DISPATCHES FROM PACK EXPO
Thermo Fisher X-rays kill dreaded product waste
Thermo Fisher Scientific's contamination detection technology is engineered to arrest foreign object intrusion to avoid costly product waste and dreaded recalls.
Archives for October 2, 2013
E-tail trends
Confectionery omitted from most UK online shopping baskets
The majority of UK consumers who admit to regularly buying confectionery in-store do not purchase confectionery online, according to research by Kantar Media, which says confectionery has huge growth prospects on the web.
Researcher embarks on study of “dumpster divers” in New Zealand
A New Zealand anthropologist has been investigating the cultural economics of commercial food waste and so-called “dumpster-diving”.
US government shutdown: Where do we go from here?
Both sides in the US government shutdown refuse to budge after another meeting yesterday and you can’t help but think that the longer this goes on the increased risk there is for food safety.
Associated British Foods responds to Oxfam land grab criticism
Sugar producer Illovo – a subsidiary of Associated British Foods – has defended itself against the criticism released in an Oxfam report yesterday in a statement detailing its initiatives within the areas of health, education and community infrastructure.
Global regulatory workforce competence targeted in project
Two US organisations have won a $400,000 grant to address workplace capacity issues facing food regulators.
Dispatches from Pack Expo
Siemens: Washdown equipment next big thing
The main challenges for the Food & Beverage industry are speed, performance and safety, and OEM's are looking for more production and less waste says Siemens.
Industry concerned about data abuse as EFSA fans transparency wings
As the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) welcomed a broad range of stakeholders to its Italian HQ today to debate data and process transparency, the food industry asked at what point openness brakes innovation and competitive advantage?
EFSA rejects ‘secret studies’ allegations
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected accusations that it is secretive about the studies it assesses to determine the safety of foods, as claimed by a coalition of NGOs in an open letter.
US bans arsenic drugs for pig and poultry feed
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is withdrawing approval for three arsenic drugs previously used in pig and poultry feed.
Steviva Ingredients launches all-natural agave nectar and stevia sweetener for lower-calorie bars, beverages, baked goods
Stevia specialist Steviva Ingredients has developed an organic syrup combining blue agave nectar and stevia extract that is suitable for formulators looking to cut calories and maintain clean labels in sauces and dressings, bars, beverages and baked goods.
Interview: Greg Estep, president, Olam Spices & Vegetable Ingredients (SVI)
Olam SVI boss: Incidents like Sudan 1 adulteration have changed the way manufacturers source raw materials
It’s tempting to think of spices and dehydrated vegetables as commodities - in comparison to say stevia, or omega-3s - where price is all that matters. But they are anything but, says the man in charge of the spices and vegetable ingredients (SVI)...
Shutdown affects imported canned foods inspections
The delay in US FDA process registration renewals due to a government shutdown is affecting inspections of imported canned foods, according to Ben England, founder/CEO, FDA Imports.
FAO claims livestock emissions could be cut by a third
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said that greenhouse gas emissions from livestock account for 14.5% of all human-related emissions, but could be cut by 30% by employing current best practices across the supply chain.
UN sees UAE as food hub
Despite its low food production the UAE has been named by the UN as a potential regional food hub. But the country needs to adopt some ambitious policies and implement a federal food safety law before this can happen.
KSA food imports set to rise by a third by 2020
Food imports into Saudi Arabia are predicted to rise by over 35% by the end of the decade, according to a report issued by the Foodex Saudi Expo.
Fonterra appoints new Apac head
Fonterra has announced the appointment of a new head for its Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa business unit.
GCC packaging market hots up with Hotpack investment
Hotpack Packaging Industries has announced it will expand its operations in the UAE with a $27.2m integrated manufacturing and logistics unit in Dubai, as sales of disposable-packaged food continue to grow in the Gulf.
Japan seeks to end Qatar food imports ban
Japan has appealed to the State of Qatar to lift restrictions on food imports from the Asian country following the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011, when a large number of countries imposed restrictions on Japan over fears of importing...
Factory News
Barry Callebaut opens chocolate plant in Turkey; SunOpta completes Dutch cocoa site
Barry Callebaut has opened its first chocolate factory in Turkey, while SunOpta has completed a organic and specialty cocoa processing facility in the Netherlands.
EU bovine livestock export refund data revealed
Export refunds paid by the European Union (EU) to bovine livestock exporters, ahead of a suspension of these subsidies last September (2012), were dwindling and dominated by four countries, the latest data from the European Commission has revealed.
Food sector recruitment firm appoints ex-Vion md
Food sector recruitment firm Henderson Brown has appointed the former md of Vion’s poultry business Peter Miller as a non-executive director.
US welcomes WTO ruling on China duties
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has formally adopted the findings of its dispute settlement panel on a major trade row between the US and China over duties on broiler chicken.