europe
Rare cheese in E. coli alert
A rare cheese was withdrawn from sale when environmental health experts identified unacceptable levels of the bacteria E. coli. The Italian cheese known as Taleggio, is only available in the UK from specialists IJ Mellis Cheesemongers. The company has three shops and a wholesaler’s in Edinburgh and one shop in Glasgow. Environmental health officers taking […]
Ice cream plant
Fredericks Dairies is investing £10 (£14.7) million in a new plant in Lancashire to increase brand and private label ice cream tubs. The new site is said to have Europe’s largest and most automated production line, capable of producing over 16,000 tubs every hour. This follows an announcement that Fredericks is the UK’s No. 2 […]
Midlife market missed by drinks makers
Drinks manufacturers are missing out on the midlife market, according to a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor. Apparently, the ‘midlifers’ are aged between 25-44, disinclined to binge drinking and account for 42 per cent of Europe’s multi-billion euro alcoholic drinks market. What’s more, alcoholic drinks manufacturers continue to regard young adults as their […]
Farms get safety codes, and soaring costs
The fertiliser sector has been working closely with counter terrorism to ensure products are made, transported and stored to the highest safety standards. Guidance leaflets have been produced and codes for on-farm storage promoted. Work is also well advanced to provide an assurance scheme for fertiliser from production plant to field. But it’s not only […]
Heinz and Unilever to exit frozen foods
Both Heinz and Unilever have announced preliminary plans to divest their frozen food businesses. Unilever said it was undertaking a study into ‘strategic options’ for the future of its frozen foods business in western Europe. This encompasses the main brands – Iglo, Findus and BirdsEye – and will cover the 11 countries in Europe where […]
Campina invests £80 million in Belgian plant
Campina has opened a fully refurbished production facility in Aalter, Belgium, representing an investment of £80 million. The plant will produce long-life dairy products such as Yazoo and Yogho Yogho, for Europe and other parts of the world. Production capacity is expanded, with an annual capacity of 275 million units (UHT bottles), employing 500 people. […]
Nestle to grow its own
The board of Nestle SA is to set up the Nestle Growth Fund with £500 million to be invested over five to seven years. This new fund is to help Nestle grow new science and nutrition businesses and ntegrate them into the group’s mainstream business units. This will contribute to the group’s expansion into health, […]
Rexam converts to aluminium in Berlin
One of the world’s largest packaging companies is planning to convert its beverage can plant in Berlin to aluminium. The move is in response to Germany’s planned introduction of a nationwide return system for one-way containers in May 2006. The high scrap value of aluminium makes it the most practical solution for the system, as […]
Uniq CEO plans reorganisation
Geoff Eaton, the new chief executive of Uniq plc, has announced a programme of initatives for the convenience food group, in the face of a challenging trading environment. A major reorganisation of the UK division sees the creation of six, entrepreneurially-led, customer focused business units – three desserts businesses, sandwiches and dips, prepared salads, and […]
Tough trading but Nestle nurtures newcomers
This year’s trading has proven a challenge for Nestle, although its first half report for 2005 showed strong organic growth of 5.2%. Meanwhile, sales in Swiss francs increased 2.4 per cent despite negative impacts of currencies of -1.8 and divestitures of -1.0%. Consolidated sales grew to CHF 43,474 million, an increase of 2.4% over the […]
Global growth for Kerry Group
Sales revenue has risen to £2,117 million according to Kerry Foods’ latest half yearly statement despite surging energy costs. The report, which showed an increase of 8.3%, also reveals a 6.2% rise in trading profit to £160 million. Kerry Group chief executive, Hugh Friel, said,“In a highly competitive trading environment, the group performed well in […]
Sugar production forecast
In the past few months, growing conditions in all Danisco’s production countries have offered strong potential for the growth of sugar beets up to the September to December harvesting period. With recent favourable growing conditions, the sugar beet harvest is expected to yield a sugar production slightly above Danisco’s European Union quotas in Denmark, Sweden, […]