BPA 2012: In depth

BPA: An in-depth look at the key rulings in 2012

This year has been action-packed when it comes to rules, regulations and opinions on bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in food packaging applications such as epoxy linings in food...

2012 Beverage industry retrospective

10 Days that Shook the Beverage World in 2012: Mayan Doomsday Countdown

Relive ten seismic days that shook the earth to its core in 2012, from health campaigners petitioning the UK health ministry over Coke, Pepsi and 4-MEI to Dr Pepper's run...

UK Competition Commission reject AkzoNobel merger

The UK Competition Commission (CC) has ruled against the merger deal of AkzoNobel and Metlac Holdings.

News in brief

FoodProductionDaily.com would like to wish all our readers a happy holiday

FoodProductionDaily.com will take its annual Christmas and New Year holiday from 22 December to 1 January.

Postconsumer plastic recycling increased in 2011, says study

Recycling of postconsumer plastic increased by 24% in Canada last year, according to a new report.

PAC.NZ reports increased landfill diversion rate

The Packaging Council of New Zealand (PAC.NZ) has reported a 93% diversion rate of packaging waste from landfill in only the schemes second year.

News in brief

Green future for packaging in Asia-Pacific, says report

Bioplastics are likely to replace common plastics in various packaging applications in the Asia-Pacific, according to Frost & Sullivan.

EFSA issues call for tender to aid CEF panel

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a call to tender to secure contractors for technical summary documents needed for its CEF panel to evaluate the risks of migration...

Tetra Pak seals deal to expand dairy offerings

Tetra Pak has acquired a US filtration company to provide ‘additional knowledge and competence’ for the dairy industry.

The recalls that have hit the headlines in 2012

Recalls of 2012: A recap

This year has been quite eventful for recalls of food and beverage products, some due to foodborne contamination and others due to packaging faults.

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

Silgan revises earnings estimates as volumes hit

Silgan Holdings has revised its earnings estimates for the year due to lower volumes for metal food containers.

News in brief

Berry Plastics unveils updated bulk containers

Berry Plastics Group has launched flexible intermediate bulk containers to optimize storage and transportation.

Acquisition takes us closer to production goal, says Dunapack

Dunapack Packaging has acquired a Turkish paper and packaging company in its bid to double production to 2bn m2 (1m tonnes) by 2020.

How vulnerable is your supply chain? Food defense, FSMA, Big Brother and virtual ‘hot zones’

Stopping a truly determined bioterrorist - or just a disgruntled employee - from maliciously tampering with a high-profile food brand will always be extremely difficult.

Carton Council targets 50% recycling access

The US Carton Council has targeted 50% recycling access for households to recycle the packaging after the rate grew more than 100% in three years.

Researchers investigate natural compound as packaging antioxidant

Packaging incorporating corn-zein laminated films with antioxidant properties has been found to boost the quality and safety of some foods, according to a study.

News in brief

Anchor Packaging invests $7.6m in new facility

Anchor Packaging is to invest $7.6m in a new facility to add to its existing four US sites.

Euromonitor: UK PET growth areas and challenges

Sports and energy drink bottles offer some of the best opportunities for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the UK, but alcohol presents greater challenges, according to Euromonitor.

PEPSICO BOOSTS DISTRIBUTION & MERCHANDISING EFFICIENCY

PepsiCo embraces Apple’s ‘game changing’ iPad and iPhone tech

PepsiCo says that its merchandising and distribution efficiency has improved radically since it began using the Apple iPhone and iPad alongside custom software apps specially developed in house.

Vacuum cooling slashes times for industrial bakers, claims Aston Foods

Swiss firm Aston Foods has developed a vacuum cooling technology for large bakeries that can save time and money compared to conventional cooling towers, it claims.

News in brief

Coesia Group finalises Oystar NA deal

Coesia Group has closed its buy of Oystar North America and renamed it R.A Jones & Co.

European economic woes have led to less ‘real innovation’, says Mintel

Major food and drink brands are producing fewer truly innovative new products as recessionary mindsets and behaviours continue throughout Europe, according to Mintel director of innovation and insight David Jago.

Emco files patent for active oxygen scavenging system

Emco Packaging has filed a patent for an active oxygen scavenging system for use in the headspace of bottles, sachets and cartons for liquid foods and beverages.

Segment sales down again but brighter future awaits - Spartech

Spartech Corporation has recorded a drop in sales for the third quarter running in its Packaging Technologies Q4 results but insisted it is positioned to capitalise on expanded customer bases...

News in brief

GN Thermoforming upgrades equipment to meet demand

GN Thermoforming Equipment has introduced a high-speed robotic stacker for its contact-heat in-mold cut thermoformers due to consumer demand.

Crown offers Europe seated end tin opportunities

Crown Speciality Packaging is offering premium food and beverage brands in Europe easier access to a form of tin design intended to make their products stand out more.

Mixer accident could have been avoided

An accident involving a dough mixer could have been avoided if appropriate safety procedures had been implemented, according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Constellium backs aluminium campaign

Constellium is backing a European campaign to target public awareness of aluminium closures compared to other closure methods.

NI exclusive

Chr Hansen claims long-life probiotic beverage breakthrough

After 20 failed starts, probiotics leader Chr Hansen says it has finally found an ingredient dispensing cap partner that can handle the demands of high speed filling utilised by the...

News in brief

PlasticsEurope slams French BPA decision

PlasticsEurope has said the French Senate decision to ban BPA “has no safety benefit for consumers, disregards European law and risk assessment, and severely distorts the internal and international market”.

Acquisitions and volume key to positive results - Nordson

Nordson Corporation has reported a rise in its Q4 and full year results due to volume increases and funds from acquisitions.

Glass demand grew in first half of 2012, says FEVE

Increased demand saw glass packaging production grow 1.9% in Europe in the first half of 2012, according to the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE).

Low label density allows easier separation, says UPM Raflatac

UPM Raflatac will roll out a heat shrink sleeve film which allows easier separation in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) process due to its low density.

News in brief

OFT approves Graphic Packaging deal

The UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has cleared Graphic Packaging’s £71m takeover of Contego, which operates two UK facilities.

Risk assessment report aims to strengthen food system

A risk assessment report delivered to the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) should enhance trust and the wider food system, according to the working group that put it together.

Mobile device enables easier food allergen testing

A simpler way to detect allergens in food samples has been devised with the launch of a new device for mobile phones developed by the University of California, Los Angeles...

News in brief

Casey Container plans new facility for 2013

Casey Container is planning to use equity funding to open its new facility in the first quarter of 2013.

Imec breakthrough in RFID for thin film

Progress on inexpensive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has taken a leap forward with the creation of a form of ultra high frequency (UHF) Shottky diode by research institute Imec.

Food waste mops up heavy metal

Onion and garlic waste from the food industry could be used to absorb hazardous heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury and tin in contaminated materials.

Partnership aims to assess nanomaterial safety

Two US agencies are working together in a research effort to assess the potential impact of nanomaterials on people’s health and the environment.

Portola aims to plug hot fill aseptic market with one-piece closure

Portola Packaging has launched a one-piece closure aimed at the hot fill and aseptic beverage market to offer an alternative to traditional two-piece closures.

News in brief

Nestlé Canada recalls pizzas due to metal contamination

Nestlé Canada is recalling five of six varieties of Buitoni brand pizzas following two consumer complaints that the products contain pieces of metal.

Owens-Illinois signals no news on probe into potential bribery

US beverage bottle manufacturer Owens-Illinois tells BeverageDaily.com it has no news on the progress of an internal enquiry into a case of suspected bribery announced in October.

Researchers develop chemical testing system for product manufacturers

A five-tier testing system aimed at ensuring manufactured products are free of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC), such as BPA and phthalates, has been developed by a group of scientists....

Mycelium tablet insert can keep produce fresher for longer, claims inventor

Placing a living mycelium tablet insert inside existing food packaging can keep produce fresher for longer, according to details laid out in a patent.

Cavendish Farms expands Canadian potato processing

Cavendish Farms is expanding its potato processing facilities in Canada with the purchase of Maple Leaf Foods’ plant in Lethbridge, Alberta.

US firm launches high pressure processing solutions

Interest in high pressure processing (HPP) is growing, with US company All Natural Freshness (ANF) launching pre-packaging end-to-end HPP solutions, which it claims can significantly extend shelf life and cut...

News in brief

Extinct shark species listed on product label

Frozen shark fillets from China have been destroyed at the Italian Border as the labelling mentioned a species that has been extinct for millions of years.

Dispatches from Emballage 2012

Gemini 4 system boosts performance for Bosch

Bosch Packaging Technology's new Gemini 4 robot control system for packaging machinery could boost performance and increase production efficiency, according to the firm.

2012 performance not what we expected – Sonoco CEO

Sonoco has revealed it has been a tough year with performance below expectations but added it remained optimistic going into 2013.

dispatches from emballage 2012

Octal on track with four-stage growth plan

Octal is targeting new markets and geographies in what the firm described as a “well-planned four phase approach”.

Vaccinations slash UK Salmonella instances

Chicken vaccination programmes have helped dramatically slash instances of non-typhoidal Salmonella in the UK, according to a recent study.

News in brief

SLIPS technology gets funding boost

Harvard scientists that have developed a coating to prevent biofilms forming in food processing machinery have received a grant to further develop the technology.

‘Packaging design gives personality, which is essentially what a brand should be’: Graphic designer

Packaging design is a crucial investment for premium chocolate firms in an overcrowded marketplace as it gives a product personality, which is essentially what a brand should be, says a...

Polymer production aid for fluoropolymers poses no safety concern, says EFSA

A chemical that can be used in the production of films that wrap meat, cheese or vegetables has been declared safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

TETRA PAK VIDEO EXCLUSIVE

Tetra Pak researches processing methods to tap ‘explosive’ coconut water trend

Kit Lai, director of Tetra Pak’s Soya- and Coconut Knowledge Centers, discusses the global growth of coconut water and soya milks as categories, and the firm's latest formulation and processing...

News in brief

Munksjö and Ahlstrom merger under EU investigation

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed combination of Ahlstrom's Label and Processing business and Munksjö AB.

BPA risk assessment needs reassessing

US scientists have challenged ways of assessing the safety of food contact chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in a fresh research article.

US food safety research priorities updated

Food safety research priorities for meat, poultry and egg products have been updated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

News in brief

Currier Plastics expands to meet demand

Currier Plastics is to invest $20.8m in a new production and storage facility in New York to meet market demand.

dispatches from emballage 2012

Avure targets all-round HPP services

Bringing a successful high pressure processing (HPP) product to market is much more than just buying a piece of equipment, according to Avure.

T-seal bags have ‘excellent’ versatility for snack branding, says Northeast Packaging

T-seal bags are an excellent, versatile flexible packaging solution for snack manufacturers enabling good space for branding, the CEO of Northeast Packaging says.

Key Technology upgrades sorting technology to target smaller products

Key Technology is introducing three-way sorting on its Optyx machine to target the removal of potential contaminants in smaller products.

dispatches from emballage 2012

Label innovation offers sustainability and bottom line benefits, says Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison has introduced a backing paper free self-adhesive label at Emballage that it said will offer sustainability benefits and increase line productivity.

Paper struggles dilute DS Smith success

A difficult paper market diluted DS Smith's half year performance, but despite this it posted strong double digit sales and profit growth in its half year results, buoyed by its acquisition...

News in brief

Trade bodies welcome UK tax decision

The Food and Drink Federation has welcomed UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s move to further cut corporation tax and increase the Annual Investment Allowance.

dispatches from emballage 2012

Heat-Sealable method improves production rates, claims Du Pont

DuPont launched its heat-sealable Tyvek product at Emballage in Paris and said that the method will allow higher production rates.

EFSA backs recycled post-consumer PET into food contact material methods

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved two processes used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.

dispatches from emballage 2012

APPE targets innovation in tough times

Innovation is allowing APPE to push through tough European economic times, according to the firm.

NASA food science: We’re 20 years away from foods with extended shelf-lives

The quest to have food to survive a five-year mission to Mars is at least two decades away, but ‘we’ll get there’, says Dr Michele Perchonok, advanced food technology project...

New Tetra Pak carton blazes Russian trail with Coca-Cola brand

Tetra Pak and Coca-Cola Hellenic announced today that they have partnered to deploy the packaging company's new Tetra Gemina Aseptic (TGA) Leaf carton for the first time worldwide, for the...

News in brief

JBT FoodTech signs two deals within a week

JBT FoodTech has signed contracts for a fruit processing project and sterilization technology installation in the Americas totalling $9m.

Finnish breakthrough strengthens bioplastics potential

Bioplastic packaging applications have been strengthened, according to a Finnish research centre, after its development of a technique to dramatically improve the quality of bio-based packaging materials.

Sunwin Stevia pours cash into production

Sunwin Stevia International has invested heavily in production capacity to support declared growth plans in China.

MWV partners with US university to develop resealable packaging solution

MeadWestvaco (MWV) has partnered with a US university to support the development of a new material to improve resealable product packaging.

Dispatches from emballage 2012

Pull tab is alternative to traditional straw punch-through pouches, says Ampac

Ampac said their Pull Tab opening device minimises potential spillage for non-carbonated beverages.    

News in brief

Linpac Group sells Ropak business for $265m

Linpac Group has sold its Ropak Packaging business for $265m to BWAY Corporation almost two years after rumours first surfaced about the firm being broke up and sold off.

Biosensors a key area for nanotechnology

Nanobiosensors hold considerable potential as future areas of development for nanotechnology, according to a recent study.

Regulation and consumer demand driving switch to 'greener' chemicals

Demand for products made from greener chemicals is growing due to a mixture of regulation and consumer demand, according to the co-author of a guide urging the switch to safer...

News in brief

FDF guide aims to help food companies manage supply chain risk

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has introduced a guide for food companies on how to identify risk in their supply chain, as part of an approach to sustainable sourcing....

Flexible packaging firm fined after laminating accident

A UK packaging company has been fined after one of its employees sustained a serious hand injury on an unguarded laminating machine.

News in brief

Deal seals platform for further growth - MWV

MeadWestvaco has completed the deal to buy Ruby Macons and said it was a “key element” of the plan to grow in emerging markets.

Husky upgrade targets preform manufacturing efficiency

Husky Injection Molding Systems has upgraded its HyPET system with the aim of eliminating waste and variability in the preform manufacturing process.

Six ‘probable links’ between packaging coating and diseases, conclude scientists

A chemical used to make oil and grease-repellent coatings for packaging by DuPont has a ‘probable link’ to six health conditions, according to the final findings of an independent scientific...

News in brief

Rexam boosts Indian beverage can output to 950m

Rexam has opened a new aluminium line in India costing circa. 30m that increases the plants capacity to around 950m cans per year, and said the investment fitted its strategy...

Scientists develop method to ripen fruit on the move

Australian researchers have developed a method of encapsulating ethylene gas into powder which they claim can improve fruit quality and cut down the distribution time of produce to market.

News in brief

Norbert Dentressangle secures Nova Natie facilities

Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has completed the acquisition of the ambient and temperature-controlled warehousing and general cargo freight forwarding activities of Belgian logistics company Nova Natie.

News in brief

Packaging Dynamics acquires Groupe De Luxe

Packaging Dynamics Corporation has acquired Groupe De Luxe to expand into new geographies and end markets.