New online food risk assessment tool

Gauging food safety risks will become easier thanks to the EasyRisk Manager online assessment tool, claims its manufacturer Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

Japanese car philosophy inspires process efficiency model

Researchers from Sweden have developed an evaluation model for food process systems to improve production flow and minimize waste that is based on a Japanese philosophy.

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“All of humanity under threat”

The World Health Organisation has delivered its direst warning yet about the implications of swine flu stating that “All of humanity is under threat.”

Meat stabilisers designed to help cut production costs

Danisco has developed a new series of ingredients for processed meat products that it claims can help improve yield and cut costs in production whilst maintaining quality.

Machine range targets water use and whey for greener cheese

An ongoing focus on efficient water use by Tetra Pak has led to the development of more cost effective, environmentally friendly cheese production equipment, claims the manufacturer.

One-stop-shop for sustainable food issues launched

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...

Cool solution for deep-freeze food and drink storage and transport

A reusable, cheaper, eco-friendly and easy-to-handle alternative to dry ice with food and beverage applications are the claims made for PureTemp -40, launched by Entropy Solutions, based in Minneapolis, US.

California declares swine flu emergency

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,...

New ultrasonic sensors clean up

New ultrasonic sensors for use in the food and beverage industry have been launched by Banner Engineering, based in Minneapolis, US.

Swine flu impacts global economy

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...

Sedex supplier-led database strengthens opportunities in ethical supply chain

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.

£10m top up for processing UK food waste

The extra £10m funding for processing UK food waste announced in the recent UK budget will allow more than 300,000 additional tonnes of food waste to be processed every year,...

Weighty answers from new packaging research

Weight and packaging material are the key factors influencing the environmental impact of ambient food packaging systems, according to new research from German carton manufacturer SIG Combibloc.

DSM makes liquid solution for sausage and cheese preservation

DSM is launching a new liquid solution for preserving sausages and cheeses, which is said to allow for even surface coverage and overcome the dust and stickiness problems associated with...

Swine flu sparks global health emergency

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...

New checkweighers meet HACCP requirements, says developer

Two new checkweighing scales have both been durably constructed for demanding production environments and heavy sanitary washdowns, claims their US-based manufacturer, Rice Lake Weighing Systems.

Industry involvement sought in waste targeted project

Greater clarity on which supply chains areas to prioritise for action on waste could help food and drink manufacturers as well as grocery retailers identify opportunities to make cost and...

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Dole in move to further cut water footprint

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...

FDA relaxes prior notice rule for food imports

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...

Potato sorter aims to optimise TCO

A modularly designed automated potato sorter that uses cameras to recognize colour, size and shape can maximize a food processor’s long-term return on investment, says Key Technology.

New Welsh food safety centre

Improved safety standards and greater support for the food industry in Wales are the twin goals of a new research centre opened yesterday at the School of Health Sciences, which...

Microflora research centre launched in Holland

Dutch research institute, TNO, has brought its microbial research services under one roof by launching a centre dedicated to the task and specialising in advanced DNA diagnostic methods.

Boost to Defra bee plan but no pesticide ban

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...

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New design and pack size for Cadbury brands

UK chocolate maker Cadbury has revamped the design and pack size for its Boost and Double Decker brands, in an attempt to boost the 'aisle appeal' of the products.

Biosensor allows rapid testing of L. monocytogenes in food - study

US and Indian scientists have developed a new biosensor for use in a faster, more sensitive test for detecting the deadliest strain of Listeria food poisoning bacteria, according to an...

PepsiCo to introduce compostable crisp bag for SunChips

Further signs that snack makers are delving deeper into green packaging initiatives with US behemoth PepsiCo attesting that by 2010 its SunChips brand will boast a 100 per cent compostable...

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Mars aims to turn chocolate bar wrappers into new products

A partnership with a leading upcycling company will enable the reuse of both surplus and used packaging from food, drink, gum and confectionery products, claims confectionery giant, Mars

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China in bid to reduce food safety risk

Food safety monitoring in China has been stepped up significantly since the authorities launched a nationwide drive in December against illegal additives, reports China Daily.

More accurate shelf-life with new calibration kit

Less downtime, more accurate shelf life forecasts and reduced food spoilage are promised for a new calibration package, incorporating both hardware and software, from US-based Mocon, manufacturer of headspace gas...

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Wrigley SWOT analysis gives info for friends and foes

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

Licence deal for rapid pathogen killing technology

A new technology that can kill foodborne pathogens in a minute has been licensed to an anti-bacteria product manufacturer, according to the US university that developed it.

SAP upgrade for UK baker slashes response times for customers

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.

Healthy lifestyle trend influences machine design

Increasing consumer demand for less processed food was a driver for the enhancement of an existing horizontal flow wrapper to allow it to be used for the packaging of fruit...

Consumers rank glass as most eco packaging material, says FEVE

Half of those surveyed in a European wide study said that glass has a more positive impact on the environment than other packaging materials such as plastics, metal cans and...

Danisco beating mercury poisoning claims

Initial claims that Danish supplier Danisco was responsible for mercury poisoning of workers at one of its vitamin plants in the 1960s and 1970s have been dismissed by a Danish...

X-ray can alleviate portion control dairy difficulty - manufacturer

An X-ray inspection system range already used in dairy production to alert against potential contaminants can also offer manufacturers applications in portion control to cut down on waste, claims its...

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Tubed vodka packs fail Portman test

A vodka-based drink sold in test tubes has been dropped from sale in UK pubs, bars and nightclubs after an industry led corporate responsibility group ruled that it breaks a...

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Bakery ingredients supplier BakeMark USA launches tri-lingual website

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

ELISA kits make allergen testing easier, claims Oxoid

European food manufacturers can now use the ELISA Systems range of food allergen tests kits alongside the regular range of microbiological tests from Oxoid, according to the diagnostics company.

Savings in labour and safety costs with vertical stacker for baked goods

A partnership between UK manufacturer of hotplate baking equipment Sugden and US firm Forpak brings 'Grouper' stacking equipment to the market for reducing human contamination and labour costs.

Food grade recycled PP may be on the horizon

A research project that aims to ascertain the feasibility of recycling polypropylene (PP) into food grade packaging is underway in the UK.

Studies link packaging chemical to childhood obesity

Endocrine disruptors such as phthalates used in food packaging could be linked to childhood obesity, according to two studies from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

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

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

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...

UK food sector seeks eco incentives and skills push

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...

New tool may offer faster palletizing for heavy cases

A new automated palletizing system has been specifically developed to enable rapid vacuum handling of heavy cases while enhancing worker safety for a broad range of industries, including the food...

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Profits in the can for Crown

Food and beverage can manufacturer, Crown Holdings, reported net income for the first three months of 2009 was $40m compared with $27m last year.

Green microbiocide said to clean up infections

A new microbiocide for food processing facilities called Excelyte is more effective, greener, safer and cheaper than conventional products, according to its manufacturers.

Kellogg makes think-tank’s top ethical list

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.

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IFT to host IP swap shop

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.

New Purac product cuts acrylamide formation

Purac has developed a new calcium lactate product which it claims can reduce acrylamide in snacks by up to 80 per cent without affecting crispiness and taste.

Study urges food processors to keep consumers in the loop

Educating consumers about new technology that enables the production of minimally processed foods is critical to ensuring that they will pay extra for such products, according to findings published in...

Chocolatiers may face supply chain challenges in waste battle

Confectioners are succeeding in looking beyond the lucrative Easter period to cut down on their packaging use, though the industry may yet have to commit to future waste reductions across...

X-ray protection against food contamination

Improved protection against the contamination of wrapped confectionery and other food products with metals and plastics is claimed for the new small-size version of Ishida Europe’s X-ray inspection system. ...

Further backing for restrictions in use of BPA

A legislative committee in the US state of Connecticut has unanimously endorsed limitations on making, selling or distributing products in the state made with bisphenol-A (BPA).

Cost reduction model from Packology spears packaging savings

Cost reduction in the packaging-driven supply chain is at the core of a savings model designed by UK packaging consultants Packology.

UK food safety agency in fraud crackdown

A new food fraud division will support local authorities to take swift action to stop illegal activity as well as helping them uncover cases where the consumer has been misled,...

Reusable pack focus requires further supply efficiency

As UK dairy processors continue to push ahead with developments in reusable packaging schemes like bagged milk, further work is required within the supply chain for wider long-term success, claims...

Data shows no decrease in rate of US food related outbreaks

Progress in the prevention of foodborne illnesses in the US has stalled, admits the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

North American meat sector target of Listeria technology

Netherlands based company, EBI Food Safety, has announced that it has teamed up with US distributor World Technology Ingredients (WTI) to accelerate the penetration of its GRAS approved phage based...

Older generations focus on eco packaging - study

A consumer’s age profile can influence whether they base their purchasing decisions on the eco-friendliness of packaging, according to a new US survey.

Labour watchdog calls for Fairtrade commitment from Mars

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...

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FDF adds environmental category to CPA awards

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.

Safety accreditation award for bakery supplier

Specialist bakery and food processing equipment supplier European Process Plant has won a leading safety accreditation standard underlining the company’s commitment to implementing top health and safety standards.

Green supply chain stance required by retailers - INCPEN

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...

Cool energy savings for frozen food makers

Using electrical equipment more precisely could help frozen food companies shave up to 15 per cent off their electricity bills, according to a new report from the British Frozen Food...

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Bosch streamlines packaging businesses

Bosch Packaging Technology has reorganised its packaging and processing businesses.

Swifter fusarium test for grain

A new weapon in the war against fusarium species in grain received approval recently from the US national grain inspection system.

Illegal yellow prompts spate of spice recalls

The presence of banned colouring methyl yellow in food spices in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Germany has led to a slate of recalls; although not affecting finished foods for now,...

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Environmental protection in the bag

Get A Bag Habit is the name of a new campaign launched by the British Retail Consortium to encourage shoppers to reuse carrier bags.

Food concerns boost disinfectant sales

Concerns about food-borne pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella will contribute to sales of more than $1.2bn/year for disinfectant and antimicrobial chemicals in the US by 2013, according...

Sticky ink makes bottling codes stick

New sticky ink from coding and marking specialist Linx Printing Technologies is behind the company’s new bottle coding solution designed to cope with a range of challenging environments.

New toolkit to ‘future-proof’ food businesses for challenges ahead

The UK’s Food Ethics Council has launched a new toolkit to help businesses prepare for future challenges to the food system, as it expects some major unpredictable changes are just...

Generator updates target compact nitrogen efficiency

A supplier of nitrogen gas generators with applications for food and beverage processing says it has updated its lower volume range of products to provide cost and space savings in...

Bioplastic switch for Easter egg packaging to power 350,000 homes

Switching Easter egg packaging to a biodegradable plastic made from corn starch could save enough energy to power 350,000 homes, claims a developer of a corn-based plastic.

Green goals key to euro pack development - report

Traditional packaging development drivers such as creating brand identity, high speed filling, convenience and even protection have fallen in importance compared to environmental issues, suggests new findings.

Pava looks to Asia-Africa for export expansion

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.

NSF issues new awards for packaging achievements

A Lifetime Achievement Award for contributions to food packaging and processing will be awarded to Phillip Minerich, vice president of Research and Development for Hormel Foods.

Packaging solutions for climate change

Minimising food packaging, boosting processing efficiency and avoiding food waste could make powerful contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the US food industry, according to a new report.

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USDA launches Spanish food safety podcasts

A new food safety podcast series in Spanish has been launched by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

New decontamination application for sensitive beverages

Longer shelf life, improved environmental standards and greater cost effectiveness are claimed for liquid packaging specialist Sidel’s dry preform decontamination system which can now be applied to the PET...

New super swift salmonella detection kit

A new, rapid detection kit to identify Salmonella species in foods has received approval from the international accreditation body, the Association of Analytical Communities.

New kit in acrylamide 'war' targets asparagine analysis

Snack makers on the alert for acrylamide formation in their baked products have a new tool at their disposal to rapidly analyse asparagine levels.

Packagers seek water-pack alternatives amidst bottle gloom

Environmental criticisms over the impact of bottling mineral water is expected to lead to stagnant growth in the segment over the coming year, potentially forcing manufacturers to rethink their packaging,...

Cautious optimism for food and drink packaging sector

Packaging converters trying to pass on recent polymer price hikes to their food and drink manufacturing customer base may feel less resistance to such moves in the coming months with...

New carton loader for pre-cooked and fresh meats

A new case and carton loading machine, with applications in the pre-packed and fresh meats sector, has been launched by UK firm Sewtec Automation.

New conveyor said to deliver higher hygiene standards

Improved hygiene standards, greater energy efficiency and easier maintenance are claimed for a new conveyor designed specifically for the beverage and food industry to be launched later this month...

Supplier offers space age sorting for vegetable safety

Buhler Sortex claims that it can provide vegetable processors with satellite inspired sorting equipment that distinguishes between the textures of desirable and foreign materials during packaging.

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Hands-on conference focuses on food for healthcare

The semi-annual Healthy Kitchen, Healthy Lives conference kicked off in California’s Napa Valley on Thursday, bringing together experts from the fields of nutrition science, health care and the culinary...

Cocoa stakeholders agree sustainability action plan

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...

Collaboration to solve dough behaviour problems

The flour specialist Mühlenchemie has teamed up with a manufacturer of dough testing equipment to help its customers improve the properties and consistency of flour and solve application problems quickly....

Bioplastics show potential but some hurdles remain

New developments could help bioplastics emerge from its early infancy in the coming years, according to a report from Environmental Data Services, but some obstacles still remain.

Further delay to freight toll directive

Disagreement among members states means a decision to impose a new toll of a few cents per kilometre on freight haulage companies based on the polluter pays principle has been...

Calls for market withdrawal of nano products

Products containing nanotechnology which are already on the market should be withdrawn until safety assessments can be made, claims the European Parliament’s environment committee.

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Ghana boosts cocoa processing output

Ghana's Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) has more than doubled its cocoa bean processing capacity to 64,500 tonnes a year, after completing a five-year rehabilitation and expansion programme.

Audit may boost light weighting of packaging

A consumer packaging audit that encourages shoppers to leave behind what they view as excess packaging is designed to inform a wider research project, claims a leading UK retailer.

Amaranth may extend gluten-free bread shelf-life: Study

An extract from amaranth may extend the shelf-life of both gluten-containing and gluten-free breads, according to new research from Italy.

Filtration group eyes European dairy potential

A US supplier of filtration equipment for processing milk or whey proteins and recovering cheese brine hopes to push further into the European market with new offices for technical support...

Ben & Jerry's stunt highlights concern over clones in food chain

Ben & Jerry’s has fessed up to creating an online presence for a fictitious company selling cloned milk as a publicity stunt, as campaigners believe that the offspring of cloned...

Milk and juice consumption hike stimulates growth, claims Tetra Pak

Packaging and processing equipment supplier, Tetra Pak, said it is optimistic about continued growth in the food and drink sectors it operates in despite the difficult global economy.  

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New site offers enhanced food safety data, says FSAI

A newly enhanced Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) website provides information on HACCP as well as a section on ‘legislation’ which has links to all the Irish and international...

Cognex claims package sensor is highly flexible

A new vision sensor which can monitor food and beverage packaging enables simple setup and can be programmed to suit a particular application, says its manufacturer.  

Sales dip boosts line efficiency services, says Sidel

Sidel said it is turning to bottling line optimisation in light of the fact that beverage and liquid food manufacturers have not been investing significantly in new production capacity since...

Cost savings identified in carbon label move for shortbread

Mindful of its carbon footprint, Mey Selections is the first consumer goods company in Scotland to gain a carbon reduction label following data-mining efforts to pinpoint carbon emissions along...