Food industry policy: Part II

Industry lobbies for changes to environmental, trade policies

In the second of a two-part series FoodProductionDaily.com examines the food industry's strategy in lobbying EU legislators during the upcoming year on environmental policies and international trade issues.

New techniques cited for improving food safety

New processing methods, sanitizers, and washing techniques are some of the technologies highlighted by the federal inspection service as helping businesses meet food safety laws.

Packaging takeover to create Tetra challenger

A packaging group is forming to challenge Tetra Laval's pole position following Carter Holt Harvey's announcement of the purchase of International Paper's beverage unit.

Liquid sterilizer provides alternative to hydrogen peroxide

A liquid system for sterilizing aseptic packaging provides diaryprocessors with a cheaper alternative to hydrogen peroxide solutions, its manufacturer claims.

World coffee production on the rise, but stocks remain low

World coffee production is estimated to increase next year, after improved weather and better yields contributed to a larger coffee crop in a number of producing countries, according to the...

Rank makes bid for SIG as part of global strategy

A €1.5 billion offer for Switzerland-based SIG Holding marks an attempt by a New Zealandbillionaire to put together a global force in packaging.

Cooker-cooler reduces change-over downtime, says manufacturer

A new cooker-cooler can speed-up change-over times. reducing downtime, its manufacturer claims.

Bulgarian funding failing domestic organic producers

A new report has found that funding designed to initiate and promote organic certification amongst Bulgarian food processors and producers is failing smaller domestic enterprises in the country.

Cold water cools Salmonella rate in eggs

Using cold water instead of warm during a second wash of eggs can help cooling, which reduces the risk of pathogen growth both inside and outside the shell, according to...

Food industry weighs in on impact of chemicals law

With the final passage of the new EU law regulating chemicals in the bloc, the food industry has expressed concern about the uncertainties relating to the scope of the legislation...

EU Council backs Austrian ban on GM corn

The European Council is today due to formally back Austria's ban on the cultivation of two genetically modified crops, a move the biotechnology industry has branded as a "departure from...

System sorts small foods according to internal composition

Two European companies have devised a method of sorting wheat grains and other additives based on internal content, allowing processors to monitor the quality of the ingredients going into their...

Irradiation kills pathogens not taste, according to study

Irradiation technology effectively kills foodborne pathogens such as Listeria without conclusively worsening taste or smell, according to a new study.

Changes made to regulation of pesticide-infused packaging

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is turning over the regulation of a new type of pesticide-impregnated food packaging to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a simplification of the law...

Researchers study electrolyzed water as pathogen killer

Electrolyzed water can be used to destroy pathogens like E. coli in foods such as vegetables,according to new research into the process.

UK regulator reviews inspection, enforcement policies

Local authorities in the UK will get new inspection and regulatory powers in the future, thecountry's food agency said yesterday in announcing a review of the current system.

Alcan makes bid to hold down aluminum costs

Alcan, one of the world's largest aluminum producers, says it is launching a research anddevelopment centre in France that will allow it to cut costs by up to 20 per cent.

Software ties product location to temperature and humidity data

Updated software from Sybase allows managers to locate individual products in real time usingradio frequency identification (RFID) technology and tie that information to temperature and humidity conditions.

Scientists develop process-friendly dough

Scientists have patented a new method of producing a process-tolerant composite dough comprising of wheat and non-wheat gluten mixtures.

Weekly Comment

Response and Responsibility

Bah, Humbug! It has been that kind of year in general for the food industry, and in particular for some major companies.

Industry comment

Food firms: legal knowledge vital to Christmas profits

If businesses are not aware of the rights of temporary workers, Christmas profits could be eroded by costly employment disputes warns law firm Eversheds.

Kraft drinks escape benzene lawsuit

Lawsuits alleging soft drinks made by Kraft Foods may contain the cancer-causing chemical, benzene, have been dismissed after the group said it had reformulated products.

Applied Kilovolts supplies power without ripple

A new module supplies power to scanning equipment used in packaging lines and quality control without causing interference, known as ripples, its manufacturer claims.

Sun texture printing makes packaging reach out

A new range of inks and lacquers adds texture to the surface of packaging, giving processors an additional means of reaching out and grabbing consumers.

Food industry policy: Part I

Industry puts emphasis on self-regulation

The EU's food industry association yesterday set out its wish list for the coming year, calling  for a raft of changes to current and proposed laws.

Sun Chemical hike ink prices by up to 6 percent

Sun Chemical will raise the prices on packaging inks by between 4 percent to 6 percent from 1January, the company announced.

Campylobacteriosis overtakes Salmonellosis

Campylobacteriosis has overtaken salmonellosis as the most reported animal infection transmitted to humans in the EU, according to findings published yesterday.

Crop diseases still pose threat to food supply

The British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP) is using the Christmas period to highlight the risks plant diseases create in the food chain.

Baking invention cuts spoilage, lengthens shelf-life.

Scientists have devised a means of preventing contamination of commercially baked bread - helping manufacturers to minimise the loss caused by spoilage and halt the common problem of 'ropey bread'.

UK grants money to train women managers

Women looking to break through the glass barrier in the UK's food manufacturing sector will haveaccess to management training under a £500,000 public grant.

Metabolix announces $200m bioplastics factory

US firm Metabolix is constructing a new $200m bioplastics factory in Iowa, with commercial production of the packaging material expected to begin in 2008.

Australian project to turn food waste into healthy ingredients

A new project was launched this week by Australian food researchers to tap bioactive compounds from agricultural and food industry waste for use in health-enhancing foods and nutraceuticals.

Food industry 'in compliance' with illegal dye regs

The vast majority of foods tested for a range of illegal dyes comply with the law, claims the UK's FSA.

Parliament passes chemicals law

The EU Parliament yesterday voted for a tougher regulatory regime for chemicals, requiring producers and users to replace some of the current chemicals in use with safer alternatives, if they...

Senators call for tighter food safety laws

A number of Democratic senators have called for the establishment of a joint task force to examine recent outbreaks of E.coli, and suggest legal changes designed to prevent future problems....

Bilwinco software uses RFID to track and trace

An upgraded software programme using radio frequency identification (RFID) to track and trace products, will improve food safety management information, its manufacturer claims.

Microwave, radio frequency equipment defrost range of foods

Microwave and radio frequency industrial equipment developed by Sairem allows deep frozen foods such as meat, poultry, fish, fruit, butter or cheese to be tempered or defrosted quickly, the manufacturer...

Sidel customer support goes 24/7

European plants using Sidel packaging equipment can now get round-the-clock day technical assistance over the phone, helping to reduce production delays in the event of problems, the manufacturer claims.

EU funds projects to improve food safety

EU-funded projects devoted to improving food safety and quality are among those showcased by the European Commission yesterday at a conference in Brussels.

Rapid molecular tests being developed to speed up process

Gen-Probe and 3M have teamed up to develop rapid molecular tests food processors can use to ensure the safety of their products, the two companies announced this month.

Steel recycling rates rise throughout EU

About 2.3m tonnes of steel packaging were recycled in Europe last year, representing an average recycling rate of 63 per cent in the 25 EU member states, and an increase...

Green packaging demand in food sector growing

The US food and beverage sector used $37bn worth of sustainable or "green" packaging in 2005,with demand forecast to reach $42bn in 2010, according to a new study.

Ozone jet washer helps firms clean-up

A new power washer, using ozone mixed with cold water to decontaminate food processing premises, will reduce costs and help the environment, its manufacturer claims.

Processors in Bulgaria and Romania face further EU restrictions

Bulgarian dairy and meat producers that fail to comply with EU food safety measures face a continued ban on trading with member states even after the countries upcoming ascension to...

About 10% of UK plants breach BSE rules, regulator finds

About 10 per cent of British meat cutting plants, or 47 out of 465, are not following theregulations on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), according to a survey by the country's food regulator.

UK unveils plans to cut costs of food regulation

Following the UK's food laws could be less costly and onerous under a plan to simplify the rules published yesterday by the country's regulator.

WRAP funding available for waste reduction ideas

About €4.4m (£3m) in additional government funds was released yesterday to help UK processors develop new methods of reducing the amount of food waste going into landfills.

Chemical law up for final vote in EU parliament

EU parliamentarians are expected to vote tomorrow in favour of compromise legislationregulating the use of chemicals throughout the bloc, despite opposition from consumer groups over the watering down of the...

Weekly Comment

Trans Fats: A Farewell to Harm

There's no way but out for heart-damaging trans fatty acids, and procrastinators in the food industry will achieve nothing by delaying reformulation other than lagging behind in the game as...

Cryovac breaths new life into cheese packaging

A new range of vacuum cheese packaging allows the curing process to continue while extending product shelf life, its manufacturer claims.

Sanitary curved conveyor designed for small products

A new series of sanitary curved flat belt conveyors is designed to transfer small food productsas small as a penny, its manufacturer claims.

Tariff proposals won't affect aluminium packagers, claims expert

EU plans to reduce tariffs on imports of aluminum into the bloc are likely to have little affect on the regions metallic packagers, says an industry expert.

Consultation begins on draft contaminants law

The UK's inspectors would gain new powers to analyse foodstuffs for contaminants under newlegislation being proposed by the country's food regulator.

Western diet pattern linked to colorectal cancer risk

The high calorie, low fibre dietary pattern associated with the Western diet are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, says new research from France.

EU sets up food contact materials reference lab

The EU yesterday opened a commmunity reference lab for food packaging, part the bloc's plan to ensure the chemicals used in their manufacture do not affect human health.

Can prebiotics protect probiotics during processing?

Using prebiotics as carriers could protect probiotics during processing and storage, as well imparting their own beneficial effects in the finished product, suggests new research from Finland.

Ticona claims new coating for cooking increases productivity

A new type of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) for industrial and consumer cooking and baking is more efficient than metal, increasing productivity, its manufacturer claims.

Fluorochemical-free grease resistant paper launched

Boise Paper launched its first fluorochemical-free oil and grease resistant (OGR) paper this week, following growing consumer concerns over the health risks associated with the group of chemicals.

Ball cooks-up microwavable steel can

Ball has released what it claims is the first microwavable steel packaging for foods available in North America.

Survey taps into consumer nano fears

US consumers are willing to use specific nanotechnology products - even if there are health and safety risks - when the potential benefits are high, according to a survey.

Mars fined for breaching EU carbon trading scheme

Mars has become one of the first food processors to run afoul of the EU's greenhouse gas controls scheme, with the UK's Environment Agency yesterday fining the company €78,080 (£52,532)...

New baking method increases volume and shelf-life

Ingredients firm CP Kelco has invented a new method of bread-making which promises longer shelf-life, improved texture and greater bread volume.

First gamma-resistant RFID tag created

AdvantaPure is claiming to have created the first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag resistant to gamma irradiation.

Metro tests RFID along German-Asia supply route

The pressure on processors to use radio frequency identification (RFID) continues inEurope, with Metro Group testing the technology to track goods along the supply chain from China to Germany.

Europackaging in the bag for MidOcean

Europackaging today announced it was being bought by MidOcean Partners in a deal intended to extend the company's reach internationally.

Consumer group survey of chicken shows pathogen spike

Analysis of fresh, whole broilers bought in the US revealed that 83 per cent harboredCampylobacter or Salmonella, a spike from the 49 per cent level found in 2003, according to Consumer Reports magazine.

RFID tags turns metal packaging into antennas

Crown and QinetiQ are jointly developing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking that willturn metal packaging into an antenna and help reduce the costs of using the technology.

CIAA urges effective food legislation

The food industry needs European policies that will make the sector's own efforts more successful, said CIAA president Jean Martin.

Entry level flowrapper launched for smaller bakeries

An entry level horizontal flowrapper, developed as an affordable and practical solution for small and medium size bakeries, has been launched by Ulma Packaging.

UK food regulator board to discuss fraud and future plans

Tomorrow the UK's food regulator board of directors hold their final open public meeting for the year, with topics such as fraud and the future approach of the authority under...

Nano sensor slashes pathogen detection time, inventors claim

A handheld sensor under development uses nanoparticles to detect foodborne bacteria in 15 minutes, its inventors claim.

Robot heads speeds up bottle packaging, claims manufacturer

New wide mouth heads for robots are designed to gently pick up bottles by neck from the top, and attach and release in milliseconds, the manufacturer claims.

Chilled products increasing use of thin-walled packaging

The use of thin-walled packaging for food products is growing in Europe, with demand in the chilled sector for the format increasing at the fastest rate, according to a new...

Plantic eyes new applications in beverage sector

Plantic, the Australian producer of corn starch-based packaging, is developing a new biodegradable barrier film that could replace conventional materials used inside bottles to stop oxidation of beverages.

Codex debates new global hygiene standards

The Codex Alimentarius committee dealing with hygiene is meeting this week in the US, with member countries debating a number of international food safety standards that will apply worldwide.

Sealed Air form-fill sealers now available in Europe

Two Sealed Air Shanklin Omni form fill sealers have been launched in metric and multi language versions, aimed at the European market.

Mafia gangs add to Parmesan cheese problems

Bands of thieves are hijacking lorries containing Parmesan cheese in northern Italy and selling on the products for hard cash, adding to the woes of a struggling industry.

Weekly Comment

Taking the junk out of junk food

The relationship between child and crisp has long been a sacred one but instead of exploiting this dynamic to shovel unhealthy food into young mouths isn't it about time healthier...

EU hygiene legislation extended to farms

The EU completes the food safety link from farm to fork on 1 January 2007, when new hygiene legislation is extended to farms, in most cases for the first time.

New vocational qualifications released for processing sector

New competency-based vocational qualifications have been developed for food and drink workers in the UK.

Collections result in record recycling of steel packaging

Door-to-door collections helped EU countries recycle a record 2.3 million tonnes of steel in 2005, a packaging association claims.

Irradiated foods highlighted during week of protest

A new report into irradiation finds conflicting and inconsistent regulatory approaches to the use of the technology worldwide, a problem for multinational processors who are using the technique as a...

Second Czech BSE case confirmed

Beef production in the Czech Republic took a blow this week, after a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was confirmed in a herd within the country - the...

Bag-in-box can cure beer keg hangovers

The problems associated with transporting and storing beer may be solved with the launch of direct replacement to the traditional stainless steel keg, itsmanufacturers claim.

Titanium PET bottles take the pressure

A new titanium-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin allows soft drink manufacturers to produce clearer bottles faster.

Regulators agree on co-ordinated risk assessment plan

The EU's national regulators yesterday agreed on a plan to co-ordinate food safety riskassessments across the bloc.

Major EU agreement achieved on chemicals law

EU governments and legislators yesterday agreed on proposals regulating the use of chemicals throughout the bloc, moving the legislation a giant step forward toward implementation.