

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) as the central UK, expert body on contaminants in food, to help and advise the Agency across a range of food contaminant issues.

MAP packager used for cheese process ease

A flow wrap packaging technology can allow cheese processors to package a variety of different goods with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) on a single line, according to its manufacturer.

RFID tracking system stores wine bottle data

Franco-American technology firm eProvenance has developed a tracking system for the wine industry, designed to preserve the quality of fine wines and trace their origin.

Olympic ideals raise bar on supplements contamination

Greece's Olympic weightlifting team is blaming contaminated Chinese-made food supplements for some of its members being charged with doping violations.

Retail suppliers should all get fair deal, says pressure group

International poverty pressure group ActionAid has called for a system that would dissuade UK retailers from transferring excessive costs and risks to their suppliers.

New resealable can targets on-the-go consumption

Beverage can producer Ball Packaging Europe has developed a resealable beverage can, which the company claims could change the face of the beverage can market.

Software simplifies supply systems, says manufacturer

A newly devised software solution for warehousing could allow food processors to streamline their entire storage and distribution operations into a single more efficient system, according to the developer.

Omega-3 EPA may benefit depressives, says study

Dietary supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may ease symptoms associated with depression, suggests a joint Anglo-Iranian study.

Weekly comment

HFCS and the battle for natural

It is hard for food companies not to get drawn into the temptation of using attractive label claims that may be shrouded by a veil of doubt. But the real risk comes when the 'if you don't know, don't ask' question is finally answered.

US issues guidance on new food technology tests

The US Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a guidance for professionals in the food industry on how to request a waiver of food safety and regulatory requirements to allow for testing of new technology.

Gum Technology cracks problem of expensive eggs

Gum Technology is introducing a new line of hydrocolloid and stabilizer blends to replace eggs in custards, doughs and baked goods, in an effort to help manufacturers reduce the impact of high egg prices.

Packer designed to step up efficiency and changeover times

A manufacturer of case and tray packaging equipment for the food industry claims its latest development allows processors greater flexibility in packaging a variety of different products on the same machine.

Irish food authority tackles cryptosporidium

Ireland's Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has issued guidance to food producers on how to prevent and limit the effects of a cryptosporidium outbreak from water contamination.

Cyclodextrins to boost shelf-life of fresh-cut fruit

Mexican researchers are evaluating the use of cyclodextrins as carriers for anti-microbial ingredients in fresh-cut products, as the industry looks to alternatives to chlorine solutions for preserving fresh-cut vegetables.

Antimicrobial meat decontaminates step nearer after EFSA verdict

Four antimicrobial substances used for decontaminating poultry carcasses do not affect consumer bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said this week.

Pregnant women told to avoid BPA packaging

A US health-advocacy group has warned that pregnant women should reduce their exposure to packaging that contains bisphenol A (BPA) to avoid passing the controversial chemical to their unborn children.

ICCO places more focus on sustainable cocoa

Sustainable cocoa production and standards were the focus of the first meeting of a working group for the Roundtable on a Sustainable Cocoa Economy (RSCE), organised last month by the International Cocoa Organisation.

Inulin range offers obesity solutions

Cosucra Groupe Warcoing has launched two new ingredients designed to boost fibre and reduce sugar in food and beverage products.

Semolina replacer cuts pasta costs

Advanced Food Systems aims to ease the impact of rising wheat prices with the launch of an ingredient system to reduce semolina, thereby saving costs on pasta production.

PakSense develops standard temperature-monitoring labels

PakSense's temperature monitoring labels for fresh food products in transit are now easier to order and are delivered to customers more quickly, according to the company.

ITW creates new EU packaging division

US-based Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has established a new division, ITW Packaging, which the company says will focus on providing multipack technologies to the European food markets.

Salmonella study to build prebiotics knowledge

Studies are underway to investigate the use of galacto-oligosaccharides to protect animals from salmonella infection, both to reduce the risk of the bacteria entering the food chain and increase knowledge on prebiotics' benefits.

UK firm adopts US whole grain stamp

Bakels claims to be the first UK company to use the popular US Whole Grain Stamp, and will launch its new revamped packaging at the Bakery Industry Exhibition in Birmingham next week.

House flies carry salmonella risk for poultry

The common house fly may pose a threat to the safety of poultry products as they are able to spread salmonella poisoning to healthy hens, say researchers.

EU mulls appeal over WTO growth hormone decision

The European Commission will consider appealing against this week's ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that condemns its ban on imports of meat containing growth hormones.

GB Environmental acquires Kaiku for food focus

Processing technology company GB Environmental has acquired rival Kaiku as part of company efforts to increase its market share in the food industry.

Screening chip could speed up pathogen detection in animals

A new screening chip designed to detect diseases in poultry and livestock could help limit supply problems and economic loss, which have been a considerable headache for meat processors in recent cases of disease outbreak.

Hybrid packaging designed for green benefits

New re-sealable packaging for beverages, designed as a hybrid between a bottle, can and pouch, offers processors both environmental and convenience benefits for their products, according to its manufacturer.

Rice bran offers health benefits over wheat flour

Using stabilised rice bran (SRB) in battered and fried products in place of wheat flour cuts fat, calories, sodium content and cost, according to new research.