europe
Univar takes on Turkey for National Starch
Global chemical distributor Univar is to distribute National Starch’s range of speciality starches in Turkey. The deal builds on a 20-year partnership between the two companies that has grown to cover the UK, Ireland, Iberia and the Nordic region. “We have a long-standing relationship with Univar and have always been impressed by the knowledge and […]
Report reveals increase in number of food ‘incidents’
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says it saw an increase in the number of food incidents it investigated last year, including reports of contaminated or illegal food entering the food chain, with some potentially harmful to the public. According to the Annual Report of Incidents 2011 published this week, 1,714 food incidents were investigated by […]
Article 13.1 claims now published in OJ
The 222 ‘general function’ Article 13.1 health claims, approved on 16 May by the European Commission, have now been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. More than 1600 proposed health associations were not authorised and food manufacturers now have six months to comply with the Article 13.1 “general function” health claims. The […]
Brussels directory updated
The second edition of stakeholder.eu – The Directory for Brussels has just been published by Lexxion. Containing 16,000 contacts, the new publication (in both print and online) is aimed at all EU stakeholders. “As capital of the European Union, Brussels is home to tens of thousands of civil servants, representatives of businesses, civil society and […]
Fresh approach to packaging
Tesco tomatoes will now stay fresher for longer following the roll-out of It’sFresh! in all UK stores this week. Tesco says it’s the first retailer to use It’sFresh! on tomatoes, with those in its Finest range being the first to benefit. The roll-out follows successful trials on UK Sunstream tomato varieties from greenhouse growers Thanet […]
EFSA announces BPA re-evaluation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has started work on its new risk assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) used in food contact materials, focusing in particular, it says, on exposure of vulnerable groups. The new opinion will complement earlier scientific advice provided at the request of the European Commission. EFSA will review all the available […]
Co-op Sweden in push for private label expansion
Retailer Co-op Sweden has gone live with a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) portal in a bid, it says, to help increase private label product development and become more competitive within that market. Trace One, the company that supplied the online portal, says it will also help the retailer meet strict government requirements around product ingredients, […]
EU ban on DSM: ‘Common sense has gone out the window’
A New EU regulation on the labelling of desinewed meat has left the UK with little choice but to comply. However, the move will have a huge impact on both producers and manufacturers, says the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). The European Commission has asked that a moratorium be put in place on the production […]
Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Kerry opens doors to new Netherlands emulsifier plant
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours has announced the opening of a new emulsifier plant in Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands. The new facility will double the installed capacity for emulsifiers in The Netherlands and broaden Kerry’s European technology offering to include distilled product types. It will also absorb volumes currently produced in Kerry’s emulsifier plant in Port Klang, […]
Organic labelling deadline looms
The deadline for all organic food produced in the UK to carry a legally required EU logo is rapidly approaching. A new Europe-wide symbol for certified organic produce was introduced in July 2010, though a transitional period has been allowed for it to be included on packaging. However, from the end of June this […]
Anuga FoodTec ‘best ever’ say organisers
The sixth Anuga FoodTec 2012, which closed its doors after four intensive days in Cologne’s Koelnmesse, posted its best event result to date, according to organisers. Visitor numbers grew by around 25 per cent, totalling more than 42,000 trade visitors from 131 countries. “Anuga FoodTec was a complete success for the participating sectors,” says Katharina […]
Egg replacer sales set to double, says ingredients firm
Arla Foods Ingredients is forecasting a 100 per cent increase in sales of its egg replacers this year, as a result of egg shortages caused by new European animal welfare legislation. In 2011, the Denmark-based company – the ingredients division of dairy firm Arla Foods – helped to replace the equivalent of 20,000 tonnes of […]
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 […]
Smurfit Kappa bags Baguin
Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box has acquired Argentinian company Baguin, specialising in bag-in-box solutions across Latin America. European firm Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box now has six facilities in France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Canada and now Argentina. Baguin was founded in 1992 in Buenos Aires. The factory is equipped with several modern production lines for the manufacture of bags, […]