News
BSDA appoints new director general
The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has been appointed Gavin Partington as its new director general. Gavin joins BSDA from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, where he was communications director and interim chief executive. communications consultant and former political journalist. “I am delighted to be joining the BSDA team and I look forward to […]
RSSL to carry out FSA allergen survey
Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) has been chosen by the Food Standards Agency to carry out a survey of allergen advisory labelling in the UK. The survey aims to provide a better understanding of whether this type of labelling relates to the actual level of allergen present in foods sold on the UK market. It […]
Recycling ‘second nature’ to 40% of UK adults
More than half (58%) of UK adults say they would be more likely to recycle their used food and drink cartons knowing that they would be recycled into other materials in the UK instead of being shipped abroad for recycling. The Tetra Pak research into consumer attitudes to recycling also found that recycling is now […]
Cornelius Group growth recognised
The growth of chemical distribution company Cornelius has been showcased in the inaugural Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. The Sunday Times International Track 200 ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest growing international sales, measured over the latest two years of available accounts. Cornelius Group’s international sales grew 26 per cent a year from […]
DSM announces multi-million spray drying investment
DSM has revealed that it is to invest around £16 million (€20m) in a new spray drying facility at its Delft food ingredients manufacturing site. The investment comes on top of the firm’s recent announcement that it is to plough £79 million (€100m) into R&D facilities in the Netherlands, a substantial part of which will […]
Revealed: University provider for UK’s first food engineering degree
Sheffield Hallam University has been named as the successful university to partner the UK food and drink industry in the development of the country’s first dedicated food and drink engineering degree. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink made the announcement after a rigorous selection […]
FSA welcomes EFSA poultry inspection opinion
The European Food Safety Authority’s recent scientific opinion on poultry meat inspection, which suggested that traditional inspection may not be enough to fully address the most relevant biological hazards to public health, has been welcomed by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA). In 2010, the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to […]
Environmental award for frozen food firm Ardo
Slashing its carbon footprint and recycling waste water have helped earn Ardo UK a prestigious business award. The Kent-based frozen fruit and vegetable firm won the Business Commitment to the Environment category in the Kent Excellence in Business Awards. The judges said that Ardo UK had ‘set a benchmark for other manufacturers’ and had ‘made […]
Crumbs! Students go behind the scenes at top biscuit factory
UK students this week went behind the scenes at United Biscuits’ McVitie’s factory in Manchester – the home of the Jaffa Cake – as part of the See Inside Manufacturing scheme. The government initiative to get young people interested in careers in manufacturing saw students tour the factory and see how brands such as Jaffa […]
New Faerch Plast facility ‘investment in future’
Færch Plast A/S – a European producer of plastics trays and containers for the food industry – has opened a new manufacturing facility in the north of England. Commissioned in November last year, the new plant has ‘cutting edge’ equipment –including two extruders, six thermoforming machines and the latest robot packing systems – and has […]
Vitiva opens doors to innovation centre
Growing customer demand for the development of joint product applications has led to Vitiva opening a new innovation centre in Slovenia. The ingredients firm says the move will also mean the expansion of its R&D team and capabilities, lab applications and customer services. The innovation centre includes pilot facilities for meat, bakery, ice cream, dairy, […]
Working towards wheat for the world
Plans to help increase potential wheat yields in the UK to 20 tonnes per hectare within the next 20 years have been launched by Rothamsted Research scientists and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The 20:20 Wheat programme aims to ‘provide the knowledge base and tools to tackle food security challenges for a […]
Appetite for healthy options in ready-meal market
Global launch activity in ready meals over the past year has identified some key trends, according to Innova Market Insights. They include an ongoing interest in healthy options and more authentic-style ethnic recipes. There is also more emphasis on natural, organic and locally sourced ingredients, and more interest in restaurant-style products for in-home dining or […]
Six of the best for Brakes
Foodservice supplier Brakes triumphed six times over at the recent BFFF (British Frozen Food Federation) awards. The firm scooped two gold, one silver and three bronze awards in Best Main, Best Meat Free Dish, Best Dessert and Best Bakery Product categories. “We are very proud to have won so many awards,” says Brakes marketing director […]