Raisio has revealed that it is considering shutting down its grain
mill in Nokia, Finland, to raise profitability in the face of
changing market conditions.
A new method of mixing and heat exchange for highly viscous liquids
without the use of traditional stirrers, has been developed by
Australian scientists.
The owners of Israeli food giant
Willi-Foods announced yesterday that they will sell
45 per cent of the company to international businessman
Arcadi Gaydamak for $40.5m (€30.1m).
Following talks in London today, Cadbury Schweppes has officially
announced its new confectionery strategies, to be implemented
following the separation of its drink division, Americas Beverages.
Cadbury Schweppes announced yesterday its move on Japanese
functional candy company Sansei Foods, in a bid to expand its
business further in the country's lucrative
confectionery market.
A new food contaminant testing method for melamine and cyanuric
acid decreases the time it takes to get accurate results for meats,
its developer claims.
Switzerland-based machinery manufacturer Buhler has developed a new
cold stamping process to help chocolatiers increase production
times, efficiency and flexibility without compromising on chocolate
shell quality.
A new potato peeler uses a centrifugal chamber to improve product
control, which helps processors increase yield and reduce cleaning
costs, its manufacturer claims.
US based cocoa producer Cargill has developed a new method of
processing cocoa which allows for reduced fat content and greater
dispersibility in cocoa powder.
Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company Metrohm has developed a
test to determine the exact sugar content of chocolate - helping
manufacturers ensure consistency on the production line.
The identity of the mystery multinational with which Provexis has
been exploring new formats of its Fruitflow technology is unveiled
as Unilever; and the two companies also plan to collaborate over
new IP on related products and processes.
A portable refrigerator thermometer allows processors to record
temperatures more accurately and easily, improving the traceability
of products, its manufacturer claims.
Italian confectionery supplier OPM Chocolate has developed a new
chocolate depositor which claims to boost efficiency levels on
moulding lines while delivering on accuracy.
A research laboratory has developed new tests that enable
processors to identify pine nuts and chestnuts in food, which could
help protect consumers with allergies.
UK food and drink companies face further pressure to reduce their
CO2 outputs next year, with more plants in the sector coming under
the second phase of the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Superchilling methods are being developed by Norwegian scientists
to extend the shelf life of fish and meat, while reducing storage
and transport costs.
Bakers could soon be benefiting from new technology developed to
ensure high standards of product quality and appearance are met
while maximising efficiency, cutting costs and reducing waste.
US cereal and snack maker the Quaker Oats company has developed a
new way of processing granola and snack-food products which cuts
time, wastage and costs.
A new x-ray and colour vision hybrid system, allows faster poultry
processing, by detecting embedded bones and defects missed during
the deboning of chicken carcasses, its manufacturer claims.
Confectionery equipment supplier Packaging Automation has seen its
latest enhanced filling and sealing machine upping factory output
and improving performance, according to customers.
Friesland Foods is expanding its spray drying operations within
Indonesia, as it looks to capture growing demand for powdered
ingredient ranges in the region.
Stressing the importance of sanitary work practices, US company
Skinvisible is launching a targeted marketing campaign for its
antimicrobial hand sanitizer lotion as part of the battle to help
prevent the spread of bird flu in Asia.
One in six broiler flocks in Germany is infected with salmonella,
according to a pilot survey bythe country's Federal Institute for
Risk Assessment (BfR).
A new conveyor frame can be completely disassembled, without tools,
in 30 seconds, allowing processors to clean their machines and get
production underway again faster.
The European Commission plans to review the EU's new hygiene laws
to determine whether further amendments are needed to strengthen
provisions related to meat inspection, gelatine, good food safety
practices and cold stores.
Poultry workers in England are to be offered free seasonal human
flu vaccinations by the Department of Health in a measure to combat
a potential outbreak of bird flu HN51.
Researchers in Germany are developing radio frequency
identification (RFID) technology that will measure and transmit the
quality and condition of meat as well as enable processors to
identify products throughout the supply chain.
Bakery Equipment supplier Stable Micro Systems has developed a new
way of determining bread softness and freshness in pre-packaged
loaves - allowing manufacturers to test store-ready bread without
risking damage.
Time is running out for producers of specialist, cloth-bound cheese
in the UK as efforts stall in their bid to continue using a
chemical that is banned across the EU.
A new report into irradiation finds conflicting and inconsistent
regulatory approaches to the use of the technology worldwide, a
problem for multinational processors who are using the technique as
a food safety measure.
A redesigned automatic milk standardiser allows processors to
continually monitor fatcontent and eliminates the need for skilled
technical support, the manufacturers claim.
European confectionery giant Nestlé is feeling the heat from
consumer worries over health and nutrition with the closure of
three of the company's main facilities in France.
Malaysia's halal industry has joined up with global testing and
certification service Intertek to undertake the major task of
developing a set of international guidelines for the market.
A new analyser is capable of assessing a wide range of components
in milk within 60 seconds and is significantly cheaper than its
rivals, helping dairies to improve efficiency in quality control,
its manufacturer claims.