As 2011 draws to a close, many in the food industry can look back and say that, in some respects, there has been more than just the state of the economy to cry about.
News that food price inflation had slowed in October gave hard-pressed shoppers some respite. Whether this will lead to greater stability in the roller coaster rise of volatile input costs for manufacturers is another matter.
Food processors have saved millions of pounds by reviving the use of industrial engineering techniques – particularly time and motion studies – which have become a "dead art", according to Alan Donaldson, md of Aim Interims.
Manufacturers must embrace new technologies if the UK food and drink sector is to remain competitive against increasing competition from the developing world, Food and Drink Federation president Jim Moseley has warned.
Europe’s largest own-label ice cream manufacturer, R&R Ice Cream, has continued its expansion on the continent with the acquisition of German ice cream manufacturer Durigon Gelato.
Frustrated food and drink manufacturers are considering sensory claims in preference to health claims; few of which have been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
More than three-quarters of oysters tested from UK growing beds contained norovirus, according to recent research from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
The Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) is asking for food manufacturers’ help to survey the needs of the 100,000 technicians known to be working in the food sector.
British bakers are setting the standards for their European colleagues to match, according to the Federation of British Bakers (FBB), following a consumer trends survey from Danish enzyme specialist Novozymes.
Renewed interest in health and wellness leads the top 10 trends set to dominate the UK food and drink sector in 2012, according to Leatherhead Food Research.
Ocean Spray Cranberries is channelling millions of dollars into expanding global cranberry processing capacity, making it easier for UK concentrate manufacturers to secure supplies.
The government looks set to abandon targets for reducing salt next year under a revised Public Health Responsibility Deal (PHRD) focusing on calorie reduction of foods sold and increasing people’s physical activity.
Water supplier Highland Spring Group is determined to challenge the EU’s recent ruling on health claims for water, despite further clarification from Brussels.
A driver was taken to hospital and a section of the M1 motorway was closed yesterday after an accident resulted in 20t of Marmite being spilled onto the carriageway.
Food products designed for consumers over the age of 65 is one of the key food trends that will dominate 2012, according to marketing research firm Innova Market Insights.
Chancellor George Osborne did his best for small firms in yesterday’s (November 29) budget speech despite “limited room for manoeuvre”, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
Thousands of pounds are lost by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and drink sector due to poor negotiating skills, according to business leaders.
Food giant Unilever has been accused of “betraying” its staff, as nearly 2,500 workers prepare to walk out in protest over the firm’s plans to scrap its final salary pension scheme.
Food manufacturers have urged Chancellor George Osborne to review the current R&D tax regime ahead of his autumn statement tomorrow (November 29), which they feel is “unfairly penalising” the sector.
Fruitapeel was awarded the Judges’ Special Award at the 2011 Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards on November 8, having caught the attention of the judging panel with its innovation strategy.
A £1.35M EU grant for Cumbrian seafood will lead to the creation of new firms, jobs, and a fresh identity for produce from the region, according to a grass roots organisation.
Food and drink manufacturers are showing increased interest in the market for diabetic products but need to work more closely with academics in order to unlock the sector’s potential, claims a researcher.
City analysts have cast doubt on Premier Foods’ Power Brand plan fearing the necessary disposals will not be achievable due to the firm’s “substantial” debt levels.
Moguntia Food Ingredients, winner of the Small Company of the Year in the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards, has big plans for the future, according to the firm's operations director Marc Jordens.
Food and drink manufacturers have been urged to follow the government’s lead and provide “critical” backing to kick-start the industry’s new strategic skills framework.
The introduction of a fat tax in the UK would be “very difficult for the industry to stomach” and could “cripple” some food and drink firms, experts have said.
The government has pledged to invest £1.7M in the UK food and drink manufacturing sector to fund strategic skills projects designed to support competitiveness, growth and jobs.
Organised crime is switching to food fraud from activities such as drug trafficking, because detection methods are less developed and penalties are softer.
Most regional winners of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) Real Business Challenge, designed to encourage the next generation of UK food and drink manufacturing staff, have been revealed.
Jammie Dodgers maker Burton's Foods is rebranding its business to Burton's Biscuit Company, in a move that “puts it on the heels” of biscuit giant United Biscuits, according to one analyst.
A key shareholder’s withdrawal from PepsiCo is continuing to fuel speculation surrounding the future of the snacks and soft drinks giant, according to city analysts.
Britain’s food manufacturers need a more “joined up” approach from government if they are to provide the engine for growth necessary to help the nation out of its economic crisis.
