A recent development in compound dryers for metallic beverage
packaging can allow processors to reduce floor space and improve
energy efficiency in their production lines, according to its
manufacturer.
Murray's Chickens, one of the largest organic firms in the US,
claims to be the first poultry company in the country to switch to
environmentally-friendly packaging without polystyrene or foam
trays.
US-based Transfresh is planning to launch its berry preservation
systems on the Turkish market next month, a move the company hopes
will lead to the technology being used in high-end European
markets.
A new report published by the Scottish Food Standards Agency urges
children to reduce the amount of cakes and biscuits they are
eating, warning that they currently have too much sugar in their
diets.
The acquisitions planned by a major US beef packager - JBS Swift - will have far-reaching effects on the nation's meat packaging industry, according to industry members that have voiced opposition to the deals.
Arena Products is responding to the increasing pressures for
manufacturers to ensure food safety by adding aseptic-filling
capabilities to its Air-Evac Bag-in-Box packaging.
Over the last two weeks alone, Cadbury Adams has recalled Mini Eggs
because of a nut trace, Wholesnax failed to label the presence of
soya in its nuts, and a Korean company may have surprised one poor
consumer with a rat's head.
Sweetener producer NutraSweet has said it will take legal action
against counterfeiters in China who, it alleges, are infringing its
intellectual property rights.
Soft drinks group Hansa Heeman has extended a partnership with a
long-term processing and packaging supplier in constructing a new
bottling plant to meet its specific needs in the still and
carbonated water segment.
This week, Campari reportedly mulls expanding its global spirits
operations, Baltika pledges to step up exports to
Spain, and Ball Packaging adopts an innovative new printing
system for its beverage cans.
Bakers in New Zealand will now by law have to fortify
bread products with iodine, as regulators in the country attempt to
boost consumption of the essential nutrient.
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is coordinating a
confectionery working group in order to reduce the packaging of
seasonal products such as Easter eggs.
Tate & Lyle is launching two new additions to its Merigel line
of starches which enable snack products to be oven-baked instead of
fried, thus reducing fat content without compromising taste or
texture.
The UK's Carbon Trust is calling for companies to involve employees
in helping reduce carbon emissions, claiming that inclusive cost
effective schemes can save up to 20 per cent on energy bills.
Danisco has invested in pilot low temperature extrusion technology
to produce high-quality, low-fat ice-cream, to enable testing of
ingredients using the same systems as its customers use.
A new range of compostable bio plastics can be combined to grant
various benefits for the packaging of beverage and food products,
ranging from sealing and barrier forming to aesthetic and surface
qualities, their manufacturer claims.
Claiming 'free from' is not a light statement to make. Lives depend
on it. As scientific progress questions the validity of such
claims, it is time to establish exact guidelines and communicate
these to people for whom ingredients...
In financial news this week, Sara Lee sells its Mexican business to
focus on core brands, Dunkin' Donuts increases franchises in
Tennessee, and Dorset Cereals is purchased by Wellness Foods.
Four hybrid cocoa species developed in Ghana to have improved
resistance to pest damage during storage have similar nutritional
properties to conventional cocoa, says a study that topples a
barrier to commercial trade.
A leading food-packaging group says it is moving to develop its
products to meet more specific industry requirements like
multi-sized goods with longer shelf life.
In these uncertain times for the bakery business the Finsbury Food
Group's profits have soared by giving people what they want, says
Chief Executive Dave Brooks.
The use of biomass for fuel should not jeopardise the food supply,
EuropaBio has proclaimed, but more European investment is needed in
second generation technology that does not compete with food
sources.
Researchers from Unilever have reported breakthrough results that
proteins from fungus could produce food foams with stability that
exceeds anything currently available.
Two innovative new packaging machines from TNA are set to make
their debut at Interpack next month: a transfer and distribution
system and an automatic inserter.
UK bakery chain Greggs climbed back after a disappointing
performance in 2006 with its three-year plan helping it offset the
impact of rising raw material and energy costs.
Foods with a high glycemic index (GI), such as most white breads,
lead to a higher risk of certain health problems, according to
researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Krones is launching a new Enviro label for its packaging machines
that meet certain environmental criteria, and an Energy Passport
detailing products' energy consumption figures.
Vivartia, Greece's largest food production company, yesterday
announced it is breaking into the US bakery market with its
acquisition of biscuit and cookie firm Nonni.
Tagatose is suitable as a partial replacer for sucrose in cookies,
according to a new study in sensory attributes, and could be used
to reduce metabolized sugars in the diet and as a prebiotic.
Extracts from mangos are a rich source of antioxidants and dietary
fibre and can easily be used in bakery products to boost public
consumption, suggests new research.
The global snack market will be worth almost $300bn (€197.8bn) by
2010, as manufacturers move towards healthier products as well as
developing markets, a new report predicts.
Two new aseptic filling machines can reduce the processing time
required by dairy manufacturers for using multiple
small-volume carton packages, their manufacturer claims.
While the world's media is bemoaning rising food prices, the French
government is sniffing around the food industry for signs of
gleeful profiteering. If it is right, the long-term losses of the
nouveau cher will be far greater...
A new cableless video system allows bakery manufacturers to inspect
the inside of their oven using only the oven's own conveyor belt
and a camera, the manufacturer claims.
Habasit Rossi Ltd is to introduce a new upward moving spiral
conveyor belt in its KVP range, which it claims will allow food
manufacturers to save space and money.
ConAgra Foods' acquisition of privately-held vegetable processor
Watts Brothers will strengthening its existing potato activities
under the Lamb Weston potato brand in North America, says the
company.
An increase in commodity and marketing costs led Heinz to yesterday
report slightly lower margins for the third quarter 2008, despite
sales and operating profit growth.
Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday forecast that profits from
the grocery division, which includes bakery products, will be much
higher than the £20m loss posted last year.
Packaging firm Bosch has designed a new range of packaging and
processing solutions designed specifically for handling delicate
products such as tray baked goods, biscuits and chocolate
confectionery.
Ingredients giant Archer Daniels Midland has criticised media
reports linking the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
with the rise in US obesity levels, saying it is not the sole cause
of the epidemic.
In financial news, Canada Bread keeps profits steady through frozen
bread sales, Campbell suffers from high input and commodity costs,
and Barilla may be looking to sell its German bakery division.