Breaking News on Prepared Food and Meat Processing

Conveyor design cuts cleaning costs, claims manufactuer

A seam free conveyor belt reduces the places where food can stick to while being processed, helping cut the costs and labour needed for cleaning and sanitation, claims its manufacturer.

Software automates food contaminant detection

An automated software system allows processors to detect food contaminants in their products, according to its developers.

Weekly Comment

Food industry must face its faults

The food industry must be honest if it is to convince consumers - and audiences - that it is not the corporate monster portrayed in the media.

Regulation, traceability drive demand for safety products

Regulation and the demand for better traceability throughout the supply chain is driving the search for better, more efficient food safety products in the US, according to a forecast report.

Software designed to cut losses in manual weighing operations

Software for manual weighing operations uses a wireless network to achieve the right balance for the fresh food sector.

Pilot machine produced for rapid shake sterilisation process

Satori Stocktec has became one of the first companies to produce a pilot machine companies can use to trial a new process for the fast sterilisation of canned foods.

Machines target market's changing demands

Sartorius has released a number of machines and tools in demand by the food industry, including a metal detector for aluminium packaging, a USB stick for collecting data on the move, a roller conveyor and a check weigher.

UK processors benefit from positive productivity growth rate

UK food manufacturers have a productivity growth rate above the average for the whole economy, according to a new government report.

Notice outlines allergen law on meat ingredients

Meat processors will be required to put in place new federal procedures and labelling rules relating to potential allergens the next time they review their food safety systems, as required annually under the law.

Method combines ozone and ionization to kill pathogens

Transforming a method originally developed to decontaminate spacecraft could be new means of destroying pathogens in processing plants, according to scientists.

McDonalds burger goes McMassive for World Cup

Leading fast food chain McDonalds has announced the launch of a super-sized Big Mac burger for the World Cup event, amid a flurry of opposition from food experts and MPs.

Bumble Bee Foods buys stake in Thai tuna processor

The US seafood company Bumble Bee Foods said yesterday that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding to invest in Thai tuna processor Sea Value Company.

Malaysian halal sector gets boost from Tesco

Britain's biggest supermarket, Tesco, will spend RM1 billion (€215m) on Malaysian-made halal food over the next five years to cater for rising demand in halal products in its home market.

Slow growth forecast for meat production, consumption

US red meat and poultry production in 2007 is projected to grow at a considerably slower rate than expected this year, while consumption is expected to increase marginally, according to an agriculture department forecast.

'Carcass-to-cut' software tracks meat

A tracking software program is designed to help meat packing plants identify live animals, link them to individual cuts through to point of sale, and help companies better manage their inventories.

Avian flu hits Denmark's poultry; FAO questions world strategy

Denmark and Romania are battling fresh outbreaks of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has spread to domestic poultry in the two countries.

FDF 'regrets' new English nutrition standards

New minimum nutrition standards for English school food, designed to ensure healthier eating, has resulted in the banning of certain products high in salt, fat and sugar.

Mackerel supply uncertain, price hikes could continue

Uncertainty in the supply of mackerel in the EU could lead to further price hikes this year.

Cereal and snack focus

Roquette opens its doors to healthy snack ingredients

Roquette, a global leader in starches, has developed new ingredients designed to help snack makers tap the health trend, as FoodNavigator discovered on a visit to the group's headquarters in Lestrem, France.

Industry reacts to 'damaging' fast food film

The US food industry has launched a campaign to counter the bad publicity it expects to receive from a new film linking fast food chains and the industries that support them to the nation's health and social problems.

Indonesia failing to halt bird flu spread

Indonesia is under growing pressure to strengthen its action against bird flu as the World Health Organisation yesterday confirmed five more human deaths from the disease in one of the world's most populated countries.

No price rises yet, say Philippines' meat processors

Meat processors in the Philippines say they will not pass on a 2 per cent rise in value-added tax to consumers, to hold on to valuable markets.

Growth in tinned meals presents new prospects, report

A new report by Mintel reveals that the canned meat and beans market in the UK has gathered momentum in recent years, something that could present an opportunity as food firms spice up these traditional favourites.

Bird flu prevention hampered by poor international coordination

Measures to prevent avian influenza in poultry flocks could be compromised by lax management, poor international coordination, and a lack of funds, according to researchers.

Prototype analyser detects meat pathogens within minutes

A hand-held analyser for detecting pathogens along the complete meat supply chain within minutes is being prepared for commercial application.

Bowl-shaped cans designed for ready-to-eat market

Crown has launched bowl-shaped cans aimed at the single-serve food market in Europe and North America to meet the growing demand for ready-to-eat convenience products.

Foreign equity group wins bid for China's leading meat processor

China's biggest food processor, the meat and poultry group Henan Shuanghui, looks set to change hands from its state owners to a foreign private equity fund, with a stake in another of the country's meat companies.

Meat container beefed up with double walls

A plastic container for meat and poultry features a double-walled construction for greater strength.

Bottle blow molder adapted for biodegradable plastics

With biodegradable becoming less of a buzzword and more of a reality in the packaging business, a machine maker has adapted a blow molder for use with corn-based plastics.

Nestlé rolls out smart label for Maggi brand

Nestlé will roll out a wider range of products using a smart label that indicates the remaining shelf life.

Money made available for training on hygiene laws

The UK's food safety regulator has made more money available for training businesses on the EU's new hygiene requirements.

Irish processor recognises R&D need

Following concerns that food and drink R&D investment across Europe has hit a low ebb, Irish meat manufacturer Dawn Farm Foods has pledged to spend 28m on research.

Kraft and Premier Foods eye United Biscuits

US food giant Kraft is partnering with Britain's Premier Foods to launch a bid for United Biscuits, according to industry insiders.

Heinz to move HP Sauce production to Holland

In a move emphasising the flight of many food manufacturers out of the UK, Heinz has decided to move production of the HP Sauce brand to Holland from its plant in Birmingham.

Majority of recalls preventable, says UK consultancy

The majority of food recalls around the world are caused by preventable problems, with poor allergen control and failure to follow international standards as the major culprits, according to a UK consultancy.

Sara Lee negotiates European meats sale

US food and consumer goods producer Sara Lee announced Friday it has entered discussions with Smithfield to sell its European meats arm, following a drop in the division's anticipated selling price.

Zip-Pak introduces colour to ensure hermetic seal

A colour indicator and a double seal are two of the latest developments Zip-Pak has introduced to its reclosable packaging.

Weekly comment

Chasing down obesity

It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal exercise rate.

Asian countries vow to step up co-operation on bird flu

Asian health and agriculture ministers say they will work more closely, across borders, to try to control the spread of bird flu and reduce its impact on the region's poultry trade.

Texting used to measure food 'on-the-go' market

If alive even the Earl of Sandwich would have been impressed that his namesake food has now become a £ 2.8bn (€ 4.1bn) market in the UK.

Australian food vulnerable to terrorists, says report

Australia's food production is vulnerable to terrorist attack using unconventional contaminants, according to a report.

Public sceptical of food safety measures, survey finds

Do media such as FoodProductionDaily.com and others overly hype food safety issues to the public?

FPA and GMA to merge

The Food Products Association (FPA) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) have agreed in principle to merge the two organizations effective 1 January, 2007.

UK beef supply resumes filling gap in continental shortage

From today beef processors in the UK can resume export trade with the rest of the EU, potentially leading to lower prices on the continent.

Oil type explains variations in trans fat levels

Levels of trans fats in fast food products varies from country to country, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

EC vows to recover misspent CAP millions

A total of € 128.2 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is to be claimed back, following a decision adopted last Friday by the European Commission.

Weekly comment

Working at self-regulation

Self-regulation has become the mantra of food groups who argue that laws are not always necessary - but can industry be trusted when it has failed so spectacularly in the past?

Tesco falls foul of Slovak government

The Slovak government has launched criminal proceedings against Tesco over allegations the retailer sold out-of-date meat products in Central and Eastern European (CEE) stores.

'Mild' form of bird flu spreads in UK, worker infected

Two more farms in the Norfolk area of the UK are now under quarantine as the country battles a milder form of the avian influenza virus.