Food manufacturing industry news round-up

PepsiCo start-up scheme finalists announced​

PepsiCo has revealed the 10 finalists in its Nutrition Greenhouse start-up incubation scheme vying for a chance to win €100,000 (£88,900) of funding.

Now in its second year, the scheme was designed to nurture and accelerate growth of breakthrough nutrition brands. Each firm has already received a €20,000 grant and the one that demonstrates the most “scalable and sustainable market approach​” by the end of the programme will collect the top prize.

Tulip signs up to scheme to tackle modern slavery​

Meat processor Tulip has signed up to the Co-op’s Bright Future Scheme to create jobs for victims of modern slavery.

Under the scheme, victims are offered a four-week paid work placement leading to a non-competitive interview, with a chance to secure a permanent job at the business.

More than 30 victims have been helped through the programme, with an estimated 300 more to secure placements by 2020.

Reading Scientific Services (RSSL) opens acrylamide test lab​

RSSL has opened a dedicated acrylamide testing laboratory, in a bid to increase capacity and reduce turnaround times.

The new lab was a response to increased demand since the adoption of new EU acrylamide legislation, said RSSL senior scientist and technical specialist Emilie Clauzier.

“The expansion of our team and laboratory space not only enables us to handle a large number of test samples in a short timeframe, it is also highly cost efficient,”​ she added.

Meat wholesaler adds eight trucks to delivery fleet​

Meat wholesaler Tican Chilled has expanded its delivery fleet with eight Mercedes-Benz Antos 18t rigid trucks with Chereau fridge bodies from commercial vehicle provider Ryder.

Tican Chilled director Andy Jones said: “The safety features of the Mercedes-Benz trucks were key attractions for us. Our vehicles work between 16 and 18 hours a day and are shared by three drivers — we upgraded the spec to the M-Cab to give our drivers more room.”​