Processing and Packaging

Manufacturers explore ‘transformational opportunity’ of green hydrogen

11-Feb-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Quorn is the latest food company to unveil plans to look into the deployment of green hydrogen technology at its facilities in order to cut down on fossil fuel use and meet climate targets.

Ultra-processing foods for health and sustainability: ‘Whether you like it or not, processed food is here to stay’

08-Feb-2022 By Flora Southey

Processed and ultra-processed foods get a bad rap. But done the right way, food processing can offer sustainable nutrition to the masses, according to Wageningen University’s Ciarán Forde.

Beyond the bottle: Call for cartons to be added to deposit return scheme plans

07-Feb-2022 By Katy Askew

The UK Government is preparing to introduce a deposit return scheme, which it describes as a ‘key part’ of producer responsibility proposals that aim to boost the circular economy and recycling rates. According to packaging supplier Tetra Pak, this approach...

The sustainability trends to watch… and if they'll survive the cost of living crisis

19-Jan-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Increasing citizen awareness, investor pressure and government action around the health, environmental, social, and animal welfare impacts of our food systems, means that in 2022 the chorus to translate words into actions, to transform a food system many...

The pandemic has created demand for the 'rare and unfamiliar', says world ingredient supplier Red Rickshaw

18-Jan-2022 By Oliver Morrison

COVID-19 restrictions have made consumers feel more disconnected to the world than ever before, believes the CEO and founder of world ingredient supplier Red Rickshaw and world food meal kit FeastBox.

Silk lauded as future solution in food waste and preservation

05-Jan-2022 By Oliver Morrison

With concerns about food waste rising, researchers from Tufts University have hailed silk fibroin-based edible coatings as a potential solution.

Sustainable packaging a ‘growth opportunity’ for food and consumer goods industry says IGD

23-Dec-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Over 40% of consumers have already adopted reusable grocery packaging and are ‘thinking about’ using reusable packaging reveals new consumer research from the UK-based group which aims to give suppliers and retailers insight into consumer attitudes towards...

EFSA poised to slash daily exposure limits for bisphenol A as EU court confirms it as ‘substance of very high concern’

22-Dec-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is to re-evaluate the risks of bisphenol A (BPA) in food as the Court of Justice of the EU confirms the chemical must be listed as a “substance of very high concern” for its hormone-disrupting properties on the...

Satellite data ‘key to accelerating carbon footprint transparency in food systems’

17-Dec-2021 By Oliver Morrison

A new monitoring platform claims it allows CPGs, retailers and farmers to track their land-based carbon footprint within supply chains and target ‘nature-based solutions at scale and speed’.

MOSHs or MOAHs in food: Calls for zero tolerance as ‘toxic’ mineral oils found in products across Europe... but are they harming consumers?

16-Dec-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Many food products sold in Europe including stock cubes, chocolate and spreads are contaminated with dangerous mineral oils, claims Foodwatch.

WWF tracker sees ‘problematic plastic’ halved but urgent action needed to fix a 'complex, broken system'

14-Dec-2021 By Katy Askew

A new report from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has found that principal members in its ReSource: Plastic programme – including The Coca-Cola Co, McDonald’s, Keurig Dr Pepper, Procter & Gamble and Starbucks – cut their use of ‘problematic plastic’ by...

The biggest ingredient of future food: air?

08-Dec-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Rising commodity prices put an onus on food and beverage manufacturers to exploit the opportunities presented by air as an ingredient in products, believes ‘food futurologist’ Dr Morgaine Gaye.

Paper-based punnets deliver ‘breakthrough in packaging sustainability’ claims manufacturer

26-Nov-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Packaging manufacturer Westpak has unveiled a series of new punnets and tray designs which it claims deliver a manufacturing breakthrough in packaging sustainability and offer grocery retailers and their suppliers a set of commercially viable paper-based...

New EU rules for deforestation-free products: Companies will be ‘monitored and held accountable’

19-Nov-2021 By Katy Askew

The European Parliament has said companies supplying products that risk contributing to deforestation will be ‘monitored and held accountable’ through new due diligence regulations. But farming groups have raised concerns that the new regulation might...

JBS inks feed additive deal to cut cow methane emissions globally

08-Nov-2021 By Oliver Morrison

JBS, the world's second-largest food company and the largest meatpacking company, has signed a deal with Royal DSM with the goal of reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle on a global scale.

‘There are huge environmental wins here’: UK backs its drone strategy to tackle the impacts of climate change

05-Nov-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Drones will provide governments and industry with solutions to speed progress towards the COP26 goals, predicts Hannah Tew, Director of Air Mobility at Connected Places Catapult, which is responsible for the delivery of the UK government-backed Drone...

Will eco labelling truly help the food sector win consumer trust?

29-Oct-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Labels displaying a product’s environmental impact could be an important piece of the puzzle as the industry attempts to cut its environmental impact.

Ag tech experts call for solutions to bring down prohibitive upfront costs

28-Oct-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The ag tech revolution is real and a host of solutions are becoming available that promise to help food manufacturers deliver more sustainable products. But there’s a catch: who pays?

Data overload? TrusTrace 'one-stop-shop' addresses traceability challenges

15-Oct-2021 By Katy Askew

Traceability data is notoriously complex and difficult to handle. Start-up TrusTrace says its 'unique' approach leaves it positioned to become the ‘mission-critical’ operating platform for food brands solving sustainability and transparency...

Coca Cola talks deposit recycling schemes and plastic quality: ‘We need a step-change for packaging collection’

30-Sep-2021 By Flora Southey

On its path to achieving zero waste and net zero GHG emissions, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is advocating for deposit recycling schemes across Great Britain. Julian Hunt, VP of Communications & Public Affairs tells FoodNavigator this would help...

Behind the tech evian says 'decouples PET from fossil fuels' and 'keeps plastic out of nature'

24-Sep-2021 By Katy Askew

Danone’s water brand evian has launched a new prototype bottle that leverages what it describes as a ‘revolutionary' new process developed by clean tech company Loop Industries. The business says the bottle marks a ‘significant milestone’ towards...

Japanese knotweed may lower cancer risk of processed meat, find researchers

24-Sep-2021 By Flora Southey

Replacing carcinogenic compound nitrite in processed meat with an extract taken from Japanese knotweed could reduce cancer risk, according to an EU co-funded research project.

What do consumers think about food additives? Survey

22-Sep-2021 By Flora Southey

Results of a new survey in Germany suggest many consumers are concerned about possible health effects associated with food additives, while at the same time expressing a lack of knowledge about such ingredients.

DouxMatok inks first commercial partnership outside of Israel for Incredo Sugar

14-Sep-2021 By Flora Southey

DouxMatok has partnered with Italian ingredients company Hi-Food to commercialise its sugar-reduction offering Incredo Sugar. FoodNavigator hears from the start-up’s CEO and CTO to learn more about its B2B strategy.

Food companies ‘behind the curve’ on plastic pollution, campaigners claim

10-Sep-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Major food manufacturing and grocery retail companies that turn a blind eye to the risks related to plastic pollution could face legal action, warns environmental law charity Client Earth.

‘Each of us has a role’: How can consumers support a food system fix?

07-Sep-2021 By Katy Askew

What we eat is contributing to some of the greatest challenges facing the world, from climate change to global health crises. Can a shift in consumption also be part of the solution?

Carbon neutral coke? GHG emissions cut and carbon offset at Coca-Cola sites in Spain and Sweden

01-Sep-2021 By Flora Southey

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has certified its first manufacturing sites as carbon neutral in Europe.

'We know the market is there, parents need convenience products': Brands spot gap in market for 3+ age group

26-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Food companies are attempting to capitalise on shifting trends in the toddler food category.

‘The sector is behind over a quarter of total emissions’: Global investor group steps up pressure on industry over climate goals

24-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The Climate Action 100+ coalition says food and beverage companies are ‘not on track’ for an 85% cut in emissions by 2050.

HelloFresh results illustrate meal-kit sector’s still-huge room for growth

11-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Equity analysts remain bullish on the meal-kit deliver sector after HelloFresh posted another a strong set of results.

We’ve reached ‘peak COVID-related demand’, says frozen giant Nomad

06-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The company’s sales dipped in the second quarter, but it expects ‘exciting growth opportunities’ ahead thanks to an ambitious M&A strategy, while the frozen aisle still represents ‘white space growth opportunity’.

Carbon labels for food businesses and restaurants launched in ‘world first’

05-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

A company claims it is the first to make eco-labels widely available to all food businesses.

‘It cannot really be used with a clear conscience:’ Chocolate brand Fairafric on its decision to ditch aluminium foil for wood pulp alternative

04-Aug-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The company has switched to a compostable film made of wood pulp.

Best-in-glass: How Glebe Farm oat drink achieves a lower carbon footprint than Oatly

29-Jul-2021 By Flora Southey

From cradle to distribution, Glebe Farm’s oat drink produces less CO₂e per litre than any other oat drink reporting its carbon footprint in the UK, including Oatly. FoodNavigator speaks to Glebe Farm to find out how.

Why packaging made from crop waste allows companies to move towards ‘genuinely sustainable’ innovation

28-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

A company is making paper packaging products for the food industry using crop waste materials such as apple skins, avocado peel and mango pips.

‘Billionaires are flying to space – why are we still struggling to open food jars?’ Company claims first major lid innovation in over 75 years

23-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

A firm has unveiled what it calls the world’s first aluminium lug lid designed to assist the rising numbers who wrestle with hard-to-open lids.

Study reveals ‘unexpectedly high’ number of concerning substances in plastic products

21-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Research published in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology claims to provide an enlightening but worrying insight into the world of chemicals that are intentionally added to plastics.

‘We have sent signals to the Commission for many years. Somewhere it’s getting lost’: Coca-Cola bemoans poor recycling infrastructure as new EU plastic rules are enforced

06-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

As new measures come into force to reduce plastic waste in the European Union, Coca-Cola is calling for a dramatic improvement in the region’s recycling capacity to help it achieve its ambitious target of using 100% recycled rPET bottles across its total...

How mussels may help solve the microplastics problem

05-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Microplastics – minute pieces of plastic measuring less than five millimetres that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles -- have been found in everything from beer and honey to seafood and bottled water​​.

Quorn looks to new extrusion technology solution to crack whole meat cut conundrum

02-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The meat alternatives company has given its latest innovation challenge award to a French start-up with new technology that differs from conventional extrusion.

Bacteria: a tasty solution to the plastic problem?

01-Jul-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Scientists have devised a novel way of tackling the mounting issue of plastic pollution… by using bacteria to transform plastic waste into vanilla flavouring.

Plant-based ready meals the ‘fastest growing’ in category, survey finds

30-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Plant-based ready meals are becoming more available and cheaper than meat SKUs in the UK, according to a survey.

Protein from waste: a sustainable solution with consumer appeal?

24-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Quorn is hoping to make protein from crop leftovers within five years as a solution to the twin problems of climate change and food waste.

Growing food from air ‘more efficient’ than growing crops, study finds

23-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, the University of Naples Federico II, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, compared the efficiency of growing...

Biotech company claims genetic selection can cut methane emissions in cattle

17-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Synomics, an Anglo-Danish biological insights business, has identified a way to reduce emissions within agricultural cattle by selecting the ones that produce less methane genetically.

Why food brands have a golden opportunity to be stewards of the environment

16-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Emissions from food production are vastly underestimated, claims a new study. But its lead author is ultimately optimistic the industry can address its environmental problems.

ANSES: ‘We have questions about nanomaterials'

09-Jun-2021 By Will Chu

In light of the recent ruling concerning titanium dioxide, French authorities have cast the net wider and urged caution over the use of nanomaterials in food as well as in antibacterial products.

‘The desire to reduce, reuse and recycle has never been higher’: Drinks brand launches vodka made from used grape skins

03-Jun-2021 By Oliver Morrison

The UK’s Discarded Spirits has just unveiled a grape-based vodka, made using waste-products recovered from the wine making process, in an attempt to tap into consumer desire for zero waste ingredients.

‘Health-harming’ PFAS chemicals ‘widespread’ in disposable food packaging

24-May-2021 By Katy Askew

A new study has highlighted the ‘widespread’ use of ‘health-harming’ per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in disposable food packaging.

UK start-up predicts lab-grown sausages on shelves by 2023 after technology ‘breakthrough’

19-May-2021 By Oliver Morrison

An Oxford University spin-out hopes to become the first British commercial producer of cultured meat after claiming to discover a ‘cheaper, efficient and faster’ cell proliferation process.