Rexam CEO Rolf Borjesson told FoodProductionDaily.com
yesterday that the packaging industry is only just beginning to
adopt new technology that could transform the food industry, and
that the industry will be characterised by consolidation...
Hopping on board the fast-moving low carb train, Arla Food
Ingredients, the supplier of tooth-friendly sweetener tagatose,
says a new study from Australian scientists confirms the product's
low glycaemic response.
A new report that identifies the key principles behind improving
distribution productivity has been launched. The company behind the
scheme, Tom Zosel Associates (TZA), claims that these principles
can help companies improve productivity...
Major processors of canned tuna in the US have described a recent
ad campaign by environmental activists as being "an
irresponsible and highly inflammatory tactic" that will scare
consumers away from what they call a safe...
APV Baker has been chosen to supply equipment for two bread-making
lines and a bun and roll system for the southern hemisphere's
largest bakery, being built in Sydney, Australia.
Faced with dramatic growth in its speciality bread and quiche
business, British food group Giles Foods has been obliged to step
up its back office operations to ensure that customer service
levels keep pace with the rapid rate of...
The retort pouch industry needs to adopt better sealing technology
and improved systems to identify seal defects if it is to challenge
metal cans as a viable and safe means of packaging, said the key
note speaker of the forthcoming...
A bakery in the UK, which operates its own wheat growingprogram in
Canada, has installed an 'end-to-end' approach to quality
management that starts in the field and ends the bakery door. The
company is using software installed...
The proposed acquisition of German slaughterhouse Nordfleisch by
Dutch group Best Agrifund has been cleared by the European
Commission. The merger creates the second largest meat company in
Europe after Danish Crown.
A government report into the future of the UK's fishing industry
has recommended the scrapping of 13 per cent of the 'white fish'
fleet. Critics say this could devastate Scotland's cod fishing
operations and have...
While Poland is claiming that it is has made considerable ground in
the race to meet EU food safety regulations before accession, more
storm clouds are gathering on the issue of food stockpiling, as
worried manufacturers stock up...
One of Lithuania's leading grain processors, Malsena, has announced
that it is to invest in a pasta manufacturing venture aimed at
diversifying its current product portfolio and turning its
operations multifunctional.
A report from the British Pig Executive (BPEX) shows that
risingcosts of production in Europe are being matched by rises in
Great Britain. The association believes cutting costs is vital to
remain competitive, writes Anthony Fletcher.
The EU has outlined future border controls for animal livestock and
meat products as the run up to accession moves into its final
stages. The move aims to limit the spread of animal-borne disease
in an enlarged European Union.
Food manufacturer Campbell has installed real time forecasting
(RTF) technology in its North American soup, sauces, and beverage
production facilities. Results from a pilot test showed that the
company can decrease its short-term...
BakeMark UK, the leading supplier of bakery ingredients and frozen
speciality bakery products, is unveiling two new products at Food
& Bake 2004 aimed at the UK market.
The European Union may be about to grant access to more genetically
modified foods, a controversial step that could eventually lead to
widespread GM crop growing in the bloc, writes Anthony
Fletcher.Although unpopular with many European...
Manufacturer CSi claims that its new range of pallet conveyors
offers food processors a number of useful innovations. The
equipment is made of stainless steel and aluminium, features
ultrasound sensors instead of photocells and is...
A range of vacuum fillers has been upgraded to offer meat
processors more filling power to improve efficiency and speed.
Manufacturer Vemag says that the machines are still the only ones
on the market to feature a double screw and...
Ross Systems has upgraded its iRenaissance ERP software to improve
record keeping and traceability for food and beverage processors.
The company claims that the system will enable manufacturers to
meet new industry regulations and...
A supply glut of pork coupled with prices rises has led the
European Commission to end temporary export subsidies. But some pig
producers in the UK are concerned that lower food prices pledged by
major supermarkets will drag the industry...
Confectionery and, once again, chocolate in particular, dominate
this week's product launches across the region. The launches also
reflect a growing trend towards maximising the marketing potential
of brands that have been long...
Controlling dust particles in the bakery industry can be a major
headache, in particular when dealing with bulk materials, and
keeping production areas free from dust is a full-time job. A new
filling system from bagging specialists...
The European Commission is to open an inquiry into the recent surge
in EU imports of farmed Atlantic salmon to see if safeguard duties
are necessary. Imports of farmed salmon into the EU increased by
14.7 per cent in January to September...
Germany's current one-way can deposit system should be scrapped and
replaced with a mixed strategy of reuse and recycling, according to
the Association of European Steel Producers (APEAL). The body
argues that it has the support...
The North American meat market remains as buoyant as ever, despite
animal health scares that have dominated the news for the past few
months. Diet and a lack of public hysteria towards outbreaks of BSE
and Avian flu have been identified...
European sales of aluminium foil in 2003 achieved the same level as
2002, according to the latest figures from the European Aluminium
Foil Association (EAFA). The body believes that this shows the
strength of the foil industry in...
Research work at University College Dublin has brought real time
process control for food manufacture a significant step closer. The
study into viscosity measurement techniques for characterising the
flow and mixability of highly...
User-friendly software for the design of modified atmosphere
packaging (MAP) for fresh produce was unveiled yesterday at the
International Conference for Engineering and Food (ICEF). The
technology tells packagers the size and type...
A new report has called for supermarkets to limit packaging waste,
do more to promote recycling and cut down on pollution caused by
long distance distribution. Billions of plastic bags are used up
every year, and the average UK household...
A hardy winter cereal crop could soon be a common sight in European fields as scientists in France present the fruits of 30 years of labour in the labs.
Ball Packaging Europe has developed a new deposit-free beverage can
for the ready-to-drink coffee drinks market. The new coffee cans
are made of 100 per cent recyclable steel, and are being
distributed by convenience stores. Customers...
With accession of the new Member States due on 1 May 2004, the EU
is making appropriate arrangements to ensure a sufficient supply of
bananas to all consumers in the EU. To this end, the current import
volumes for bananas will be...
Scotland's salmon industry is under threat from an influx of cheap
salmon imports from Norway, which rose last year from 277,000
tonnes to 307,000 tonnes. Fish farmers in the highlands and islands
are so worried about the effect...
UK packaging group Rexam has blamed Germany's recycling system for
a dramatic loss of business in the country. The system, which
requires customers to pay a deposit on cans and bottles used only
once, has meant that capacity...
A major packaging industry body in the UK has called for the
establishment of a Packaging Standards Council to deal with public
concerns over waste. In an interview with
FoodProductionDaily.com, the Industry Council for Packaging...
A nano-composite coating process to improve food packaging has been
developed. This innovation, which is designed to interact with food
to reduce oxygen levels or add flavourings and preservatives, could
put European companies ahead...
A new range of polyurethane resin-based floor systems that combines
an antimicrobial layer has been launched. Manufacturer John Lord
claims that this new innovation can help food manufacturers fight
against microbes that cause food...
Although beef farmers in England are keen to bring their farms into
line with new environmental regulations, some are fearful that this
requirement could jeopardise their economic future, according to
the National Beef Association...
There has been a decrease in the occurrence of some foodborne
diseases in Ireland, according to the FSAI. In particular there has
been a marked decline in the occurrence of Salmonella in 2000 and
2001, and latest figures suggest that...
Fears that declining poultry production in Asia could decimate the
grain export market remain unfounded, according to International
Grains Council assistant executive director Richard Woodhams. He
also told FoodProductionDaily.com...
The European steel market seems to have gone crazy, according to
MEPS, a UK supplier of steel market information. The company says
that in 25 years of analysing steel prices, it has not seen
anything like the present mania.
Australia has warned the EU that it may retaliate against recently
imposed subsidies on European pork exports. A formal complaint was
made this week by agriculture minister Warren Truss about the
reintroduction of export refunds.
The bird flu outbreak in Texas is beginning to hurt poultry
producers. Shares in a number of US chicken processors have already
fallen, prompted by announcements by the European Union, Mexico and
South Korea that they are determined...
This week shows a real cross section of product launches in the
Eastern European region. Among the highlights from the Mintel
databases are two niche alcoholic beverage launches in Russia.
Chemical manufacturer Rohm and Haas is launching what it claims is
an environmentally friendly range of adhesives for flexible
packaging. The product range will be launched at the Drupa
Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany in May 2004.
Optical testing technology is becoming increasingly widespread
among grain processors, with machines now able to check for a range
of defects such as discoloration, impurities or immature grains.
Drugs based on Australian scientific body CSIRO's research into the
influenza virus have been shown to be effective, in laboratory
tests, against a sample of an H5N1 influenza virus currently
infecting chickens in Asia.
Freezing technology that has advanced food convenience and quality
could also kill or reduce potentially harmful microbes more
strategically, according to a recent report from a US-based
scientist.
A UK industry body is warning that eggs imported from Spain could
be increasing the risk of spreading Salmonella food poisoning for
food processors and caterers.
