Power companies accused of dirty tricks campaigns
The UK’s main energy suppliers have been accused of dirty tricks in preventing smaller companies from getting the best deal from their electricity...
Archives for July 29, 2007
Small data logger flies off the shelf
The new DuoSens two channel battery-powered data-logger from OTT Hydrometry looks set to break all company records. Production is running at full...
Sifter is just the ticket for quick dismantling
The Mini Centri-Sifter centrifugal sifter from Kason is ideal for screening small batches of powders and food products and other...
Thyme for a change
Food processors are catching on to herbs, but supplier know-how is essential if they are to develop successful products. Sarah Britton reports
Book gives guidance on food safety
A handbook on food safety management is now available from BSI. The publication, ISO 22000 Food Safety Guidance and Workbook for the Manufacturing...
Spiralling towards improved boiler tube efficiency
After two years of testing, boiler maker Byworth says it has proved that boilers which incorporate internally-finned X-ID fire tubes in place of...
In the line of duty
Board members should acquaint themselves with far-reaching changes that enshrine their corporate responsibilities in law, writes Andrew Glaze
New blends add a spectrum of flavours to the UK spice scene
A range of new spice blends for poultry, meat and fish has been launched by Bart Spices and join the existing range of speciality blends.Ras El...
Scala's study shows empty running needs urgent focus
Preliminary findings from its forthcoming Key Performance Indicators for the Food Supply Chain report have been revealed by Scala, the supply chain...
Thoughts on the last supper
At a recent gathering of food professionals attending an awards ceremony at The Savoy Hotel, discussion around the lunch table turned to what we...
Best practice or industrial tourism?
In principle nothing is wrong with most businesses' obsession with supply chain best practice. People want to know what other companies are doing...
Polish immigrants promise opportunities for processors
As the UK's Polish community grows, so does the chance for food manufacturers to prosper.Polish entrepreneur Romuald Damaz has built his business on...
Dietitians slam Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has criticised EU health and nutrition rules barring dietitians from recommending a product within its...
Pesticide rules likely to cause problems as confusion reigns
Produce could breach eu regulations depending on how maximum residue levels are set
Venturi trap saves lost steam energy
It is calculated that British industry wastes £3bn a year in energy costs purely through steam loss caused by mechanical steam traps leaking...
Sustainability strategy slated for serious omissions in content
FISS is challenged as industry, consultants and the government seek more progress
Green wind of change
Bernard Matthews is seeking planning permission to incorporate wind farms into its sites in Pickenham, Weston and Holton in Norfolk, generating 15MW...
Packing machine has frozen meat and fish right in the bag
Automated Packaging Systems has launched the FAS SPrint Bagging System which has been specifically developed to handle the packing of frozen produce...
Trade Talk
Don't give us any more red tape
Frozen food aims to cut waste
industry will trim energy use and packaging, and boost ready-meal sales, says Bfff chief
Somewhere over the rainbow ...
Perhaps the elusive pot of gold is akin to the quest for safe and stable food colours. Consumer groups have often shown concern around the azo dyes...
Near infrared non-contact analysis of meat
Selo has introduced the APIS Spektron meat analysis system from Prediktor in Sweden.The APIS Spektron is a near infrared (NIR) non-contact system for...
Generic software fails manufacturers
Too many food manufacturing execution systems (MES) are failing to meet food and drink firms' expectations because they are overly generic and need...
Manufacturers reject allergen standard
Processors have spurned a standard being set up by the Anaphylaxis Campaign that would use a logo to show products had been produced in a factory...
Laxatives aren't a turn off
Consumers are not put off by laxative warnings about polyols on packs, according to new research from starch giant Roquette.Under EU legislation,...
Beat the cost rises
Because of energy price volatility, most enlightened companies are now seeking to monitor and manage its use in their factories. John Dunn reports
Systems check
A worrying rise in listeriosis could see calls for hygiene standards in food factories to be raised even higher, as Rick Pendrous discovers
Star quality
You can't march into a factory and change its culture overnight, says the man responsible for transforming the fortunes of Unilever's Phoenix ice cream plant
Welsh cheese woos rest of UK
Premium cheddar cheese Cadog Export is set to launch across the UK. With sales in excess of £3M, over 100t of Cadog cheese is sold across Wales and...
Fresh brand identity for herbs
The fresh culinary herb sector is set for a makeover. Five of the UK's major fresh herb suppliers - R&G and Fresh Herb Solutions, HumberVHB,...
Public don't realise that UK average sugar consumption has been falling, says FDF
Contrary to popular belief, average sugar consumption in the UK has fallen substantially in the past 30 years, according to the Food and Drink...
Euro food body calls for less regulation, more research
Industry must stay competitive, says CIAA
Heinz to sell desserts arm
Heinz is considering selling its UK frozen desserts business to concentrate on higher-growth opportunities. Its decision to review its retailer...
Salmonella test gives results in 18 hours
Alaska Food Diagnostics has launched fastrAK Salmonella, an ultra-rapid testing system for food manufacturers that provides results in 18 hours.The...
Rice in a rush with microwaveable packaging technology
Veetee Rice claims that its Dine-In rice offers a foolproof route to restaurant quality rice with the convenience of microwave cooking.The product's...
Wheat millers must hedge their bets
Britain's millers will increasingly make use of 'hedging' to gain competitive advantage as price volatility in grain markets becomes more...
Covering all the bases
Migrant workers are a real asset, so long as companies are aware of all the issues, reports Rod Addy
Seize the opportunities afforded by intellectual assets
They may seem vague and abstract, but there's tremendous value in intellectual assets and many companies are missing out, according to the...
LETTER
How do I get a job?
New index promises to boost productivity
Food manufacturers could increase productivity by 10% by motivating workers and analysing their progress using the newly launched Total Factor...
Clean up your product data - GDS is on the way, says Heinz
Warning as supermarkets draw up plans to embrace global data synchronisation
No school meals crisis, says SFT
trust disputes caterers' association claim that new rules have caused slump in take-up
Bad weather raises concern over pathogens in food
increased risk of e.coli and mycotoxins
Greencore hits the road with Cooking Bus to serve up healthy lessons for employees
Greencore Prepared Foods is training its staff to prepare healthy meals at home in a scheme funded by Yorkshire Forward and run by the Focus on Food...
Union criticises Burton’s Food’s consultation
Trade union Unite has accused Duke Street Capital (DSC) of leaving it too late to consult over the fate of its Burton's Foods biscuit plant in...
Switch in government’s carbon dioxide metrics
The government is considering changing the date against which UK food and drink manufacturers will be targeted for carbon dioxide emissions...
Cash injection to take novel health ingredients to clinical trial
Aquapharm Biodiscovery, the tiny Scottish research company spearheading the extraction of functional food and pharmaceutical ingredients from marine...
Enzyme reactions used to analyse sugars and alcohol
Analox Instruments offers a range of fast laboratory analysis systems for the food and drinks industries. These analysers measure the maximum rate of...
Detect moisture down to just a few parts per thousand
The MA150 moisture analyser from Sartorius is a machine with a difference. Capable of detecting water down to 0.01%, it has a built-in weighing...
Chlorine alternative kills bugs
Stabilised chlorine dioxide (SCD) is proving to be a cost-effective, safe and easy-to-manage alternative to chlorine for controlling microbiological...
Salmonella test receives 'Official Method' status
Neogen has received Official Method status from AOAC International for its 24-hour GeneQuence salmonella diagnostic test system. The test combines...
Automation opportunities being missed, says report
Research by the University of Lincoln shows that machinery companies and their food industry customers are missing out on opportunities to automate...