Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

WHO recommends global phasing out of trans fats

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that governments around the world phase out partially hydrogenated oils if trans-fat labelling alone doesn't spur significant reductions.

Method provides faster shelf life indication for milk, researchers say

A microbiological testing system developed by Foss is quicker and more effective than currentlyused methods for estimating the shelf life of pasteurised milk, researchers say.

Researchers study more efficient refrigeration techniques

In a bid to cut energy use in the UK's food processing plants, researchers at the University ofBristol have launched a government-funded project to come up with more efficient refrigerationtechniques.

Wrapping system boosts Ulma's share of UK poultry market

Spain-based Ulma Packaging says its wrapping system for whole fresh birds has given it a 75 per cent share of the UK market.

Agitator adds delicate touch to the mix

By fitting an agitator to its range of volumetric depositors, food processors can now mixdelicate products without having to buy a new machine, says UK-based Turbo Systems.

UK law regulates temporary labour providers

A new UK law comes into force next week, requiring processors to source their temporary labourfrom licensed gangmasters.

Elopak takes takeover bid to SIG's shareholders

SIG, a Switzerland-based packager, has opened the door to takeover bids from othercompanies after its board rejected a €1.3bn cash offer from the owners of Norway-based Elopak.

Summer ends but bakers still feeling the heat

UK bakery group RHM has announced it expects profits this year to meet expectations but admitted that, like many bakers, it was still feeling the effects of poor summer sales coupled with mounting wheat prices.

Cap technology provides instant drinks

A new capping device allows individuals to mix their own drinks by blasting ingredients into a water-filled container.

Multi-lane aseptic machine packs low-acid foods

A new machine for the aseptic packaging low acid food products can handle a range of products atthe same time.

New yoghurt process extends shelf-life

A new manufacturing process has the potential to extend the shelf life of yoghurts with live and active cultures.

Europe needs a strong CAP

Europe needs a strong Common Agricultural Policy but this must reflect current realities, argues EC minister Mariann Fischer Boel.

European countries top list for business location

Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are the world's most competitive economies according to this year's assessment by the World Economic Forum (WEF) of the best places to do business.

Voluntary nanotechnology reporting launched in UK

UK food manufacturers and others are been asked to provide any information on nanotechnologies they are working on, under a programme launched this week by the government.

EFSA to evaluate meat cleaning substances

Cleaning substances used on meat products will be assessed for safety by theEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under a new programme announced yesterday.

Carbon monoxide in meat products 'deceptive', say consumers

Most consumers are concerned about the use of carbon monoxide to meats, according to a new survey, which rekindles an ongoing debate between industry and consumer groups.

Amendments to change range of EU hygiene regulations

A package of amendments to the EU's food hygiene regulations sets out the changes meat, fish and dairy processors will have to follow in their plants.

Chromatograph measures trace gas impurities

A new gas chromatograph monitors trace impurities in carbon dioxide (CO2), helping food andbeverage makers ensure the quality of their products.

EU to remove restrictions on packaging sizes

Companies will soon have the freedom to choose the size of packaging they use for most oftheir products, after a set of restrictive rules were abolished yesterday by EU ministers.

RPC gets closer to Kraft Tassimo coffee plants

UK-based RPC Bramlage-Wiko has set up shop in small town Pennsylvania, providing US processors with another source of rigid plastic packaging for their products.

Wal-Mart puts pressure on suppliers to go green

A plan by Wal-Mart to become more environmentally friendly will have a gigantic ripple effect onprocessors, both in the packaging and sourcing of their products.

Flat label records time, temperature

A new flat label can record time and temperature data on food products for up to eight weeks,providing a record in case safety has been compromised by improper storage.

Veal definition to restrict use of term

In a bid to prevent the traditional definition of veal from being expanded to include olderanimals, the European Commission wants to lay down the law on what meats can use the description.

Weekly comment

When vegetables become victims

The demonisation of spinach following last week's E.coli outbreak could give salad-dodgers the excuse they have been looking for to skimp on their recommended five to nine portions of fruit and veg a day. Without communication and a united front from industry, a longer-term public health crisis could be on the cards.

UK regulator plans to reduce compliance costs

The UK's food regulator plans to slice millions of euros off the administration costs faced bybusinesses in complying with safety regulations, leaving operators with more money in their pockets.

Rosemary packaging extends meat shelf life

Spanish researchers have found a way to keep meat looking pink and fresh on the shelf, withoutthe use of carbon monoxide.

Vinyl work gloves get metal detector treatment

A new line of vinyl gloves can be picked up by metal detectors, helping to ensure food safety in the plant.

FDF slams 'scare tactics' over fat levels in crisps

The FDF has accused the British Heart Foundation of 'scare tactics' over its newly launched Food4Thought campaign.

Food scientists burrow deeper into industry issues

Food scientists are burrowing down into the molecular level of processing, finding new solutionsto industry's manufacturing problems, according to organisers here at a conference.

Union disputes draw unwanted public attention to workplace

Two union actions -- one involving worker safety, the other a pay dispute -- highlight the unwanted public such conflicts can draw to UK food processers.

Ten years later: ISAAA reviews future of biotechnology

The next decade is set to see a global doubling in biotech crop availability, as countries become increasingly less sceptical and begin to see the benefits, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

RFID system cuts across standards

NEC System Technologies has developed a radio frequency identification device that can read and write to a variety of tags using different standards.

Fluid processor designed for clean room production

A new fluid processor for clean room production areas, provides an alternative to the more expensive high-pressure fluid processors or traditional homogenizers, its manufacturer claims.

Fluid processor designed for clean room production

A new fluid processor for clean room production areas, provides an alternative to the more expensive high-pressure fluid processors or traditional homogenizers, its manufacturer claims.

High speed labeller ups efficiency, firm claims

A new machine can put labels on both oblong-shaped containers and round bottles at high speeds, claims its manufacturer.

EU waste rules leave by-products in limbo, say food makers

Plans to revise the EU's waste management policy must clarify the legal status of by-products from food processing if they are to improve efficiency and save resources, says a food industry body.

EU's food agency battles attempts to hijack science

Science and politics make poor bedfellows. Just ask Herman Koeter, deputy executive director at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has felt the push and pull of national politics ever since the agency began operating four years ago.

French biscuit sector set for shake-up

The French biscuit industry is set for a significant shift if a deal between two market leaders goes ahead.

In-house nitrogen generator cuts food firms' costs

A new compressed air generator allows processors to make their own nitrogen, used in the food and drink industry to extend shelf life.

FDA responds to E.coli spinach outbreak

The FDA is also continuing to provide regular updates on the E. coli O157:H7 spinach outbreak that has so far resulted in 114 cases of illness.

Chocolate technology on display

Manufacturers are lining up innovative processing equipment to attract confectioners at the upcoming international baking trade fair, the IBA.

Acrylamide study points way to processing methods

A predictive model developed to determine final acrylamide levels in processed potatoes can be used to reduce the potential carcinogen in other products, says a researcher from Dublin.

UK dairy processors told to look abroad

Dairy processors in Britain must be more adventurous on the international market if they are to compete with foreign rivals and achieve their commercial potential, says industry body Dairy UK.

Nanotechnology conference predicts food sector boom

Food companies will get a snapshot of the ways nanotechnology can be used by their industry at an upcoming conference next month in Atlanta, Georgia.

Smart label indicates accidental freezing

A new label on the market can indicate when temperature sensitive products have been accidentally frozen during transport or storage.

New GI definitions spark fierce debate

A new set of definitions related to glycemic carbohydrates have been approved by a group of industry and science experts, in an effort designed to help food manufacturers communicate how the carbohydrate content of a product will affect blood glucose levels.

Indian demand for processed food driving preservatives growth

Growth in the demand for processed foods in India is driving the burgeoning preservatives market, according to a new market report.

New food poisoning case hits China

Almost 300 people were hospitalized in Shanghai last week, after suspected food poisoning by pork containing a banned animal feed additive, the state media Xinhua reported on Friday.

EU ministers take wine reform plunge

Winemakers across Europe were a step closer to ripping out their vines last night after European agriculture ministers agreed in principle to radical reform of the wine sector.

UK regulator to increase inspection charges

As part of its policy to recover the costs of regulatory supervision from industry, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) plans to increase its charges to the meat sector by 3.5 per cent next year.

Cooling tunnels help cows to up milk yield, study

Herding cows into special cooling tunnels during hot weather could increase milk yields, says a study, after a heatwave across Britain sent milk production plummeting this summer.

Exporters wary of shipping dependency, study finds

Exporters prefer to put their eggs in more than one basket when it comes to choosing shippers, according to an industry survey.

Nanotechnology conference predicts boom for food sector

Food companies will get a snapshot of the ways nanotechnology can be used by their industry at an upcoming conference next month in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nano napkin detects pathogens with a swipe

A new biodegradable napkin under development uses nanotechnology to detect contamination in food products.

Plight of bluefin tuna highlights EU's fish crisis

Bluefin tuna has almost been fished out of some of the Mediterranean’s oldest fishing grounds, according to new data released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWW), a global conservation organization.

Food technologists debate processing techniques in Nantes

Food technologists are meeting this week in Nantes, France, to debate the latest scientific discoveries in processing, health and safety.

Weekly Comment

The functional food fudge

In today's competitive food industry, healthy products mean healthy sales but the scramble to keep up with the obesity backlash can have dangerous repercussions.

Industry calls for better regulation, protection of intellectual property

Further progress is urgently needed to improve the EU's competitiveness in such areas as innovation, better regulation, intellectual property rights and fair participation in global markets, says an industry organisation.

Bulk imports could beat wine bottle waste

Importing wine to Britain in bulk and bottling it in lighter glass would save money and help the environment, says a recycling agency, which has signed up supermarkets and wine firms to trial the idea.

Book review

Traceability made easier

A new book gives food industry managers an expert look at the legal requirements on traceability and the strategies and tools available to fulfill them.

Special alfatoxin measures target repeat offenders

Updated EU rules on aflatoxin contamination crack down on repeat offenders such as Egypt, China, Iran and Turkey, and will affect imports of supplies such as peanuts, pistachios, and dried fruit.

Emmi consolidates to defend fondue lead

Swiss dairy group Emmi said it would shift all fondue and cheese production to one factory by 2010, improving efficiency in an attempt to remain the world's number one fondue maker.

Illegal pesticide levels found in 2 per cent of UK foods

About two per cent of foods sampled in the UK during the first quarter of 2006 contained pesticide residues above the maximum permitted levels.

Ter Beke hit by margin fall due to higher costs, retailer pressure

Rising raw material prices, considerably higher energy costs and continuing retailer pressure have cut margins at Ter Beke, a Belgium-based processed meats and fresh ready meals manufacturer.

Barbeque pouch targets convenience market

Processors now have a means of putting a barbeque in a bag.

Online food tracker adds RFID to service

UK-based TraceAll will hook up its online system for tracking food ingredients and products with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Premier bows out of biscuit bid

Premier Foods has dropped out of the bidding war over United Biscuits, leaving US equity firm Blackstone as the sole contender for the European snack giant.

Cadbury's tax win signals opportunity for multinationals

An EU court ruling in favour of Cadbury opens the door for multinationals to shop around the bloc for the lowest tax rates.

Stork to acquire meat equipment maker

Stork Food Systems plans to acquire a processing machine maker in France, part of the company's bid to become a bigger supplier to the meat industry.

Food allergens still pose a threat in US foods

Some food manufacturers are not doing enough to prevent the cross contamination of their products by allergens, according to a survey by the US food regulator.

Canada pushing forward with traceability

Canada's government is offering US$1.5m in financial help to the country's struggling meat sector in a bid get traceability programs on track.

Company shows way to cut landfill waste, save money

A UK food manufacturer has provided an example of how even small companies can save fistfuls of cash by cutting down on tonnes of waste.

Rugged pH sensor built for tough use, manufacturer claims

A new sensor on the market is designed to quickly measure pH in food samples, providing plants with a means of testing the quality of their products.

BASF hikes price for biodegradable plastic

BASF has raised prices for its biodegradable plastic Ecoflex by 20 per cent.

UK teenagers start food manufacturing apprenticeships

A pioneering apprenticeship scheme kicks off this month to train 14 to 16-year-olds in food and drink manufacturing while they are still at school.

New petition filed as popcorn flavor cases continue

Another petition has been filed in recent weeks requesting immediate action to protect popcorn factory workers from the lung-disease causing butter flavor diacetyl.

Taking the guesswork out of microbial production

A Netherlands-based research company claims a breakthrough in developing a more efficient way to produce the microorganisms used in industrial food production.

Conveyor belt squeezes into tight spaces

A new food conveyor belt makes use of small spaces by handling spirals, tight curves and inclined grades.

Heat-resistant on-the-go packaging developed

A microwaveable tray for convenience foods has been developed to ensure consumer safety when handling hot food.

Nitrites in cured meat linked to lung disease

People who regularly eat cured meats are 71 per cent more likely to have symptoms of lung disease than people who never eat this type of meat, says a new study from the US.

Machine speeds up dough making process, company claims

A new machine on the market uses a multi-roller satellite head to produce dough sheets with less strain, its manufacturer claims.

Draft law focuses on packaging contaminants

Proposed EU legislation would define the manufacturing practices the bloc's processors would have to take in ensuring that packaging materials do not migrate into foods.

Consumers want energy-based labelling says EUFIC

Most consumers prefer an energy-based approach to nutrition information on food labels, according to new research conducted by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC).

Sainsbury's makes major switch to biodegradable packging

Sainsbury's will become first major retailer to shift to the large scale use of biodegradable packaging, putting pressure on food processors to make the conversion.

Oil cost squeezes Kerry's margins

The Ireland-based Kerry Group says difficulties in raising prices to recover the increased cost of energy slowed its growth during the first six months of the year.

Weekly Comment

Sweet nothing for global trade

The transition to the new EU sugar regime is a reminder of what was lost when the Doha round of WTO trade talks collapsed.

Georgia, Romania get rid of the red tape

Regulatory reforms are making it easier to do business worldwide, especially in places such as Singapore, Georgia, Romania, the UK, according to a World Bank report.

Vegetable processors hit by low supplies, high costs

Europe's vegetable canners and freezers are being hit by a supply shortage - and extra costs - due to the effects of the weather on the continent's harvests.

Strong EU exports driving stable food and drink industry

Increased exports of certain food and drink products have revived the industry and helped to achieve an impressive trade balance.

Italian producers push for organic label

Italy's organic food industry is pressuring the government to develop a labelling system for local produce.

Flow-wrapper combines MAP and vacuum packaging

A new flow-wrapper on the market allows manufacturers to produce cheaper packs with the same shelf life as thermoformed ones, its manufacturer claims.

Kraft biscuit buy goes ahead

US Food giant Kraft has completed its acquisition of United Biscuits' Iberian biscuit sector in a $1.07bn (€836m) deal that will increase its already-strong presence in Europe.

Cuts to Baltic cod quota puts squeeze on domestic supply

The European Commission this week proposed cutting quotas on cod, salmon and other Baltic Sea species, in some cases by up to 20 per cent.

EU companies consolidating to boost R&D investments

Despite the reluctance of many EU food and packaging companies to invest more in research and development, some have taken up the challenge of keeping the bloc on the leading edge of innovation.

Labeling machine adapts to different cylinders

A new labelling machine can cope with both oblong-shaped containers and round bottles at increased labeling speeds, says its designer.

Labeling machine adapts to different cylinders

A new labeling machine can cope with both oblong-shaped containers and round bottles at increased labeling speeds, says its designer.

USDA proposal could redefine grass-fed meat

Plans by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the definition of grass-fed animals, has caused concern in the industry that the growing market for organic pastured meats could be undermined by commercial operations.

USDA proposal could redefine grass-fed meat

Plans by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the definition of grass-fed animals, has caused concern in the industry that the growing market for organic pastured meats could be undermined by commercial operations.

Edible packaging seen as next wave of innovation

Edible coatings based on various mixes of milk serum proteins, starch, and mesquite gum could be the basis for the next innovative wave in food packaging, says a researcher in Spain.

Styrene study 'misleading', says industry organisation

Research by a government agency in Germany indicating that styrene could cause tumours in humans are "misleading and unnecessarily worrying", an industry organisation claims.

Restrictions on poultry lifted in EU

With no currently outbreaks of avian influenza being found in the EU's borders, all restrictions on the movement of farmed birds have been lifted within the bloc, the European Commission reported yesterday.

Sale of Bulgarian pork could be prohibited with EU accession

The sale of Bulgarian pig meat could soon be prohibited unless the government can prove it is successfully tackling increased outbreaks of Classical Swine fever (CSF) in the country, according to a new USDA report.

Sale of Bulgarian pork could be prohibited with EU accession

The sale of Bulgarian pig meat could soon be prohibited unless the government can prove it is successfully tackling increased outbreaks of Classical Swine fever (CSF) in the country, according to a new USDA report.

Food safety experts launch battle against E. coli bacteria

Food safety experts are meeting in Dublin, Ireland this week to discuss international standards they hope will cut back on the rising number of infections caused by the deadly enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) bacteria.

Trial supports recycled plastic milk bottles in UK

Work on the UK's first factory able to recycle HDPE resin from plastic milk bottles for re-use in food packaging could start within a year, according to a government-funded recycling agency.

Tasting robot could be next generation quality and safety tool

A "tasting" robot that can identify foods, drinks and their ingredients through the packaging provides a glimpse into the future direction of safety and quality control in manufacturing plants.

Company receives award for bacteriophage technology

A Netherlands-based company producing bacteria that kill pathogens has won a Frost & Sullivan award for innovation in food safety.

Software increases production efficiency

Performance software can improve production efficiency, quality and maintenance functions for food and drink companies, claims its developer.

Organic poultry farm uses air-cooling and local producers

To cope with the increasing demand for organic poultry products, Elite Foods has opened a 38,000 square foot East-coast processing plant.

FSA moves to block illegal GM rice

The UK's Food Standards Agency has taken action to ensure that testing and monitoring is carried out on consignments of American long grain rice in the UK.

Aquaculture grows in importance as demand for fish increases

To feed the world's increasing appetite for fish, food processors are going to have to turn to commercial aquaculture farms for their supplies, according to a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report.

Weekly Comment

The truth is out there, in the middle ground

Food can polarise opinion more than most issues, but can we please have some balance and debate, rather than mudslinging and crop burning to get to the truth?

Waste management proposal could lead to more costs

A proposed revision to the EU's waste management policy would give preferential treatment to reusable packaging, such as bottles, over recyclable materials.

Additive gives backbone to biodegradable packaging

A new petrochemical additive on the market reduces the brittleness of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) packaging, according to its manufacturer.

Metallised film provides eye-catching label

A new metallised film could offer food packagers a way to catch the eye of jaded consumers.

Styrene could be cancerous to humans, study finds

Styrene could potentially cause cancer in humans who breath in the substance, a German government agency says.

Heinz boosts profit margins as market strategies pay off

H.J. Heinz strategy to raise prices and cut costs has paid off in profit margins increasing to 15.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2006, two percentage points higher than the comparable period last year.

Does donkey dairy contain the key to longevity?

Donkey milk has been hailed as the secret of long life by a family in Ecuador, but is there any science behind claims for milk that is supposedly the closest thing to human milk?