Archives for June 30, 2011

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Recycled PET demand only limited by collection rates

By Paul Gander

The use of bio-polyethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) by brand owners such as Coca-Cola is perfectly compatible with growth in demand for recycled PET (rPET), says converter and recycler APPE (formerly Artenius PET Packaging Europe). The firm says...

Beyond the gut: probiotics

By Anne Bruce

The benefits of probiotics for digestion is well publicised, but research on their other strengths is growing, as Anne Bruce reports

All hands on spec

By Freddie Dawson

Chocolaterie Casemir is defiantly marching to the beat of its own accordion. When most firms are automating, streamlining and cutting costs, Casemir is looking for ways to diversify revenue sources that allow it to continue making chocolate by hand and...

Pomegranate seed oil breakthrough

Researchers have created a stable pomegranate-seed-oil-in-water emulsion using gum Arabic, for functional beverage applications.

Full answer to weighty problems

By Michelle Knott

There will always be a market for 'light' and 'diet' products, but the biggest trend in weight management today is towards functional ingredients. The contenders hoping to make the biggest splash fall into three basic functional groups: satiety boosters;...

Clean up your act

By Freddie Dawson

As retailers call for more accredited food safety training, how can firms get staff up to speed at minimum cost, asks Freddie Dawson

Meat processors call for risk-based approach to inspections

By Rick Pendrous

Primary meat processors are increasing pressure on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to bring about a change to EU law that would allow a more risk-based approach to checking meat plants using private, accredited third-party inspectors.

Spirulina faces uncertain future as FSA stalls probe

The future for spirulina – the blue colouring derived from algae that is used in Nestlé's Smarties – remains uncertain as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) reported that it had delayed its investigations into this and a number of other substances used to...

Chr Hansen refocuses after restructure

Chr Hansen's other Italian activities – dairy, human health, natural colours, wine and meat cultures – will move to another site in Parma after selling most of its functional blends business.

Run the good race

It's proving to be a year of mixed fortunes for those in the food and drink sector. Some small manufacturers particularly those in dynamic emerging markets such as the allergen-free sector are doing remarkably well. But, for the majority, it is a time of...

The only way is (Tiptree) Essex, says jam maker

By Lawrence Morley

Jam producer Wilkin & Sons is trying to establish a new home within its current and only base for over 125 years in Tiptree, Essex, as it bids to employ around 200 more people by 2030.

The conveyor of hygienic solutions

Habasit Rossi has extended its range of Habaflow conveyor and processing belts to include three new products, developed specifically to improve food processing efficiency.

Service level disagreement

By Hugh Williams

w When we decided to have our kitchen re-fitted, I knew that choosing a reputable tradesman would be tough. It was my fault for not making the rules of the house clear in the first place.

Micro-wave or macro-trend?

By Paul Gander

What role is in-pack industrial microwave processing likely to play in the future chilled ready meals market? Paul Gander talks to experts for and against this technology about the likelihood of its adoption in the UK.

How d'ya like your eggs in the morning?

By Paul Berryman

If you listen to Chris Evans on Radio 2, you'll be familiar with the classic 1951 song "How d'ya like your eggs in the morning?" To Helen O'Connell's question, Dean Martin croons: "I like mine with a kiss!"

Secondary system ups the output

Meadow Cheese has seen a 300% increase in output since it installed a secondary refrigerant system from Coolmation.

Pasteur Institute builds food research

By Rod Addy

Rod addyThe Pasteur Institute in Lille is making progress on a range of nutritional studies, including work with Roquette on eye health investigating the potential of feeding hens lutein and zeaxanthin to enrich eggs.

Breaking the ice

By John Dunn

With frozen food enjoying a renaissance, it looks like Britain is entering a new ice age, reports John Dunn

Premium wines move to more innovative screw cap closures

If corks continue to bob out of the wine aisle in the face of fierce competition from screwtop bottle closures, it is at least, in part, because of recent innovation and differentiation in metal closure technology – from smoother finishes to tamper evidence.

Border Biscuits invests £2.5m in plant

By Ben Bouckley

Border Biscuits is investing a further £2.5 million to increase manufacturing capabilities and plant capacity over the next 18 months as the Scottish biscuit maker targets a 50% turnover increase over the next few years.

Soy story

By Rod Addy

Shaul Shelach, boss of Solbar, one of the world's top soy ingredients firms, talks to Rod Addy about his vision for the company and the industry

New trailers keep their produce cool

Cold storage and transport specialist company Rick Bestwick has taken delivery of five new trailers fitted with Carrier Transicold's Vector 1550 transport refrigeration units. Carrier Transicold is a unit of Carrier Corp, provider of high-technology...

Game on for stevia...

By Lynda Searby

The dynamics at large in the sweeteners market are similar to those in a football club. As on the football pitch, in the sweeteners market there is rivalry as each player strives to shine as an individual. But teamwork or combinations of sweeteners is...

Nature's nurture

By Rod Addy

Meet Natures Way, winner of the 2010 Food Manufacturing Excellence award for Fresh Produce and Gary Kilhams, fruit business unit manager, Natures Way Foods.

Rise of greener hardstocks

By Rod Addy

European processors can access greener hardstocks, requiring far less heat and generating far less waste water, thanks to developments by Sime Darby Unimills.

All squeeze please

By Rick Pendrous

Compared with the optimism expressed in last year's Food Manufacture state-of-the-industry survey, the mood today is far more subdued. This can probably be put down to a combination of factors that are putting the squeeze on Britain's food and drink...

Corn pellets for snack food processors

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has launched two corn pellets called Dominos and Super Cornitos for snack food manufacturers aiming at natural, clean labels on packs.