Archives for June 12, 2005

← 2005

Small is better when it comes to innovation

By Susan Birks

Innovation in the UK market is in decline these days but the smaller companies are proving to be the best innovators, often out-doing their larger...

Lifecrown gets Krisp

Lifecrown, which owns the fresh produce firm Fenmarc, has bought the ready-to-cook meals producer Pann Krisp for an undisclosed sum. Most of the two...

Barrier needs will delay biodegradables

Brands are interested in the potential of biodegradable plastics for food, but see short-term takeoff in demand as being unlikely, largely because of...

Glanbia concentrates on heart health

A new partnership between Nurture Inc in the US and Glanbia Nutritionals will give the European ingredient supplier exclusive European distribution...

Glass eye on Barnsley plant

Packaging firm Rexam has sold its Barnsley glass business to Ardagh Glass, which owns Rockware Glass, for £50m.Rexam will still make plastic food...

Heinz unveils big European slimming plan

By Elaine Watson

Canned goods and soft drinks giant Princes is emerging as the frontrunner to pick up the John West canned seafood business as its owner Heinz...

Exploring dark matter

By Michelle Knott

Michelle Knott discovers that the current health and nutrition trends are even influencing the sphere of chocolate development

Slow burn

By Elaine Watson

Forget Atkins -- carbs are well and truly back on the menu, say supporters of the glycaemic index.You just need to know which ones to avoid. But is GI just a flash in the pan, or will it alter eating habits forever? Elaine Watson report

The true cost of our journeys

It's roughly 1,000 miles from Northern Spain to the UK Midlands by road. That journey has a current commercial cost of around 70p per case for double...

THE FIRM:

Your cut-out-and-keep guide to top employers. 59.Diageo

Sharp thinking saves scissors

While its colourful cartoon packaging screams out to children, Dagwood's shaved lunch meat from US meat processor Land O'Frost has an even more...

Bridging the gulf

By Elaine Watson

It's a familiar tale of woe, and it starts in the classroom. Teacher shortages, poor links with industry, a raft of more enticing options at GCSE, A-level and degree level, and a skills shortage that could turn into a timebomb if the industry doesn't get...

Speed up the science

By Michelle Knott

For in-house quality assurance labs to keep pace with new product development and production, they need faster testing technology. Michelle Knott investigates new procedures that can quicken the process

Nestlé takes different route

Nestlé has embarked on a radical overhaul of its UK packaging with new labelling to help consumers make healthier choices.The new labels include...

Food or medicine?

Vitafoods, held in Geneva last month, is the annual event where just about every plant extract, new ingredient and health claim can be found within...

Tests for illegal dyes called into question

By Elaine Watson

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has come into conflict with testing laboratories and some food manufacturers over its advice on testing methods for...

Bring back the best of British

When was the last time Umble pie was seen for sale in the supermarket? Would the average home cook know what a Wet Nelly is, let alone how to make...

Branston spices up snacks sector

Premier Foods has seen two successful pickle brand tie-ups launched this month. Snack maker United Biscuits (UB) has introduced Mini Cheddars in a...

Food goes radio ga ga

By Elaine Watson

There is a business case for RFID tags on returnable assets, but the jury is still out when it comes to mass tagging of cases, says Elaine Watson

Whey to add value

By John Dunn

Techniques are being developed to make money from the waste produced during milk processing. John Dunn reports on the science behind it

Dinner and a dash of turbulence

By Susan Birks

A bad in-flight meal can make a trip abroad memorable for all the wrong reasons. Susan Birks examines what goes into the development process to ensure meals pass with flying colours

Sensitive market

By Paul Gander

There is money to be made from the burgeoning 'free-from' market, but larger firms are targeting investment carefully, reports Paul Gander

Something hot on the side

By Susan Birks

With a whole new wave of fancy dressings, salsas and dips on the table, traditional pickles and relishes are competing by becoming more up-market and sophisticated. Susan Birks reports

Room for everyone in bigger, beefier EU

Growth in demand for meat products within the expanded European Union (EU) means there is more than enough room for both domestic production and...

Kids lap up new milk carton

Demand for individual drinks bottles is on the increase as food-on-the-go grows in popularity. Tetra Pak's latest packaging aims to capture...

Changeovers

Emma Smedley has joined Sundora Foods as new product development manager. Smedley was previously with canned ready meals producer Westler Foods,...