Newsfeed: June 2017

Friday, 30 June 2017

EC action plan to address antimicrobial resistance in food supply chain

The European Commission is to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in the food supply chain with the adoption of a new action plan.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tuzpC9

Introducing jackfruit: The next big thing in plant-based meat alternatives?

High in fibre and sugar-free, the jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world with a fibrous texture that can be shredded, minced or pulled - and it's even cheaper than soy, says The Jackfruit Company.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sby4fn

Tougher advertising rules for marketing unhealthy foods at children come in to effect tomorrow

Strict rules banning adverts for high in fat, salt and sugar products in all children’s media come into effect tomorrow (Saturday 1 July), after numerous health campaigners called for tougher regulations.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tuh1sO

EC action plan to address antimicrobial resistance in food supply chain

The European Commission is to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in the food supply chain with the adoption of a new action plan.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sw8bX8

Introducing jackfruit: The next big thing in plant-based meat alternatives?

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t0suPM

Brain-impaired elderly subjects appear to most benefit from cocoa flavanols: Review

Flavanol-rich chocolate is well known for its beneficial effect on the brain, but a review by Italian researchers point towards its neuroprotective effects in vulnerable populations over time.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2svGDkL

New cases in EU-wide Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs

More than 60 further cases have been reported in an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to Polish eggs after EU agencies said it looked to be over earlier this year.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t0mjvf

Tougher advertising rules for marketing unhealthy foods at children come in to effect tomorrow

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2svJudd

Arla closing Lillebælt dairy

Danish dairy cooperative Arla Foods is moving production of its Castello brand white mold cheese to its Troldhede dairy location, resulting in the loss of 66 jobs at Lillebælt Dairy, which will close by the beginning of 2019.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t0suzg

Antibiotic sales inject pace to ECO’s profit growth

Sales of ECO Animal Health Group’s (ECO) flagship antibiotic Aivlosin has helped the UK-based firm record a 75% pre-tax profit rise.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sa2w9L

Charoen Pokphand to build pig farm in China

Agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) is building a pig breeding farm for 500,000 pigs in remote western China.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tsThVX

JBS changes structure after corruption scandal

Beleaguered Brazilian meat giant JBS has created an executive committee to advise its board directors as it seeks to distance itself from the government corruption scandal that has rocked Brazil.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2saoPMp

Mixed response to Zimbabwe livestock development plan

The Zimbabwe government’s plan to roll out a $300 million (m) livestock development programme aimed at resuscitating the country’s ailing meat production sector has prompted mixed reactions from industry experts.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tt3wcU

Beef producers gear up for World Steak Challenge 2017

The competition to find the World’s Best Steak is less than a week away.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sahJrp

Belarus’ president pushes for farms in Chernobyl exclusion zone

Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the country’s government to prepare a decree allowing agricultural activity, including the building of poultry, pig and cattle farms, in an area of the exclusion zone surrounding the Chernobyl power plant.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tt3BgI

Hampton Creek enters the lab-grown meat market

Silicon Valley’s plant-based food start-up Hampton Creek is to start making lab-grown meat – and plans to have product in stores by 2018.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2savoyy

Scandi Standard to buy Irish poultry firm

Nordic chicken group Scandi Standard has a reached an agreement to purchase Ireland’s largest chicken processor, Manor Farm, for €94 million (m).

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ttbeUx

South Africa hit with bird flu outbreak

South Africa has been hit with its first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) strain H5N8 strain, which devastated Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2saDjfm

Pilgrim's Pride ends farmer contract after animal cruelty claim

The US’s second largest chicken firm, Pilgrim’s Pride, has launched an investigation into welfare standards after an investigation uncovered alleged animal cruelty at its contract farm in Georgia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ttf7bZ

BHSL wastes no time with Hydro acquisition

Irish agri-tech business BHSL has acquired Hydro International for an undisclosed sum, wasting no time in implementing a strategy to strengthen its ability to generate energy from poultry manure.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sakRU4

New cases in EU-wide Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs

More than 60 further cases have been reported in an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to Polish eggs after EU agencies said it looked to be over earlier this year.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2usd1G3

Norovirus research reveals knowledge gaps

Inadequate hand washing, using bare hands when preparing food and returning to work too early after being ill were some findings of work to prevent the spread of norovirus.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u7fdnm

Antibiotic sales inject pace to ECO’s profit growth

Sales of ECO Animal Health Group’s (ECO) flagship antibiotic Aivlosin has helped the UK-based firm record a 75% pre-tax profit rise.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tu0qVU

Charoen Pokphand to build pig farm in China

Agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) is building a pig breeding farm for 500,000 pigs in remote western China.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s9ogTn

Fish smokehouse shut due to Listeria findings

A fish smokehouse has been temporarily shut down after findings of Listeria.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u7at0L

Refrigerated vehicles for hire

Refrigerated Transport Hire has a fleet of refrigerated vehicles available for hire including 1- to 28-tonne trucks equipped with either 10 A, 15 A or three-phase with the 10 A, so hirers can plug the vehicles in to household/factory electrical supplies or most generators.

Refrigerated Transport Hire is manned 24/7 so users can be assured of service and assistance at all times. For example, if a company’s own vehicles break down, Refrigerated Transport Hire can provide and deliver a replacement vehicle and even assist with the loading of this vehicle.

The vehicle hire service structure is flexible and can be customised to meet individual needs. Discounts are available for 10-day plus rental but the days do not have to be consecutive, so hirers can tailor the hire to coincide with their needs and still receive the discount.

Having been established for 21 years, Refrigerated Transport Hire has offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Its vehicles are well presented and the company does most of its own repairs, uses quality refrigeration equipment and offers a 24/7 on-site service.

With trucks and vans specially designed to suit different applications, Refrigerated Transport Hire has vehicles suitable to meet the needs of the largest to the smallest retail and wholesale food and distribution companies.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t8thNe

Eriez Xtreme RE7 magnetic separator and Xtreme Metal Detector

For difficult food industry applications requiring the highest level of protection against metal contamination, Eriez recommends its rare earth magnetic separator, powered by the RE7 Xtreme magnetic circuit, alongside an Xtreme Metal Detector.

The company’s Xtreme RE7 magnets are said to be 13–40% stronger than other magnets on the market today, as indicated by head-to-head pull tests. The product is available in all Eriez magnetic tubes, grates and liquid line traps.

The Xtreme Metal Detector is recommended for food processing applications. With technology that minimises false trips, the unit is able to detect the smallest of metals in challenging production applications.

The ‘double team’ concept of combining the Xtreme Metal Detector with the Xtreme RE7 magnetic separator results in a solution that provides maximum protection while maintaining higher product yields. Together, the RE7 magnetic separators and Xtreme Metal Detector provide great protection against dangerous, unwanted metals in products or process flows.

This powerful approach will help users avoid expensive equipment downtime and product recalls while ensuring compliance with HACCP International Food Standards is maintained.

For more information, click here.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sp52Ns

Spraying Systems Co AutoJet glaze spray system

Glazing baked goods can enhance the appearance of the product after baking. The AutoJet Glaze Spray System is suitable for bakeries that require an automated glazing system that is able to coat with even the most viscous of coatings.

The system utilises precision spray control (PSC) to apply an even and consistent amount of glaze to baked goods such as breads, pies, pastries and more. PSC allows for the pressure of the spray nozzles to remain undisturbed, which means the spray angle, coverage and drop size do not change. Misting and overspray are minimised, if not eliminated completely, due to the consistent pressure level of the spray nozzles. The reduction in misting also leads to improved worker safety due to the cleaner state of the floors.

Added benefits of the system include reduced glaze use and product scrap, reduced clean-up time and lower production costs. The system features an alarm to alert line staff of low liquid levels in the holding tank. Refilling the tank can be done on the go and operators do not need to stop production to do so.

The system’s high-precision hydraulic PulsaJet spray nozzles are able to spray viscous coatings including glazes, oils, slurries, peanut butter, caramel, butter, gels and more. The spray nozzles can be arranged in sanitary manifolds to suit a variety of conveyor widths.

The optional recirculation line and eductor enhances in-tank agitation, which maximises liquid circulation leading to a decrease in spray nozzle clogging.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2t8tkIU.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2soQkGz

Coolsan ChillSafe sanitation sachet

ChillSafe is a simple-to-use sanitation sachet that provides the agribusiness, food manufacturing and hospitality industries an advanced hygiene and mould reduction technology that provides increased levels of facility hygiene and safe storage of fresh produce.

The product is an environmentally activated sachet that absorbs water vapour and releases a low dose of hydrogen peroxide vapour within a cool room or refrigerated space. ChillSafe is also safe for protecting organic produce; it is Biological Farmers of Australia certified in collaboration with the team at Australian Certified Organic and it is HACCP Australia Certified. The product benefits post-harvest, freight and foodservice companies in Australia and worldwide.

The product is designed to manage problems associated with cool room hygiene and the produce stored within cool rooms.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2soP6uT

JBS changes structure after corruption scandal

Beleaguered Brazilian meat giant JBS has created an executive committee to advise its board directors as it seeks to distance itself from the government corruption scandal that has rocked Brazil.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2stU84w

Mixed response to Zimbabwe livestock development plan

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sYCNUB

Thursday, 29 June 2017

What is 'healthy'?

Interactive starch resource unveiled by Starch Europe

Trade association Starch Europe make available a new online platform that aims to provide information about starch-based ingredients used in the food sector.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upPupr

Big names join forces to drive sustainable coconut oil production in South East Asia

A quartet of key industry players have come together to drive the production of sustainable coconut oil in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ts8aHZ

Food prices could surge as climate change and conflicts hit commodity chokepoints

The price of key commodities like soy and wheat could surge unless the vulnerabilities at the world’s most important trade “chokepoints” are assessed and the risks mitigated.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upOHVt

MycoTechnology to bring sugar-reducing mushroom extract to Europe with EFSA application

How can mushrooms help reduce sugar and salt in food and drink? By blocking the bitter notes and cutting the need for masking agents. “It’s pretty exciting,” says the CEO of MycoTechnology as it prepares to bring ClearTaste to Europe.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2trSjck

No meat and less salt: Salt of the Earth’s Mediterranean Umami is changing the meat alternative space

A sodium-reduction solution that mimics the taste of meat has been created by Israeli supplier, Salt of the Earth Ltd.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upIclJ

Rice-based enzyme will bring gluten-free bread to the next level, says DSM

DSM has unveiled a rice-based baker's enzyme which boosts the softness and moistness of gluten-free bread, allowing it to compete with wheat-based breads in texture, it says.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tsc7w9

Small EU countries form pact to tackle childhood obesity

Europe’s small countries have committed to tackling spiralling childhood obesity rates by signing a statement designed to address the issue via a combination of diet and exercise.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upSEJW

Viva Las Vegas! What's happening at #IFT?

Food industry top brass, scientists and formulators have descended upon Las Vegas for this year's Institute of Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo. Catch up on the best bits with our Twitter feed.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2trFq1R

Study uncovers the truth behind work stress, sleep and junk food habits

Psychological experiences at work can shape eating habits and sleeping patterns, according to a recently published study.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upReiq

Coca Cola partners urged to stop marketing Capri-Sun drink to kids

Campaigners in France have demanded that Coca Cola European Partners stops marketing its Capri-Sun drink to children, as pressure grows on EU food and drink companies to ditch the use of cartoon characters on products “loaded with sugar, salt or fat”.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tse3F9

Stevia antioxidant product announced by PureCircle

A stevia product with antioxidant properties is the latest innovation from Malaysian headquartered supplier, PureCircle.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2upIc5d

Biofortification one of many factors in tackling iron and zinc deficiencies: Study

Biofortification alone is not enough to enhance bread with optimum iron and zinc levels to fight deficiencies, a study says as it cites other production methods that should factor in its creation.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s88xUx

Interactive starch resource unveiled by Starch Europe

Trade association Starch Europe make available a new online platform that aims to provide information about starch-based ingredients used in the food sector.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tqVi5f

One in 10 allergenic ingredients not correctly labelled – study

Undeclared milk in chocolate and bakery products was the most frequently found allergen during a control in the Nordic countries.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s88xE1

And the award for the Best New Food Safety Solution goes to…

Natures Frequencies’ Food Freshness Card has won the United Fresh Innovation Award for the Best New Food Safety Solution as well as Food Logistics’ award for Top Green Provider 2017.

Consumers insist that worries about food safety is their largest concern when determining whether or not to throw out food. This means that 30–40% of food is thrown out.

The Food Freshness Card is laboratory and commercially tested to keep food fresher longer — and it works for manufacturers and consumers. The 15 cm² laminated card is programmed with electromagnetic waves and frequencies that are designed to delay the growth of mould (fungi) and bacteria that can feed on and decompose food. It lasts as long as the laminated hologram remains intact — approximately one year — and assists in keeping many foods fresher provided they are within 1.2 m of the card. The Food Freshness Card is suitable for shipping containers, walk-in commercial refrigerators, produce markets, domestic refrigerators and anywhere food is stored.

36 Food Freshness Cards were installed in the commercial kitchen facilities at Bridgewater State University, which are administered by Sodexo. Prior to installation, average spoilage and waste was approximately $500 per month. During the three-month case study, every month recorded $0 spoilage for a three-month saving of approximately $1500.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tqjcOp

Every little bit helps

Every year Foodbank distributes the equivalent of more than 62 million meals to those in need, but it can’t do this without the support of the Australian food and grocery industry including farmers, wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers.

Donations can include stock that’s out of specification, close to best before, surplus to order requirements or as part of a collaboration between the food manufacturers and their suppliers. Companies also make donations as part of a commitment to social responsibility or a cause-related marketing campaign.

One company that has been doing its bit for the past decade is Fonterra. The company has just resigned its partnership, which sets Fonterra as the exclusive supplier of fresh milk for Foodbank’s Milk Program in Victoria. The milk program distributes donated fresh milk to struggling Australian families and individuals via the help of Foodbank’s network of agencies and charities.

Fonterra currently donates 100,000 litres of Anchor milk and other dairy foods to Foodbank Victoria. In 2016, Fonterra contributed the equivalent of nearly 350,000 meals with a social return value of $4.4 million.

This is fantastic but does not close the gap between the demand and supply for families and individuals in need.

Michael Davidson, Foodbank’s General Manager – National Food, said that this support “will help close the gap between the demand and supply, and therefore the amount of people that we can get this liquid gold to”.

“Every month, 140,000 people in Victoria receive hunger relief from Foodbank supported agencies, but 6000 of these struggling Aussies are turned away from charities due to a shortage of food and resources. Every bit of support we can get will help reduce the number of families and individuals unable to gain access to food relief.”

Fonterra Australia Managing Director René Dedoncker said, “Our relationship with Foodbank is a good example of how food businesses can make a real, tangible difference to the communities in which they operate.

“Milk is one of the key staples much sought after by welfare agencies, and our partnership with Foodbank will help bring the goodness of dairy to vulnerable people. We look forward to continuing this partnership into the future,” concluded Dedoncker.

If you would like to know more about being a financial sponsor, or Foodbank’s Milk Program, contact Foodbank General Manager – National Food Michael Davidson via michael@foodbank.org.au.

For more information about Foodbank, visit www.foodbank.org.au.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2trvcyu

Campylobacter infection remains top in Denmark

Campylobacter remains the most common foodborne pathogen in Denmark with almost 4,700 cases in 2016.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2srOY8T

Study: Over half of kid’s foods feature cartoons to market to children

Research by healthy foods campaigners has found that over half of supermarket products marketed to children contain high levels of saturated fat, sugars, sodium.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sm1kUS

David Jones to go ‘foodie’ across Australia

Australia’s oldest department store chain will invest A$100m (US$76m) into gourmet foods over three years in a bid to attract foodie shoppers.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t5MQpt

Multinationals unite to boost coconut supply chain in SE Asia

Cargill has joined Procter & Gamble and two German companies to establish sustainable and certified supply chains of coconut oil in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sm2wYy

Probiotic beer created at Singapore university has 'commercial potential'

Researchers in Singapore who have created a probiotic beer are on the lookout for industry partners to launch the product to consumers.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t5BXUn

Changing consumer demands fuel new innovations in coffee and tea

New varieties of coffee and tea drinks are putting a spin on Asia’s staple beverages, thanks to consumer demand for new flavours and concepts.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2smrqHz

One in 10 allergenic ingredients not correctly labelled – study

Undeclared milk in chocolate and bakery products was the most frequently found allergen during a control in the Nordic countries.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sVDEVY

Thermo unveils range of bagged enrichment media

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched a range of bagged enrichment media.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sqQzvR

Dow/DuPont to divest plastics business amid price hike fears

The Canadian Competition Bureau has reached an agreement relating to the proposed merger between DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company regarding its plastic packaging.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sVNSpi

Recalls: Listeria, Campylobacter and PAHs

Food and beverage alerts were made by USA, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Netherlands and Denmark.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sqUBEz

European Commission clears Dow/DuPont merger, subject to conditions

The European Commission has approved the proposed merger between US-based chemical companies Dow and DuPont on condition of the divestiture of DuPont's pesticide business, including its R&D organization.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sVfTxq

Beef producers gear up for World Steak Challenge 2017

The competition to find the World’s Best Steak is less than a week away.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2unFQ6M

Belarus’ president pushes for farms in Chernobyl exclusion zone

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tqamj2

Big names join forces to drive sustainable coconut oil production in South East Asia

A quartet of key industry players have come together to drive the production of sustainable coconut oil in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sVEAK6

Hampton Creek enters the lab-grown meat market

Silicon Valley’s plant-based food start-up Hampton Creek is to start making lab-grown meat – and plans to have product in stores by 2018.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s5NDoP

Scandi Standard to buy Irish poultry firm

Nordic chicken group Scandi Standard has a reached an agreement to purchase Ireland’s largest chicken processor, Manor Farm, for €94 million (m).

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tpeG2m

Food prices could surge as climate change and conflicts hit commodity chokepoints

The price of key commodities like soy and wheat could surge unless the vulnerabilities at the world’s most important trade “chokepoints” are assessed and the risks mitigated.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u2lNv3

European Commission clears Dow/DuPont merger, subject to conditions

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tt6wqd

MycoTechnology to bring sugar-reducing mushroom extract to Europe with EFSA application

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sUGSJE

Foodcare AUK Identi-Panel 5S shadowboard station

Foodcare offers a range of high-quality shadowboard stations to accompany its cleaning equipment. The AUK Identi-Panel 5S system, for example, is designed to handle any food processing situation.

By creating visual accountability and easy storage, it is possible to end the cycle of lost and misplaced cleaning equipment. Having a cleaning station that clearly identifies missing tools helps ensure that equipment is available when it is needed. Full colour coding prevents cross-contamination and improves allergen control, while additional instructions printed on the board itself remove the need for a multitude of paper signs.

Fully customisable, either mobile or wall fixed, the product is designed and made for the food industry.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sqbGyt

Nonna's Serious About Sauce sauces and jus

Serious About Sauce is the latest range of sauces and jus from Nonna’s Gourmet Sausages and Deli, developed by the company’s in-house chef.

Sauce flavours include Forest Mushroom, Peppercorn, Madagascan Apple and Thick Onion Gravy. Jus flavours include Beef, Duck and Chicken and come in a rich concentrate.

The jus and sauces have all been created as part of a four-day cooking process. Each product is preservative-free.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sUSVq9

Supply chain integrity for smaller manufacturers

Supply chain security is vital to the food manufacturing process, with traceability and audit compliance a priority; however, smaller manufacturers often find it costly to comply. Many ‘traceability’ technologies are geared to larger manufacturers and this causes obstacles and barriers for smaller players in the industry.

The needs of smaller manufacturers are being catered to at foodpro 2017 (16–19 July, ICC, Darling Harbour), with the introduction of the Supply Chain Integrity Zone. This initiative, brought about by a partnership between foodpro and Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) is aimed specifically at the needs of small manufacturers who produce prepackaged goods for sale to the consumer.

The zone will feature companies that offer solutions specifically for smaller manufacturers who produce less than 10,000 units a week, with a focus on areas including materials in, processing integrity, packaging integrity, shipping and receivables, and quality management solutions for traceability. The zone will also include a series of free seminars covering the latest technology, capabilities and insights.

The Supply Chain Integrity Seminars will feature industry speakers as well as exhibitors and will run Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 July in Seminar Room 3.5, level 3 of the ICC exhibition building. The seminars are free to attend. Some highlight sessions include:

The Future of Data Management for Provenance, Peter Carter, Business Lead, Digital Services Transformation, Data61
What’s Next in Retail Supply Chain Technology, Andrew Steele, Industry Manager, Food & Beverage, GS1 Australia
A Future Lens on Food Manufacturing – The 5 Year Horizon and Beyond, Brett Wiskar, R&D and Innovation Director, Wiley
Sustainable Value Chain of the Future, Luz Sanguansri, Principal Research Engineer, Research Team Leader, CSIRO
Future Personalised Food and Nutrition, Amy Logan, Team Leader for Dairy Science, CSIRO

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s4GOUA

Making green claims with confidence

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Lampados International Liteez 3D stevia sweetener

Lampados International’s Liteez is a 3D stevia sweetener for hot drinks. The ‘free-from’ meringue kiss addresses the growing demand for sugar reduction in beverages.

The vegan meringue kiss is a completely plant-based treat. It is free from any allergens, such as eggs, gluten, lactose or nuts, and contains just six simple ingredients, including prebiotic fibres that build sweetness, act as a bulking agent and function as a nutraceutical.

The product uses a vegetable protein that has the ability to foam like eggs to help create the desired kiss texture and form. Sugar’s functionality is replaced with prebiotic fibres to form a stable foam and maintain the kiss shape, while being highly soluble in hot drinks such as coffee or tea. The sweetener can also be enjoyed as an ultralow-calorie sweet treat.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tnm3qX

Folate-based food additive officially approved by South Korean food and drug ministry

Quatrefolic, the metabolically active form of folate, has been granted approval as a certified food additive by the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u0R9T9

Del Monte buries the hatchet ahead of retail and NPD joint-venture

Philippines-based Del Monte Pacific has entered into a joint-venture with Arab-owned Fresh Del Monte Produce to expand its refrigerated fruit-based lines.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2trwI4I

Research: Aussie sugar tax 'would not punish the poor’

A major criticism of the public health lobby’s proposed sugar sweetened beverage tax—that it would unfairly punish the poor and disadvantaged—may have been debunked by research from Deakin University’s Global Obesity Centre.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u0Rbuf

KM Packaging K Steam packaging film for microwave steam cooking

KM Packaging Services’ K Steam range of packaging film is claimed will not only increase the shelf life of fresh produce but also reduce the in-pack cooking time.

The film enables pressure to build within the tray during cooking, ensuring shorter cooking times combined with retention of flavour, moisture, texture and nutritional content. K Steam is particularly suited to microwave steam cooking of fresh vegetables, fish and seafood.

K Steam allows fresh vegetables to ‘breathe’ for longer through the processes of packaging, distribution and retail, ensuring longer shelf life and increased freshness.

The film can be supplied as peel seal or weld seal, with or without KM’s anti-fog treatments such as KM Klarity+. The films feature easy-peel opening following cooking while remaining secure during distribution and retail.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2u0dyjp

At least we know Cadbury's Claremont factory is clean

Production at Cadbury’s factory in Claremont, Tasmania, stopped at 9.30 pm last Tuesday and on Wednesday staff were put on cleaning and general maintenance duties while IT staff tried to unblock their computer system and access their files.

The computer and touch screens around the highly automated plant all featured a black screen, reminiscent of old-school DOS screens, and text advised that files would be made available after the payment of $300 worth of Bitcoins. (At least it wasn’t 300 Bitcoins which would be worth more than a million Australian dollars).

It is thought that the plant was infected with the Goldeneye variant of the Petya encryption virus when a phishing email with a .doc attachment was opened. Companies with industrial controlled devices running on a specialised code are apparently most likely to fall prey to this virus.

All computer experts recommend that ransoms should not be paid, that police should be notified and companies should ensure that their computer security systems are up to date.

However, at $300/computer, many manufacturing companies would find it much faster and more economical to pay the fine and restore production. Sadly, this means the cyber-extorters win and the rate of deployment of such attacks will increase.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2trhVXx

Pink slime court case settles

No apologies and no retractions but the ABC News/Beef Products Inc ‘pink slime’ libel case has settled after 18 days in court. While the terms of the settlement, including its amount, are confidential, BPI is reportedly “extraordinarily pleased”.

“While this has not been an easy road to travel, it was necessary to begin rectifying the harm we suffered as a result of what we believed to be biased and baseless reporting in 2012,” the statement said. “Through this process, we have again established what we all know to be true about lean finely textured beef: it is beef, and is safe, wholesome and nutritious.”

Lean finely textured beef (LFTB) was called ‘pink slime’ some 350 times by the ABC in its 2012 program and this created a consumer backlash that resulted in the closure of three LFTB plants and more than 700 people losing their jobs.

If BPI had won the court case the damages payable by ABC News may have been trebled because of the punitive damages imposed by South Dakota’s Agricultural Food Products Disparagement Act. The prospect of a US$5.7 million payout led the parent of the ABC Walt Disney Company to include this lawsuit in 10-Q reports to shareholders filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

In a written statement from ABC spokeswoman Julie Townsend, the network said the “amicable resolution” of the lawsuit was in the network’s best interests.

“Throughout this case, we have maintained that our reports accurately presented the facts and views of knowledgeable people about this product,” Townsend said. “Although we have concluded that continued litigation of this case in not in the company’s interests, we remain committed to the vigorous pursuit of truth and the consumer’s right to know about the products they purchase.”

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tn8cRp

Confectioners should set a deadline for 100% certified cocoa, sugar and palm oil: Caobisco

EU confectionery trade body Caobisco is encouraging its members to set a date by which they will source all cocoa, palm oil and sugar from a certified sustainable source.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tmKhBu

No meat and less salt: Salt of the Earth’s Mediterranean Umami is changing the meat alternative space

A sodium-reduction solution that mimics the taste of meat has been created by Israeli supplier, Salt of the Earth Ltd.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ukncwH

Small EU countries form pact to tackle childhood obesity

Europe’s small countries have committed to tackling spiralling childhood obesity rates by signing a statement designed to address the issue via a combination of diet and exercise.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tmUiPa

Biscuits are capitalizing on the health trend, especially among seniors, says pladis

The biscuit category changed in Britain in 2016 amid consumer demand for healthier indulgences, Steve Gladwell, CMI director of pladis tells BakeryandSnacks.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ukTtUf

Del Monte buries the hatchet ahead of retail and NPD joint-venture

Philippines-based Del Monte Pacific has entered into a joint-venture with Arab-owned Fresh Del Monte Produce to expand its refrigerated fruit-based lines.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tn8JT7

Congressman calls for food safety boost at border

Congressman Henry Cuellar has urged agencies to work with local governments at high-volume ports of entry to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tm6D65

South Africa hit with bird flu outbreak

South Africa has been hit with its first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) strain H5N8 strain, which devastated Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tlArj6

Pilgrim's Pride ends farmer contract after animal cruelty claim

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2uj2KvY

BHSL wastes no time with Hydro acquisition

Irish agri-tech business BHSL has acquired Hydro International for an undisclosed sum, wasting no time in implementing a strategy to strengthen its ability to generate energy from poultry manure.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tlp9eQ

Finland has a berry good idea to verify origin

Two Finnish agencies are to sample strawberries as part of work to develop a method to verify their origin.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tllmOW

US hails 'strong team' for World Butchers' Challenge

The United States is the latest country to have announced its line-up for the World Butchers’ Challenge.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tlq7bA

Self-regulation to fight Brazilian slavery called for

Brazil’s agribusiness industry should adopt a strategy of self-regulation to eradicate modern-day slavery, according to a United Nations agency official leading anti-slavery work in South America’s largest country.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s2ybKl

Australian abattoir expansion creates 30 jobs

The Ararat Abattoir in Victoria, Australia has been awarded an $800,000 upgrade and expansion through the Labor government in the region.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tliMbV

Hungarian meat firm to invest in packaging, processing

Hungarian poultry processor Sága Foods Zrt to spend about HUF 600 million (€2 million) this year to expand and modernise the meat processing and packaging capacities of its facilities, according to senior company representatives.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s262mM

Senior appointment at Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods has appointed George Chappelle as chief integration officer to help support acquisitions.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tkZGCQ

Rice-based enzyme will bring gluten-free bread to the next level, says DSM

DSM has unveiled a rice-based baker's enzyme which boosts the softness and moistness of gluten-free bread, allowing it to compete with wheat-based breads in texture, it says.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tlqYZA

Indian spices to be worth $18bn by 2020

Currently worth some US$6.2bn, India’s market for spices should spike to US$18bn by 2020, according to a new report.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tpd8pK

Food packaging as a key for enhancing food safety

Nanotechnology also may help extend shelf life reduce food waste

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ui49my

US hails 'strong team' for World Butchers' Challenge

The United States is the latest country to have announced its line-up for the World Butchers’ Challenge.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s23RiI

Six top processing, packaging and manufacturing trends set to shape foodpro 2017

Australasia's largest-of-it's-kind food processing and manufacturing show foodpro returns next month, so we've been getting the lowdown on six of the top industry trends that are set to star on show floor.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tXHwV3

Barentz International and Indian pharma firm unite to drive South Asia fortification opportunities

Ingredient firm Barentz International is seeking to increase its nutrition and fortification opportunities in India by linking up with Noida-based pharma company Jubilant Life Sciences.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2toDxnq

Probiotics powerhouse: China sales outstripping global average as DuPont reveals 50% surge

DuPont says its probiotics business in China is booming, with sustained growth leading it to double capacity at its specialist Beijing production and packaging site this year.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tXQgKY

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Something Wild follows up green ant gin with wattleseed lager

Beer made with seeds from Australia’s floral emblem will be an indigenous beverage company’s second retail product, following the release of a gin made from green ants earlier this year.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2titG1s

Sri Lanka suffering after drought and heavy rains hamper crops

Sri Lanka suffering after drought and heavy rains hamper crops.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ugf9ku

2 Sisters and Weetabix lead appointments gallery

Senior appointments by 2 Sisters and Weetabix lead our latest gallery of people moving to new jobs in the food and drink industry.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tiseMA

Australia looks to safeguard beef exports to Korea

Following a record year of beef exports to Korea in 2016, Australia is looking to defend its position amidst contracting supply and competition from the US.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ufXGsl

Constantia Flexibles meets demand for coffee & dairy packaging in Russia

Constantia Flexibles Group has responded to a growing demand in domestic food packaging by installing a laminating machine at its factory in Timashevsk, Russia, for packaging coffee, dairy and processed food.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tib4is

Coca Cola partners urged to stop marketing Capri-Sun drink to kids

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2thz7xJ

Self-regulation to fight Brazilian slavery called for

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tknFCz

French snack producer Vico launches Hula Hoops variants in Sonoco packaging

The Vic-sur-Aisne-based firm introduced its three-dimensional Hula Hoops to the French market last year and is now expanding the range with the launch of Bacon and Sour Cream & Onion variants.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2thflTG

Study uncovers the truth behind work stress, sleep and junk food habits

Psychological experiences at work can shape eating habits and sleeping patterns, according to a recently published study.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rY5aiU

Consumers willing to pay premium for safety - TÜV SÜD

Consumers want safer products and are willing to pay more for them, according to a TÜV SÜD survey.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2thlYVK

Hungarian meat firm to invest in packaging, processing

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tjAcGb

Salmonella sickens seven in Canada

Frozen raw breaded chicken is suspected to be behind seven Salmonella infections in Canada.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tSnSKf

Australian abattoir expansion creates 30 jobs

The Ararat Abattoir in Victoria, Australia has been awarded an $800,000 upgrade and expansion through the Labor government in the region.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sXo8Yj

Senior appointment at Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods has appointed George Chappelle as chief integration officer to help support acquisitions.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sdduiS

Turck M08 proximity sensors

Turck has released its latest range of 8 mm barrel inductive proximity sensors. The technology of the ferrite core sensors has evolved, increasing the sensing range by up to 50%. Flush-mounted solutions can now be offered with an extended sensing range of 3 mm as well as with the conventional sensing range of 2 mm. The non-flush sensors are likewise available with a 3 or 5 mm sensing range. The sensor electronics allows Turck to produce devices with an ultrashort 15 mm design.

The modular development approach of the sensor series has led to a broad range of variants that allows users to find the correct 8 mm barrel sensor for their application. The sensors are available in 15, 22, 30 and 40 mm lengths. On the connectivity side,Turck is offering M8 or M12 connectors as well as sensors with a cable outlet, which in turn can be ordered with a 3- or 4-wire connection as NC or changeover contacts.

The sensors with a cable outlet are provided with a cable suitable for E-chain use and a semitransparent LED ring at the sensor end, which shows the sensing state from any viewing angle. The sensors are IP67 rated and have an operating temperature of -25 to 70°C.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sMV72R

GEA MultiJector continuous inline injection

The GEA MultiJector is designed for marination by a continuous inline injection solution. Developed to boost the yield of bone-in and skin-on poultry products such as chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs, legs and whole or half birds, the GEA MultiJector combines controlled brine injection with short massaging to optimise brine distribution.

The multipurpose brine injector does not compromise on the accuracy or performance available from an application-specific machine. It meets standards for hygiene, food safety and cleanability. The product is a flexible solution for injecting bone-in, boneless and delicate products, with advanced technology that adds value to products and processes.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2shXIyc

Plate 4 Plate initiative gives 15 million meals to those in need

For every burrito or bowl purchased at a Zambrero restaurant, a meal is donated to someone in need. Zambrero’s ‘Plate 4 Plate’ initiative has been built into the core of the business, ensuring the company is “giving back and making the world a better place”.

This is not a passing ‘feel good’ claim as Zambrero has announced it has donated over 15 million meals through the initiative so far and is on its way towards achieving its goal of donating a billion meals by 2025.

The meals are made from rice, lentils and soy, and include 23 essential vitamins and nutrients. Communities receive these packs and then use what local ingredients are available to make meals, primarily via school feeding programs.

Zambrero works closely with hunger relief agencies to distribute the food to more than 74 countries, including Australia. Rise Against Hunger distributes the food globally while Foodbank Australia distributes meals locally.

Zambrero recently celebrated opening its 150th Australian restaurant. The franchise now has over 165 restaurants worldwide. Zambrero is holding its annual volunteer meal packing day, to pack meals for distribution working with its partners, on 20 October. It will take place across five metro cities in Australia. Visit http://bit.ly/2shLDcE to find out more closer to the date.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sMK1uH

Steam it — don't boil it to reduce cyantoxin contamination

Consumers willing to pay premium for safety - TÜV SÜD

Consumers want safer products and are willing to pay more for them, according to a TÜV SÜD survey.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rXvHwB

Malaysian Customs decides against GST on 60 foods

Malaysia’s Customs department has rejected an order to impose GST on more than 60 food items.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2scFvY1

Canada supports developing countries with food safety

Canada has donated CAD $200,000 to help developing countries comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ths49j

Health Star Ratings and fast food

Since 2014 food manufacturers and suppliers have been voluntarily implementing the Health Star Rating system enabling consumers to meaningfully compare similar products. Now The George Institute for Global Health is recommending these ratings be extended to fast foods.

To investigate the practicability of this, researchers from The George Institute and Cancer Council NSW examined Health Star Ratings (HSR) across 16 fast food categories, including pastries, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and ice-creams. 1500 products from 13 mainstream chains were examined and the results published in the journal Appetite.

Under the HSR system, foods are given a star rating out of five, based on their nutritional profile including:

energy content;
risk nutrients — saturated fat, sodium (salt) and sugars;
positive nutrients — dietary fibre, protein and the proportion of fruit, vegetable, nut and legume content.

The average HSR for fast foods was just 2.5. Subway and Oporto performed the best with an average HSR of 3.4 across their menus. The worst-performing chain was Gloria Jean’s, which had the lowest average HSR (2.0 stars) followed by McCafé (2.1 stars) and Muffin Break (2.2 stars).

While kilojoule labelling is in place in large chain restaurants across much of Australia, this does not give as much information as the HSR as only the energy content is disclosed. If HSR labelling was in place consumers could easily ascertain more information on the full nutritional make-up of products.

42% of all products assigned 0.5 stars (the lowest possible rating) came from Muffin Break — including its affogato drink, Anzac biscuit and chocolate mousse cake.

Desserts performed badly across the board with an average 0.5 star rating. The results also revealed that cafe-style chains had lower average HSRs than burger and pizza chains. Chicken and sandwich chains fared the best.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sbYUIk

Growing demand for meat alternatives

Increasing consumer concerns over sustainability and the global food chain, the rise of veganism, plant power and clean eating trends have facilitated diverse new product innovations in the global meat substitutes market, according to Innova Market Insights.

The meat substitutes market is reported to be growing at 8.7% annually in the US and 4.9% in the UK. As part of this trend, even major meat companies are investing in start-ups and companies making plant-based and vegan meat substitutes.

But formulating meat-alternatives is not simple — especially as consumers want their tasty meat analogs to be low in sodium. Traditionally, significant amounts of salt have been added to the products to overcome common off flavours from plant protein.

Israeli company Salt of the Earth has completed a series of trials of plant-based, vegan and vegetarian meat alternatives that contained less sodium. Instead they incorporated their Mediterranean Umami clean-label sodium-reduction ingredient.

The ingredient is clean-label, all-natural and rich in umami flavour compounds. It helps enhance individual flavour notes and contributes to an overall savoury flavour profile with a significant reduction of salt. The company is claiming 25–35% sodium reduction across a variety of vegan and vegetarian products. Vegan hamburgers, vegetarian ‘chicken’ nuggets, seitan-based products and frankfurter-style sausages all exhibited positive results in taste and texture.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tQrUTr

Monday, 26 June 2017

Put this event into your diary now

General and specialty food, catering equipment, hospitality equipment, bakery, drinks, coffee, tea, dairy, meat and seafood, retail and technology, fit-out and design, packaging, natural, organic and free-from, and on-premise liquor will all be showcased at Fine Food Australia.

From 11–14 September, the ICC Sydney in Darling Harbour will host the Fine Food Australia trade exhibition for the foodservice and retail industries.

At Fine Food you will be able to learn from food industry leaders and successful operators covering practical solutions to common food business issues, including staffing, profitability and operating efficiencies.

The most exciting product launches and innovative ideas to hit the foodservice, catering, retail and bakery industries in the last 12 months will all be on display. A visit to Fine Food Australia is the best way to bring new ideas back to your business.

The show is huge — wear comfortable shoes, dedicate at least one whole day and don’t eat breakfast (so much good food to taste). Register to attend now so your entry will be streamlined.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rWRBQC

Now mandatory to declare lupin on food labels

Lupin has been added to the list of allergens that must be declared on food labels. The Food Standards Code now requires lupin to be declared on labels whenever it is present as an ingredient or as a component of food additives or processing aids. This requirement must be met by 25 May next year.

Lupin flour was officially introduced as a food ingredient in Australia in 2001, with the first Australian cases of lupin allergy reported in 2004. Lupin allergens are resistant to normal cooking procedures, including boiling and microwave heating.

Lupin is high in protein (30–40%) and dietary fibre (30%) and low in fat (4–7%). It can be milled and ground into wholemeal-type flour to add protein and fibre to baked goods and noodles. The kernel can be ground into kibble-type products or milled into flour and lupin protein isolates can be added to products to improve their nutritional quality. Lupin is increasingly used as a protein replacement for genetically modified ingredients and for animal proteins such as milk and egg white.

Lupin use is increasing as it is being incorporated in an ever wider range of food products including bread, bakery and pasta products, sauces, beverages and meat-based products such as burgers and sausages. Lupin can also be included in gluten-free and soy-free products.

Lupin is a legume related to peanut and soybean and, like other high-protein foods like egg and shellfish, may trigger an allergic reaction in a small percentage of the population. As more and more people are exposed to lupin it is anticipated that lupin allergy incidence will increase.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2te1xsB

Viva Las Vegas! What's happening at #IFT?

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tdUyzU

Unintended discovery of a new natural orange colour

Gregory R Ziegler, professor of food science in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University was extracting starch from avocado pits when he noticed something interesting — when avocado pits are pulverised, an enzymatic reaction produces a bright orange colour. After extracting the starch, Ziegler just couldn’t get the colour to wash away.

So he and associate professor of food science Joshua Lambert put in the hard yards to identify the coloured compound. The pair’s research, which proved both the stability of the colour and the wide spectrum of orange, yellow and red hues available, led them to a simple conclusion: the substance would be a perfect natural food colour.

Persea Naturals was born, with plans to bring a natural food colour product line, AvoColor, to the commercial market. ‘Persea’ comes from Persea americana, the scientific Latin plant name for the avocado plant.

Not only is AvoColor more vibrant and stable than most other natural options, it’s likely to be extremely cost-effective. Avocado pits, which are the source, are currently discarded in large volumes by the prepared food and restaurant industries.

AvoColor has been highly successful in nearly every test, whether it’s added to dairy products, baked goods or beverages.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rVG4RM

Sonoco acquiring Clear Lam Packaging

In the third quarter of this year, Sonoco expects to conclude its deal to acquire flexible and forming plastic packaging films manufacturer Clear Lam Packaging for US$170 million.

With manufacturing facilities in the US and China, Clear Lam turns over around US$140 million/year. The company focuses on the development, production and conversion of high-barrier flexible and forming films for the perishable foods markets, consumer packaged goods companies, retailers and other industrial manufacturers. In the food industry Clear Lam’s products are used to package condiments, dairy, meats and cheese, produce, confection, fresh and prepared foods, nuts and snacks, and foodservice.

It is Clear Lam’s expertise in developing, producing and converting high-barrier flexible and forming film structures to package fresh and prepared food products purchased in the growing store perimeter attracted Sonoco. Clear Lam has already developed new portion control condiment packaging, peel-reseal films for fresh fruits and vegetables, forming films for yoghurts, lidding films for fresh guacamole, special drinking pouch films and several new packaging films that expand shelf life.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tdtxML

World's largest poultry processing facility coming to South Korea

South Korean chicken processing company Harim Co is modernising its Iksan plant. The company processes nearly 120 million chickens annually, supplied by 600 nearby poultry farms, and employs 1900 workers across multiple plants in Iksan and Jeongeup.

The plant upgrade

With two existing lines being overhauled and re-used and four new high-speed Marel Poultry lines being installed, the plant will be one of the largest poultry processing facilities in Asia. When the proposed seventh line is added it will be the largest facility in the world.

Marel’s four new processing lines will be spread over five different floors in the fully modernised Iksan plant.

The new poultry lines will make use of Marel’s latest technologies in scalding, defeathering, evisceration and chilling. The Stork Nuova, claimed to be the world’s most efficient eviscerator with integrated giblet harvesting line, will be at the heart of the evisceration department. All four lines will include low-maintenance, self-calibrating, high-speed SmartWeighers.

This is one tall plant

With land suitable for buildings at a premium in Korea, Harim has elected to construct a five-storey building, attached to the existing plant, extending its existing 80,000 m² production area to 150,000 m². Spacious air chill tunnels, which use Stork DownFlow ‘Plus’ technology, will be positioned on the top floor.

An overhead conveyor system will distribute broilers to all departments, keeping all processes completely inline. The system features ATC (Automatic Tension Control) technology, which makes for increased reliability as well as reduced wear and tear. In Harim's Iksan plant, ATC allows a spectacular height difference of more than 20 metres to be bridged.

Innova food processing software will ensure the overall monitoring of all equipment installed in the Marel Poultry lines at Harim.

Because of the size of the plant, preventive maintenance is an important issue to protect the four lines from unnecessary downtime. During the first years, Marel Poultry’s field service engineers will pay regular visits to the Iksan plant, a wish clearly expressed by the Harim Group.

Guests entering the plant will have an impressive experience. After an introduction movie about Harim in the company cinema, the film screen will lift to give access to the Harim museum and information centre. A 500 m-long visitors’ corridor will show the production process and provide a complete overview of the poultry processing lines.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2ubmVvY

Getting new employees up to speed

The entry-level skill requirements in the FMCG sector are increasing and becoming more complex and are not completely delivered by any of the educational courses available in Australia. There is also a significant lack of funding available from the government to meet these skill shortfalls.

As a result, the following has increased:

Costs to business in relation to training, wages and productivity.
Time it takes for a new employee to engage with the business and make a contribution.
Complexity of the training required.
Length of time to determine whether an employee can perform the job.

This has significantly increased the time, effort and cost of engaging and training new employees. So what can employers do to get new staff up to speed?

At foodpro 2017 Ed Milne will share the ideas and innovations CozWine – Bayside Group has developed across multiple industries at a free-to-attend seminar (3 pm, Tuesday, 18 July). Milne will highlight relevant initiatives he has used to address the issue of enhancing skills for new entrants in the workforce.

As National Manager of CozWine, and developer of workplace solutions and employment pathways, Milne has significant experience in:

workforce planning, papping and talent sourcing;
recruitment services;
workforce management solutions;
induction and onboarding;
employment pathways;
traineeships and apprenticeship programs (both funded by government initiatives and employer funded);
workplace safety;
workplace relations.

Register here to attend Milne’s free seminar: Combating the cost of increased entry-level skill requirements in the FMCG sector.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tdtBMx

‘Short term’ weight control approaches call for new interventions: Cochrane reviews

Standard approaches to children’s weight management are small, short-term fixes, according to two Cochrane reviews, with calls to introduce new anti-obesity approaches or interventions.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tfXZXN

European Commission urged to do more against Brazilian beef

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has called on the European Commission to take stronger action against Brazilian beef, in the wake of meat scandal that has rocked the country.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tOvVrk

Full durum: The South Australian science of spaghetti

A pasta industry more than 15,000km from Italy is thriving thanks to a unique collaboration between farmers, durum wheat researchers and a major food manufacturer.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sK2Crg

Alibaba snares two US manufacturers in bid to attract more imports

Chinese online retail giant Alibaba has announced a deal with Driscoll’s and Chicken of the Sea to bring American foods to the world’s largest consumer market.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sf4W6s

Calbee resumes potato chip sales in Japan

Japan’s largest potato chip producer Calbee (with a 73% market hold) has restarted sales of the country’s most popular snack it suspended in April due to a severe potato shortage.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sK8VeE

Stevia antioxidant product announced by PureCircle

A stevia sweetener with antioxidant properties is the latest innovation from Malaysian headquartered supplier, PureCircle.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2seFpu6

Industry calls for EU sport food clarification to shore up safety concerns

A quartet of sports food industry associations are calling for clearer product labelling and clarification for the safe use of sport and nutrition products within the European Union.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sK5jcI

European Commission urged to do more against Brazilian beef

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has called on the European Commission to take stronger action against Brazilian beef, in the wake of meat scandal that has rocked the country.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sTNjuL

Australia looks to safeguard beef exports to Korea

Following a record year of beef exports to Korea in 2016, Australia is looking to defend its position amidst contracting supply and competition from the US.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tenwQU

Russian bank eyes takeover of turkey producer Eurodon

Vnesheconombank (VEB), one of Russia’s largest state-owned banks, may gain control over much of Eurodon Group, the major Russia-based turkey producer.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNv6yW

Brazilian beef ban will not spoil Minerva’s trade

A US ban on fresh Brazilian beef imports will not dent meatpacker Minerva’s volume trade, which will now head to Uruguay instead.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2te1uxE

US suspends imports of Brazilian beef

The US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has suspended all imports of fresh beef from Brazil due to safety concerns.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNIGSO

JBS to appeal blocked $300m asset sale

JBS plans to launch an appeal after a Brazilian judge blocked its sale of meat firms in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to rival Minerva in a nine-figure deal.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2te3Oot

Australian cattlemen face up to new disease rules

Australian cattle producers have just seven days left before deregulation to managing Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) comes into full force.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNPwrM

Chinese investors to pump $1bn into Belarus meat plants

China-based Xinrongji Holding Group and DRex Food Group will set up several projects in the Belarus’ poultry and livestock industry worth a total of $1bn.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tebyqv

Tyson Foods introduces animal welfare measures

Tyson Foods, one of the US’s largest poultry processors, will add on-farm video cameras and pilot humane slaughter methods in a major effort to improve welfare for the 35 million chickens it processes a week.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNiYy7

Graphic content warning: Bali’s dog meat trade

An undercover investigation by Animals Australia has revealed in graphic detail the growing dog meat trade hitting unsuspecting tourists in holiday hotspot Bali.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2teDJ8C

USDA sued by meat industry over country of origin labelling

A lawsuit has been filed against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an attempt to force it to re-introduce country of origin labelling.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNrGw9

Handtmann opens €7m customer service centre

Meat product manufacturers can devise and test bespoke solutions to processing issues and train on the latest equipment at a €7m customer service centre just opened by Handtmann at its German headquarters.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tetcdR

Germany’s Tönnies eyes land for Serbian pig farms

German meat company Tönnies has applied to the Serbian authorities to secure more than 1 million square metres of available land in five municipalities to set up pig farms.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNXp07

Autopackaging boosts meat packager’s production rates by 30%

Japanese barcode firm SATO has collaborated with Dibal and Mecatronic to deliver a 30% increase in production rates for an unnamed European meatpacker.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2teDIS6

KFC Australia’s ‘logical next step’ is home delivery

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Australian arm is branching into home delivery.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tNGESS

Russian bank eyes takeover of turkey producer Eurodon

Vnesheconombank (VEB), one of Russia’s largest state-owned banks, may gain control over much of Eurodon Group, the major Russia-based turkey producer.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rUkDjL

Brazilian beef ban will not spoil Minerva’s trade

A US ban on fresh Brazilian beef imports will not dent meatpacker Minerva’s volume trade, which will now head to Uruguay instead.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tdaKl6

Estonia sugar drink tax includes dairy and plant-based beverages

At an extraordinary session of Estonia’s government, the Riigikogu, last week, 15 new Acts were passed, including a sugar tax that includes dairy beverages.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2td0BVC

Australia looks to safeguard beef exports to Korea

Following a record year of beef exports to Korea in 2016, Australia is looking to defend its position amidst contracting supply and competition from the US.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sJfD4C

Instrument maintenance and downtime top challenge for lab managers

Sample preparation challenges and unplanned and unexpected instrument downtime remain a major problem for lab employees, according to an Agilent survey.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sTBuVt

Irish mission to Mexico looks to mitigate possible Brexit issues

Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Michael Creed TD, has undertaken a series of engagements as part of the first Irish Ministerial agri-food trade mission to Mexico.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s9rlGU

Instrument maintenance and downtime top challenge for lab managers

Sample preparation challenges and unplanned and unexpected instrument downtime remain a major problem for lab employees, according to an Agilent survey.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sTohM7

BSI brings visibility to supply chain

BSI Supply Chain Services and Solutions has released food safety and fraud intelligence and assessment modules to help industry mitigate potential threats that could affect customers, their brand and bottom line.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sIQAi9

Neogen expands next generation sequencing services

Neogen Corporation has launched next generation sequencing services for the food industry.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sT3mJk

IBM and Cornell University to work together to keep global milk supply safe

IBM Research and Cornell University have teamed up to help improve the safety of the global milk supply through genetic sequencing and big data analytics research.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tdBYbP

Europol: False organic certification continues to be major problem for food industry

Counterfeit certification labels, such as fake organic or protected designation of origin (PDO) labels, continues to be a major problem for the European food industry, according to a report by Europol.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sHDVvQ

Sunday, 25 June 2017

Alleviating China’s pollution anxiety: Anagenix’s lung-boosting ingredient set for beverage launch

New Zealand supplier Anagenix has said the first finished product featuring its lung-enhancing BerryQi ingredient will be launched in China in the next few months.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tbUP7n

Implementing a paperless HACCP system

Saturday, 24 June 2017

Europol: False organic certification continues to be major problem for food industry

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6qZ3E

Supply chain performance not profitability at heart of food firms’ voluntary sign-up

Motivations for voluntarily implementing food traceability schemes stem not from the need to maximise profits but enhance information, safety and quality management within the supply chain.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rNj1bx

Sugar tax study: compelling evidence to carry out 'fascinating experiment in public health policy'

Overweight and obese children tend to drink more sugar-sweetened drinks than those of normal weight, making a “compelling case” for taxing the beverages, according to researchers in Ireland.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6txib

Foreign Trade Association announces name change for 2018

To coincide with its new strategy for the future, the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) announces it will change its corporate name to Amfori in January 2018.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rN8gGo

No evidence of lower quality foods in Eastern Europe, says Commission

For the moment, there is no evidence to suggest manufacturers are using lower quality or less nutritious ingredients in food and drink products in Eastern Europe, the Commission has said, after meeting with manufacturers and consumer groups on dual quality products.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t5S2fy

US withdrawal a ‘benefit in disguise’ as sustainability efforts remain defiant

The US’ recent withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement has inevitable repercussions worldwide for meeting agreed environmental targets, addressing climate change and curbing emission levels.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rNmRSe

Industry giants unite to eradicate forced labour in global supply chains

Brands such as The Cola-Cola Company, Unilever and Tesco have shared their stories on how they eradicated forced labour in their global supply chains in a recently published report.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6kON7

Eat plants to stay slim, say Spanish researchers

People with diets that favour plants over meat can cut their risk of developing obesity by almost half, according to research being conducted in Spain.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rNt1Sf

Gastro2025: Industry giants to advise Danish government on boosting food industry potential

Arla, Organic Denmark, Meyers Food and other industry players will become advisers to the Danish government in a bid to cement the country's reputation as a food and gastronomy powerhouse, cut food waste and improve eating habits.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6iw08

'We will react and respond to any discriminatory measures against Malaysian palm oil,' warns minister

With a recent European resolution calling for tariffs and trade barriers against any palm oil linked to deforestation, Malaysia's minister for plantations and commodities warns: "We will react and respond accordingly to any discriminatory measures against Malaysian palm oil."

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rNCIjv

Demand for annatto colouring provides work for women in Latin America

Local women farmers in Latin America are being offered a secure income due to the increased demand for natural annatto colouring.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6kw8L

New €7 m project aims to ensure all European aquaculture businesses are sustainable and competitive

A new research project, funded by the European Commission, is hoping to create a more innovative, sustainable and competitive space for aquaculture businesses.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rNwGzu

Sugar-free quinoa breakfast cereal finds success as creative consumers blur categories

A breakfast cereal made from French popped quinoa with a one-word ingredient list (quinoa - and that's it) is finding success as consumers use it for croutons and salad toppings thanks to the lack of sugar. "We're targetting intelligent consumers who want to take control of what they eat,” says Quinoa Crack founder.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t6kttB

Charm Sciences gets award from USDA

Charm Sciences has received the 2017 Small Business Contractor of the Year award from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tZMZdo

3M’s E. coli O157 assay gains NF Validation

3M Food Safety’s assay to detect E. coli O157 (including H7) has received an NF Validation certificate from AFNOR Certification.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t1IjGq

Friday, 23 June 2017

French study links 'Med diet' pattern to lower risk of frailty

Consumption of a Mediterranean style diet is rising in Europe and the US because they 'easy to follow', says author of paper linking Med diet with reduced frailty.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t0ipTm

Europol: False organic certification continues to be major problem for food industry

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2s0n0Wr

Supply chain performance not profitability at heart of food firms’ voluntary sign-up

Motivations for voluntarily implementing food traceability schemes stem not from the need to maximise profits but enhance information, safety and quality management within the supply chain.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sKk0L2

Sugar tax study: compelling evidence to carry out 'fascinating experiment in public health policy'

Overweight and obese children tend to drink more sugar-sweetened drinks than those of normal weight, making a “compelling case” for taxing the beverages, according to researchers in Ireland.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rZPEHf

Foreign Trade Association announces name change for 2018

To coincide with its new strategy for the future, the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) announces it will change its corporate name to Amfori in January 2018.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sKBUgA

Green banana flour... the most versatile new ingredient in the clean label toolkit?

‘Functional fruit flours’ from starchy unripe bananas – which are low in sugar and in some cases high in RS2 resistant starch – could open new doors for formulators looking to clean up labels and reduce sugar, says the firm behind the NuBana green banana flour range, debuting at the IFT show this month.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rZRE2n

Child and teen obesity: Interventions have bigger impact on adolescents

A combination of diet, physical activity and behavioural change interventions appear to reduce weight more in children aged 12 to 17 than those aged six to 11, according to a two new Cochrane Reviews.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sZPmj5

US suspends imports of Brazilian beef

The US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has suspended all imports of fresh beef from Brazil due to safety concerns.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t3CybH

JBS to appeal blocked $300m asset sale

JBS plans to launch an appeal after a Brazilian judge blocked its sale of meat firms in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to rival Minerva in a nine-figure deal.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rKJhDw

Australian cattlemen face up to new disease rules

Australian cattle producers have just seven days left before deregulation to managing Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) comes into full force.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2t3OiuE

US bans fresh Brazilian beef imports due to safety

Imports of fresh beef from Brazil have been banned until further notice by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tXgYlY

Macb investigating quality issue in flavoured water

Consumers have been urged not to drink macb flavoured water due to a ‘quality issue’.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rK6Uw9

Chinese investors to pump $1bn into Belarus meat plants

China-based Xinrongji Holding Group and DRex Food Group will set up several projects in the Belarus’ poultry and livestock industry worth a total of $1bn.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sZ71qO

Supply chain performance not profitability at heart of food firms’ voluntary sign-up

Motivations for voluntarily implementing food traceability schemes stem not from the need to maximise profits but enhance information, safety and quality management within the supply chain.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tBKJJS

Thursday, 22 June 2017

How E. coli chats

They can’t use smartphones or Wi-Fi, but bacteria have evolved some seriously complex strategies to communicate with one another. And the resulting interactions are a delicate balance of cooperation and, in some cases, competition. Biologists have uncovered a new way that bacteria lay siege to neighbouring cells by hijacking two factors involved in protein synthesis.

These intraspecies exchanges take place within contact-dependent growth inhibition systems, which regulate cellular activities via cell-to-cell contact and are found in a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria, including important human pathogens such as Escherichia coli.

UC Santa Barbara biologists examined how E. coli EC869, which causes diarrhoea or haemorrhagic colitis in humans, destroys its neighbours by transferring toxins that inhibit their cell growth. Previous work by other UCSB researchers had shown that a different variation of E. coli required a ‘permissive factor’ for toxin activation. Did EC869 also needed to bind protein in the target cell to activate its toxin the researchers wondered.

The answer is yes, with a twist.

Many toxins inhibit translation, the essential process by which the sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA) is converted into protein. Some toxins accomplish this by breaking transfer RNAs (tRNAs), molecules that help decode mRNA sequences.

The UCSB team discovered that the EC869 toxin binds to the most abundant protein in bacteria, elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). EF-Tu’s role in protein synthesis is to bind to tRNA molecules. The binding action not only activates toxins but also helps zero in on the true target: tRNA molecules. And not just any tRNA: EC869 cleaves only two specific tRNA molecules out of 46 types present in the cell.

This class of toxins only cuts specific tRNA molecules and the researchers hypothesise that the toxins sit bound to EF-Tu as different tRNA molecules are loaded and unloaded until the specific target arrives. Once the right tRNA is loaded, it is cleaved, destabilised and released.

It will be interesting to see if the interaction of this toxin with members of the protein synthesis apparatus plays a role in intercellular communication.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sHvpv9

Botulism due to traditional home-canned food still public health challenge

Foodborne botulism due to traditional home-canned food still represents a public health challenge in Italy, according to researchers.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rXjcFy

US Marshals seize adulterated food worth $70k

US Marshals have seized adulterated food worth more than $70,000 from a Minnesota warehouse.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sHBvLU

Tyson Foods introduces animal welfare measures

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tV71FE

USDA sued by meat industry over country of origin labelling

A lawsuit has been filed against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an attempt to force it to re-introduce country of origin labelling.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sXdXF8

Handtmann opens €7m customer service centre

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2tUM7q4

Know someone who goes above and beyond to ensure food safety?

Ensuring food safety is often a thankless task but it is so essential. Food safety is critical for the food industry and consumers as one lapse can kill consumers and send a company into receivership.

The Australian HACCP Conference Awards provide the food industry with a chance to recognise and reward the achievements of those who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our food supply.

Nominations have opened for the 2017 Australian HACCP Conference Awards and you can nominate people for the following:

Ross Peters Award for Excellence in Food Safety — This award recognises an individual who has dedicated themselves to the implementation of food safety initiatives and has furthered the ideals of a safe food supply.
Leaders of the Future, Food Safety Learning Scholarship — This Scholarship will provide one individual with the opportunity to take part in a unique nationally recognised qualification — the Diploma of Food Safety Quality Assurance Management. Nominees must have a junior role within the food industry and have a unique perspective on food safety.
Innovators in Food Safety — This new award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a positive and influential impact on food safety.
Outstanding Individual Working as a Registered Food Safety Auditor — This award recognises an individual who has been nominated by their auditee and an outstanding auditor who has brought credit to their profession across the past 12 months.

What to do next?

Select a category from above, click on the title and complete the online form. Self-nominations are accepted and you may also nominate on another person’s behalf. All applications must be accompanied with a CV and written reference, sent separately to haccpconference@saiglobal.com.

Nominations close Friday, 28 July 2017.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2sHg9OV

Bulk wheat Port Code exemptions proposed for a couple of smaller players

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is proposing to grant bulk wheat Port Code exemptions to Riordan Grain Services and Semaphore Container Services at the Port of Geelong and Port Adelaide.

Riordan and Semaphore will not need to comply with some parts of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct if the draft determinations proposing to exempt the companies from certain parts of the mandatory Bulk Wheat Code in relation to their respective operations at the Port of Geelong and Port Adelaide are adopted.

Submissions from interested parties should reach the ACCC by Friday, 7 July 2017.

“Riordan and Semaphore will both face significant competitive constraint from larger operations. The ACCC’s preliminary view is that it is appropriate to grant exemptions to these smaller players,” ACCC Commissioner Cristina Cifuentes said.

“These relatively new entrants into the market will increase choice for exporters of bulk wheat. The ACCC considers that the exemptions will provide them with greater flexibility to compete with the dominant providers.”

Riordan’s operations at the Port of Geelong compete with the dominant providers of bulk wheat port terminal services in Victoria, Emerald and GrainCorp. The ACCC considers that, in the absence of full regulation under the code, Riordan will continue to face strong competition for bulk wheat volumes from Emerald’s and GrainCorp’s terminals.

In relation to Semaphore, the ACCC’s preliminary assessment is that Semaphore will continue to face strong competition for bulk wheat volumes from Viterra, the dominant provider of bulk wheat port terminal services in South Australia, and competition from LINX Cargo Care’s Port Adelaide facility.

Read more about it via http://bit.ly/2rI8q1v

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Friday, 30 June 2017

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Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Monday, 26 June 2017

The plant upgrade

This is one tall plant