food
British firms win over European tastebuds
Several British companies have been nominated as prize-winners for this year’s Superior Taste Awards 2006. The International Taste & Quality Institute, which runs the event, chose Blackwood Distillers, London; Frederic Robinson, Stockport; Mission Foods, Coventry; and Williamson Fine Teas, Dunstable, for their quality products. Judges included renowned European chefs, beverage experts and Sommeliers, members of […]
Traditional Baker Perkins goes independent
APV Baker, a leading supplier of process equipment and services to the food industry worldwide, has been acquired from Invensys plc by private investors John Cowx and Brian Taylor. The new company will trade as Baker Perkins. The business, based in Peterborough, UK and Grand Rapids, Michigan US, is a leader in process technology for […]
New firm caters for allergy sufferers
Allergy specialist food firm Safetoeat says most ‘free-from’ products are aimed at people suffering from coeliac disease, or who are allergic to dairy or lactose. The new, privately owned company aims to change this by catering for all allergies and has set sales targets of more than £1m in its first year. Cook-in sauces and […]
Gressingham duck producer re-names
The company behind the Gressingham duck has invested in a major re-branding exercise and has re-named itself Gressingham Foods. “Over the years it became apparent that not all of our customers were readily associating Green Label Foods with Gressingham duck – instead we were becoming known as ‘the Gressingham duck people’, says William Buchanan, commercial […]
Consumers check labels
A Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey has found an increasing awareness among consumers towards healthier eating. More people are taking an interest in food, particularly by checking the labels and eating more fruit and vegetables. The survey team interviewed more than 3,000 people over five weeks. It was found the number of consumers who claim […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory
East End Foods invests in rice
A west Midlands based Indian food specialist has invested £6 million (£8.8m) in a new state of the art rice mill in a move that is set to increase its rice production at the West Bromwich plant by more than 40% during the coming year. East End Foods said that this new machinery, which is […]
Waste water threatens survival
Savings of up to £1,000 (£1,470) per employee could be made if UK food manufacturers use more effective waste management techniques, according to business advisory organisation Envirowise. And sooner or later for many companies, waste minimisation will not be a matter of choice, but a survival issue, warns the organisation. Packaging, water use and recycling […]
Diet plate is dish of the day at the House of Commons
The Diet Plate is a revolutionary new slimming tool that is making waves within the slimming industry and has now earned itself an invitation to the House of Commons. So popular has the Diet Plate become that the mighty Weight Watchers organisation has been quick to recognise it as serious competition to its own portion […]
Firms face challenge from health food fads
The current consumer enthusiasm for healthier eating is creating a challenge for food companies. According to a new report from JPMorgan, firms are unsure whether to continue with high margin products that are not deemed so healthy as the narrow margin wellness foods. A research report entitled Obesity: Re-shaping the food industry, says that profitability […]
FIG in the pastry mix
The Food Investment Group (FIG) has acquired two bakery businesses specialising in the production of savoury pastry products such as quiches and flans. Under the umbrella of the newly created Pastry Group, Thomas Foods based in Sheffield supplies Morrisons and Waitrose, while the Giles Foods pastry operation located in Milton Keynes supplies Asda, Morrisons and […]
Industry initiative backs government guidelines
Masterfoods, in conjunction with Cadbury Trebor Bassett and the Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Association (BCCCA) have joined forces in a major education initiative to help consumers understand better how to enjoy chocolate and confectionery as part of a balanced diet. Enjoy chocolate and sweets as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle. That is […]
Heinz has offer for seafood unit
Heinz has received an offer for its European Seafood operations, including the John West, Petit Navire and Mareblu brands, and four processing facilities. The unit has 5,000 employees and annual sales of £400 million. It produces more than 400 million cans of seafood products per year. The factories are based in the Seychelles, Ghana, France […]
School milk subsidy to stay
Government officials have decided the school milk subsidy is to remain. The news follows a recent economic report that the subsidy should be scrapped, which could have saved the nation £1.5 million. The UK government has supplemented the EU subsidy on school milk since 2001, and Sustainable Food and Farming Minister Lord Bach has announced […]
Homemade trade could try Dubai
A report from market development consultancy Food from Britain (FfB) divulges significant opportunities for UK food and drink exporting to the Middle East. Indications are that prospects are ripe for manufacturers of bakery, confectionery, breakfast cereals and tea. The study, entitled The British Ex-pat & Tourist Market in the Gulf States, reveals Dubai as a […]