Breaking News on Food Processing & Packaging

Companies urged to register women for management course

About half of the 500 places have been taken up in a new training programme for women managers in the UK's food and drinks industry, the skills sector council said yesterday.

SABMiller extends use of anti-scuff coating for returnables

After testing a new anti-scuff coating for reusable bottles in South Africa, SABMiller said today it will roll out the application to its key breweries worldwide.

EFSA to speed up review of colours from hyperactive kids study

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has announced it will prioritise its own review of the six colours at the heart of the recent study linking certain artificial additives with children's hyperactivity.

Biodegradable film cuts material use, manufacturer claims

A biodegradable packaging film uses 25 per cent less material than most food wraps currently being used for meat and poultry, according to the manufacturer.

Commisson proposes to eliminate cereal import duty

In another move to ease the supply shortage of cereals in the EU, the European Commission yesterday called for the suspension of all import duties on cereals.

Supply squeeze hits beverage can market

Announced capacity additions to beverage can production in Europe will likely not be enough to meet rising demand, Wachovia Capital Markets said yesterday.

Robert Wiseman Dairies manages to increase margins

Robert Wiseman Dairies has been able to juggle suppliers, pricing and higher input costs in the first half of this year, while increasing margins, according to a trading statement released today.

Heavy-duty fryer designed for high-volume production

Heat and Control has released a heavy-duty fryer allowing for the high-volume production of nuts, snacks and other foods.

US food import safety battle continues

Debates over how the US should deal with food safety issues continue to rage between regulators, manufacturers, consumers and even the media, after a number of scandals this year broke out over imported products from Asia.

Conveyor incorporates linked communication system

A new conveyor belt system with linking software boosts production performance, according to the manufacturer.

US issues draft Codex positions on gluten-free

Standards for gluten-free foods must encompass all types of foods that do not contain gluten, said the US in its draft positions for the next session of a Codex Committee meeting.

World School Milk Day

Tetra Pak makes the business case for social responsibility

Tetra Pak's involvement in school feeding programmes shows how companies can leverage their industry knowledge to help the poor, while still being able to justify the effort on the bottom line.

Chip stirrer targeted at automated processes

An automated chip stirrer can help boost output by up to 25 per cent, according to its manufacturer.

Healthy outlook for Dairy Crest's financial ambitions

Higher pricing and an increasing focus on healthier products continues to ensure that Dairy Crest remains in line to achieve its full year sales targets, the company announced today.

UK waste reduction research foreshadows policy approach

A UK programme of research into waste reduction could put more restrictions on how processors make and package their products.

Emerging markets behind SABMiller profit boost

SABMiller says that a continued focus on expanding in emerging beer markets like Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe has allowed it to boost lager sales by 11 per cent.

Sensor checks for fouling during production

A new sensor developed in France allows food processors to check for fouling in pipes.

Mintel identifies lunch opportunities in new report

A Mintel study on the lunchtime habits of American consumers flags up all the classic drivers that have characterized growth opportunities in the food and beverage market over recent years: convenience, health, premium, fresh and natural.

Processors cited for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Diageo, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Cadbury Schweppes, and Tesco are industry leaders in moving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to an annual report by the Carbon Disclosure Project.

PET bottle has the class of glass, says manufacturer

A new polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle for wine offers a lower weight form of packaging without sacrificing product quality or the environmental benefits associated with glass, its manufacturer claims.

New bioplastic plant being built in Belgium

A new manufacturing plant being built in Belgium is scheduled to begin producing plastic made out of biodegradable materials in 2009.

Unilever invests in technology, cuts staff

As part of a global reorganisation of its business, Unilever will begin investing in new technology at its UK sites, resulting in staff cuts.

Nanotech knowledge gap hinders industry, survey shows

Nearly three-quarters of US consumers have little or no knowledge of nanotechnology, and so would refrain from buying food products developed using the science, according to a new report.

Tougher food import laws proposed

A bill proposing stricter import regulations has been presented to Congress, as fears over imported food products show no sign of diminishing.

Weekly comment

Consumers and the confidence crisis

Consumer demand - the holy grail of any industry - is a fragile and easily manipulated treasure. But influencing consumers for anything other than their own benefit will, more often than not, carry unintended consequences.

Test for tender gene discovered

French scientists have developed a genetic test that could help processors chose cattle they say will result in the tenderest meat possible.

European processors feel raw milk cost pinch

The average price paid to European farmers for their milk is up 12 per cent on the previous year to €30.66 per 100kg, according to a new market report.

Batter made better

The search for a better batter has resulted in a process that helps increase crispiness and reduce fat, according to a new study.

UK moves to risk-based inspection system

The level of inspections of UK manufacturing plants would depend on the level of risk a particular processor poses to public health, under proposed rules published for consultation.

Wal-Mart suppliers must reveal emission data

Once again expanding a "protect the environment" program, retail giant Wal-Mart today announced it will ask suppliers to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions for every product.

Stainless steel forklift raises the food hygiene bar

A stainless steel forklift truck is designed for moving and weighing products at manufacturing sites such as food processing plants that need to be as hygienic as possible.

Spiral mixer cools the dough

A new spiral mixer incorporates a cooling system, allowing bakers to keep better quality control, its manufacturer claims.

Company offers food waste to biofuel conversion

The UK's Carbon Trust Enterprises has teamed up with an energy company to boost the conversion of industrial food waste into ethanol.

New bags can ease pipeting for chocolate industry, claims manufacturer

A new filter bag can make pipeting quicker and easier when testing thick, pasty foods such as chocolate in the lab, claims its manufacturer.

Vacuum packaging designed for cooked hams

Cryovac has released a new vacuum packaging machine targeting processors aiming to make inroads into the ready-to-cook convenience market, along with two new shrink bags.

EU risk control amendments being reworked, reports UK regulator

Updates to risk control requirements, a proposed relaxation of hygiene rules for small slaughterhouses, and a new action plan for boosting regulatory oversight of industry are on the agenda at the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) meeting this morning.

UK businesses rate high in contingency planning

UK businesses are better prepared than many of their global counterparts when it comes to planning for disasters such as the destruction of a plant, but fall down when it comes to the loss of a supplier, according to new report.

Capper puts the closure on damage, claims manufacturer

A new capper uses belts instead of spindles, eliminating cap damage and providing a more consistent closure, its manufacturer claims.

More consumers check labels for country of origin, report

More Americans are checking product labels in light of recent safety scares resulting from dangerous imports, according to a recent survey.

EU may boost milk production say reports

As a dwindling milk supply continues to bite into the profits of European dairy processors, the European Commision hinted this week that it may consider raising quotas on production to relieve the industry's woes.

New food safety website for small companies

Size need not be a problem, as a new website has been launched to help small and medium-sized manufacturers fight an array of food safety issues.

Four pillar plan will ensure import safety, GMA says

The US Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) today announced an action plan for strengthening food safety, to meet concerns that increased imports from overseas has resulted in a wave of faulty or damaged products.

Walkers warns of skills shortage

The government must do more to boost workers' skills if the food and drink industry is to remain competitive, according to a general manager of Walkers Shortbread.

Ireland and other EU members register productivity gains

While the US retains its top spot in a global ranking of labour productivity, Ireland, Finland, Sweden and the UK have continued to catch up to the economic giant.

Major processors sign up to carbon labelling scheme

Four major processors, including Cadbury Schweppes and Coca-Cola, have signed up to a UK scheme to measure the carbon emitted in making some of their key products.

Ampac acquires retort pouch packager

Ampac Packaging has acquired international retort pouch converter, Germany-based Floeter Flexible Packaging.

EU regulations stymie food innovation, says economist

Novel foods regulation is presenting a serious barrier to innovation by food ingredients companies in Europe, according to a new economic review, threatening the industry's competitiveness on the global stage.

Dairy company tests ozone pasteurisation technique

A cold pasteurisation technique that uses ozone gas allows processors to create food without damaging healthy components, according to its developer.

Processors move to quell health fears over additives

The biggest trend in the UK market in recent years has been for manufacturers and retailers to reduce the use of additives, as well as replacing additives used with non-artificial alternatives, says the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Long wait predicted for EU food laws

A Brussels consultancy group has warned that the harmonisation process for EU food laws, including maximum mineral and vitamin levels, has "a long way to go" before completion.

FDA gives isomaltulose health claim green light

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a non-cariogenic health claim for the carbohydrate sweetener isomaltulose.

No let-up expected in ingredients price rises

Food ingredients prices rose at the fastest rate since 1998 in August, says a new report released just as ministers warn that the worst of the hikes is yet to come - a particularly for meat.

Foot and mouth spreads in UK

Foot-and-mouth disease has spread to two more farms in the UK, underlying fears that a EU-wide ban on the country's exports will be prolonged.

Soft drinks makers claim reformulation commitment

As manufacturers continue to react to the consumer backlash from new findings linking artificial additive use to child hyperactivity, the beverage industry claims companies are moving to reformulate products accordingly.

Packaging wields the power in luncheon meat market

About half of American households are purchasing luncheon meat sold in pouches, while sales of the product in other types of packaging have fallen, a new report says.

More risk control of supply chain needed says Sudan 1 panel

Food safety recommendations made by a panel investigating one of the largest industry-wide recalls ever made in the UK could lead to tougher regulatory scrutiny of the way processors manage their supply chain.

UK industry's dependence on foreign workers increases

An estimated 10 per cent of those working in the UK's food and drink manufacturing sectors are foreign nationals, according to statistics from a labour force survey.

Weekly Comment

Arnie and the clones

Cloned foods have not yet made it to our grocery aisles, but in the advent of such a rollout consumers must have a defined right to decide if they want to swallow the technology or not.

Intensive meat production a danger to food supply, warns FAO

A report, issued today by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about the increased risk of pathogen contamination in industrial meat production, serves as an advance warning to processors of a growing problem.

PET bottle contains recycled materials

A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) juice bottle containing 30 per cent recycled materials has been launched in the UK market.

Research agenda set out for food industry funding

Building consumer trust, food safety, processing techniques, developing new products, and promoting sustainable production are some of the research targets set out for funding yesterday by industry.

Commission proposal to boost grain production, ease shortage

In a bid to ease the supply shortage of grains and prevent further price rises, the European Commission yesterday proposed to allow EU farmers to use a further 3.8 million hectares of land they must usually lay fallow.

News briefs: Salmonella in eggs; additive reduction

News briefs: A UK survey finds low level of salmonella contamination in eggs used in restaurants, pubs and cafeterias; processors meet with the UK regulator, citing evidence showing that they have taken great strides in producing products without artificial additives.

Arla cuts cheese to ease supply burden

Arla Foods is to cut cheese production by 6,200 tonnes until the new year in a drive to better deal with a dwindling global supply of raw milk.

New technology for PET bottle packing

A new packing machine can place polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into crates at speeds of up to 60 crates a minute, the manufacturer claims.

Hard cheese for Biraghi over grana dispute

Italian cheese producer Biraghi's battle to keep a geographically protected trademark for its products has gone sour after the a EU court rejected its claims yesterday.

'HFCS-free' emerging as new health claim, says Datamonitor

High fructose corn syrup is increasingly being blacklisted by food and beverage manufacturers as they attempt to market products that are perceived as 'better-for-you', says Datamonitor.

Foot-and-mouth rears head in UK

The UK's meat and dairy industry is under siege, with a new EU ban in place yesterday on exports as farmers battle to control yet another outbreak of food-and-mouth disease.

Fonterra pares energy bill by 5 per cent

New Zealand-based Fonterra claims to have made further steps towards improved sustainability for dairy production by cutting another 5 per cent off its energy bill.

Immigration proposals aimed at filling industry skills shortage

EU immigration ministers meeting in Lisbon this week are currently working on a unified immigration programme to fill gaps in the bloc's workforce, a decision that will be crucial for the food and drink industry.

Union sues over illegal raids on meat factories

The battle between labour and government continues, as the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) has again objected to the crackdown on illegal workers in the food industry.

Help us reduce label processing time, says regulator

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is calling on food processors to submit proposals to reduce the amount of time taken to authorize labeling information.

FDA hearing eyes national nutrition symbol system

The US government yesterday concluded a hearing examining the implementation of a nation-wide food labeling system to provide consistent nutrition information on product labels.

New aspartame review claims no grounds for concern

A new review of research on the safety of aspartame has concluded that suggestions of adverse effects have 'no credible scientific basis' - findings that add weight to the argument of those who stand by the sweetener's good name.

E. coli report calls for review of UK food safety law

Current UK regulation of the meat industry should be reviewed to determine whether changes are needed to prevent outbreaks of disease such as E. coli, according to a review report released yesterday.

Organisations accuse UK regulator of industry bias

Three consumer organisations have accused the UK regulator of having "misled" the public and of being in the pocket of manufacturers over its approach to a major study on food additives.

Online auction exchange created for used equipment

The growing online market for used processing and packaging equipment has received a further boost, with US-based DoveBid creating a new auction facility for companies.

Multi-platform RFID reader enters market

NEC Corporation claims to have developed what it is calling the world's first radio frequency identification (RFID) device that can both read and write tag data on multiple frequencies.

Could biofuels do more harm than good? OECD asks

European ministers will today discuss whether propounding use of biofuels is justified given their impact on food prices, and whether first generation technologies are causing more environmental harm than good.

Report tracks consolidation of plastic packaging sector

Merger and buyout mania has hit Europe's plastics packaging sector, with private equity playing a major role in consolidating the industry, according to a new report.

Transparent PP trays designed for convenience foods

A new clear polypropylene (PP) has been released on the market, designed for packaging meats and convenience foods in transparent trays.

Pig industry squeals at high feed costs

Hikes in feed prices are pushing up the cost of meat supplies, and farmer associations and processors are calling on retailers to pass on the increased input costs.

InBev to expand Belgian beer production

InBev is investing €60m into its domestic Belgian breweries to target growing global demand for some of the country's leading beer brands.

Import safety approach needs overhaul, says report

The US will fail to deal with food safety in an increasingly global market, unless improved preventative checking measures are put in place for imports, a new report warns.

Small-scale fluidiser designed to test formulations

A new laboratory-scale fluidiser is designed to allow small businesses to test formulations before scaling up to commercial production.

Food executive sentenced to jail over E. coli outbreak

Breaching food safety rules can lead to jail, as the executive of a UK food manufacturer has discovered.

EFSA confirms place of UK additives study in review

The European Food Standards Authority has confirmed that it will be considering the FSA-funded study on certain food additives and children's behaviour as part of its current review of additive safety.

New fast test method developed

In a new study, researchers say they have developed a reliable way of testing and analysing large numbers of food samples quickly for possible pathogen contamination.

Weekly comment

Hooked on Es

This comment was amended to correct a statement about bans of additives in other countries. Some of the chemicals were previously banned by Norway, Austria and Australia but those bans have since been removed. Allura red AC, tartrazine and sunset yellow are allowed in the US, while quinoline yellow, carmoisine and ponceau 4R are not. None of the colour additives are currently banned by Australia, which lifted a ban on quinoline yellow in 2003. The country does not permit tartrazine to be used in medicines.

Saw palmetto drought drives prices up, raises supply questions

Saw palmetto prices are set to soar following a drought in Florida, leaving further room for low-quality or fake products to enter the market, says Valensa International.

Tetra Pak opens new liquid food packaging plant

Tetra Pak today opened what it calls the largest converting plant in Russia and Eastern Europe to produce packaging material for liquid food products.

Kraft resets its focus to drive down costs

Kraft Foods will drive down costs by $1bn (€732m), rejig its global portfolio, and exploit its sales capabilities, in a bid to make the company more profitable, the company's top executive stated at a conference this week.

Drum motor cleans itself

A new self-cleaning drum motor for conveyor belts is due to be leased on the market at the end of 2007.

Consumers confused about 'green' plastics

UK consumers have a confused understanding about "green" plastics and how to dispose of them, according to a survey by the Waste and Resource Action Programme (Wrap).

Coca-Cola to build US recycling plant

Coca-Cola announced yesterday that is will build the world's largest bottle recycling plant as part of an ambitious plan to recycle all of its plastic packaging in the US.

Coca-Cola reports progress on environment, workers rights

The environment, corporate governance and workers rights are transforming the way managers oversee their global manufacturing operations, as demonstrated in Coca-Cola's second report on its progress in these areas.

Rottneros to increase capacity for cellulose packaging

Rottneros is building a second factory for the manufacture of its cellulose fibre-based food packaging.

FDA to take action against improperly labeled sugar free goods

Manufacturers that use 'sugar free' claims on their product labels must ensure that they also include the appropriate calorie information, said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week.

Industry acting ahead of hyperactivity fears - expert

The reformualtion of products due to health concerns over the preservative sodium benzoate (E211) will not significantly affect soft drink manufacturers, an expert claims.

WHO sets out European food safety action plan

EU country representatives will discuss future goals for co-ordinated food safety and nutritional policies in the bloc, at a 19 September meeting to be held by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Popcorn brands ban diacytel

Two of the largest US popcorn makers have removed diacetyl from their brands, as doctors report that the chemical may now cause a fatal lung disease in consumers as well as factory workers.

Consumers confused about food-borne pathogens

Around 90 per cent of Americans are concerned about food safety, yet are still confused as to what exactly poses a threat to human health, says a study released yesterday.

UK law revisions toughen up import rules

UK regulations relating to food and feed imports are being toughened up under new revisions submitted for public comment yesterday.

How strong is your noodle?

A new device allows processors to measure the tensile strength and extensibility of their pasta products.

Unilever wields cleaver to Euro workforce

Unilever's European workforce will bear the brunt of the company's proposed 20,000 job cuts over the next four years, a company spokesperson said today.

Chiller cools quicker, claims manufacturer

A new continuous chiller cools down mayonnaise, sauces and pastes faster than existing batch systems, its manufacturer claims.

Shaking and tapping to end, declare packaging researchers

The sticky ketchup problem has been solved, researchers in Germany declared today.

Handbook on discolourations provides easy reference

Black, brown, red, yellow, green and white are everyday colours, but on foods they may indicate problems with manufacturing processes or storage.

Weekly comment

Food prices and the death of the productionist model

Last week saw a string of communications about food price rises: first warnings were aired about wheat, then meat, then dairy. It's a vertiginous view from the heights of the commodity markets, and it's clearer than ever before that we need to re-jig our basic food supply systems if we are to feed the world in the future.

EU proposals could lead to higher water prices

A new EU report could result in food processors and other industries paying more for the amount of water they use.

USDA offers funding for organic certification

Small organic producers could benefit from proposed US Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to help them meet organic certification costs.

High prices remain after milk production hike

An expected increase in global dairy production is unlikely to alleviate current industry concerns over high milk prices, according to findings by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

DEFRA to review organic standards committee

The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a review of its Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS), which is expected to pave the way towards future development and governance.

Book details advance in yoghurt production

A revised publication focusing on high quality yoghurt production offers a unique insight into the methods and theory being used by today's dairy industry, its authors claim.

Studies extend food safety database

Food safety is high on the list of scientists' research agendas, as indicated by the release of three studies today on lowered salt use, Yersinia enterocolitica, and extending the shelf life of cooked ham.

US illegal workforce clampdown delayed by courts

A federal judge this week temporarily barred the US government from forcing companies to fire workers who seem to lack a social security number, after unions argued the move would affect legal employees.

California to ban human RFID implants

California will become the third US state to ban manufacturers and others from implanting radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in their workers, under a bill passed by legislators last week.

Packagers team up to offer full line

Multivac and Ishida will market and distribute each other's products, a combination that will allow the companies to offer complete packaging lines to processors.

Temporary labour providers under scrutiny

The UK's crackdown on exploitative labour providers to the food sector began in earnest this weekend, when shellfish pickers officially began working the country's coasts.

EU minister in China to discuss improved food safety

The EU's top health representative is meeting with China's officials this week in a bid to ensure processors and others get safe supplies from a country beset by problems with its quality controls.

New nanowire combats E-coli pathogens, says study

Meat processing surfaces can be made almost fully resistant to E-coli thanks to new nanowire technology, researchers claim.