Practical Guide to Metal Detection-Food Industry
Fortress Technology
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30-Jun-2010
Food safety metrics and partnerships are key, say US agencies
Federal bodies in the United States are to hold public meetings to outline new proposals on how to measure food safety, with one senior figure warning that if initiatives weren’t...
Australia introduces voluntary bisphenol A phase out
International pressure to eliminate bisphenol A from food contact materials intensified yesterday after the Australian Government unveiled a deal with major retailers to begin the immediate phasing out of baby...
FDA urges phasing out of antibiotics in meat
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has produced draft guidelines for reducing the use of growth-promoting antibiotic drugs for meat-producing animals, saying it contributes to drug resistance in humans.
News in brief
Upgrade to eco-packaging measurement tool
An upgraded version of a computer programme that measures the carbon footprint of packaging has been released.
Aetna Group buys Prasmatic
Italian packaging equipment manufacturer Aetna Group has taken over domestic rival Prasmatic in a bid to boost its penetration of the food and dairy markets and combine expertise.
Oystar doubles capacity at Indian subsidiary
Oystar is planning to double the manufacturing base of its Hassia Packaging subsidiary in India to target the growing processed dairy sector in the country.
29-Jun-2010
Portable snack strips packer said to cut factory footprint
Ishida Europe has launched a portable version of the packaging machine it launched last year for the packaging of bags of snacks and sweets into strips for retail hanging displays.
Packaging is tainted, no hazardous material in food - Kellogg
A group of external experts has verified that tainted packaging rather than any harmful material in the food is the cause of Kellogg’s nationwide recall of 28 million boxes of...
Food plant blast prompts call for gas safety law change
A US federal agency is urging a ban on using natural gas to clean out industrial piping and purging gas pipes indoors in the wake of fatal explosions at a...
Germany highlights risks from packaged sprouts and salads
High bacteria loads observed in fresh packaged sprouts and ready-to-eat salads are likely caused by a combination of factors including poor processing hygiene and humid conditions fostered inside plastic...
28-Jun-2010
Comment
Where next for ingredients since Cognis and National Starch?
‘Billion dollar deal’ was not a phrase bandied about the food ingredients industry much last year. With BASF buying Cognis for €3.1bn and Corn Products International paying $1.3bn for National...
Kellogg issues massive recall as tainted packaging sparks health fears
Kellogg Company has recalled 28 million boxes of breakfast cereal in the United States over fears an unknown chemical that has tainted its packaging could cause diarrhoea and vomitting.
EU hails success of new food safety regime
The recent introduction of tougher border controls on fruit and vegetables and the outlawing of hundreds of pesticides have boosted food safety in European Union, said Brussels.
Campylobacter hotspots highlighted in French study
Chicken batches slaughtered later in the schedule, pre-thinning flocks prior to slaughtering and temperatures in the evisceration room topping 15C are all factors likely to increase the risk of...
Fifty per cent production gains for Tasty Baking’s eco site
US firm Tasty Baking has completed the relocation of a production facility to what it claims is the world’s largest green bakery with the ability to boost production by 50...
News in brief
Rexam expands US bottle, jar closure plant
Rexam is to expand its closure operations at one US plant as it announced plans to create 150 new jobs by the end of the year.
25-Jun-2010
USP signs MOU with Chinese food safety agency
US Pharmacopeia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chinese food safety agency, the National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety – Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NINFS).
Snack producer penalised over injury to operator's hand
A UK based snack group has been fined a total of £15,000 following an injury to an employee last year while using a blender.
Soaring growth forecast for European stand up pouch sector
Demand for stand up pouches (SUP) in Europe is forecast to leap by at least 50 per cent to around 28 billion units by 2014 despite growth being hit by...
Tetra Pak and Ball Corp showcase eco-initiatives
Packaging giants Tetra Pak and Ball Corporation both underlined their green credentials as they presented new sustainability initiatives.
Flint completes Torda buy as CEE expansion continues
Flint Group’s acquisition of packaging ink manufacturer Torda this week marks the company's third move in the last 12 months, as part of its strategy to expand in Central...
24-Jun-2010
Scientists slam EFSA over bisphenol A, call to curb exposure
Hundreds of studies providing “overwhelming scientific evidence” of the harm caused by bisphenol A (BPA) are being dismissed by regulatory agencies because they don’t conform with the outdated safety...
DS Smith maintains profits in 2009/10
DS Smith said demand for its corrugated packaging was showing signs of recovery following a tough 2009 but that it expected margins to come under pressure over increased input costs...
Food processor labels COOL a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’
Proposals to extend country of origin labelling (COOL) to some main ingredients of processed food would be a needless bureaucratic headache that would hurt businesses, curb flexibility and ultimately...
Magnetic train technology used to measure fat content
Scientists at Harvard University have applied magnetic levitation, which is best known for enabling high-speed trains to float above tracks, to the task of measuring fat content in food.
23-Jun-2010
Sidel unveils game-changing heat-shrink and roll-fed labeller
A unique two-in-one sleeving and roll-fed labelling system offers significant cost and material savings, flexibility and a quick return on investment, said manufacturer Sidel.
Further health fears linked to bisphenol A
Two new studies have raised further questions marks over the health effects of bisphenol A (BPA), according to the Endocrine Society in the United States.
Buyer caution opens food machinery price gap
In the wake of the economic crisis, a second hand food processing machine bought at auction is now selling for an average of a quarter of what it would cost...
Guala forms partnership in bid to lead North American spouted flexible market
Guala Group has teamed up with two companies in a bid to dominate the emerging spouted flexible packaging market in the United States and Canada, said one of the...
News in brief
EC clears Constantia acquisition by One Equity
The European Commission (EC) has given its approval for One Equity Partners to complete the takeover of aluminum, corrugated and flexible packaging supplier, Constantia Packaging.
22-Jun-2010
Spectrometer simplifies cadmium in chocolate analysis - company
Thermo Fisher Scientific said it has developed a new, simple and accurate method for analysing the presence of cadmium in chocolate.
Future trends for active and intelligent packaging
The focus of active and intelligent (A&I) packaging has shifted from manufacturer concerns such as shelf-life and spoilage to consumer concerns such as freshness, quality and information, according to recently...
Comment
Europe must keep cool over country of origin labelling
Always read the small print. Good advice and nowhere more so than in food labelling with today’s increasingly savvy consumers demanding to know what’s in their food, where it came...
New thin wall polymer more robust and eco-friendly, says Borealis
Borealis has launched a new material for thin wall food packaging that it claims is more robust and eco-friendly than previous generations.
21-Jun-2010
SPX unveils new acquisition, highlights processing as key to growth
SPX Corporation has announced its Flow Technology division is to acquire Anhydro A/S as it highlighted processing expansion in the food and pharmaceutical sectors as a key part of its...
News in brief
Gulf oil spill shuts leading oyster processor
The leading oyster processor in the US Gulf shut down its operations at the weekend because it could no longer guarantee deliveries as the fallout from the BP oil...
Blue mozzarella alert sparks labelling debate
The discovery of a batch of mozzarella cheese that turned blue on opening in Italy has prompted calls for mandatory country of origin labelling from the agriculture lobby.
Uflex announces US$250m global expansion plans for flex packaging
Indian flexible packaging company Uflex has announced a US$250m expansion programme as it seeks to boosts its market share across the globe over the next two years.
18-Jun-2010
Protein drink contamination raises eyebrows
Three body building protein shakes have been found to contain potentially hazardous levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury by Consumer Reports magazine – while 12 others were found to be safe.
News in brief
ConAgra, Campbell issue large-scale recalls
ConAgra Foods and Campbell Soup Supply Co both issued large-scale recalls yesterday across the United States.
US food body responds to lead in food allegations
Product safety and adherence to best manufacturing practices are top priorities for food companies, said a leading US industry body in response to allegations that higher-than permitted-levels of lead have...
Single belt sets ‘organic’ checkweigher apart - company
Enhanced hygiene, ease of cleaning and cost savings are benefits claimed by Bizerba for its new checkweigher for unpackaged food products.
Organic release agents fulfill urgent market need, Sonneveld
Sonneveld says the launch of its new organic release agent and cutting oils follows consultation with the UK organic body, the Soil Association, regarding the development of processing standard, organic...
Cancer link prompts new call for bisphenol A ban
A UK scientist has called for the banning of bisphenol A after claiming new research has shown “growing evidence” that the chemical is a human carcinogen.
RPC plans to pass on polymer price spike
Rigid plastic packaging supplier RPC has warned that significant increases in polymer prices will be passed on to its food and personal care customers.
17-Jun-2010
Lead found in fruit juices and baby food, alleges group
A US legal public interest group has filed violation notices under a Californian safety law against dozens of companies after alleging it has detected levels of lead in a...
Elopak secures FSC certification for key European sites
Having just obtained FSC chain-of-custody (CSC) certification at its main European sites, Elopak is now taking on the higher hurdle of worldwide certification.
Extend COOL to all meat, poultry, fish and dairy, say MEPs
The European Parliament yesterday backed proposals to extend country of origin labelling (COOL) to all meat, poultry and fish and dairy products.
Russia and Ukraine choc sales fuelling Theegarten growth
Confectionery wrapping machine supplier Theegarten Pactec claims Russia and the Ukraine have been the fundamental growth drivers for the firm over the past three years, citing greater affluence and increasing...
News in brief
Crown and GEA confirm long-term financing
Major processing and packaging companies GEA Group and Crown Holdings have made separate announcements over steps taken to secure their long-term refinancing.
16-Jun-2010
Carton specialist claims sustainability is an opportunity, not a threat
Van Genechten explains why it considers sustainability to be more of an opportunity than a threat in spite of moves from dairy and food brands to cut back on secondary...
Amcor hails strategic significance of Ball Plastics takeover
Amcor said its takeover of Ball Plastics Packaging Americas for US$280m is an important strategic move that will allow it to diversify packaging formats, as well as expand its manufacturing...
Packaging and processing boost thanks to EBRD cash
A major edible oil producer in Tajikistan will build a new packaging unit and improve its processing operations thanks to a cash injection from the European Bank for Reconstruction...
Alfa Laval expands instrumentation range for processing tanks
Alfa Laval has developed a range of new tank equipment products for the food and beverage industry including weighing systems, conductivity sensors, level switches and a flow transmitter.
In-line can leak tester detects nano-sized holes
Full automation, increased accuracy and integration into production lines are advantages claimed for a system to detect micro leaks in cans of milk powder by manufacturer Jorgensen Engineering A/S.
15-Jun-2010
News in brief
Bemis inks sell-offs as part of Alcan deal
Bemis has signed definitive agreements to sell off two of its US packaging operations aquired as part of the Alcan takeover for $81m to Exopack Holding Corps.
Flowserve ordered to pay £211,868 after worker death
Processing equipment supplier Flowserve GB has been ordered to pay £211,863 after its flouting of health and safety rules lead to the death of an employee.
EFSA rules out H1N1 risk to humans from meat
The meat processing industry has welcomed a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ruling out the risk of humans contracting the H1N1 virus from pork, pork products, turkey...
Researchers develop non-chlorine rinse for poultry carcasses
Spray washing chicken carcasses with a solution of lauric acid and potassium hydroxide could help processors design practical and non-chlorine-based sanitisers, said the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
FDA, NOAA increase Gulf of Mexico seafood safety efforts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it is increasing its efforts to ensure the safety of fish and seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, and has released new...
News in brief
Four steps to improve food safety in India
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India (ASSOCHAM) has proposed a four-pronged strategy to help businesses implement demanding food standards legislation.
14-Jun-2010
Comment
World Cup is an own goal for food culture
Sorry guys, the World Cup is not all about football. It’s about food too, and this year’s tournament should kick off a whole new debate about our sporting food culture....
Brazilian carton plant to meet aseptic demand growth - SIG
SIG Combibloc has unveiled plans to invest €90m in a giant packaging plant in Brazil as it seeks to tap into an explosion in demand for aseptic carton packs in...
Exclusive interview
Food industry needs to be pre-emptive to boost image: IFST chief
The food industry must move from the back foot to the front in order to pre-empt future potential scandals and maintain consumer confidence in food, says the IFST’s new chief...
Plastics industry denounces calls to restrict bisphenol A use
A call by the German environment agency for industry and consumers to find bisphenol A (BPA) alternatives on safety fears is unjustified and should be ignored, said a European...
UK targets campylobacter as chief food safety foe
Campylobacter in raw chicken is the biggest food safety challenge facing the UK today, said the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as it admitted the cost and burden of foodborne illnesses...
11-Jun-2010
No place for nanosilver in food - German risk body
Nanosilver has no place in consumer products such as foods or cosmetics until the potential hazards from the substance have been fully scrutinised, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment...
Labelling system sets new standards for thermoformers, company
Improved standards in hygiene, safety and speed, as well as energy and space savings are claims made for its new labelling system for thermoformers by Multivac.
Centralised food safety agency for Bulgaria
The Bulgarian government has announced plans to establish a food quality control body, according to the country’s national press.
EFSA calls for fresh data on cloned animals
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is appealing for new data on the health and welfare of cloned farm animals as the debate on their regulatory status continues.
10-Jun-2010
New laser sorter for nut makers eliminates contaminants smartly, Visys
A new ‘self-learning’ optical laser sorter system combines shape, colour and structure functionality to aid improved defect efficiency and minimise false rejects for manufacturers of treenuts, peas, French beans and...
New eco white film for premium confectionery
UK cellulose acetate film supplier Clarifoil has produced a new ultra-gloss white film for luxury confectionery packaging to meet the demand for differentiation in this category.
UK food manufacturer fined over severed finger
Spice and cereals processor Arcadia Food Industries has been issued fines totalling £7,080 after an employee’s finger was severed in a spice mixing machine.
Germany agency calls for limits on BPA usage
Manufacturers, importers and users of bisphenol A (BPA) should use alternative substances that pose less risk to human health and the environment, advises Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA).
09-Jun-2010
Precaution should be watchword of FDA, says IOM
The Food and Drug Administration is not currently equipped to handle food safety problems and needs to switch to a risk based system, argues a report from the Institute of...
Milk Link applies aerospace sealant to cheese packaging
Milk Link and APLIX have joined forces to develop a new open and closure system to make cheese packaging more intuitive.
New compliance support program for food packaging rules
Intertek has launched a support program to help companies struggling to comply with increasingly complex EU rules on food packaging materials.
High pressure processing finally takes off in UK
The much heralded take-off of high pressure processing (HPP) so-called cold pasteurisation in the UK has at long last occurred, with news of the first commercial machine having recently been...
UV light could prove useful in Listeria inhibition on belts
A new study demonstrates the efficacy of ultraviolet light (UV) exposure against survival of Listeria monocytogenes on conveyor belts.
08-Jun-2010
News in brief
EFSA seeks data on flame retardant levels in foodstuffs
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is requesting data on levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food as it seeks to assess the risk to human health from...
Aluminium beverage can recycling trends upwards
Aluminium beverage can recycling in Europe increased to 63 per cent, according to the latest figures from a leading trade association.
Bosch unveils flexible and integrated packaging system on market demand
Increasing customer demand for integrated and flexible systems were the drivers behind developing new vertical flat pouch equipment for packing a range of free-flowing goods including granulates and powders, said...
Cartonboard lightweighting directly linked to carbon footprint cut - company
A packaging manufacturer said new research has shown there is a direct correlation between the lightweighting of cartonboard and a reduction in its carbon footprint.
News in brief
Canada and India sign food processing agreement
The Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Saskatchewan, Canada to develop research technologies and cut wastage in the...
07-Jun-2010
Chicken processor faces record fine for repeat violations
A US chicken processor employing over 3,000 people is a facing a record fine of over $1m for repeated health and safety violations.
Report outlines compostable packaging challenges
Limited infrastructure and a lack of consistent regulation between states are just two of several unresolved challenges to making compostable packaging a reality, said a report from the Sustainable...
Aerial conveyor said to ensure efficient handling of fragile goods
A single point of transfer from loading to discharge is claimed to make the new multi-axis, overhead Gough Elecon bucket conveyor and elevator system suitable for applications requiring gentle handling...
EU and China join forces to explore nanotech risks
The European Union and China yesterday reached an agreement to boost research into consumer safety and explore the potential risks from nanotechnology.
Hydrohermetic seal boosts beverage separator performance
High throughput capacity, versatility and a special feature to enhance gentle handling of product are benefits of a new separator for clarifying wine, grape must and fruit juice, said...
Packaging recycling targets not challenging enough – UK experts
A number of UK packaging targets need to be toughened up if the full recycling and recovery potential of packing waste is to be reached, said a prominent advisory group.
New studies fail to challenge opinion on ochratoxin A, says EFSA
New research does not contradict or change the conclusions drawn in the European Food Safety Authority’s opinion on ochratoxin A (OTA) in foods such as cocoa products and liquorice, claims...
Sandwich firm fined following “uncontrolled mice infestation”
Southall-based sandwich maker Bream Foods has been fined £20,000 after pleading guilty to a string of offences from failing to tackle an “uncontrolled mice infestation” to washing salads in sinks...
04-Jun-2010
Metallised biopolymers said to meet barrier needs of snacks
New biodegradable metallised and laminated films can provide differentiation at point-of-sale along with high moisture and oxygen barrier properties for dry good products such as nuts and biscuits with a...
Bioplastics industry calls for greater support
The bioplastics industry should receive the same level of support from the European Union and national governments as the biofuel and renewable energy sectors to stimulate its development, said a...
News in brief
FSA welcomes meat owner jail sentence decision
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has hailed a decision to reject the appeal by a UK meat plant owner to have his four-year jail sentence reduced.
Economic headwinds put adhesive sector in sticky situation
The European adhesives industry said rising raw material costs triggered by a supply shortfall in the chemical sector is one reason behind its own price rises, as it seeks to...
No risk from bisphenol A in canned food - Health Canada
Exposure to bisphenol A from canned food poses no health risk to the general population, Health Canada has said after conducting a survey into levels of the chemical in 78 products.
03-Jun-2010
New heat process improves flaxseed safety
Significantly improved food safety, without compromising product quality, nutritional value or shelf-life, are the benefits claimed for a new proprietary heat treatment process developed by Glanbia Nutritionals specifically for use...
Anti-dumping PET ruling could push prices up for European converters
A European Union proposal to impose import duties on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) shipments from Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to result in cost increases for European...
Meat industry opposes legislation to require new E. coli tests
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced legislation to test for six E. coli strains that currently are not regulated – but the meat industry claims there are significant problems with the proposal.
X-ray transparent belt boosts performance on contaminant detection lines
X-ray transparency and added durability are benefits of a new conveyor belt that helps improve performance for contaminant detection in glass containers on food and pharmaceutical lines, said Mettler...
02-Jun-2010
News in brief
Fish processing firm faces hefty fines
A US seafood processor has been cited for $214,500 in fines by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for food safety violations.
Special Edition: Nanotechnology
Nano risk assessment a work in progress
The risk assessment framework for nanotechnology in Europe – like so much else connected to the technology – appears to be in its infancy but developing at a rapid pace.
Dioxin-tainted eggs pose no ‘acute health risk’, says BfR
Dioxin-contaminated eggs that entered the food chain in Germany and the Netherlands are not expected to cause any adverse health effects but such exposure was unacceptable, said the German food...
Filtration plant lowers dairy costs and lifts quality, claims GEA
Significantly lower production costs and improved product consistency are the twin benefits claimed for a reverse osmosis filtration plant introduced at one of Saudi Arabia’s leading dairies.
Study reveals vital cartonboard characteristics
Compression tests carried out on cartonboard packaging have shown that containers made from lighter weight materials can withstand the practical challenges posed by transportation through the supply chain, said one...
News in brief
Needles found in sausages in Canada
Police in Toronto are investigating five separate incidents of product tampering after needles were found embedded in Piller’s Polish sausages.
01-Jun-2010
Tetra Pak unveils revolutionary UHT processing system
A revolutionary UHT milk processing system slashes production time by up to 90 per cent, cuts operating costs in half and reduces capital outlay by almost a third compared to...
Special Edition: Nanotechnology
Food sector and R&D need to chew the nano fat for wider take-up: analyst
The benefits for nano-packaging, showing how it can overcome current food and drink industry challenges in terms of shelf life, distribution or sustainability, need to become more apparent in order...
Europe facing rPET supply gaps – recycling body
European packaging converters could be facing gaps in supply of recycled PET (rPET) as a perfect storm of soaring exports to the Far East combined with other market conditions has...
DS Smith underlines CEE focus despite Turkish sell-off
DS Smith has sold off its Turkish corrugated packaging operation but declared it remains committed to growing its business in the key growth region of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
News in brief
Japan and China sign food safety pact
Officials from Japan and China reached a bilateral agreement Monday to improve food safety standards and restore confidence.
Dingell calls for food safety action following latest salmonella recalls
Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich) has called for action on the Senate’s food safety bill, which has seen no attempt to move it forward since it passed from Committee with...
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