Scotland
Red meat processing deemed unsustainable
With ‘horsegate’ continuing to attract significant column inches – with this week’s news that two arrests have been made in conjunction with the scandal – combined with a growing suspicion that ‘porkgate’ might be on the horizon, a warning made by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) regarding red meat processing will do little to calm the […]
Setting the meatballs rolling
A new Carnitech line is to be installed at one of Scotland’s premier food processors, following an announcement that Baxters is to introduce a new meatball preparation system.
Encouraging a healthy attitude among small businesses
The Scottish Government, in partnership with the Scottish Food and Drink Federation, has announced that it’s extending its programme to help small businesses to make their products healthier. The idea of the two-year scheme is to offer hands-on support for small companies across Scotland, helping them to reduce levels of sugar, fat and salt in […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory
Fish freezing requirements relaxed
The Food Standards Agency has announced that certain farmed fish destined to be eaten raw in dishes like sushi no longer need to be frozen before use to protect consumers against parasites. Fish parasites are mainly a problem in certain species of wild fish and can cause illness in humans if eaten. All fishery products […]
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 […]
FSA launches FoP labelling consultation
The Food Standards Agency in both Northern Ireland and Scotland has launched a consultation on front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition labelling in a bid, it says, to help consumers keep track of what they eat and choose healthier foods. The consultation opens discussions with FSA’s key partners over how it can achieve this through FoP nutrition labelling. […]
BASF announces Equateq deal
BASF has announced the acquisition of Equateq Ltd in a bid to extend its portfolio of omega-3 products for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. “We are further strengthening our position as a leading supplier of ingredients for the nutrition and health industries,” says Walter Dissinger, president of BASF’s Nutrition & Health division. Adam Kelliher, […]
Seafood firm nets prawn processor
Scotland’s Associated Seafoods has acquired prawn processor Moray Seafoods in a move that it says will secure the future of the company and ‘herald the beginning of a new strategy to develop the domestic and export markets for quality langoustine and scampi’. This is the second seafood processing acquisition made by Associated Seafoods recently – […]
Fish and shellfish safety research plan
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland is commissioning five pieces of research that it says will help gather evidence to improve the hygiene standards of fish and shellfish consumed in Scotland. The areas of research are to include a review of the processes in place throughout the processing chain that are designed to control […]
Biscuit firm to axe jobs
BISCUIT firm McVitie’s has announced plans to axe 85 jobs at its factory in Scotland. Shocked staff were given the news as they arrived for work at the plant in Tollcross, Glasgow. Bosses told them 12 per cent of the 700-strong workforce would be laid off. However, a spokesman for McVitie’s owners United Biscuits said […]
New smart packaging reveals if food is unfit to eat
An intelligent food wrapping that changes colour if the contents are going bad has been created by scientists at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland – and could be in the shops within two years. The smart plastic packaging detects when meat, fish or salad leaves have passed their use-by date or have been left […]
Scotland and Norway unite over mackerel dispute
Scotland and Norway have joined forces to call for an end to the so-called ‘mackerel dispute’ which they say is threatening to punish the responsible actions of Scottish and Norwegian fleets. First minister Alex Salmond met with Norway’s foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre this week to discuss a range of issues, including the decision by […]
A thirst for the eccentric
Following the launch of the world’s most expensive beer – The End of History – BrewDog co-founder James Watt has announced that all 12 bottles of the 55%ABV beer, priced at £500-£700 each and served inside stuffed dead animals, were sold within four hours. The blond Belgian ale, brewed in Fraserburgh, Scotland, is infused with […]
Mixed support for Tesco, says new survey
The British public are unable to agree on their opinion of retail giant Tesco, although it wins support overall by a slim margin, and is especially popular among young people and in Scotland, new research by YouGov has found. While 45% of British adults attribute Tesco’s success to its cheap, varied food choices and ability […]