Business news
Scot a lot of wins
Border Biscuits has scooped the prestigious title of Business of the Year at the 2012 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. The success completed a double for the Lanarkshire company, which was also recognised for its commitment to developing its employees with the Profiting Through Skills Development award. The night’s second big winner was Katy […]
Kemin gets cracking on new R&D facility
Functional ingredients firm Kemin Industries has started work on its new US-based research and development facility in Des Moines, Iowa. The new facility includes two general labs, six shared laboratories and three pilot laboratories, all of which will accommodate around 60 scientists. “If you want to know what inspires scientists and researchers to do their […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability
Healthy appetite for sauces, as NPD hots up
New product activity is heating up in the prepared sauces market. According to Innova Market Insights, the market – which includes a range of different product types, including pasta sauces, cooking sauces, bottled and table sauces and condiments, and salad sauces and dressings – has seen an ever-increasing number of launches globally over the past […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging
Food and drink exports soar by 11 per cent
Food and non-alcoholic drink exports rose to over £12 billion (€14bn) last year, according to new figures. The previous year’s results (2010) proved a landmark for the industry when figures broke through the £10 billion (€12bn) barrier, but the 2011 results show performance is up by 11.4 per cent on 2010. Export growth has been […]
Thirst for soft drinks continues, says latest Britvic report
In tough economic times, sales of soft drinks have demonstrated their continued resilience – grow to £9.7 billion (€11.6bn), according to the 2012 Britvic Soft Drinks Report. Key findings from the report, based on independent Nielsen and CGA market data, reveal that take-home sales were up seven per cent in value and one per cent […]
Extended warehouse operation open for business
DHL Supply Chain and Unilever have opened their Scottish warehousing operation, marking the end of a 21-month project. The expanded automated high bay facility can now house more than 100,000 pallets, allowing DHL to hold Unilever UK & Ireland’s entire ambient foods line and homecare product range to be housed in a single location. The […]
Appetite for snack foods soars
New product activity in the global snack foods industry is defying worldwide economic problems, according to a market research analyst. Launch numbers recorded by Innova Market Insights showed a strong double-digit increase last year, with savory and salty snacks accounting for just under two-thirds of the total, and snack nuts and seeds the remainder. Asia […]
Cash incentive to innovate
Anyone who can come up with ways to transform food manufacturing and reduce waste could be in for a share of £15 million (€18m), thanks to a new government initiative. The cash is on offer as part of a drive to support research and development that will help unlock the potential of the UK’s farming, […]
Business news, Food safety, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Cargill expands sustainable cocoa scheme
Cargill’s cocoa & chocolate business – in cooperation with the Ghana Cocoa Board – is expanding its sustainable cocoa program with the launch of a four-year commitment to farmer training in Ghana. The training will be delivered in partnership with Ghanaian-licensed cocoa buying company Akuafo Adamfo and the non-governmental organization Solidaridad West Africa. The aim […]
Taking the heat out of chilli
Flavour firm Treatt has developed a new pepper ingredient to ‘enhance savoury flavours without adding the fiery sensation of chilli pepper’. Jalapeno Treattarome 9816 is a companion product to Habanero Treattarome 9815 but, like the natural fruit, it carries a greener, bell pepper-like note, differentiating it from the hot, tangy habanero chilli, says Treatt. “The […]
Otter sustainability rewarded
The UK-based Otter Brewery in Luppitt, near Honiton, has scooped a prestigious industry award for its ‘market leading green ethos and unrivalled environmental commitment to producing quality beer’. The company won the ‘Best Sustainability’ category at the 2011 Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Business Awards in London, having been praised for a range of green […]
FDF issues angry response to labelling vote
The European Parliament has blocked changes to labelling that would have allowed new ‘percentage less’ claims on nutrition content, such as sugar, salt and fat – with MPs saying the new labels could have confused or misled consumers. “I am pleased that the European Parliament has defended the interests of health-conscious consumers, who need to […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Vitafoods Europe plans 15th anniversary celebration
Nutraceuticals, raw materials and functional food and drink ingredients show Vitafoods Europe is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary at Palexpo, Geneva, later this year. The event, from 22-24 May, is co-located with Finished Products Expo, a leading dietary supplements event. And, for the first time, the the newly-created Vitafoods Europe Conference Executive Advisory Board […]
Flavour Forecast identifies global trends
Herbs and spices firm Schwartz for Chef, in partnership with parent company McCormick, has just released its Global Flavour Forecast that, it says, pinpoints common trends and flavours driving culinary innovation across the world. An international panel of chefs, sensory scientists, trend trackers, marketing experts and food technologists collaborated to identify the trends and flavours. […]