Cream of the crop in Eden
The premier teaching establishment for the dairy sector has opened at Reaseheath College in Cheshire. Rod Addy looks at what it has to offer
Archives for July 1, 2010
Transit pack carbon claims spark transparency questions
A lifecycle analysis (LCA) study comparing the carbon footprint of plastic reusable transit packaging (RTP) with corrugated board has triggered wider debate about the transparency of LCA data and the way such studies are audited and reported.
Lobby stifles GM debate
Oh dear. The furore surrounding the Food Standards Agency's (FSA's) project on genetic modification (GM) is an unwelcome reminder of how a small group of campaigners remains absolutely determined to derail any sensible debate in the UK about the pros and...
Dedicated followers of food passion
It's that time of year when, as you drive the length and breadth of the country, you see signs at the roadside advertising country shows, festivals, fêtes and fairs. Being someone who always likes to cover new ground, I usually go if I have a spare day...
Tetra Pak takes axe to customer operational costs
Tetra Pak says its operational cost reduction (OCR) programme, successfully implemented at one UK customer, is being rolled out at a further three, and will gradually be extended to others. .
Functional foods could solve our nation’s health problems
Functional foods could be a better way of improving the health of consumers who aren't listening to the dietary health messages they are bombarded with, a leading nutritionist has claimed.
Trade Talk: Nanny doesn’t always know best
The national newspapers had a field day in their reporting of the European Parliament's (EP's) rejection of traffic-light food labelling. Reports described the reaction of food and health lobbies as anything between 'dismay' and 'outrage'. The EP was...
Take a new tack to researching healthy foods, say scientists
Food sector scientists' doubts are mounting about the relevance of using traditional research methods to evaluate the efficacy of foods designed to improve health.
Riders of the storm
Now that the recession is over, can probiotics retain the surge they enjoyed during the lean period, asks Chloe Ryan
Soft drinks firm labels Coca-Cola's production plant 'a disgrace'
Andrew Cawthray, boss of soft drinks maker Cawingredients, has challenged competitors' commitment to efficient, eco-friendly processing.
Hygienic depositor is here
A hygienic, quick change depositor has been developed which could transform the way food companies operate.
The future is bright in nanotongue
The use of nanotechnology in food packaging will take off in the UK over the next few years, including developments such as an electronic tongue, which allows the life stage of foods to be determined before consumption, experts have claimed.
UK manufacturing slumps to 17th place in world league
A report out last month on global manufacturing competitiveness ranked the UK 17th in the world. Even worse, the report, from Deloitte and The US Council of Competitiveness, predicted that the UK would fall to 20th place in five years time, just ahead of...
Trials said to show efficacy of acrylamide inhibitor for bread
Acrylamide reductions in bread of up to 90 per cent have been claimed in initial test results announced this week for a proprietary yeast product from Phyterra Yeast, a division of Canadian firm, Functional Technologies Corporation.
Kerrygold Company and North Downs Dairy sign merger deal
Irish Dairy Board subsidiaries Kerrygold Company and North Downs Dairy are to merge their operations to create a £335m business called Adams Foods.
Not so naughty but nice
Firms are working to help consumers indulge – without getting the bulge. Anne Bruce reports
Coalition must climb massive waste mountain targets
The coalition government's green credentials will be put to the test following its announcement of a waste strategy review.
Sugar Fix
Keeping consumers sweet and healthy is a tricky business when it comes to reducing sugar in food, reports Hayley Brown
Bearing guide fits every pocket
Bearing supplier NSK has produced a pocket-sized guide covering all aspects of rolling bearing maintenance. The free, 80-page guide is spiral bound to enable easy reading of individual sections by engineers in the workshop or in the field.
Labour planning system is a real money saver
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is rolling out a labour planning system supplied by internet application developer Eleventeenth that has achieved "a significant cost saving" at its Wakefield plant in Yorkshire.
Industry fights EU proposals for unnecessary labelling
Food industry trade groups are uniting to fight EU labelling proposals that would heap extra work and costs on food processors and potentially confuse consumers.
The two cultures
Over 50 years ago, Charles Percy Snow CP Snow the acclaimed scientist and novelist, presented his Rede lecture at the University of Cambridge titled 'The two cultures'.
Building outside the box
Food factory operators need to think more laterally about the layout of new facilities before starting construction, as John Dunn discovers
In denial over OEE? Production performance much lower than claimed
Companies are continuing to exaggerate the efficiency of their manufacturing operations because those collating the data used to measure it frequently ignore delays such as product changeovers and other downtime on equipment and lines.
UK’s fish farms are ‘a tabloid story waiting to happen’
Fish processors' plans to support the launch of a sustainable kite mark for farmed fish are set to cause heated debate.
UK organic sector receives EU funds for promotions
The EU has agreed to match almost £1m funding raised by the UK organic sector to promote the benefits of organic food and farming to consumers over the next three years.
DSM: We need a fair pricing system for sustainable food
Developing a fair pricing system that encourages processors and consumers to support eco-friendly production methods in their buying decisions is the most vital issue facing processors building a sustainable supply chain.
Bird is the word
Kookaburra has been on a spending spree to spruce up its operation, as Rod Addy finds out
The future is bright … if a little uncertain
The prospects for Britain's food processors may look brighter than they have done, but the major multiples are still perceived to be taking more than their pound of flesh, as Rick Pendrous discovers
Study: DSM ingredient boosts bone mineral density
A DSM Nutritional Products ingredient has been shown in a clinical trial to significantly increase bone mineral density in post-menopausal women.
How wine bottles can use colour and shape to differentiate brands
New bottle designs from Italy are using glass colour and shaping to differentiate wine brands, while closer to home, the environment continues to dominate brand communication in the sector.
Vegetable milk shows pea protein potential
Roquette has launched a 100% vegetable beverage, Vegetal Booster, that builds on the launch of its Nutralys pea protein and Nutriose prebiotic fibre and is ideal for those with lactose or dairy intolerances.
Breath of fresh air for innovation
Since this is supposed to be an ingredients column, I thought I'd tell you about the latest ingredients research at Leatherhead.
EU preservative ban to hit organic meat
UK producers of organic bacon and cured meat products look set to be hit by a proposed EU ban on the use of sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate in organic foods. These preservatives are essential to traditional UK bacon.
My beef with you
Dunbia’s Sawley plant is the source of meat for many a pie and ready meal, John McAvoy tells Rod Addy
Beckham brand promotes healthier fish products
Young's has struck a deal with GO3 and David Beckham to launch a new healthy range of fish products to coincide with the World Cup.