Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Cleaning service offers dairy cost benefits

A new cleaning analysis service for dairy plants can reduce the operating expenses and the environmental impacts of processing, its manufacturer claims.

Carbon nanotubes could be new pathogen weapon

Carbon nanotubes could be used as a weapon against pathogens such as E. coli, according to a new study.

Chemical culprit identified in 'popcorn worker's lung'

Scientists in the Netherlands have pinpointed the chemical culprit in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), or "popcorn worker's lung".

Study highlights industry's need for 'perfect' film

The holy grail of clear food packaging, film that prevents light damage, is still a quest for the food industry, according to new research.

Coca-Cola to close concentrates plant

Coca-Cola said yesterday it would shut down one of its three ingredients plants in Ireland and cut 166 people from its workforce.

Acrylamide update

Scientists seek methods to reduce acrylamide

New studies on acrylamide indicate that dried fruits and fat may be a significant source of the potential carcinogen.

Line designed for high speed coffee capsule packaging

A customised packaging line is designed to produce coffee capsules, a huge growth area in the market.

DSM gains application IP rights for asparaginase use

DSM Food Specialities has reached an agreement with Frito-Lay and Proctor & Gamble that gives it intellectual property rights to use asparaginase, the enzyme that underlies its acrylamide-reducing PreventASe preparation, in food products.

Guide details the science of keeping meat safe

Innovations in fighting food-borne pathogens means that meat products are safer than ever before, according to a new guide designed for the industry..

Ozone spray kills E.coli in processing plants

New high pressure ozone spray systems have been developed to remove E. coli from fresh produce, meat and poultry plants, their manufacturer claims.

Intelligent and active packaging to reach $1.1 billion by 2011

Demand for active and intelligent packaging will reach $1.1bn by 2011 in the US, driven by rapid growth in innovation and the need to improve shelf life and safety, according to a new Freedonia Group study.

Online recall reporting system launched

A new reporting system launched today for food and feed recalls in the UK is designed to help businesses comply with safety regulations.

Donut company develops new zero trans oil

US-based Dunkin' Brands has developed a new oil in order to create trans-free fat bakery products without sacrificing quality, flavour and taste, the company said this week.

Cargill to double canola production in Canada

Cargill is to build a second canola processing plant in Canada in a move to meet growing demand for tans fat-free oil, the firm announced yesterday.

Arla installs hacker protection on production data

Arla Foods has installed antivirus protection on all its production and processing networks, in a bid to protect its computer systems from viruses and hackers, the dairy company said.

Amcor's results signal shift in packaging market

Armed with a $1bn (€604.2m) war chest, Amcor has signaled it is on the lookout for further acquisitions, indicating that the packaging industry's current round of consolidation is not about to end soon.

Flooring cures in one hour

A new line of flooring for food plants cures in one hour, allowing production to get up to speed quicker, claims its manufacturer.

Food film for fresher fruit

New flexible packaging film allows fresh produce to be sold as "convenience" food, as it preserves fruit and vegetables for longer, the manufacturers claim.

Commodity prices continue to skyrocket

Food processors can expect no relief in the near future from the sharp surge in commodity prices, pushed upward by supply shortfalls and higher global demand.

Dairy farming boom adds to processing woes

A number of leading dairy co-operatives worldwide have announced continuing rises in payouts to their suppliers and farmers as the cost of milk continues to surge.

China still top for manufacturing investment, study

China remains the number one location in which manufacturers plan to expand their operations, according to a new study by service consultants, Deloitte & Touche.

Danisco's Litesse gains FDA approval for food use

Ingredient firm Danisco has said that its Litesse polydextrose ingredient has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in almost all food and beverage categories.

Aseptic tap extends beverage shelf life

An aseptic dispensing tap now allows a flexible packaging material to be used to store beverages and liquid foods without refrigeration, the manufacturer claims.

Lower demand for bread forces Hovis bakery closures

Premier Foods will close two of its bakery plants in the UK following lower consumer demand for bread.

Consumers drive market, says book

A new book has been published examining how consumer desires shape the way that food manufacturers develop and market their product lines.

Weekly comment

Is it harsh? Is it fair? No it's a consumer watchdog

In 1993, it seemed superheroes had reached their lowest peak when Superman was slain by an unstoppable monster known as "Doomsday".

Breaded food fryer reduces oil use claims manufacturer

A new fryer can reduce the amount of oil needed to cook breaded foods, the manufacturer claims.

DSM investment marks push into smart packaging

In a sign of the increased emphasis being put on food safety, Royal DSM has invested in a sensor manufacturing company.

Public-friendly report calls for nanotechnology research

The European Commission has ordered a re-write of its report calling for more risk assessment of Nanotechnology, aiming to make the subject understandable for industry and the public.

Cheese to put squeeze on processors

European processors should prepare themselves for a significant rise in the price they pay for cheese, the head of the European Dairy Association (EDA) warned today.

Syral's Tate & Lyle starch buy approved

The European Commission has approved Syral's acquisition of part of Tate & Lyle's Food and Industrial sweeteners and starches businesses in Europe it was announced yesterday.

Foot and Mouth restrictions eased

The European Commission yesterday announced that UK exports of live animals and meat and dairy products will resume, with the exception of a 10km zone in Surrey.

Panic wheat buying raises fear for food prices

Extremely tight world wheat supplies led to panic buying of the commodity on world markets yesterday, driving up prices to record heights and stoking fears of inflation in food prices.

DNA tests grant ingredient authenticity

New DNA testing methods ensure that manufacturers can identify raw ingredients correctly, saving them both time and money, the developer claims.

Wash and go drum for conveyer systems

A new self-cleaning drum, used to drive conveyors, can improve hygiene in plants and reduce the labour required for cleaning, its manufacturer claims.

Nickelodeon ends character licensing to junk food

Leading kids' entertainment brand Nickelodeon has said it will stop licensing its characters for use on 'unhealthy' foods and beverages, as part of its commitment to help slow the growth of childhood obesity.

New backless labels good for environment?

A new range of labels are beneficial for the pocket as well as the environment, its UK supplier claims, as they don't need the paper traditionally used for lining.

Irish packaging factory closes

The Quinn Group yesterday announced the closure of the Quinn packaging plant at Newbridge, Ireland.

Packaging mark to authenticate Chinese food

A new mark required on the packaging of Chinese food exports from next month will allow importers to tell certified products from fakes, according to food safety officials.

Natural polymers developed to increase shelf life

New polymers and plastics developed could be used to satisfy growing demands for extended shelf life and products made from natural, sustainable sources, US researchers claim.

FDA cancels plans to close laboratories

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shelved plans to close more than half of its field laboratories.

Codex date set for milk agenda talks

The latest round of talks designed to set out more international standards for the manufacturing of milk products will take place from 4 to 8 February in New Zealand, it emerged this week.

Nestle predicts calmer acquisition outlook

Nestle expects to significantly reduce its acquisitions spending for the foreseeable future following a hectic twelve month period of expansion.

Chr Hansen antioxidants for vending machines

One of Chr Hansen's carotenoids is set to be used in hot chocolate drinks sold from vending machines - and it will be aimed at people who want to look beautiful.

Packaging firms focus on fruit

Two UK companies have launched new packaging ranges, designed to protect fruit and salads from the usual wear and tear brought about during transit.

Microbiological analysis advice for meat, eggs

A new publication, focusing on microbiological analysis, advises meat and egg processors on how to use the technology to prevent contamination and food-borne illnesses such as salmonella.

Organic labels are confusing, says consumer survey

Consumers remain confused about the use of organic product claims, which has led to people increasingly opting for locally grown food instead, according to a new survey.

Bakery segments behind sales turnaround for Sara Lee

Net sales for Sara Lee increased 7.1 per cent to $12.3bn (€9.1bn) for the fiscal year 2007 from $11.5bn (€8.5bn) the previous year, the company has said.

Green tea may cut oral cancer risk - study

Drinking five or more cups of green tea a day may reduce a woman's risk of mouth cancer, but men may not experience similar benefits, suggests a new study from Japan.

Technology tests cheese with ease, says manufacturer

A new system of screening and testing cheese can offer processors a cost effective way of driving large-scale innovation within their products, its manufacturer claims.

Spiderman and The Simpsons are food baddies, says Which?

Consumer watchdog Which? has launched a new campaign to oust cartoon characters from unhealthy snack advertising, claiming that superheros are being exploited to encourage kids to clamour for foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Anti-counterfeit technology for alcohol

Heat-shrink labels with integrated holograms will help the wine and spirits industry in the fight against counterfeiting and forgery, the manufacturers claim.

Plants provide potent antimicrobial extracts

Natural antimicrobial agents derived from cloves, oregano, thyme and paprika can be used to block pathogens on food surfaces and packaging, according to new research.

Sealed Air in deal for Alcan packaging?

Sealed Air Corp. is close to a deal to buy the packaging arm of Alcan Inc. for between $4bn to $5bn in cash, according to Reuters News Agency.

Almonds must be pasteurized as of September, says USDA

A request for a delay in the implementation of new pasteurization requirements for almonds has been rejected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has said that the new requirements will come into effect on September 1, 2007.

Dairypack redesigns for robustness

A manufacturer of dairy packaging products claims its redesigned three litre dairy container offers a more robust, cost efficient solution for processors to transport their goods in.

McCain invests in wind turbines for chip plant

In a sign that the UK's push to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions is working, McCain Foods has announced it will install wind turbines at its potato chip plant in the country.

New PLA technology for Purac

Purac has invested in new lactides that will potentially provide the food, pharma and cosmetics industries with cheaper and more effective bioplastic packaging, the company announced yesterday.

All Chinese exports to be checked from September

Samples from every Chinese food shipment to the US and other countries will be tested for safety under new requirements by Chinese officials from 1 September, according to senior Chinese trade official based in Washington.

New guide to advise on harmful pathogens

A new guide to microbiological food safety aims to help food processors eliminate the pathogens in fruit and vegetables that cause food-borne diseases such as E-coli, salmonella and cholera.

Wal-Mart beefs up audits of supplier factories

Wal-Mart audited 8,873 of its suppliers' factories last year, part of the giant retailer's ongoing push to portray itself as an ethical and environmentally-conscious company.

X-ray systems detect range of contaminants

A new range of x-ray systems can inspect packaged products for a wide variety of contaminants, the manufacturer claims.

Seasoning line cuts product damage, claims manufacturer

A new seasoning line can cut product damage by up to 60 per cent compared to traditional vibratory methods, claims the manufacturer.

Wild against water waste

Wild is building a new system for recycling water that will save the company money as well as protect the environment, the company claims.

Economy x-ray inspects and detects

A new economy inspection system uses x-ray to check products for contaminants and other defects, its manufacturer claims.

Masterfoods labelling move spurs new veggie debate

Masterfoods has announced plans to introduce a vegetarian labelling scheme for some of its chocolate products as of next year, but the Vegetarian Society says ingredients still do not meet its sourcing requirements.

Proposals would boost in house training schemes

UK food and drink manufacturers may soon be able to offer their workers recognised qualifications and get government funding for such in-house training.

Castleberry's recall could cost $35m

A product recall following a botulism scare could cost Castleberry's Food Company $35m, according to estimates by parent company, Connors Bros.

Food container made from recycled PET

A new food container is made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), providing manufacturers with the opportunity to present themselves as "environmentally-friendly".

New water plant incorporates all stages of production

A giant purpose-built water bottling facility in Germany will handle the entire production process, from bottling and warehousing to storage and distribution.

Number of jobs fall in food and drink manufacturing

The number of jobs in the UK's food and drink sector fell by 14 per cent from 2000 to 2005, reflecting the decline in the number of companies in the sector.

Weekly Comment

A helping hand to the confused consumer

Consumers are bombarded with an overload of nutritional advice and product marketing - be it from magazines, television shows, and product advertising - and without a degree in nutritional science, it's a wonder they can make sense of it at all.

Flooding, fuels and interest rates affect food prices

A combination of factors are conspiring to drive up food prices, particularly in the UK, as harvests have been impacted by severe weather over the summer and interest rates have been subject to quick-fire increase.

New spray system for industry tanks

A new monitoring device can monitor the operation of tank cleaning systems from the outside, potentially saving the cost of having to make modifications to the equipment.

EU concerns over EFSA costs

EU member countries are concerned about the feasibility of companies paying fees to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for vetting ingredients, packaging and food contact materials for use in the bloc.

UK a high risk foot and mouth zone

The European Commission this week declared that the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, is a high risk zone, as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) spreads across potentially three UK farms.

Hose reduces mineral residue, says manufacturer

A new hosedown station is designed to reduce the effects of scaling and mineral build-up, a common problem when cleaning large areas regularly.

Emerging markets boost for Coca-Cola brands

Emerging markets in Europe and Asia continue to boost the global profitability of Coca-Cola's brands as two of its regional bottlers yesterday posted optimistic growth expectations for the fiscal year.

UK councils take up carton recycling drive

The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment in the UK (ACE) is working with councils across the UK to increase carton recycling.

Salad packs good for environment and consumer

Huhtamaki claims to be one of the first companies to use both recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and thermoformed food packaging techniques for its new salad packs.

The Philippines bans UK meat

The country today banned manufacturers from importing pork products from the UK, according to local news reports, as apprehension over foot and mouth (FMD) spreads across Asia.

Steam cooker enables even, safe processing

A new cooker injects steam into processed food during mixing to evenly distribute the heat, its manufacturer claims.

Closure stores and mixes active ingredients

A new closure, designed to store and dispense separated active ingredients into liquid, could increase the shelf life of products such as sports drinks and functional beverages.

Biodegradable pads increase meat appeal

A new range of biodegradable meat pads can reduced discoloration in packaged meat, the manufacturer claims.

Barcode system allows instant product identification

A new identification system can be used to instantly identify the source of packaged products throughout the supply chain.

Beverage biopackaging market to grow?

The global market for drinks packaged in compostable bottles will reach €23m ($32m) in 2007, according to Zenith international, but only if the necessary infrastructure is put in place.

Dairy group criticises deadline extension

A leading Bulgarian dairy association has attacked plans to extend the deadline for food processors in the country to comply with EU production standards, news reports have said.

Organic candy the future of confectionery, says new report

Organic and healthy candy will sustain the future of the US non-chocolate confectionery market, according to a new report.

Batching system can replace eight workers

A new batching system accurately collects and weighs meat, poultry and other products, reducing labour requirements for processors, its manufacturer claims.

New bacteria sensor fights disease

US researchers claim to have invented a new 'food freshness sensor' that can accurately detect spoiled food, and so help in the battle against food poisoning.

New report could take bite out of confectionery industry

Hospitals and sports centres around the UK are contradicting Government health campaigns, according to a recent report from the Soil Association.

RFID standard to be incorporated in cargo seals

Six companies will incorporate a new international standard for shipping seals that use radio frequency identification (RFID) to warn when a cargo's contents have been breached.

More worked needed over recyclable packaging

Biodegradable food packaging is a viable option for the UK food industry, but only if proper recycling facilities are developed, according to a new handbook.

Monitor designed to eliminate bottling line jams

A new infeed monitor is engineered to eliminate line jams by distributing product from a nested position to multiple lanes at speeds up to 2,000 bottles per minute, its manufacturer claims.

Process eliminates allergens in peanuts, claims scientist

Details remain unclear about the claims by a North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University researcher that he has developed a process to make allergen-free peanuts.

System remembers labels to reject defects

A new inspection system can "learn" and store the parameters for different labels to increase packaging line accuracy.

ConAgra to reopen renovated plant

ConAgra is set to reopen this month the plant where jars of peanut butter were contaminated with salmonella, following the completion renovations costing $15m.

Analyser adapted for high viscosity milk

A manufacturer of analysers designed to assess milk composition claims to have adapted their products for use in the production of high viscosity milk products - a first for the company.

New erector can improve confectionery packing performance

A new high-speed case packer and erector can pack up to 100 cases of products a minute, according to the manufacturers.

New temperature device for freezers

A new panel-mounted device for cold storage equipment can download temperatures directly on to a computer, making record keeping faster and more accurate.

EU bans UK exports after FMD scare

The European Commission has now banned all UK exports of live animals, as well as meat and dairy products, after Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was found on a UK farm last Friday, according to Forbes magazine.

States and shops act over guar gum fears

EU member states are taking action over the possibility of food products contaminated by guar gum containing high dioxin levels, but the full extent of the problem is not yet known.

Weekly Comment

Reflections from IFT

As the dust settles on this year's IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago, health and wellness and food safety came through as the star performers, and drivers for the future of the industry.

System raises the pressure

Avure's new two litre High Pressure Processing (HPP) system provides pressures 20 per cent higher than previous systems.

Bulgarian bakers hit by higher input prices

Bakers in Bulgaria are predicting a 30 to 50 per cent rise in bread prices due to increased input costs, according to a recent market update.

Study examines effect of chemicals in baby foods

A new EU-funded study on infants will examine the impact on the health of newborns of chemicals currently found in baby foods.

PET blow-moulder designed with modular oven

A new blow-moulding machine is designed with a modular oven, whose length can be adjusted to the space available in a plant.

Three packaging materials get positive scientific opinion

Three new food contact materials have received a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

RFID being tested with manufacturers

An EU-funded project to develop radio frequency identification (RFID) will launch pilot studies with manufacturers this year.

Wal-Mart Canada unveils supply chain scorecard

Supply chain service providers to Wal-Mart Canada will be required to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment, or face losing out on the business to those that do.

NSF to buy CMi in bid to extend food safety certification

Certification and testing agency NSF will buy CMi, under an agreement that would create a global food safety assurance company.

Coalition releases proposed nanotech rules

An international coalition of consumer, environmental and labour groups yesterday released a list of proposals to regulate the use of nanotechnology, providing processors with an insight of what such laws may look like.

Unilever takes aggressive stance for growth aims

Unilever today announced it will cut 20,000 jobs, accounting for 11 per cent of its total workforce, as part of a new "aggressive" growth strategy for its operations.

Latest China food safety developments

China's State Council has issued a special regulation, which intensifies control and supervision of food manufacturers and distributors, in a bid to improve food safety, according to Xinhua, the official news agency.

RFID innovation has blue cheese in its sights

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has now been adapted to track Spanish blue cheese as it travels along the food chain.

FDA to increase inspectors following bill funding

More food safety inspectors are to be recruited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after a $90.7m funding bill was passed by Congress today.

Hygiene tool provides dual results

A new hygiene test tool analyses two types of molecules to provide food processors with more reliable results, its manufacturer claims.

Crown to double can production in Spain

In a bid to meet rising demand for beverages in cans, packaging supplier Crown yesterday said it will double its production capacity in Spain.

Global warming, regulation affecting processors, says study

Global warming, increasing regulation and greater consumer activism are changing the way the UK food and drink manufacturers operate, according to a Deloitte & Touche study.

Unsafe levels of Bisphenol A found in humans, scientists say

Human exposure to food packaging chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) is higher than levels found to have caused cancer in laboratory animals, according to new scientific studies.

Consumers concerned about food transport, says survey

About 41 per cent of UK consumers believe producers and supermarkets should provide more details about food miles on the products they sell, according to a new survey released today.

Joint venture to build Chinese soybean plant

A new soybean processing plant is to be built in China through a partnership between the state and a US company.