UK’s first beverage carton processing plant to boost recycling rates - industry

The UK’s first beverage carton reprocessing plant is to be established thanks to a partnership between packaging giants Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc and Elopak with Sonoco Alcore.

Scotland unable to stomach UK reforms as it creates break-away food safety agency

Scotland has created a stand-alone food safety agency as a backlash against the UK Government decision in 2010 to split the functions of the body and over concerns about toxic...

Ecolab scoops IFT innovation award

Ecolab has picked up an innovation award at the annual IFT expo for its residual antimicrobial coatings used by food and beverage processors.

News in brief

Olympics ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for biobased packaging – NNFCC

The Olympics offers brand owners and waste management firms the chance to build on sustainable packaging made from plants according to bioeconomy consultancy group the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC).

14 JUNE - 20 JUNE 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up 21-27 June

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week.....

DS Smith credits strategy rethink, acquisitions and efficiency drive for profit leap

DS Smith said a fundamental shift in its material strategy coupled with the strong performance of its French subsidiary, cost cutting measures and volume growth all combined to produce buoyant...

Amcor targets SME’s with latest acquisition

Amcor has announced the completion of the purchase of packaging distributors Wayne Richardson Sales (WRS) as its quest to swell its already imposing portfolio continues unabated.

Rock-Tenn completes deal for Mid South Packaging

Rock-Tenn has closed its acquisition of Mid South Packaging for an undisclosed amount adding it will strengthen the firm’s market reach.

Lye-contaminated milk recalled in latest blow to Chinese dairy industry

Hundreds of cartons of milk have been recalled in China after a production line error left some products contaminated with alkaline water.

News in brief

PTi moves into Turkey as part of expansion strategy

Processing Technologies International (PTi) has announced the sale of a sheet extrusion system to Aserpet which represents a “major stepping stone” in the company’s expansion strategy.

BPA effects can last for four generations, says study

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) during gestation led to mixed effects on the development of the brain linked to social behaviour patterns in mice spanning four generations, according to a study....

Nercon investment to boost conveyor equipment production

Faster throughput and shorter changeover runs for food and beverage manufacturers are some of the benefits of more than US$1m being invested in its fabrication technology, according to Nercon.

Machines help food industry meet product quality targets - Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled a range of machines that it claims will address food industry concerns over weighing and product contamination issues.

Avure expands Taiwan HPP presence

Avure has expanded its presence in Taiwan, targeting a "big opportunity for growth" in an alliance with a new contract processor. 

New lightweight can end uses ‘best available’ technology: Rexam

Rexam Beverage Can Europe has confirmed to BeverageDaily.com that it has introduced a new CDL beverage can end that uses 10% less metal, with production starting in the first quarter...

Obama administration states opposition to FDA budget cut

The Obama administration has stated its opposition to a fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget proposal that could see the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suffer a budget cut worth millions...

Report praises industry for ‘more active’ role in sustainable packaging debate

A new report from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) has praised packaging manufacturers for taking a more active role in sustainable packaging discussions since 2010, and investing more therein.

Industry consolidating in terms of machinery purchases - PMMI report

Industry is focussing on current rather than new vendors and rebuilt packaging machinery, according to a report from the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI).

SABIC: 'tough' new HDPE grade shows our dairy commitment

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has launched a new blow-moulding grade of HDPE (high density polyethylene) to make bottles for milk, other dairy products and juices in ‘tough’ conditions.

Sealed Air to bring eco-technology to wider scale

Sealed Air and a manufacturer of eco-packaging have completed an agreement that will see the products manufactured for use in packaging.

EU eco-projects bid to boost refrigeration energy efficiency and craft bioplastics from olive waste

The European Union is funding a raft of projects aimed at boosting energy and resource efficiency in the food and drinks sectors as it seeks to make good on its...

CSI unveil upgraded closure

Closure Systems International has launched a closure that they claim delivers improved packaging cost and sustainability, superior CO2 performance, and enhanced impact resistance.

Cartons trounce HDPE and PET in new life cycle study: SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc claims that a new life-cycle assessment (LCA) by Germany’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU) confirms milk cartons have a better environmental profile than HDPE or PET...

World’s first paper wine bottle to hit UK supermarket shelves by end of 2012

UK packaging company GreenBottle has signed a deal with a major wine supplier to produce the world’s first paper wine ‘bottle’ for supermarket sale this year, and claims there is...

JV for antimicrobial packaging coatings that could extend shelf life by ‘months’

Oplon has partnered with Reynolds Group to create antimicrobial coatings for their packaging which could extend shelf life of products by months and will be commercially available within the next...

Italian company bags EFSA approval for liquid absorber active packaging technology

Sirap Group has received EU approval for an active packaging system designed to absorb liquids on plastic trays for a raft of fresh foods.

News in brief

Nordson Corporation completes Xaloy takeover

Nordson Corporation has completed the acquisition of Xaloy Superior Holdings a week after the deal for EDI (Extrusion Dies Industries) was approved.

Our bottling inflexibility was ‘hard to believe’: PepsiCo Americas Beverages chief

PepsiCo Americas Beverages CEO, Al Carey, says his business is seeking a ‘sustainable fix’ to regain value share, with pack size limitations vis-à-vis Coke one issue being addressed via new...

Film star Molson Coors rips up cardboard packaging script

Molson Coors claims that a multi-million investment in film will reduce the weight of its secondary packaging for UK beer Carling by sixty-three per cent, and told BeverageDaily.com it plans...

Wipak secures stand up pouch market entry with Italian deal

Wipak said it has entered the stand-up pouch market thanks to the acquisition of Italian company Bordi Carlo.

Covertech Fabricating acquires Seville Packaging

Covertech Fabricating has bought Seville Packaging in a move that will “increase operational efficiency” and provide a “bigger footprint in the industry.”

Over 250,000 eggs recalled in Germany in latest dioxin scare

More than a quarter of a million chicken eggs are being recalled in Germany after in-house testing discovered “excessive levels” of the poisonous chemical, dioxin.

Zip-Pak to open South American manufacturing site

Zip-Pak has announced it will open a manufacturing facility in Brazil that will begin production early next year.

EFSA sets autumn deadline to deliver low-dose hypothesis verdict

A two-day summit on the potential health hazards from low levels of chemicals in food and packaging has pushed the debate forward – although major questions remain unanswered, said event...

China safety scandals represent advantage for foreign dairy firms – analyst

Western food safety standards represent a definite advantage to foreign firms attempting to enter the growing Chinese dairy market, an industry analyst has told DairyReporter.com.

14 JUNE - 20 JUNE 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up 14-20 June

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week.....

SPI welcomes legislation aimed at improving trade with Russia

The SPI (The Plastics Industry Trade Association) has welcomed legislation put forward in the Senate this month that will make it easier for US companies to do business with Russia.

‘Cost-conscious’ airlines lead flight to PET packaged wine – Amcor

Amcor Rigid Plastics says US airlines are driving demand for wine bottles made from lighter, cheaper PET rather than glass within the high growth single-serve market.

Billerud to merge with Korsnas to create all-Swedish packaging fibre giant

Billerud  has announced it is to merge with fellow Swedish packaging outfit Korsnas as part of a bid to create a leading virgin-fibre market player with an annual turnover exceeding...

No EU mineral oil verdict before 2014 as Brussels hitches issue to full FCM review

No decision on whether to introduce legislation to combat the potential threat from mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food and packaging will be made before 2014, said the European Commission...

Antimicrobial processing aids given study backing

Two pathogen-reducing technologies from Birko have received independent backing from an independent US university study, which the developers claim “gives users an increased level of trust in our products.”  

News in brief

E.coli confirmation method approved by USDA

A SDIX system used for confirmation of E.coli has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the month the industry body started testing for newly regulated strains...

United Biscuits in McVitie’s wrapper recycling scheme to plug council collection gap

United Biscuits (UB) has partnered with recycling firm TerraCycle UK to introduce a scheme allowing consumers to post used biscuit wrappers to be recycled into every day goods such as...

Nestlé subsidiary facing fine after worker's death

A Nestlé subsidiary is facing fines of almost three quarters of a million dollars following the death of a worker at its Massachusetts production plant.

New automatic sampling system for dry products meets EHEDG guidelines

Increased flexibility, efficiency and accuracy are benefits claimed by Dinnissen Process Technology for its new automatic sampling systems designed specifically for food processing lines.

China unveils latest five year food safety plan

China has published its latest five-year food safety plan in an effort to “clean up” old, often-overlapping national and industry standards.

Novelis opens R&D center for aluminium

Novelis has opened a research and technology center that it hopes will help it improve sustainability and innovation of aluminium for use in the beverage market.

Comment

Another week, another class action: Has ‘all-natural’ become too risky a claim?

Barely a week goes by without another food company being challenged in court over its use of the word ‘natural’ – and it’s just a matter of time before the...

No source identified in lethal US E.coli O145 outbreak - CDC

US investigators are yet to discover the source of an E.coli O145 outbreak, which to-date has sickened more than a dozen people and killed one.

Supply chain execs lack confidence in rapid recall capabilities: Survey

More than half of senior supply chain executives say their company could not conduct a product recall within hours, and would expect the process to take days or weeks instead,...

No plain food packaging plans, says UK – but what about alcohol?

There are no plans to extend proposals for plain packaging from tobacco to so-called unhealthy foods, the UK Government has told FoodProductionDaily.com.

EnWave says German machine firm acquisition will boost brand owner faith

Dehydration equipment company EnWave has predicted its agreement to buy a majority share in machining experts Hans Binder Maschinenbau GmbH will increase brand owner confidence in its technology.

FresherTech enters US HPP market

FresherTech has installed its first HPP system in North America and said it was a step forward in their plan to “deeply penetrate” the market.

News in brief

Sonoco unveil radial crush tester

Sonoco has announced the commercial availability of its radial crush tester aimed at preventing failures during the winding process and optimises tube design.

Polyplex to buy division of Scholle Corporation

Polyplex has acquired a division of Scholle Corporation to “significantly expand” its metallized product range.

Fears that ‘plain packaging’ proposal for tobacco may spread to food

Proposals to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products in the UK could open the door to extend the initiative to a raft of food and drink products - a move...

News in brief

Nordson Corporation completes EDI Holdings deal

Nordson Corporation announced yesterday that it has completed the acquisition of EDI Holdings (Extrustion Dies Industries).

Mercury-tainted milk powder mires China in new safety scandal

A new food contamination scandal has hit China this week after elevated levels of mercury were detected in infant formula made by the country’s top producer.

Linear weigher can reduce breakages for fragile confectionery, claims Ishida

Ishida Europe has developed an automated linear weighing machine that it claims is more efficient than conventional circular systems.

Spartech’s food packaging sales suffer Q2 decline

Spartech Corporation’s food packaging sales volume fell for the three months up to 5 May compared to last year contributing to an operating loss of US$1.3m (€1m) in the segment....

Bio-based label adhesive eliminates PET recycling problems, claim developers

A new bio-based label adhesive eliminates the problems with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container recycling, according to its developers.

EFBW and stakeholders present new bottled water hygeine standards to European Commission

The European Federation of Bottled Waters (EFBW) claims that a new draft guide to good hygienic practices for EU packaged water will promote better industry image, while providing guidance to...

Perfect symmetry: EU project bids to transform fruit processing wastewater into juice packaging

An international coalition of experts is bidding to develop a groundbreaking bioplastic for juice packaging using materials extracted from wastewater generated during fruit processing.

News in brief

WS Packaging Group acquires Consolidated Products

WS Packaging Group has acquired label converting company Consolidated Products for an undisclosed amount.

FDA mulls bisphenol A ban for infant formula packaging

The US is to consider banning the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in infant formula packaging after accepting the plea from a prominent campaigning lawmaker on the chemical.

6 JUNE - 13 JUNE 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up 7-13 June 2012

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week.....

AEP Industries reports strong Q2

AEP Industries has reported a Q2 net sales increase of almost US$50m (€40m) and a profit rise of $13.3m from the same period last year despite a “high degree of economic...

Recycling centre to convert food waste into renewable natural gas

A US organic waste recycling centre will provide food processors with an alternative to current waste disposal methods by collecting and converting it into renewable gas.

Fera and Waters Corp to open training facility in effort to improve import safety

The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) and Waters Corporation are to open a new lab-based training facility in the UK in an effort to improve the standard of imported...

RPC expands UK ops on retail promo pack trend, posts record profits

RPC has unveiled multi-million pound plans to expand its UK operations to tap into the growing trend from retailers for promotional packs and announced record full year net profits as...

R&R Ice Cream recalls ChokaBlok products over broken lolly stick contamination

R&R Ice Cream is recalling three flavours of a ChokaBlok ice cream products in the UK over fears they are contaminated with fragments of broken lolly stick.

PulseNet success is often industry’s ‘own worst enemy’, says ex-USDA food safety expert

The success of PulseNet for tracing the source of foodborne illness outbreaks has become the industry’s own worst enemy as more news coverage has eroded consumer trust, according to an...

DuPont E.coli detection system gains USDA approval

DuPont Qualicon has received a letter of no objection from the USDA for a device used to detect non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, in the same month that the regulatory authority...

News in brief

China launches campaign to rebuild food safety ‘integrity’

China has launched a week-long campaign to promote honesty in the food industry in an effort to strengthen food safety and rebuild the “integrity” of the sector.

Nanoparticle ‘exposure registry’ essential to map risks – Dutch health council

The Dutch Health Council has called for the creation of a nanoparticle “exposure registry” in an effort to map any adverse health risks as a result of working with the...

No deadly Legionnaires' link to distillery co-owned by Diageo and The Edrington Group

North British Distillery has come out fighting after being cited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for alleged failures to adequately control the legionella risk posed by a cooling...

UK develops screening techniques for printing ink ‘set off’

The UK has announced the development of new scanner that detects and measures the transfer and migration of recently adopted printing ink components used in food packaging.

Plastic bottle recycling rates increase in Canada - report

The collection of post-consumer plastic bottles for recycling has increased by 13% from last year, according to a Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) report.

News in brief

JBT FoodTech agrees $5m freezing equipment deal

JBT FoodTech will refurbish the freezing equipment at a food processing plant after agreeing a US$5m (€4m) deal.

Packaging system extends shelf life of produce, claims Sonoco

Sonoco has unveiled a tray which is part of a system that they claim will increase the shelf life for fresh-cut produce.

US takeover of UK shrink sleeve firm triggers competition probe

UK competition officials have launched a review of the acquisition of Turpins Packaging Group by US firm Accraply – six weeks after the company announced it had completed the deal.

Mineral oils linked to health risk not present in UK bread formulation, says Federation of Bakers

The Federation of Bakers has said that mineral oils which EFSA has cited as a possible health hazard are not found in UK bread by any processing method.

'Untargeted' milk adulteration detection method in development – IDF

An “untargeted” infrared (IR)-based approach to preventing milk adulteration is under development, offering the dairy industry the ability to detect the presence of unknown adulterants.

Consumers advised not to change diet as EFSA mineral oil probe finds no specific safety concerns - UK

Consumers should not alter their eating habits in light of last week’s opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the potential risks of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in...

Pinnacle Foods cited for 27 violations totalling more than $150,000

Pinnacle Foods Group has had fines totalling US$156,700 (€124,583) proposed by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Coca-Cola, Heinz and Procter and Gamble spearhead eco-PET partnership

Coca-Cola, Heinz and Procter and Gamble are part of a newly-formed global initiative to accelerate the development of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) made entirely from plants. 

Global food network ‘vulnerable’ to fast spread of contaminants

Greater effort needs to be made in understanding and tracking international food trade, say researchers who warn that the the global food network has grown too complex to track food...

Sacmi eyes 2012 growth despite tough economic climate

Sacmi Group said it is expecting a tough 2012 amid strong headwinds that are buffeting the global economy but that the firm is on target to match its strong performance in 2011.

KHS cuts beverage foaming with new filling discharge system

KHS says that a novel discharge system applied to filling valves in two new machines will greatly reduce product foaming by allowing liquid to gently slide down bottle walls.

Dual X-ray system weeds out contaminants and wonky products

Productivity boosts and greater compliance rates with quality and safety parameters are benefits claimed by Mettler Toledo Safeline for its new high-speed X-ray system for processed formed foods that not...

Canadian food safety legislation proposes fines of 20 times current limit

The Canadian government announced yesterday that the maximum food safety fine will jump to C$5m (€3.8m) from C$250,000 in legislation driven by the 2008 Listeria outbreak which killed more than 20 people....

News in brief

Plastipak receives investment from Goldman Sachs Capital Partners

Plastipak has announced that investment from Goldman Sachs Capital Partners (GSCP) will enable them to capitalize further on additional global growth opportunities.

PepsiCo bottle does not infringe Coke ‘Contour' trademarks – German court

Coca-Cola has lost a trademark fight against PepsiCo after a German court ruled that the latter’s ‘Carolina’ glass bottle does not illegally resemble Coke’s hallmark ‘Contour Bottle’.

South African infant formula purchase boycott lacks ‘merit’ - Nestlé

Nestlé South Africa has shrugged-off threats of a purchasing boycott relating to infant formula among the country’s Hindu community, stating that the encouragement by a religious leader lacks “merit.”

Mineral oil exposure in packaging and food possible cause for concern, says EFSA

Exposure to mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) via packaging and some foods may pose a human health hazard, said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - as it called for an overhaul...

31 MAY - 6 JUNE 2012

Food Safety Weekly Recall Round-up

A selection of the biggest recalls from around the world in the last week.....

FDA and FSIS funding set to be cut after bill approved

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks set to receive a budget cut of $16.3m for the fiscal year (FY) 2013, despite requesting an additional $253m in funding to...

Robot that uses sensors to debone chicken being tested by US researchers

Researchers from the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) have developed a robot that can debone chicken and are trialing a first attempt to integrate all components into a single test to...

Printpack’s new site leads to operational re-shuffle

Printpack has announced plans to build a plant in Wisconsin for US$72m (€57.3m) which will mean the closure of its current North Carolina and Wisconsin sites.

News in brief

Braskem targets Europe with green PE

Braskem has signed a deal with Tecnaro to supply green plastics to the European market.

FoodDrinkEurope sets out sustainability initiatives up to 2030

FoodDrinkEurope has launched a report outlining its goals to move towards more sustainable food and drink production by 2030.

Report highlights need for improvement to worker treatment in US food industry

The US food industry has poor job and wage quality and a lack of career mobility, according to a groundbreaking report into the sector.

Self-adhesive label sector entry prompts Fuji Seal takeover of Pago

Fuji Seal International has announced the takeover of Pago Holdings for €101m (CHF 121m) as part of a strategy to broaden its product portfolio to become a ‘total packaging’ supplier.

Consolidated Container Company acquired by Bain Capital Partners

Consolidated Container Company (CCC) said its acquisition by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners LLC will provide the platform to expand its capabilities and customer base.

News in brief

JBT FoodTech signs $4m deal with global manufacturer

JBT FoodTech has signed a US$4m (€3.2m) contract to supply an unnamed food and beverage manufacturer with bakery freezing and chilling equipment.

Krones installs its first German PET recycling line

Krones has confirmed to BeverageDaily.com that it has struck a deal to commission its first sustainable closed-loop PET recycling line for a German beverage firm, the sixth such line worldwide....

Exclusive

Mars gets EU approval for high quality printing technique for hard confectionery

The European Commission has passed a regulation permitting the use of a food additive commonly used in beverages to print celebratory messages on hard confectionery after a request from Mars...

Researchers develop biomass alternative of chemical used in production of PET bottles

A key ingredient in the manufacture of plastic bottles can be made from biomass rather than petroleum, according to a team of chemical engineers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Nordson makes second acquisition to boost adhesive dispensing segment

Nordson Corporation has announced the acquisition of Xaloy Superior Holdings for US$200m (€161m) just weeks after agreeing a deal to buy Extrusion Die Industries (EDI) Industries for the same price....

EFSA approves PVC food can coating additive

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved a new additive as an ingredient in PVC coatings for food cans up to a concentration of 25%.

FDA updates Reportable Food Registry (RFR) in effort to track safety trends

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a ‘questionnaire’ to its Reportable Food Registry (RFR) in an effort to improve the programme’s information gathering capabilities.

Meat industry to save millions as quality testing robots move in-line - research

A groundbreaking project that aims to use machines to measure the eating quality of meat has reached a milestone after the successful testing of a robot in-line at an abattoir in Scotland....

Canada looks to standardise food safety practices in latest modernisation move

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has outlined plans to standardise its inspection practices in an effort to keep up-to-speed with the changing food safety “landscape.”

Kraft risks being left out of recycling loop after rejecting EPR call

Kraft Foods’ refusal to adopt a policy on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for its US packaging operations is likely causing millions of dollars of post-consumer waste ending up in landfill, said...

International Paper offloads three containerboard mills under DOJ agreement

International Paper (IP) has sold the three containerboard mills under the terms of its agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for US$470m in order to proceed with its...

Best acquired by TOMRA Group for €138m

Food sorting specialist Best Kwadraat has been taken over by Norwegian company TOMRA Systems for €138m.

Avure say expansion is due to HPP demand

Avure Technologies will open a factory in the US by the end of the year in response to demand for High Pressure Processing (HPP) equipment.

SLEEK can proves hit with Rexam’s US consumers

Rexam is replacing standard 12oz can production capacity in the US with a new 12oz (354ml) Sleek can line to support what it said was one of the fastest-growing specialty...

Industry-first ethylene chip sensor set to slash waste in fruit supply chain

A miniature and cost effective single chip sensor that paves the way for the monitoring of ethylene levels in fruit consignments throughout the supply chain could drastically cut food waste and...

Mexican plant to produce 450,000 tons annually of food and beverage PE from 2015

Braskem Idesa is to open a petrochemical facility in Mexico which will produce thousands of tons of polyethylene (PE) for the food and beverage industry by 2015.

Machine is alternative to combination scales – Spee-Dee

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery has claimed their dry-filling system provides more accuracy than combination scales in controlling the weight and volume of products that shift density during packaging runs.