UK gets fatter on less
Lack of exercise blamed for obesity as we eat fewer calories
Archives for May 28, 2006
Big ambitions in a small world
Fears of a consumer backlash, similar to that against genetic modification, are making manufacturers cautious about divulging too much about their work into nanotechnology. But, reports John Dunn, there is a lot going on
Test kits are milking it
Greater emphasis on fat content in dairy foods and concern over antibiotic residues in milk has led to two innovations.Specialist dairy lab Eurofins,...
Wok Express seals the deal
Expanding ready meals manufacturer Wok Express put the seal of approval on Packaging Automation's high throughput equipment by installing a PA182...
Brussels set to OK use of cholesterol-buster in bread
EC moves to permit sterols in rye bread
Bang for your bucks
A decent NPD process helps manage risk and control costs. So why aren't more food manufacturers using one, asks Elaine Watson
Steamed halibut with artichokes, tomato salsa and pesto dressing
Put a little spring in your step with this zingy fish dish from Alasdair Elder
Best of British
The overall market may be flat, but premium ready meals and ready to cook ranges are booming. Rebecca Green discovers how health and a rekindled love for British food are playing their part
Proactive NPD
Over recent months there have been several reports of successful large companies experiencing a fall in sales as their ranges are rejected by...
FSA looks set to abandon fat and sugar targets
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has conceded that it might ditch its plan to issue sugar and fat content targets for products, due for publication...
Dairy Crest rethinks in move to stop pensions plan strike
Dairy processor joins rival firms in reporting mixed performances in liquid milk
Move to self-regulate could reduce factory safety visits
Food firms may be allowed to self-certify their safety procedures to cut regulation
Natural progression of colour
Lucozade manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline could find a natural alternative to the ultra-clear, vibrant synthetic orange colouring it uses, following the...
'Healthy' does not sell, say sandwich makers
Fast-track targets are achievable, but public just is not buying
Lion goes into AAK
Hull-based oils and fats supplier AAK UK has increased its presence in the speciality oils and dressings market with the acquisition of the wet...
Weetabix in demand forecasting drive
Weetabix is implementing a new demand planning system in a bid to reduce warehouse stock, improve transport utilisation and drive manufacturing...
LETTER
The bigger the target, the easier the hits
Heaven scent luxury ice cream
With summer fast approaching, Doddington Dairy Ice Cream has designed its From a Flower range of luxury ice creams to tempt consumers into treating...
Braby silo scores for footie pies
When production of Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pies at Shire Foods went into extra time, it decided to move to a new state-of-the-art...
Rice rules trip up firms
Two UK rice companies have fallen foul of a code of practice designed to ensure rice sold as Basmati is the real deal.In separate cases brought by...
Taking the lab on-line
Sending samples off to the QC analyst takes time you can ill afford to waste in continuous food production. But what if the lab came to you? Mike Spear reports
The worm has turned
With the heat rising on demand for summer barbecue products, equipment supplier UFM has launched the first industrial grinder capable of processing...
Asda, Sainsbury to judge
A clutch of top names in retailing have signed up to judge the 2006 Food Manufacture Excellence awards in London.Scrutinising your entries this year...
A distinctly upper crust oven
How to replicate the taste, texture and look of artisanal breads using modern, continuous bakery technology has been the holy grail of equipment...
Pressure on packaging waste finance as targets get tougher
As the government reviews its waste strategy, and appears to drag its feet over addressing possible fraud in the recycled paper sector, there is...
Wiseman tracks down dollies
Robert Wiseman is exploring whether it can build a business case for radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging by using it to keep tabs on roll...
Thumbs up for 'personal' food
Consumers welcome DNA tests, functional ingredients and even GMOs to fight the flab
European vote leaves GI claims in a nutritional no-man's land
The glycaemic index (GI) appears to be stuck in legal limbo following a vote in the European Parliament on the controversial nutrition and health...
What's fair is fair
In calculating the real cost of handling and transport to customers, there are three obvious components: the distance from your factory or warehouse,...
MPs join fight for House sauce
'An outrage if they use picture of parliament on bottles when they're made in Holland'
Tate & Lyle to take Chinese to court over Splenda sweetener patent infringement
Tate & Lyle is expected to seek an injunction to stop a Chinese trading conglomerate challenging its monopoly of the sucralose market while it...
Kiss goodbye to chemical colours
The confectionery aisle isn't the first port of call for a wholesome snack, but with health now firmly established as a long-term trend, the race is on for chocolatiers to kick their bad habits, says Sarah Britton
Industry gets in line for learning
Fresh from a £2.9M investment and with more in the pipeline, Holbeach Technology Park is doing its bit for the industry, says Rebecca Green
Honey trap
A honey bee may be able to fly at 15 miles per hour, but this still isn't fast enough to keep up with consumption trends. Business is booming in the honey aisles, says Gail Hunt. But watch out for those red traffic lights
Pork pickings predicted to be popular
Husband and wife team Debbie and Andrew Keeble aim to cash in on a gap in the market for a healthier sausage targeted at kids. Launched under Debbie...
Front of pack food labelling: why one size will never fit all
The media hype around the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) launch of its traffic lights scheme and the high profile rejection of this by leading...
Control your dough
Whether you're handling pastry or bread dough, consistency is the name of the game. Michelle Knott examines how automation can help achieve this
Metal containers to suit the microwave
Steel is not an obvious choice for microwaveable packaging. But new, ductile grades and clear design parameters mean this could become a growth area...
If you tolerate this
The supermarket ambient free from aisle is bursting with new products, but head into the ready meals cabinets or your local pub and the pickings remain slim indeed for allergy and intolerance sufferers, says Elaine Watson
Pump up the volume
She's worked with cheese for 26 years, but it's still her first choice when the dessert trolley is wheeled out, says Ilchester Cheese Company's production manager Looby Armstrong
Continuous improvement - where we want to be
In order for any improvement programme to be a success, one of the key initial activities is to create a clear vision of what you want to achieve....
NPD opportunities for Mediterranean mix'n'match
The Mediterranean diet, which is based on wholegrain carbohydrates, high fruit and veg intake, and simple food components, is making its mark on...
Aspartame - is the waiting game over?
Aspartame has been a high profile news item since July 2005, when the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF) published its long term feeding study on...