News
Robot firm in operational split
UK-based robotics and automation company CenFRA has announced that it is to ‘divisionalise’ the company into key dedicated areas in a bid to provide a more focused and specialist service to manufacturers in the food and drink industry. The new divisions, CenFRA Assist, CenFRA Simulations, CenFRA Solutions, CenFRA Bespoke and CenFRA Technical, have been agreed […]
China sweet on deal with United Biscuits
Jaffa Cakes, Twiglets and Mini Cheddars could be made by a Chinese firm in future, as a Shanghai-based company holds talks with United Biscuits. China’s Bright Food group is understood to be negotiating with UB’s private equity owners, US firm Blackstone and French PAI Partners, about a deal worth in the region of £2 billion […]
Dohler and PureCircle join forces on Stevia
PureCircle and DöhlerGroup have announced that they are to form a global strategic partnership in a bid to develop ‘innovative Stevia-based ingredients and formulations’. The will take their combined talents – PureCircle’s portfolio of Stevia ingredients and Döhler’s sweetening, sweetening flavour and application know-how – to customers in 21 application centres around the world.
Jobs under threat at Warburtons’ Welsh bakery
Warburtons has confirmed that 114 jobs could be lost at its Newport bakery in Wales, and that the site might be shut altogether. The family-owned breadmaker says it’s considering proposals to close its facility at Rogerstone for ‘operational reasons’. Meanwhile, Brace’s Bakery says it has contacted the firm, unions and assembly government about taking over […]
Willow Water is a wrinkle-buster, says new study
A natural spring water from the Lake District has been shown to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles in women aged 24-43 by an average of 24% in a ground-breaking study using objective measurements for the first time. The eight-week study set out to investigate whether drinking water really is good for the skin, using […]
P&O deal so ‘egg-citing’ for Watercress Lane
Duck eggs will be on the menus of some of the most luxurious passenger ships in the world after UK-based Watercress Lane won a contract with high quality food and deli wholesaler Kentas of London to supply Britain’s leading cruise line. The Norfolk food producer will provide duck eggs for globe-trotting passengers on board the […]
Unimills and Unilever unite in palm oil deal
Unimills, a European supplier of natural vegetable oil-based ingredients, and global consumer goods company Unilever have underlined their commitment to sustainable agriculture by announcing a long-term supply agreement for hardstocks based on Segregated Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). Unimills sources the segregated CSPO solely from its parent company, Sime Darby – the world’s largest producer […]
LGC reveals Campylobacter breakthrough
Scientists at LGC, the UK’s designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement, say they have demonstrated ‘proof of principle’ for a novel molecular DNA diagnostic technique to identify specific species of Campylobacter. Of the five major foodborne bacteria; Salmonella, Campylobacter, E.coli 0157, Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter is the most common cause […]
Sainsbury’s in packaging rap
Sainsbury’s is being taken to court for using excessive wrapping in a move that could open the door to a wave of similar charges being brought throughout the UK. The store is the first supermarket to face official action over wasteful packaging, with the charge relating to its Taste the Difference Slow Matured Ultimate Beef. […]
Food agency admits BSE error
The Food Standards Agency this week revealed that meat has entered the food supply from a cow aged over 48 months that had not been tested for BSE. However, it goes on to say that it’s unlikely that the cow was infected with BSE and, as specified risk material was removed, any risk to human […]
Mixed views on carrier bag costs
Public opinion on the issue of charging for plastic bags is decidedly mixed, according to a new ethical living report from YouGov SixthSense. It reveals that 32% of UK consumers agree with the scheme as it will reduce the overall number being used. However, one in four respondents thinks such a scheme is a ploy […]
What a lot of water…
More than two million cubic metres of water – equivalent to 800 Olympic sized swimming pools – have been saved by UK food and drink manufacturers since 2007. That’s one of the findings contained in The Federation House Commitment – the water reduction programme launched in 2008 by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). “The […]
Scientists create ‘monster’ salmon
Scientists have created a genetically modified ‘monster’ salmon which could soon be on dinner tables around the world. US company Aqua Bounty claims it has been given initial approval by American safety authorities to produce the GM fish, which grow two to three times faster than normal varieties. However, critics of GM food fear the […]
New trend in adult soft drink sector
Flavour company Wild has used cider as the inspiration for a range of new products in the ‘adult soft drinks’ sector. With flavours such as blackcurrant and bitter orange, the firm says its non-alcoholic, cider-mix beverages ‘with a tart, tangy, fruity note’ offer ‘a perfect match for the palates of adult consumers, and a refreshing […]