|
Show All articles
- Markham Vale Company Provides Jobs Boost For The Area
A Northern Ireland-based company is to move to Derbyshire County Council's flagship employment site bringing the number of new jobs created to 260 in the last eight months.
Ready Egg Products Ltd has selected Markham Vale - off M1 junction 29A near Che
- Westminster has been holding back Scottish economy for generations, says Sturgeon
UK economic decisions have been holding Scotland back "for generations," Nicola Sturgeon has claimed, as the Scottish Government prepared to publish a key report on the country's industrial strengths.
- Egg processor’s jobs boost for Derbyshire
A Northern Irish egg processor has applied for planning permission to build a Midlands-based processing unit that will create up to 50 jobs.
- Belfast Briefing: Capitalising on North’s rich heritage in the agri-food sector
If Jane Harnett ever needs a drop of inspiration when she is hard at work helping to get her latest business venture off the ground, she only needs to walk around the family farm.
Harnett’s family has been growing oilseeds in Northern Ireland since 165
- GMO-Free Moving Forward in New Products
Interest in natural products has grown markedly in recent years. This has been reflected in a number of ways in new product activity, such as the use of all natural colors, flavors and other raw materials. The popularity of organic products and the promot
- Emmi Launches New Range of ‘Healthy’ Dairy Products
In response to the market trend towards healthier lifestyles, Swiss dairy group Emmi has launched Good Day – a range of dairy products with less fat and sugar and more protein, and which are also lactose-free. In recent years, food-conscious consumers hav
- Atlantic Foods in transatlantic deal
Food manufacturer Atlantic Foods Group has been sold to Flagship Food Group – but its existing management structure will remain intact.
- The horsemeat scandal: has anything changed yet?
McDonald's may be promising an ethical McMuffin but 5% of European ready meals still appear to be contaminated
- The food apps that could be bad for your children's health
Kids enjoy food-based games – and tablets and smartphones offer a fun, interactive playing experience. But what happens when they are adverts for unhealthy processed food in disguise?
- Why is Britain obsessed with Italian restaurants?
As several major chains announce expansion plans, the march of the high street pasta and pizza outlet seems unstoppable. Is this great news for cash-strapped Britons? Or indicative of how the search for authentic Italian just got even harder
- How climate change is transforming British wine
The average temperature in Sussex is a degree warmer than it was for most of the 20th century, with practical implications for the region's vineyards
- Lettuce lovers: has Britain finally found a taste for salad?
Iceberg lettuce, tomato, a bit of cucumber: is the British salad still as sad as all that, or are we embracing more exotic ingredients? Or perhaps you have no truck with rabbit food
- 10 gross ingredients you didn't know were in your food
If you're still reeling from the horsemeat scandal, hold on to your hats – there may well be arsenic in your beer and rat hair in your chocolate
- Kids' restaurant menus: does it have to be chips with everything?
Studies have shown that children who eat the same food as adults are healthier. It's time to wave goodbye to chicken nuggets and pizzas
- Cott Expands UK Presence With Calypso Acquisition
Cott Corporation is extending its UK and European business with the acquisition of Calypso Soft Drinks, including Mr Freeze (Europe), for an undisclosed price. Calypso Soft Drinks is a privately owned soft drinks and freezable business based at Wrexham in
- NZ defends stance on UK lamb imports
New Zealand is not to blame for poor returns on UK and European sheep meat prices, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s chairman Mike Petersen.
- NFU refutes badger cull rumour
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has quashed rumours about the possibility of Gloucestershire pulling out of the badger cull, which is set to go ahead this summer.
In response to the rumours, NFU director of corporate affairs Tom Hind said they were a
- UK expert rejects latest red meat and heart disease study
A UK medical expert has rejected the findings of a new study which claimed to find a link between a chemical found in red meat and heart disease.
- Welsh Country Foods announces Anglesey closure
Welsh Country Foods (WCF) is due to close its lamb processing plant on Anglesey with immediate effect, causing an uncertain future for 310 employees, it was announced today.
- More horsemeat found in burgers
A new round of horsemeat has been found in two burgers from separate manufacturers, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reported today.
Burgers purchased from Nefyn Pizza & Kebab House in Gwynedd, manufactured by the Burger Manufacturing Company (BMC) an
- Horse abattoir told to stop trading
An abattoir which slaughters horses has been told to stop operating after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it failed to meet safety standards.
The Red Lion abattoir in Nantwich, owned by High Peak Meat Exports, was told yesterday to stop operations
- Horsemeat: Bute found in Asda corned beef
Traces of the horse drug phenylbutazone have been found in Asda’s own-brand corned beef, tests have confirmed.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) released a statement last night confirming the product – 340g tins of Smart Price Corned Beef – contained tra
- Fears for decline in Welsh lamb population
Due to recent bad weather and flock health problems, there are fears that Welsh lamb populations will decline over the next 12 months, according to Welsh red meat promotion body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC).
- Ice cream maker Fredericks Dairies sold for £49m
FAMILY-owned ice cream maker Fredericks Dairies has been sold for £49m to R&R Ice Cream, the pan-European group.Skelmersdale-based Fredericks, which makes ice creams and lollies for major food brands including Cadbury, Del Monte and Britvic, and was the s
- Waste not: Want not - a solution is needed soon
LIVESTOCK production is at the very heart of agriculture in Northern Ireland.
Our dairy, redmeat, pig and poultry industries underpin 30,000 jobs at farm level and many thousands more at processing level. Food output in Northern Ireland amounts to appr
- Food firm selected to launch in US
Kinsale’s Blue Haven Food Company has been selected by the Smurfit School of Business and the Irish Exporters’ Association as a case study to develop its business into the US market.
One of the two founders of the of the Blue Haven Food Company, Cormac F
- VION buyout safeguards 3,000 Welsh meat processing jobs
Nearly 3,000 jobs have been safeguarded at three poultry and meat processing plants in Wales after a buyout by a meat suppliers.
- Warburtons to Close Factory as £16 Million Marketing Campaign is Launched
Warburtons, the UK’s largest independent baker, is closing its plant in Blackpool with the loss of 55 jobs. Production at the factory is due to finish by the end of January.
“The last year has been particularly challenging due to a number of changeable
- Bacardi Enhances its Portfolio Through Acquisition
Bacardi, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, has acquired St-Germain, the super premium elderflower liqueur. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
St-Germain is a hand-crafted artisanal French liqueur made from 100% fresh, hand
- Dairy UK Commits to Reduce Water Usage
Dairy UK and WRAP have signed an agreement that will see Dairy UK become an official partner to the Federation House Commitment (FHC). The FHC is a voluntary commitment for UK food and drink manufacturers administered by WRAP. This contributes to a wider
- Pernod Ricard Completes Disposal
Pernod Ricard has completed the sale of the Danish aquavit brands Aalborg and Brøndums, the German brand Malteserkreuz Aquavit and the Danish bitter brand Gammel Dansk to Arcus-Gruppen for Eur103 million. The transaction also includes the sale of the Aalb
- 350 jobs under threat at Welsh Country Foods on Anglesey
HUNDREDS of jobs are under threat at an Anglesey abattoir after supermarket chain Asda halted its lamb contract.
- British food industry seeks new blood
As the UK economy struggles to grow, one sector could provide a huge boost and is crying out for new blood.
Food and drink producers represent the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affai
- Paramount Foods to close with 280 job losses
A DEAL to sell troubled pizza manufacturer Paramount Foods has failed and administrators say the company's two sites in Salford and North Wales will go into a "phased wind-down" with nearly 280 job losses.
Insolvency firm Duff & Phelps were appointed t
- Vion announces UK sell-off leading to job fears
A food group which employs over 3,300 meat and poultry processing workers in Wales says it is selling all its operations in Britain.
- Scottish Food Industry Must Look To the East for Future Growth
Scottish food and drink manufacturers must expand their horizons beyond the threatened Eurozone economies, a new report by the Fraser of Allander Institute and accountants PwC has warned.
- Greenhalgh's sees costs rise
NORTH WEST bakery chain Greenhalgh's saw was hit by higher raw material costs as the price of wheat and energy rose last year, according to its latest annual accounts.The Bolton company, which has a bakery in Lostock, 60 shops across the region and employ
- Ideas are key to success in new food product development
The food industry is a key contributor to economic activity in Ireland.
It creates sustainable employment, adds value to primary produce and is an integral part of the strategy to increase exports from this country.
However, changes in the global fo
- Food industry can be world leader in sustainability
As the world seeks to expand food production by 70 per cent over the next four decades, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost a similar order, sustainability has become a major issue for the global food industry. It is an area in which Ireland, bu
- Young's net accolade
GRIMSBY'S biggest private employer, Young's Seafood Ltd, has been named Protein Manufacturing Company of the Year at the prestigious Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.
It is recognition of the work undertaken to encourage consumers to meet governmen
- Trio tussle for industry gongs Trusted article source icon
HILTON Herbs of Crewkerne, Wyke Farms of Bruton and Gooch & Housego of Ilminster are all up for awards in tonight's first Made in the South West Awards
The Somerset firms will be among companies from across the South West region gathering at the City C
- Grand Island voters approve economic development renewal
“It’s great to see the strong support,” said Marlan Ferguson, president of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp., which administers the program. “It means that what we’ve done over the last nine years has been successful. People really believe
- Pies the limit for firms after receiving grants
TWO northern Lincolnshire companies are set to benefit from cash injections as part of a £10 million Regional Growth Fund pot.
Cleethorpes-based building contractor Manta Shopfitter Ltd will be handed £166,950 towards an expansion that sees it opening
- Manufacturing SMEs Predicting Growth
Manufacturing SMEs in England are predicting an increase in sales over the next six months according to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer.
55 percent of the 607 companies questioned expect to grow between October and March 2013,
- Permanent contracts for Carlisle food factory's agency staff
The posts will be filled by agency workers who work there already but without the security of a permanent contract.
The operation at Durranhill employs 1,000 people – 800 employed by Cavaghan & Gray and 200 through the agency Staffline.
The announce
- Cargill fined after worker loses fingers
MULTI-NATIONAL food ingredients producer Cargill has been fined £35,000 after one of its employees lost three fingers in machinery at a factory in Trafford Park.The 46-year-old from Boothstown in Salford, who has asked not to be named, was trying to clear
- Ireland's food producers need to extend sustainability beyond 'greenness' - Grant Thornton
Ireland’s food and beverage industry needs to extend the sustainability agenda beyond the ‘greenness’ of food production to include the financial stability of the sector and the sharing of risk, reward, and effort across all participants in the supply ch
- Barilla Opens New €40 Million Pasta Sauce Factory
Italian food group Barilla has opened a new pasta sauce production facility in Rubbiano di Solignano, near Parma, following investment of more than Eur40 million. Despite the challenging economic climate, Barilla is demonstrating its strong ties and commi
- Scotch Whisky Exports Remain at Record Levels
Scotch whisky exports maintained their value in the first half of 2012 at £1.8 billion, despite continuing pressure in some Eurozone countries and the after-effect of an increase of shipments to France last year ahead of a substantial tax rise. In the fir
- United Kingdom Cider Market Insights
The exceptionally cool and wet weather in Quarter 3 will have repercussions on the UK cider market, according to Canadean. The UK has a long tradition of cider consumption but historically this has been restricted to certain regions; the West Country and
- Emmi Acquires Stake in German Organic Dairy Company
Swiss dairy group Emmi, through its organic products subsidiary Molkerei Biedermann, is entering into a strategic partnership with German organic dairy Glaserne Molkerei, by acquiring a 24% stake in the company. Glaserne Molkerei is a leading organic milk
- Quaker Oat So Simple Celebrates £80 Million Milestone
Quaker Oat So Simple (OSS) has become an £80 million brand in the UK, up £10 million in just five months. Patrick Kalotis, group marketing director of Quaker and Tropicana, comments: “With this success, we are realising our ambition which has been to brea
- Cereal Partners Worldwide to Reduce Sugar Content of Brands
Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), Nestlé’s 50/50 joint venture with General Mills, has committed to reducing the sugar content of 20 Nestlé breakfast cereal brands popular with children and teenagers to 9g or less per serving by the end of 2015. The change
- First Milk Launches Sustainability Report
British dairy co-operative First Milk has launched its first sustainability report which lays out details of the company’s integrated programme to drive economic, environmental and ethical sustainability in its supply chain. In creating this programme, Fi
- UK Online Food and Grocery to be Worth £11 Billion in 5 Years
The UK online food and grocery market is set to be worth £11.1 billion by 2017, almost double its current value of £5.6 billion, according to the latest research published by IGD. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% between 2012
- Carr's names new CEO in executive shake-up
CARR'S Milling Industries, the Carlisle-based agriculture, food and engineering group, has announced a top-level executive shake-up.Current chairman Lord Richard Inglewood will retire on February 28 next year after seven years in the role, prompting long-
- Lossie Seafoods Scoops Top Honours at Food Awards
SCOTLAND, UK - It was a double celebration for Lossie Seafoods as it scooped a prestigious export award in recognition of its success in developing new markets for premium Scottish smoked salmon, whilst its former sales director Charlie Devin, who is now
- Vion’s Broxburn plant in Scotland to close
Management of Vion Foods, owners of the Halls meat processing plant in Broxburn, Scotland, have finally confirmed that they intend to close the Broxburn factory by February 2013.
A total of 1,700 contracted and agency workers and the thousands of famil
- Kerry Group to Invest €100 Million in Global Technology & Innovation Centre in Ireland
Kerry Group, the global ingredients, flavours and consumer foods group, is to establish an industry-leading Global Technology & Innovation Centre in Ireland to serve the group’s customers in its EMEA Region. Located on a 28 acre site at Naas in County Kil
- UK Food and Drink Companies Continue to be Optimistic
For the first time since the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Business Confidence survey was launched in 2010, food and drink business leaders have reported positive levels of optimism for consecutive quarters. Despite continuing uncertainty in the UK ec
- Contract Manufacturing Market in Europe to Double to €15 Billion by 2020
The European contract manufacturing market in food and beverages is expected to roughly double in size by 2020, driven by underlying demand growth, market share gains of ‘A-brands’ and increased levels of outsourcing activity, according to a new report by
- New $15 Million Nestlé Research Collaboration Seeks Alternatives to Salt
Nestlé is establishing a collaboration with a US life sciences company, Chromocell Corporation, to identify compounds with the potential to be used as taste-giving ingredients in a range of foods. The collaborative project will help advance Nestlé’s nutri
- Carlsberg to Invest €25 Million on Environmental Projects in Russia
Carlsberg Group, the world’s fourth largest brewer, and its subsidiary Baltika Breweries, Russia’s largest beer company, are to invest up to 1 billion Rubles (around Eur25 million) in environmental projects in Russia related to water, agriculture and clim
- Cargill’s New Managing Director Cocoa Focuses on Innovation and Customer Service
Philippe Huet (pictured) has been appointed as the new Managing Director Cocoa for Cargill’s cocoa & chocolate business. He takes over from Harold Poelma, who made a major contribution to establishing the company’s leadership in cocoa, and has now taken u
- Givaudan Opens New Production Facility in Hungary
Givaudan, the global fragrance and flavour company, has formally opened its new best-in-class, manufacturing facility dedicated to savoury flavours in Mako, Hungary. Designed to serve its customers more efficiently in the Europe, Africa and Middle East (E
- Absolut – The Pearlfisher Relationship
Famous for previously having redefined the vodka category, Absolut were looking for a new strategy that would elevate the brand from its competitors who were trying to imitate its innovative and iconic design. At the time, Pearlfisher’s Insight programme
- TUC March: 2. Modern trade unionism – a north-south divide?
In the second of her posts on Saturday's TUC march in London, Ann Czernik talks to Brian Golding of the GMB union about modern trade unionism in the north and why the government needs to realise that the pie and pint days are over. The regions' trade unio
- Which firms are listed on the ISEQ 20?
The ISEQ 20 Index is made up of the 20 largest and most liquid companies quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange.
- Weather-beaten UK farmers lament a dismal year for food production
It's been the worst year in living memory," says Jonathan Lukies, who farms 288 hectares (720 acres) of arable and fruit orchards near Stansted, Essex. "It was horrific."
This year's weather has been a rollercoaster for British farmers that most now ju
- Dey welcomes food and drink success story
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey has welcomed research showing the success of Scotland’s booming food and drink industry is set to continue, with nearly half of the £10 billion industry increasing investment to target new export markets over the next year.
- Limerick fares well in new Irish Food Guide
THERE is a “continuing boom” for Irish artisan food producers according to food critic John McKenna when he launched the 10th Irish Food Guide this week.
“There is no recession in Irish quality food,” he argues. “In fact, the best food producers, resta
- Dairy giant Kerry’s job pot of gold
NEARLY 1,300 jobs are to be created at a massive new food technology centre.
Dairy giant Kerry Group will pour €100MILLION into the plant at Naas, Co Kildare.
More than 800 positions are up for grabs within three years with another 100 coming on str
- Kerry Group to create 900 jobs
Global food company Kerry Group is to create 900 jobs at a new facility in Co Kildare.
In a 100 million euro investment the firm will build a technology and innovation centre near Naas.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny attended the announcement in the Shelbourn
- Food giant creates 1,300 jobs with €100m expansion
THE country’s biggest food company today served up a massive employment boost that will create 1,300 jobs over the next four years.
The Kerry Group unveiled plans for a €100m global technology and innovation centre in Naas, Co Kildare.
- Honorary Degree For Marston’s Head
Ralph Findlay, chief executive of Marston’s, one of the UK’s leading pub and brewery companies, has been presented with an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton. The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration recognises his contri
- Record Sales at Finsbury Food Group
Finsbury Food Group, the UK manufacturer of cake, bread and gluten free bakery goods, has exceeded the £200 million turnover barrier for the first time. Reflecting significant organic growth across all its divisions, and despite the impact of commodity an
- Kellogg Company Enters Joint Venture in China
Kellogg Company and Wilmar International, Asia’s leading agribusiness group, have formed a 50:50 joint venture for the manufacture, sale and distribution of cereals, snacks and savory snacks in China. Wilmar will contribute infrastructure, supply chain sc
- AG Barr Continues to Outperform UK Soft Drinks Market
UK soft drinks producer AG Barr continues to outperform the market with revenue in the 6 months to 28 July 2012 up by 4.9% to £130.0 million and volume ahead by 2.8% compared to the similar period in the prior year. However, after including the impact of
- Satisfactory Performance From Aryzta
Specialty bakery group Aryzta has reported an 8.5% rise in revenue to Eur4.21 billion with EBITA up by 12.9% to Eur444.1 million for the year ended July 31st 2012. Aryzta’s core food group business increased EBITA by 16.3% to Eur374.8 million on revenue u
- The World’s First Pilsner Celebrates 170 Years of Brewing
On October 5, 2012 the original golden beer, Pilsner Urquell, will begin celebrations for its 170th anniversary in the lager’s hometown of Pilsen in Czech Republic. The event in Pilsen Square will feature dynamic musical and theatrical performances, Czech
- Pizza-maker Paramount Foods falls into administration
FRESH and frozen pizza manufacturer Paramount Foods, which employs around 450 people at sites in Salford and Deeside, has been placed into administration after losing a key contract from supermarket group Morrisons.
- Hundreds of human trafficking victims being used as slave labour in Wales
Hundreds of human trafficking victims are being used as slave labour in businesses across Wales, police suspect.
Hotels, restaurants, takeaways, shops, farms, factories and nail bars are being looked at by officers investigating “corrupt employment age
- Boost for Forres as food production firm aims to expand into the town
A food production site in Forres that closed two years ago with the loss of 18 jobs is set for a new lease of life following a Scottish Government grant.
The ANM Group's Highland Country Food processing site in Forres is the subject of a purchase bid b
- Food firm wins £15m contract
MANUFACTURING giant Premier Foods has landed a £15 million contract extension from the Ministry of Justice.
The group, which employs around 700 people at Manor Bakeries in Trent Vale, above, is to supply all publicly-run prisons in England and Wales wi
- Snack bar company Wholebake in £1m expansion
A FOOD manufacturer specialising in healthy snack bars is investing nearly £1m in an expansion project to meet demand for its products in the UK and overseas.
Corwen based Wholebake has had £250,000 support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth F
- SHP: Dairy fined after explosion destroys cheese factory roof
According to the Safety & Health Practitioner, a dairy firm has been fined £20,000 following a major explosion at its cheese factory in Cumbria.
The website says the incident took place at Aspatria Creamery in Aspatria on 29 July 2010. The explosion to
- The food sector will generate jobs and lead recovery
After the elimination of the milk quota, Ireland's output can grow 50 per cent by 2020 -- the extra output will be worth up to €1.5bn
IRELAND is going through a painful re-adjustment as a consequence of too high a dependence on too few economic sectors
- Agri-food exports 12% higher last year
AGRI-FOOD EXPORTS increased by 12 per cent last year and gained footholds in new markets, but Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has warned that challenging times lie ahead for farmers and food processors.
Publishing the Department of Agriculture a
- Fruity science halves fat in chocolate
It may not make chocolate one of your five a day - but scientists have found a way to replace up to 50 per cent of its fat content with fruit juice.
University of Warwick chemists have taken out much of the cocoa butter and milk fats that go into choco
- Trade unions facilitate meat processing plant closures in Scotland
Fully one month after the news that Vion Foods intends to close its Broxburn meat processing plant, not a single protest meeting has been called and no demonstrations have been organised.
No expressions of dissent have been allowed to emerge at all ove
- Taskforce seeks buyer to turn round Hall’s of Broxburn fortunes
POTENTIAL buyers are being sought who could run the closure-threatened Hall’s of Broxburn food plant “profitably and successfully” in an effort to save 1,700 jobs at the plant, finance secretary John Swinney has confirmed.
• John Swinney cautious after
- Food, drink sector vital for jobs, says Ibec
SOME 30,000 new jobs could be created by the Irish food and drink industry by 2020, according to a new report by Food and Drink Industry Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the food industry.
According to the report, Sharing the Harvest: the Food a
- Fire at Ball Packaging Europe’s Wrexham beverage can plant
The beverage can giant said it was still evaluating the damage with a view to restoring the plant to full production as soon as possible.
North Wales Fire & Rescue Service crews were first called to Ball Packaging Europe’s beverage can plant in Wrexham
- Farmers hold protest over money received for products
Northern Ireland farmers are holding a protest later over the gap between what money they receive for food produce and what customers pay.
In a bid to highlight the disparity, the Ulster Farmers' Union is setting up a shop at its headquarters on Belfas
- Extreme weather conditions driving up the cost of food production in Ireland
The last five weeks of wet conditions in Ireland and the severe weather front in the United States are affecting the cost of food production in Ireland. Met Éireann has already confirmed that June was the wettest since records began, for most of the count
- Scottish Food & Drink Conference
Scotland has some of the best food and drink in the world. Our whisky is the stuff of legend, Scottish seafood is a global delicacy and innovative manufacturers are transforming traditional produce into contemporary products.
- Fury at sausage factory job chop
A campaign is underway to save 140 jobs which are under threat at a sausage production plant in Glasgow's East End.
Freshlink foods in Shettleston is the second Scottish meat factory facing the chop this month after the shock closure announcement at Ha
- Morrisons set to announce milk payment changes next week
Morrisons plans to announce changes to the way it pays its milk farmers next week, the UK retailer said today (20 July).
The company has come under pressure from farming groups over the way it pays for its supplies of milk.
According to pressure gro
- Food for thought: How to get a job in food manufacturing
As we continue our campaign to Get Britain Working we have discovered 15,537 jobs in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
And with the industry now the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, with a turnover of more than £80 billion and employing more t
- Nestle Conducts Experiments in Zero Gravity With the European Space Agency
Nestle is using zero gravity research to develop its understanding of the foam technology used in its products. The study could help Nestle scientists create better air bubbles in chocolate, coffee, dairy and pet food.
Scientists at the Nestle Research
- PET Chosen by Asda For Sustainability and Convenience Benefits
ASDA is launching its Chosen by You salad dressings in a new 250ml PET bottle, designed and produced by APPE, which offers significant consumer convenience and sustainability benefits. The PET bottle has produced a 90% weight reduction over the glass bott
- Coca-Cola Pilots Innovative Water Recovery System and Wins IWA Award
The Coca-Cola Company has developed and tested at commercial scale a first-of-its-kind beverage process water recovery system to produce high-quality water that meets and/or exceeds drinking water standards for use in non-product activities such as clean-
- Cost of Britvic Product Recall Increases
Britvic’s recall of all Robinsons Fruit Shoot and Fruit Shoot Hydro packs featuring the new design cap is now expected to adversely impact on group profit before tax by between £15 million and £25 million across the current and next financial year. This i
- Remy Cointreau Group Has Taste For Scotch Whisky
Remy Cointreau Group, the French spirits and liqueurs group, has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Scotch malt whisky product Bruichladdich Distillery Company. Founded in 1881, Bruichladdich is a renowned distiller of premium single malt Scot
- Carr’s to Build New £17 Million Flour Mill
Carr’s Milling Industries, the UK agriculture, food and engineering group, has approved the construction of a £17 million state-of-the art flour mill adjacent to the Port of Kirkcaldy in Scotland. The decision was taken following a board review of a ran
- Irish Dairy Board Strengthens UK Food Ingredients Business
The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) has acquired The Cheese Warehouse, a UK-based cheese ingredients company. This strategic acquisition will further strengthen the IDB’s position in the UK food ingredients and food service sectors, a key market for Irish dairy e
- Hundreds of jobs lost as factory closure
A FOOD processing factory is to close at the end of next week with the loss of all but a handful of its 350 jobs.
Kerry Foods, Durham City’s third largest private-sector employer, will cease production at its Dragonville plant, in Gilesgate Moor, on Fr
- Greencore bites into a tasty sandwich
What is Britain's most impressive manufacturing facility? The first places that come to mind are BAE's monster submarine factory in Barrow-in-Furness or Arm's microchip facility in Cambridge.
- Scottish meat processing plant closure threatens 1,700 jobs
Around 1,700 jobs are under threat in the small town of Broxburn, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Food processing firm Vion UK has threatened to close its Hall’s of Broxburn pig slaughter and processing plant.
This affects 1,150 permanent and 595 agency work
- VION UK Announces Hall’s of Broxburn at Risk of Closure
VION Food UK has announced it could be forced to close its loss making site, Hall’s of Broxburn, employing over 1,700 people, despite investing heavily in the site over the last four years in an attempt to stem huge losses. The Scottish site has continued
- Diageo Launches Chinese White Spirit Shui Jing Fang into GB Market
Diageo has launched Chinese white spirit brand, Shui Jing Fang, into the GB domestic market. Great Britain is the first European market to stock Shui Jing Fang as part of Diageo’s strategy to build it as an internationally recognised brand.
Shui Jing F
- Catastrophic Cuts Threaten UK Dairy Industry
The NFU (National Farmers Union) has strongly condemned the latest round of milk price cuts after three major dairy processors, who supply fresh liquid milk into the UK market place, issued notices for reductions. Robert Wiseman Dairies, Arla Foods UK and
- Cranswick Expands Cooked Meats Business
UK food processor Cranswick has acquired Kingston Foods for an undisclosed sum. Kingston is a producer of premium cooked and roasted meat products and at 27 January 2012 had gross assets of £3.7 million. The acquisition of Kingston strengthens Cranswick’s
- Risks For Public Health in Poultry Meat Inspection
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion published recently, suggests that traditional poultry meat inspection may not suffice to fully address the most relevant biological hazards to public health – Campylobacter spp., Salmonella sp
- UK Reprocessing Plant to Boost Beverage Carton Recycling Rates
The Alliance for Beverage Cartons & the Environment (ACE) UK has signed an agreement with paper and packaging producer, Sonoco Alcore, to establish the UK’s only beverage carton reprocessing facility at its UK plant near Halifax, West Yorkshire. The plant
- Accident Prevention in the Food and Drink Industry
More than 5,000 injuries within the UK food and drink manufacturing sector are reported to the Health and Safety Executive each year, representing about a quarter of all the reported injuries in manufacturing. Manual handling and slips and trips are the m
- Sunflower Lecithin From Cargill – An Alternative Emulsifier For Chocolate and Cocoa Products
Demand for sunflower lecithin is rising and is most marked in chocolate confectionery and bakery products. From 2010-2011 the amount of sunflower lecithin used in chocolate confectionery increased by more than 60% – a growth rate which is forecast to cont
- Subway to appeal toasted sandwich tax
Sandwich franchise chain Subway will appear in the High Court on 23 July over the 20% VAT added to its toasted subs.
The firm, which was named the biggest bakery franchisee in British Baker's BB75 list, will fight to appeal against a ruling made two ye
- Garth Bakery moves into Tesco
Garth Bakery has agreed to supply 35 Tesco stores in South Wales with nine of its bakery lines as part of a new contract.
The wholesale and craft bakery in Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taff, has signed its first deal with the supermarket last week and will
- Bruton aims for 20,000 factory jobs with expert group help
JOBS Minister Richard Bruton is setting up an expert group to try to create 20,000 more factory jobs -- exactly six years after Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was warned manufacturing needed special attention.
And the new group is being established
- Axe to fall on jobs at Border Laird factory in Amble
A FOOD factory in a Northumberland seaside town is to close with the loss of nearly 40 jobs.
The Border Laird site at Amble is to close, it was announced yesterday, with 38 staff faced with being out of work.
The decision to close follows the collap
- UK's Green Food Project too vague, says WWF
(Reuters) - A UK government project to overhaul the UK's food system to meet rising global demand without harming the environment, yet keeping prices affordable, drew criticism for its lack of clear time lines and targets.
- Green food report favours home-grown curry
It said it could become possible if the UK's climate changes, as could growing chickpeas "for roti-bread flour".
Experts involved in the government-convened Green Food Project also called for improvements in yields, resource efficiency and wildlife pro
- Barry Callebaut delivers top-line growth
Barry Callebaut has reported an 8.4% rise in sales revenue in its latest financial results.
In the nine-month period for the fiscal year 2011/12, the global cocoa and chocolate producer increased sales volumes by 6.6% to over one million tonnes, with a
- Premier sells ethnic flour business to ABF
Premier Foods has signed a deal to sell its Elephant Atta ethnic flour business to Associated British Foods (ABF) for a cash consideration of £34m.
The firm announced the news this morning and said the move to sell its ethnic flour business to ABF’s We
- Cornish bakery fined by HSE
Crantock Bakery has been fined £14,000 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a cleaner got caught-up in the unguarded machinery of a moving conveyor belt at its factory.
The bakery was also ordered to pay £15,000 in costs in the case brought b
- Cranswick acquires premium cooked meat business
Leading meat processor Cranswick has snapped up a small premium cooked and roasted meat business, acquiring the entire issued share capital of Kingston Foods for an undisclosed sum.
A statement from Cranswick said: “The acquisition of Kingston strength
- Morrisons overall winner of SuperMeat & Fish Awards 2012
Morrisons were announced retailer of the year at last night’s SuperMeat & Fish awards, which was held at the Hilton Park Lane on Thursday 5 July.
The company fought off strong competition at the prestigious event, which was hosted by Gethin Jones. Andr
- BPC welcomes EFSA scientific opinion on poultry inspection
A recent scientific report produced by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on poultry meat inspection has been welcomed by the British Poultry Council (BPC).
The report, which outlines epidemiological indicators for food-borne biological hazards
- Hall's of Broxburn closure: Task force aims to save jobs
Dutch food company Vion said the site - which employs 1,700 people - had recorded "unsustainable losses".
The National Farmers Union in Scotland has warned that if the processing plant is lost, there could be wide implications for the pork industry.
- AB InBev Consolidates Global Leadership With $20.1 Billion Acquisition
Anheuser-Busch InBev has agreed to acquire the remaining stake in Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo that it does not already own for $20.1 billion. The combination is expected to yield annual synergies of at least $600 million and add the Corona brand to the AB
- Dairy Crest to Sell St Hubert For €430 Million
Dairy Crest, the UK’s leading dairy foods company, has received a binding offer from Montagu Private Equity to acquire St Hubert, the French branded spreads business, for a cash consideration of Eur430 million (£3441 million).
- Danone Expands in Morocco With €550 Million Acquisition
Danone is paying Eur550 million to increase its stake from 29.2% to 67% in Moroccan dairy company Centrale Laitiere. Danone has held its 29.2% shareholding since 2001.
- Profits Slump at Warburtons
Rising raw materials costs and a decline in the UK bakery market have impacted on the financial performance of Warburtons. Pre-tax profits at the UK’s largest independent baker fell by more than a third from £26 million to £16.3 million for the year ended
- Arla’s Proposed German and UK Dairy Mergers Approved
Arla Foods’ board of representatives has approved the dairy group’s proposed mergers with the German Milch-Union Hocheifel and British Milk Link. The board of representatives voted in favour of the two mergers by a large majority as did the members of the
- Update on Irish Dairy Processing Joint Venture
Glanbia, the Irish and global nutritionals solutions and cheese group, is continuing to hold discussions with its majority shareholder, Glanbia Co-operative Society, to create a joint venture (40% Glanbia and 60% the Society) in respect of its Irish dairy
- Greencore Makes Further Platform Acquisition in the US
Greencore has further strengthened its business in the US with the acquisition of HC Schau & Son, a fresh food manufacturer with facilities in Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida. The acquisition, which is worth up to $19 million, will form a cri
- Molson Coors Completes €2.65 Acquisition
Molson Coors Brewing Company has completed its previously announced acquisition of StarBev for approximately €2.65 billion. Mark Hunter, chief executive of Molson Coors UK & Ireland business, will serve as chief executive of the new business unit, which h
- Premier Foods to Dispose of Vinegar and Sour Pickles Business
Premier Foods is selling its vinegar and sour pickles business, including the Sarson’s, Haywards and Dufrais brands, to Japan-based Mizkan, for a cash consideration of £41 million. The sale is expected to complete by the end of July 2012.
The disposal
- Sale of Wiseman Stake Lifts First Milk
UK dairy co-operative First Milk has delivered a robust performance and solid financial results for the year to 31 March 2012. Pre-tax profits increased from £7.2 million in 2011 to £13.3 million but £9.6 million of this figure relates to the profit made
- Arla Foods Secures Major Chinese Infant Nutrition Deal
Biostime International Holdings, a premium provider of high-end pediatric nutritional and baby care products in China, has signed a 10-year financing and supply agreement with Arla Foods. The agreement is aimed at securing Biostime sufficient production c
- UK Vegetarian Foods Market to Expand Further in the Future
Despite the recession, UK sales of vegetarian foods increased over the past five years, rising by 7.7% from £730.4 million in the year ending January 2007 to £786.5 million in the year ending January 2011, although observing slow growth of 0.9% in 2010, a
- Hillshire Brands Company is New Name For Sara Lee’s North American Business
Sara Lee has chosen Hillshire Brands Company as the new name for its North American business. Sara Lee will become two independent pure-play, publicly-traded companies on June 28, 2012. DE Master Blenders 1753 will focus on international coffee and tea an
- Greencore Selling Chilled Desserts Plant to Muller UK
Greencore is disposing of its chilled desserts facility in Minsterley to the Muller Dairy UK for £4.3 million. Under the terms of the disposal, ownership of the facility will transfer to Muller and the co-packing arrangement for Cadbury chilled desserts w
- Heineken UK Launches Strongbow Pear Cider
With innovation continuing to be the main growth driver in the cider category, Heineken, the UK’s leading beer and cider business, has announced the launch of multi-million campaign to transform the Strongbow brand, the UK’s biggest selling cider worth £8
- Science needs to spark a bumper harvest
Innovation in agriculture needs to speed up dramatically if food production is to increase to meet the world’s growing needs, writes JOHN REYNOLDS
RADICAL SCIENCE and innovation in farming will be vital to produce the food that the world will need by
- Have your say on Scottish Vocational Qualification
Food businesses and specialist food industry training providers in Scotland are being invited to contribute to a major review of the Scottish Vocational Qualification in Food Manufacture.
The review, five years after the qualification was originally la
- ‘Incorrect and inconsistent’: Food businesses criticised over allergen controls
THE FOOD SAFETY Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said that allergen controls and labelling on food is in many cases inconsistent and sometimes incorrect and called for manufacturers to strengthen their polices.
The FSAI’s audit of a selection of 12 smal
- Barry Callebaut undertakes expansion projects for North America
Investing in additional capacity in North America
Expanding liquid and chocolate molding capacity in Northeast
Establishing Midwest presence with agreement to purchase the assets of a facility in Chatham, Ontario
- Brewdog announces forty new jobs and record growth
BrewDog is set to recruit 40 new staff, kick start a graduate recruitment programme, complete an £8m low-carbon craft brewing facility and open three craft beer bars in the next three months.
Despite continued pessimism surrounding the global economic
- IDB announces intention to sell Belgian cheese subsidiary
The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Belgian continental cheese packing operation, IDB Belgium N.V. to Royal FrieslandCampina N.V..
- Heineken N.V. acquires Belgian cider innovator Stassen Ciders
Heineken N.V. today announced that it has acquired Stassen S.A., a leading international cider innovator located in Aubel, Belgium, from its current management. In addition to its strong research and development (R&D) capabilities and facilities, the acqu
- New manufacturing innovations unveiled at Cambridge University
Eleven diverse design projects were displayed at the Institute for Manufacturing, a division of Cambridge University’s Engineering department, on June 6 to mark the end of a year-long project.
The Design Show is part of the Manufacturing Engineering Tr
- Excellence awards
Two local firms have been recognised at the 2012 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
The Environmental Sustainability award went to The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven, which prides itself on sustainable sourcing and minimises the environmental impac
- Food plant closing continues loss of manufacturing jobs in Bedford
Frozen foods have been coming out of the Brooks Food Group plant for more than 40 years.
On Monday, the Bedford-based company sent out its final shipments, marking the end for yet another Bedford manufacturer.
"It's a big impact on the city," said B
- Diageo unveils £1bn investment in Scotch whisky over the next five years
Drinks giant Diageo has announced £1billion investment in Scotch whisky production over the next five years.
The firm says it plans to build a new malt distillery as well as a major expansion programme of their existing plants.
Diageo say they also
- Over 1,000 to ‘See Inside’ Britain’s largest manufacturing sector
As government’s ‘See Inside Manufacturing' initiative enters its second year and extends into food and drink factories, the Food and Drink Federation reports that almost 1,250 students and teachers are set to visit companies in the sector.
Following ex
- Coca-Cola bottle it up to keep energy costs down
Coca-Cola Europe aims to bring energy conservation to the mass market by reducing "the carbon footprint of the drink in your hand by a third".
It has set a carbon reduction target of 15% on 2007 levels and plans to so
- Food industry supports 900 jobs in Haslemere
The Food industry supports 900 jobs in Haslemere.
A new study by the Campaign to Protect Rural England also shows the industry is worth nearly £20 million a year to the town.
The jobs are in farming, food production and shops.
For the first time
- Who wants to eat a cold pasty? How U-turn means you’ll still probably have to pay at least 50p more for Britain's favourite hot snacks
The hated ‘pasty tax’ is to be reversed but many will still pay more to have the delicious snack warm, it has been revealed.
George Osborne has decided that as long as hot takeaway food is cooling naturally, it will not be subject to 20 per cent VAT, a
- Good to bee back! Extinct species returns to Britain after 24 years
A bumblebee declared extinct 24 years ago has been reintroduced to Britain.
Fifty short-haired bumblebees were released this morning at a reserve in Dungeness, Kent where they had once thrived.
The species used to be widespread in England but popula
- FOOD INDUSTRY TRAINING COURSES NOW AVAILABLE
From our dealings with food industry clients, we know that job opportunities can sometimes be missed if a candidate doesn’t have a full set of qualifications.
- New skills at factory
SKILLS Minister John Hayes MP has visited Thorntons headquarters in Somercotes to meet the country’s first 17 qualified apprentices in Food Manufacturing Excellence.
They are the first people in England and Wales to have achieved the qualification, whi
- PepsiCo Eyes Alcoholic Beverage Production
PepsiCo plans to start producing alcoholic cider, mead and a traditional sweet drink called sbiten, the company has told the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Kommersant reported Friday.
The company tried to register its Russian Gift trademark
- Dr. Oetker Welcomes Investment by Government of Canada in North American Production Facility
LONDON, ON, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - At an event held this morning, Dr. Oetker Canada, the maker of many beloved frozen pizza brands, dessert brands and dry baking mixes for both retail and food service, welcomed the announcement of federal funding support fo
- FDF apprentice targets on track
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has revealed that UK food and drink manufacturers are on target to meet their pledge to double the number of apprenticeships to 3,400 by the end of 2012.
According to the latest statistics from the National Apprentic
- 321 jobs will be created at two Young's Seafood factories in Grimsby
A TOTAL of 321 jobs are to be created at two Young's Seafood factories in Grimsby.
The huge boost comes as the company consolidates operations from three corners of England into the town following a massive review of production by the fish processing g
- Girvan factory job losses will be a massive blow to unemployment
UNEMPLOYMENT in Girvan looks set to soar by a massive 16 per cent if Nestlé goes ahead with its plan to axe jobs.
That’s the claim this week from Union chiefs following news that 20 posts could go at the town’s plant.
In a report published by the GM
- Scottish Apprenticeship Week
Marking this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF) is pleased to reveal that UK food and drink manufacturers are well on target to meet their pledge to double the number of apprenticeships in the industry by th
- Assurances given over food jobs
HUNDREDS of jobs are set to be axed with the likely closure of two food factories – but assurances have been given that this will not impact ongoing talks over the future of an Amble site.
Earlier this week, Young’s Seafood Limited confirmed that it co
- McCain Foods dumps Ballarat potato growers
ANGRY potato farmers have lashed out at manufacturing giant McCain Foods after learning they could be out of jobs by the end of the week.
Ballarat farmers expect to bear the full brunt of McCain’s cutbacks in production, with the majority to either hav
- Alternate engineering, anyone?
CHENNAI: Material Science and Engineering started in 2006, this combines the basics of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. It has a mix of various subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Nanotechnology, Manufacturing, Metallurgy, Smart Materi
- Growing pet food firm celebrates US investment deal
A CARMARTHENSHIRE pet food business has seen investment from an America private equity firm.
Swander Pace Capital has completed a deal with Cambrian Pet Foods Limited.
Managing director of Cambrian Pet Foods David Davies said: "The investment by Swa
- Tax on sugar not so sweet for business
TThe new tax being imposed on manufactured goods that contain sugar - products such as jams and ketchup - will cause companies to layoff employees and, in some cases, completely shut down factories.
Seven out of ten food manufacturers surveyed by Dansk
- Deputy Labor Secretary talks food processing at RIT
Deputy Labor Secretary Seth Harris was in Rochester Monday checking in on a federally-funded program designed to boost the region's food processing industry.
Harris spoke at RIT to a body of local leaders about how government can team up with both high
- Mars Petcare, Nutro break ground on innovation center
Mars Petcare and The Nutro Co. broke ground May 22 on an $87 million Regional Innovation Center in Thompson's Station, Tenn., just south of Nashville. The four-building campus will serve as the companies' home base for creating future pet care innovations
- Dairy sector will create 15,000 jobs once EU milk quotas end: economist
Ireland’s dairy sector will create 15,0000 jobs after EU milk quota restrictions end in 2015, said independent economist Ciaran Fitzgerald yesterday at the National Dairy Council conference.
Mr Fitzgerald estimates 5,000 jobs will be created in milk pr
- Foster praise for agri-food sector
ENTERPRISE Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated the agri-food sector on its economic success at the Balmoral Show’s Ulster Bank lunch.
During her address to an audience of industry leaders, the minister acknowledged the difficult economic climate a
- Grimsby lands double boost for jobs in seafood industry
GRIMSBY was delivered a boost today with superbrand Young's Seafood poised to bring further jobs to the town and supermarket giant Morrisons granted planning permission for its multi-million-pound seafood plant.
The news comes just days after plans wer
- Food Education Funding Secured For Scottish Pupils
he Scottish Food and Drink Federation’s (SFDF)1 Schools Programme, A Future in Food,2 has secured ongoing funding from the Scottish Government worth £270,000 over three years.3 A Future in Food is SFDF’s national programme to help teachers, pupils and par
- From M&S to whisky – China's middle class snap up western goods
British food and drink producers and retailers are proving there really is a market for selling tea to China
British favourites such as baked beans and cream of mushroom soup have proved an unlikely hit with Chinese shoppers at Marks & Spencer's flagsh
- 100 jobs could be created as new seafood firm is launched in Grimsby
A TOTAL of 100 jobs could be created in the coming year, with more likely to follow, as a new seafood processing business is launched in Grimsby.
Five private investors have united to finance the new operation, which will take over the vacant Mariner F
- 50 jobs lost as Glanbia ends Yoplait franchise
APPROXIMATELY 50 jobs are to go at Glanbia’s manufacturing site at Inch, Co Wexford, following the company’s decision to end its franchise agreement with Yoplait.
The Irish plc announced yesterday that it has sold back the franchise rights to Yoplait f
- AM Elin Jones' fears for Rachel's future in Aberystwyth
An AM has raised concerns about the future of an organic yogurt maker in Aberystwyth after its owners revealed a number of jobs were at risk.
Ceredigion AM Elin Jones said she hoped the announcement was not an indication by Rachel's owners, the French
- 'Forced labour' of migrants in UK food industry
Some migrant workers face threatening and inhumane conditions in parts of the UK food industry, a report claims.
The "bottom of the UK labour market" in sectors such as agriculture, can be exploitative - says the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
- Cambrian Pet Food secures US private equity investor
AMERICAN private equity firm Swander Pace Capital has completed an investment in one of Wales’ original fast growth 50 companies – Cambrian Pet Foods.
The terms of the deal with the family-owned business in Carmarthenshire have not been disclosed.
- Scottish government funds A Future in Food for students
The Scottish Government is funding a school program to foster a better understanding of the food and drink manufacturing sector in Scotland. The Scottish Food and Drink Federation’s (SFDF’s) schools program, A Future in Food, will receive £270,000 over th
- Jobs campaign 'great idea' says minister during Thorntons visit
SKILLS Minister John Hayes has given our We Want To Work campaign the thumbs-up during a visit to Derbyshire.
Mr Hayes was at Thorntons' headquarters to meet a group of qualifying apprentices at the confectionery giant.
- 35 jobs go as North Wales abattoir goes bust
Sher Halal Foods Limited and United Halal Foods Limited, which operate out of their facility on Caernarfon’s Cibyn industrial estate, filed for administration on Tuesday, May 1.
The news means that around 35 jobs will be lost from the slaughterhouse.
- Meat firms Sher Halal Foods and United Halal Foods in Caernarfon cease trading
An abattoir and a meat producer in Gwynedd have ceased trading after going into administration.
Sher Halal Foods and United Halal Foods, based at the Cibyn industrial estate in Caernarfon, have combined debts of almost £650,000.
- Glasgow firms pick up new US orders
A dozen Glasgow companies have picked up nearly £3m worth of new orders, following last month's trade visit to the United States.
The five-day trip saw firms from a range of sectors visit Chicago and New York during Scotland Week.
- Policy must live up to energy crop potential
Up to half of the government's 2020 renewable energy target could be met by energy crops, wood and other forms of biomass such as wastes from agriculture, according to a government report.
- Yearsley Group to start work on £20m 'super hub' - 150 new jobs
Work is due to begin next month on a £20m 'super hub' at the headquarters of cold food storage and distribution firm Yearsley Group, which will create up to 150 jobs. The project will see Yearsley create a new 160,000 sq ft facility at its Heywood base.
- Jaffa Cakes - definitely not biscuits - prepare to take on imitators
McVitie's produces 2,000 Jaffa Cakes a minute and has plans to fight off imitators.
When pastygate blew up in George Osborne's face six weeks ago, there were some wry smiles in Stockport. Because this is the home of the Jaffa Cake, part chocolatey-oran
- New £4m Scottish plant goes into administration
A £4m state-of-the-art Scottish processing plant has been placed into administration before ever opening for business.
Caithness Beef and Lamb, in Wick, has only ever operated trial production runs. The plant was initially set up to provide an abattoir
- Weetabix nationalised... by China: Communist state snaps up another British brand
Weetabix, the breakfast cereal produced in Britain since 1932, has effectively been sold to an arm of the Chinese state.
Bright Foods, which is run by the council responsible for the city of Shanghai, is paying £720million for a 60 per cent controlling
- Weetabix unions to ask for assurances
Unions acting for workers at Weetabix have asked company bosses for reassurance meetings after a Chinese firm bought a majority stake in the company.
Bright Foods, a Chinese-owned firm, yesterday bought a 60 per cent stake in the firm that makes breakf
- Exports are food and drink to farmers
Agriculture is the driving engine behind Scotland’s increasing production of food and drink, it was claimed this week.
And, after making the claim, the chairman and the chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, the independent promotional organisatio
- Vimto could be Coca-Cola target, says analyst
Shares in Vimto manufacturer Nichols fizzed to a record high following another strong trading update, with one analyst speculating the firm could one day attract bid interest from Coca-Cola.
Analyst Phil Carroll, of broker Shore Capital, said Nichols
- Scotland-based First Milk acquires CNP Professional
Former British body-building champion Kerry Kayes has sold his sports nutrition products business to a farmers' co-operative in a multi-million pound deal.
CNP Professional, founded by Mr Kayes in 2998, has been bought by First Milk, a Glasgow-based con
- CAUSE FOR FARMING OPTIMISM AS SCOTTISH FOOD AND DRINK SALES SOAR
Scotland’s farmers have huge cause to be optimistic for the future as demand for Scottish food and drink continues to soar, according to industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink. Food and drink is now the nation’s fastest growing export sector, with
- Google tops corporate reputation list
GOOGLE HAS been named the most reputable organisation in Ireland for the third consecutive year in the annual RepTrak study published by public relations firm Corporate Reputations and the international consultancy Reputation Institute.
- US Deal For Mineral Water Company
Classic Mineral Water Company in Lurgan has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to win business in the US for its sparkling and flavoured water products that could be worth £250,000 this year.
- Kerry Group offers grads ‘the world’
Kerry Group can offer Irish graduates opportunities all over the world, chief executive Stan McCarthy told the group’s AGM yesterday.
Urging graduates to "pick up and relocate", he said they could develop their careers with the global food company whic
- Developing Greening Options for Northern Europe
Scotland’s leading food and farming organisation, NFU Scotland is welcoming guests from across the EU’s northern Member States to discuss ways in which the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can meet higher environmental standards and still deliver on
- Farmer set to sue bank for £10m after shutdown of super-abattoir
A FARMER is threatening to sue the Bank of Scotland for £10 million after claiming he was forced to put a £4m meat processing plant into administration.Businessman John Sutherland insists the bank had committed funding towards the venture – which was hand
- Pie-taster’s buds insured for £1million
THE TASTE buds of a professional pie taster have been insured for £1MILLION. David Jackson works as chief ‘pieologist’ at a Welsh food firm specialising in hot snacks.
- Sparkling Deal for Lurgan’s Classic Minerals in US
Classic Mineral Water Company in Lurgan has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to win business in the US for its sparkling and flavoured water products that could be worth £250,000 this year.
- Advisory firm envisions turning cheese waste into fuel
At accounting and advisory firm Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, industry experts advise clients on a range of issues, such as management, taxes, transactions, and international expansion. However, when the industries intersect, things can get even more intere
- The Laying Hens Directive
The Food and Drink Federation is to give evidence on the impact of The Laying Hens Directive.
- Ecoventi's £50m renewable energy projects create jobs
A Co Tyrone firm is to invest £50m in renewable energy projects and create almost 30 new jobs.Ecoventi, based in Bready outside Strabane, helps harness energy from organic waste.The company has announced plans to build a 5 megawatt anaerobic digestion
- International Conference Focuses on ‘Greening’ CAP
UK - Scotland’s leading food and farming organisation, National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland has welcomed guests from across the EU’s northern Member States to discuss ways in which the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can meet higher environmental
- Caithness meat processing firm in administration
A MAJOR meat processing plant with state of the art equipment which has never actually been in full production has been brought to the market following Caithness Beef & Lamb being placed in administration.
- How to land a food giant
It's no accident Dr. Oetker chose London for the first-ever expansion out of Germany of its frozen pizza line. The city's farm base, skilled workers, abundant good water, and up-to-date transport system made us an ideal suitor when the company came callin
- Foster: Opportunity on the menu for food industry
An appetite for new opportunities will help Northern Ireland’s food industry continue to grow, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said.
- 26,893 jobs up for grabs across the UK
LOOKING for work? Look no further. We have found 26,893 jobs up for grabs right now as part of our Get Britain Working campaign.
- Agencies assigned role in promoting green manufacturing
The White House Office of Science and Technology on Thursday released its “National Bioeconomy Blueprint,” a 43-page rundown, promised in September 2011, on what federal agencies are and will be doing to promote research into environmentally sustainable.
- Export markets offering best chance for Irish food and drink companies
Export markets continue to offer the most opportunities for Irish food and drink firms, with more than half of companies reporting improvements in exports over the last year according to the Deloitte Food and Beverage Survey 2012.
- Foster urges food industry to chase exports
Chasing new opportunities will help Northern Ireland's £3bn food industry to grow, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has said.
- Careers In Food Industry Perceived As A Stable Sector
According to the Harris Barometer Survey, a survey conducted by the Food and Drink Federation, 45% of respondents agreed that a career in the food manufacturing industry is a stable and secure employment sector in the UK.
- Ireland reaping the rewards as agri-food industry keeps growing
AMID THE seemingly relentless narrative of economic gloom, one sector of the Irish economy is holding its own. Ireland’s agri-food industry is flourishing. Food and drink exports increased by 12 per cent last year, reaching close to €9 billion, a record.
- New UK Degree to Revolutionise Food Industry
A new undergraduate degree course for UK food and drink manufacturing will revolutionise the delivery of engineering into the industry.
- Leading bottle supplier appointed for Arla’s new dairy
Arla Foods has appointed leading plastic packaging company, Alpla, to manufacture bottles on site at its new one billion-litre dairy in Aylesbury, and support Arla’s aim for the dairy to be the most environmentally advanced in the world.
- EU forces sugar giant Tate & Lyle into job cuts at Silvertown refinery
Sugar giant Tate & Lyle has launched a 90-day consultation that could see the introduction of a five-day working week for the first time in its history.It could also lead to the loss of 30 jobs. The consultation follows 12 months in which the Silvertown r
- Functional ingredients prove unpopular in confectionery
The global market for confectionery has not moved into the mainstream, as expected. Indeed the global market for confectionery has grown 38% over the past five years to $11 billion but, surprisingly, in a market characterised by innovation, confectionery
- New food production grant welcomed
A new £15 million fund to aid research into improving the efficiency of food production in the UK has been welcomed by agricultural accountants.
- Greencore Acquiring Marketfare Foods
DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland-based international convenience food manufacturer Greencore Group plc has agreed to acquire U.S. sandwich maker Marketfare Foods LLC for $36 million 22.6 million British pounds ($36 million U.S.).
- ISHIDA helps to keep it green
Ishida multihead weighers supplied by SF Engineering of Co Sligo are optimising the fresh salad packing operation of Ireland's leading grower and processor of vegetables salads, stir fry and mash products, Willowbrook Foods. The company sells to some of t
- Greencore to acquire US firm
Irish convenience food producer Greencore Group has announced it will acquire US-based Marketfare Foods for £22.6 million.
- FoodInduistryCareers.co.uk Website development.
We want to ensure that you get the most form using our site and as such we are going through several rounds of back office redevelopment. The search function is one area that we have concentrated on and to make it easier for you to find the right jobs in
- Dairy Crest plans closure of Aintree & Fenstantion sites
DAIRY Crest has announced that it is planning to close its dairy at Aintree in north Liverpool and the dairy at Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire.
- Tangerine sweet on Vimto deal
TANGERINE Confectionery, has signed a licensing deal with soft drinks manufacturer Nichols to produce and market Vimto Bon Bon sweets. Blackpool-based Tangerine, which is on a growth drive since its buyout by US private equity giant Blackstone last
- Manufacturers lead local recovery
BUSINESSES across the Sheffield City Region are getting ready for growth – with manufacturing leading the way.
- Manufacturing output beats expectations in February
SOUTH Africa’s manufacturing output increased 4,1% year on year in volume in February, above forecasts, from a revised 2,3% in January, Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday.
- THE North West remains the powerhouse
THE North West remains the powerhouse of the UK’s manufacturing sector and an increasingly critical factor in the region’s economic growth, according to new statistics today from manufacturing organisation EEF.
- Scotland’s Scientists and Public Debate Global Food Security Challenge
A lively debate between leading scientists and the general public took place at the National Museum of Scotland on Tuesday 3 April as part of this year’s Edinburgh International Science Festival.
- UK food inflation pushes higher
Hard-pressed British shoppers have seen no let-up in rising grocery prices, with high energy costs and the threat of drought pushing food inflation higher in recent weeks. It rose to 5.4% in March from 4.2% in February, according to the latest shop price
- Record Fuel Costs Making Food More Expensive
Food costs were 5.4% higher in March, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and analysts Nielsen. In February, the figure was 4.2%. An 11% jump in the cost of oil this year has driven up transport and manufacturing costs, which both contribute
- Job vacancies for Irish professionals up 9% in March
New job vacancies for Irish professionals increased 9 per cent in March, according to the latest Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor. The research found that the number of new professional job openings rose from 8,462 in February to 9,246 last month.
- How to get a job in food manufacturing
AS part of our Get Britain Working campaign we have uncovered 18,587 jobs in the food and drink manufacturing sector. It’s the UK’s largest manufacturing sector – with a turnover of £80billion a year and exports worth more than £12billion – so it’s a gr
- Kraft boss earns $22m after Cadbury's cuts
Irene Rosenfeld, the controversial boss of US food group Kraft, earned $22m last year after hitting targets tied to cutting costs at Cadbury. Rosenfeld's pay rose by 13.5% after she took home a performance-based bonus reflecting strong turnover growth as
- Record Fuel Costs Making Food More Expensive
Record fuel costs and the threat of drought are pushing up the price of groceries in the UK. Food costs were 5.4% higher in March, according to the British Retail Consortium ( BRC ) and analysts Nielsen. In February, the figure was 4.2%.
- UK Food and Drink Exports Top £12 Billion
UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports rose to over £12 billion (£12,152.4m) in 2011, exceeding expectations and confirming significant potential for overseas growth over the next decade. The previous year’s results (2010) proved a landmark for the indus
- Morrisons Intends to be UK’s Biggest Fresh Food Manufacturer
Grocery retailer Morrisons plans to become the UK’s largest fresh food manufacturer. New plans include a £21 million investment to increase the company’s capacity at its abattoir in Colne, Lancashire. Morrisons is the only retailer to buy livestock from t
- William Grant to Invest €35 Million in New Irish Whiskey Distillery
William Grant & Sons, the owner of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey brand, plans to invest in a new, state-of-the-art pot still whiskey and malt whiskey distillery in Tullamore, bringing whiskey production back to the Irish town for the first time since the or
- Scotch Whisky Exports Surge to Record Levels
Scotch whisky exports continued to grow last year, increasing by 23% to a record £4.2 billion in shipment value, according to figures by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). Rising demand in both emerging and more mature markets has resulted in export val
- Permira Considers Disposal of Birds Eye Iglo
Private equity firm Permira is considering the sale of its Birds Eye Iglo European branded frozen food business after receiving a number of approaches. Permira is reported to have appointed Credit Suisse to manage a sales process.
- Strong Financial Performance By AG Barr
Despite the challenging trading environment, AG Barr has increased revenue and volume ahead of the UK soft drinks market to produce a strong profit performance. Turnover increased by 6.6% to £237.0 million for the year ended January 28th 2012 – a cumulati
- PepsiCo UK & Ireland Named as a Top Employer in Britain for 2012
PepsiCo UK & Ireland has been named as one of Britain’s Top Employers for 2012. The company was examined by the CRF institute, a specialist in the field of international research into HR management and working conditions.
- Nu-Tek potassium chloride in bakery applications (http://www.worldbakers.com)
Salt performs many functions in bakery products such as flavor, gluten strengthening, and fermentation regulation. While critical to formulating foods such as baked goods, excess salt is associated with negative health effects.
- Retail and food industry improving palm oil sourcing, says WWF (www.guardian.co.uk)
WWF praises companies such as Cadbury and Unilever for using sustainable palm oil, but says situation is still bad
- Eating canned soup 'poses a chemical risk' (www.bbc.co.uk)
People who eat canned soup should be aware of chemicals
- Cream of the crop (Nick Eyriey)
Scorrier creamery Rodda’s has been named the UK’s best manufacturer of dairy-based treats at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2011.
- Manufacturing recovery hampered by skills gap (Neil Hodgson)
ACCESS to finance is still an issue for business – but the skills gap represents an equally contentious problem as firms seek to improve competitiveness and develop niche positions in global markets.
- Devro enjoys taste of sales success (MARK SMITH)
Devro, the Scottish sausage-skin maker, has revealed sizzling second-half sales thanks to strong exports and the success of its new cost-effective synthetic sheep-gut product in Asia.
- Tate & Lyle partnership for reduced-salt ingredient (bakeryinfo.co.uk)
Tate & Lyle has signed a global deal with UK university-owned subsidiary Eminate Ltd for its innovative salt reduction technology.
- English Biscuit Manufacturers - Leading the way (Copyright Business Recorder)
English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt) Ltd, or (EBM), are the pioneers of packaged biscuit manufacturing in Pakistan and is the country's leading manufacturer of biscuits and cookies since 1967, with an annual sales volume and production capacity in excess o
- Annan seafood factory in line for top award
Young’s Seafood Limited was shortlisted for the category of Seafood Manufacturer of the Year, in recognition of the business’ manufacturing excellence (Manex) initiative at their processing site in Port Street, Annan.
- Kerry Foods launch new campaign to boost Levi Roots range of Caribbean meals (TheMarketingblog)
Leading consumer foods company, Kerry Foods, is investing in a high impact marketing campaign to support its successful range of Levi Roots Chilled Caribbean Meals.
- Cadbury jobs on agenda as Whitby heads to Kraft HQ in Chicago (birminghampost.net)
Safeguarding the jobs of Cadbury’s 2,000 workers in Birmingham and ensuring the city remains at the heart of Kraft’s plans for the chocolate-maker will be top of the agenda when Mike Whitby meets top officials at the company next week.
- Waitrose sales up 11.7% as focus turns to Christmas (Gemma Taylor)
Upmarket grocer Waitrose reported an 11.7 per cent growth in sales for the week ending October 15th 2011, compared to the same period last year, as the autumnal weather prompted consumers to buy seasonal products.
- UK's Premier Foods to focus on main brands (worldbakers.com)
Premier Foods is set to divest a number of brands following its latest profit warning.
- Asda and Morrisons Bid for Iceland (Laura Elliott)
Asda and Morrisons, two of the ‘big four’ supermarket competitors in the UK, are thought to have joined a number of private equity bidders in an auction for the smaller retailer Iceland.
- SPAR celebrates National Consolidation Scheme’s 3rd anniversary (bfff.co.uk)
In the 3 years since the start of collaboration between SPAR (UK) Limited and Redditch based multi temperature supply chain specialist, Oakland International Limited, the launch of their new delivery scheme has gone from strength to strength.
- Pub chain's £3m investment to create 120 jobs (Stephen Cape)
A PUB chain is spending more than £3m renovating 14 pubs across the North East in an expansion that is creating 120 jobs with more to follow.
- Nom UK to create 350 jobs with £110m plan (insidermedia.com)
Dairy company Nom UK has revealed plans to invest up to £110m in its Shropshire operations over the coming years.
- Strong year but Moy Park warns of cost challenges ahead (portadowntimes.co.uk)
SEAGOE-based company Moy Park have reported a positive financial performance in their annual results for the year ending December 31, 2010 but have warned of the future challenges of rising feed and energy prices.
- Leading seafood supplier mulls over potential buy-out offers (Owen McAteer)
A LEADING seafood supplier, employing hundreds of North-East workers, could be on the verge of being sold.
- Pancake company ups output with cash injection (insidermedia.com)
A pancake business launched by two university friends has moved to a new manufacturing and distribution headquarters in Leeds after securing investment
- UK Label Changes: Setting U.S. Precedent? (QA Staff)
England's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published guidance recommending that food and drink manufacturers remove "sell by" and "display until" labels from packaging.
- Co-ordination is key to food sector - Ibec (SUZANNE LYNCH)
GREATER CO-ORDINATION between Government departments is essential to maximise the economic potential of the Irish consumer foods industry, according to a report from Food and Drink Industry Ireland, the consumer foods division of employers’ group Ibec.
- Carlyle to Buy a Minority Stake in Saudi Arabian Food Company (Arif Sharif)
Carlyle Group, the Washington-based private equity firm, expects to buy a minority stake in a food- processing company in Saudi Arabia before the end of the year, its managing director for the Gulf region said.
- IDB doubles its milk capacity at UK plant (Caitriona Murphy)
The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) has doubled capacity for processing milk powder into specialised dairy ingredients at its plant in Leek, Staffordshire, England.
- Krispy Kreme to Expand in the United Kingdom (PR Newswire)
Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation announced today that it has signed a new development agreement with its franchisee in the United Kingdom, Krispy Kreme UK, Ltd.
- Kraft Foods: How apprentices benefit our business (Alan Lewis)
Against the continued focus on employers to offer apprenticeships to provide the necessary skills to grow the opportunities for today’s younger generation, apprenticeships remain at the heart of the Kraft
- Tesco appoints new board members (internationalsupermarketnews.com)
Tesco recently announced that John Scouler and Andrew Yaxley would join the board of Tesco UK, completing a ten-strong team headed by UK Chief Executive Richard Brasher.
- Northern Foods Launches New Goodfella’s Frozen Range (kamcity.com)
Northern Foods has launched a new range under its Goodfella’s frozen pizza brand, which is being marketed under the strapling “The Italian Way”.
- Peter’s Pies join the Revolution
Peter’s Foods, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of pies, pasties and sausage rolls, has been selected as the sole supplier of pie and pastry products to Revolution vodka bars.
- Asda Own-Label Surges As Shoppers Trade Out Of Brands (Kathy Gordon)
Asda Supermarkets, the U.K. grocery chained owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT), has seen sales of its own-label brand surge in the year since its launch, as consumers trade out of brands to save money amid the economic gloom.
- 2 Sisters to participate in £7m food innovation project (Duncan Tift)
MORE than 50 research projects and studies aimed at developing healthier, safer and more nutritious food are to share in £7m of government investment.
- From stewing on the Tube to a pot of ready-meal gold (Lucy Tobin)
Few commuters have anything good to say about the Circle line. But for entrepreneur Alan Rosenthal, the tedium of yet another delay on the line three years ago inspired Stewed!
- Deeside frozen food giant raises £1m for Alzheimer’s Research UK (Kathryn Quayle)
STAFF and customers at Deeside-based Iceland Foods are celebrating raising £1m for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
- Sainsbury's to create 50,000 new jobs by 2020 (recruiter.co.uk/)
Supermarket Sainsbury’s is to create 50,000 new jobs in the UK as part of a new £1bn sustainability plan, which sets targets between now and 2020
- Scotland Shares Funding to Develop Food & Drink Innovation (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
Over 50 research projects and studies aimed at developing healthier, safer and more nutritious food are to share over £7 million of government investment.
- Warburtons aims for slice of eastern Europe (Louise Lucas)
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail.
- Success of Rachel’s Organics based on belief and commitment says firm’s founder (Rachael Misstear)
Almost 30 years ago, Rachel Rowlands set up the UK’s first organic dairy on a farm near Aberystwyth.
- RWM Food Group acquired by ABP (insidermedia.com)
Somerset-based beef and lamb processor RWM Food Group has been bought by ABP Food Group for an undisclosed sum.
- The Jaffa Cake doughnuts that prove a fat tax will never work (JANET STREET PORTER)
Concerned about rising levels of obesity, David Cameron is enthusiastic about imposing a new tax on food that contains more than 2.3 per cent saturated fat.
- Haywards pickle firm could be sold in £50m deal (menmedia.co.uk)
Premier Foods’ Middleton-based Haywards pickle business is expected to be sold for around £50m as the beleaguered group refocuses on its core super brands
- UK food and drink exports still growing (potatopro.com)
UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports grew to £5.8bn in the first half of 2011 – a rise of over 13% on the same period in 2010, as revealed by figures released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
- Greggs cooks up new frozen food range for Iceland stores (This is money reportes)
Greggs has found a new way to cram even more sausage rolls into the nation’s mouths.
- CK Foods expansion project starts (insidermedia.com/)
Construction of a 30,000 sq ft food manufacturing plant which is expected to create up to 40 jobs is underway in Bradford.
- Cranswick bounces back after tricky start
First-half trading at food manufacturer Cranswick has picked up since price inflation forced the business to issue a profit warning at the end of its first quarter.
- Morrisons declares ready meals war on M&S as part of £50m overhaul (Graham Hiscott)
MORRISONS has declared a TV dinner war on Marks & Spencer as part of a £50million product revamp.
- Tesco Launches Search for Britain's Favourite Local Product (Tesco)
Tesco, as part of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, has launched a search for the nation’s favourite local product.
- Waitrose Reveals £1 Billion Plan To Create 10,000 Jobs (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
Supermarket chain Waitrose has revealed it will spend £1 billion on ambitious plans to open 100 new stores and create 10,000 jobs.
- Proof is in the pudding for Brazilian Flavours’ new dish (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
A YORKSHIRE food firm has launched a new gluten, wheat and dairy-free version of a local dish, as well as giving it a South American twist.
- Commerical Director appointed at The Scottish Salmon Company (fishupdate.com)
The Scottish Salmon Company has appointed Ronnie Leggett as Commercial Director.
- Bokomo Foods invests £2.4m in Peterbrough operation (peterboroughtoday.co.uk)
LEADING breakfast ceral manufacturer Bokomo Foods (UK) Ltd has expanded and introduced £2.4million of new equipment to its Peterborough production facility
- Closed Loop Foods unveils coldpress juice range in UK (DBR Staff Writer)
Closed Loop Foods, a multinational packaging, marketing and recycling enterprise, has introduced cold pasteurized juice range in UK.
- Brand Phoenix teams up to launch new range for charity (Carol Emmas)
Brand Phoenix, Red Lion Foods and Sainsbury's have teamed up to launch a range of wines to raise profits for the Royal British Legion in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.
- Fresh egg producers get cracking with mayonnaise (newswales.co.uk)
A couple who run a multi-award winning Welsh free range egg company have come up with a cracking idea to complement their product range – whole egg mayonnaise.
- Rectory Food Group spreads its wings with twelve new recruits (bfff.co.uk)
Rectory Food Group is defying the odds of the economic downturn and expanding its business with the appointment of twelve new members of staff. The new additions have taken the group’s total UK employees to 40.
- Sugar-free scramble: two rivals prepare to launch plant-based sweeteners in the UK (Rebecca Smithers)
New products Truvia and PureVia, derived from South American plant, set to reinvigorate stagnating £60m market
- UK biscuit barrel tempts foreign firms (Laura Chesters)
The public regards them as cheap treats in tough times, and firms know they make good business sense.
- Nestlé Purina Launched a First-Ever Advert for Dogs (popsop.com)
Not only people watch television, pets do that to, but the content they see doesn’t usually tug at their heartstrings.
- Kraft bolsters innovation team to drive growth (Rosie Baker)
Kraft Foods, which owns brands including Cadbury, Philadelphia and Oreos, is extending its research and development division with the creation of 100 additional R&D roles.
- Morrisons ditches ‘The Best’ for new range (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
Morrisons is to ditch its upmarket ‘The Best’ range in favour of a number of new brands that focus on convenience, responsible buying and fresh food.
- Kerry Foods To Launch New Range Aimed At Challenging Consumer Perceptions Of Frozen Ready Meals (kamcity.com)
Kerry Foods is to launch a new range of frozen ready meals designed to step change the frozen meals category, encouraging new consumers to the category and drive trip spend amongst current consumers.
- DBC FOODSERVICE LAUNCHES FOOD FOR CELEBRATIONS RANGE FOR CATERERS (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
DBC FOODSERVICE HAS LAUNCHED A FOOD FOR CELEBRATIONS RANGE TO HELP CATERERS PREPARE FOR THE BUSY PARTY SEASON, WITH HALLOWEEN, GUY FAWKES NIGHT, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S EVE FAST APPROACHING.
- Share price rises at baked goods firm (Ciarán Hancock)
SHARES IN baked goods company Aryzta, which owns Cuisine de France, rose by 2.66 per cent in Dublin yesterday as the Zurich-based group announced strong growth in its earnings.
- Asian Tastes Triumph Over European and American Flavours in British Food Poll (PR Newswire)
Brits have turned their back on European gourmet classics and American fast food according to a recent poll by travel search site Skyscanner.
- Maltesers go Fairtrade (Harry Wallop)
Maltesers, the third biggest chocolate brand in Britain, is to become Fairtrade, in a move which will boost sales of the ethical brand by 10pc.
- Orchard House Foods gets new CHP plant, minimises waste
Orchard House Foods, a UK-producer of fresh fruit products, has installed a new build-own-operate power production plant.
- All ARLA's Planning Applications For Aston Clinton Given Go Ahead (mix96.co.uk)
All four planning applications submitted by food giant ARLA to AVDC have been approved without exception.
- Finsbury Food Posts 12% Rise In Sales (kamcity.com)
Finsbury Food has posted a 12.6% increase in annual revenue as its cake division returned to growth and progress was made across the rest of group.
- Orchard Valley Foods enjoys expansion (ludlowadvertiser.co.uk)
A food ingredients company has expanded its existing manufacturing and packing operations and won significant new business contracts after securing loans of £300,000 from Lloyds TSB Commercial.
- PepsiCo looks to build out snack portfolio beyond crisps and nuts (Lara O'Reilly)
PepsiCo is planning to expand its food portfolio beyond crisps and nuts as part of its multi-year mission to grow its market-leading global snacks division.
- Calorie labels on fast food ... They’re loving it!
Health chiefs have welcomed moves by fast food chain McDonald’s to introduce calorie information to all of its menus — but want food companies to go further.
- Roasted crickets and toasted ants – coming to you courtesy of EU research millions (Adam Lusher)
The European Union is conducting a £2.65m project to investigate the nutritional value of eating insects.
- Cadbury's new owners Kraft announces 98 new UK jobs (bbc.co.uk/new)
Cadbury's new owners Kraft Foods has announced 98 new jobs in the UK with more than half of them being created at its Birmingham chocolate factory.
- £150m zero-carbon dairy planned (UKPA)
Around 700 new jobs are to be created after a planning authority gave the go-ahead to build what is being described as the world's largest zero-carbon dairy.
- Big jobs boost as Morrisons returns to Tunbridge Wells (Chris Brithcer)
Supermarket chain Morrisons is coming back to Tunbridge Wells after promising it will re-open its abandoned ‘grot spot’ store by next Easter - and provide the first of its new ‘stores of the future’ at the site.
- Food group Vion creates 250 jobs in West Lothian (bbc.co.uk/news)
A Dutch food company is to create 250 new jobs at its plant in West Lothian
- Tesco to cut prices by £500m, claims UK head Richard Brasher (Harry Wallop)
Tesco will invest £500m in a series of price cuts from next week – its biggest move for 25 years, claimed Richard Brasher, the head of its UK operations.
- Kerry buys Cargill flavour arm for €168m (rte.ie/)
Food group Kerry has agreed a deal to buy Cargill's global flavour business for $230m (€168m).
- Food delivery firm’s £3.5m pubs deal (yorkshirepost.co.uk/)
FOOD service distributor Holdsworth has secured a deal to supply the retail estate of 84 pubs and bars in the McMullen brewery group.
- Paying lip service to British food (Oliver Thring)
A Morrisons store a mile from Kentish orchards is selling apples from China. Do you consciously buy any foods because they're British?
- Blaze at warehouse filled with hundreds of tonnes of cheddar cheese (mirror.co.uk)
More than 100 firefighters have tackled a blaze at a warehouse containing hundreds of tonnes of cheddar cheese.
- Students get the chance to help market Purley food company (Croydon Advertiser)
BUSINESS students are being given the chance to come up with fresh marketing ideas for a Purley company specialising in Indian foods.
- Bakery ingredients group Real Good Food Company sees fortunes rise (Neil Hodgson)
BAKERY ingredients firm The Real Good Food Company reported a rise in sales and profits for the six months to June 30.
- Deeside College partnership safeguards 170 jobs at cereal firm (Martin Williams)
AN INNOVATIVE new partnership between Flintshire education chiefs and a training provider will safeguard 170 jobs at a cereal business.
- Co-op food's chief executive to retire (menmedia.co.uk)
Tim Hurrell, the chief executive of The Co-operative Group’s food business, has announced that he will be retiring from his post at the end of the year.
- New Food and Farming Education Programme Launched (scotlandfoodanddrink.)
VION Food Group (VION) has teamed up with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) in a three-year deal to help provide educational farm visits for Scottish schoolchildren.
- Kraft Foods on recruitment drive for research and development roles (David Woods)
Kraft Foods has set a recruitment plan in place, in a bid to grow its research and development arm.
- Heaven Made deal for Oakland International (bfff.co.uk/news)
Heaven Made Foods have called on the expertise of multi temperature supply chain specialist, Oakland International, to help with distribution.
- NFU calls on EC to back British eggs (worldpoultry.net)
The NFU has called upon the European Commission to ensure UK egg farmers are not undercut by illegally produced eggs when new rules to protect the welfare of laying hens come into force on January 1, 2012.
- One hump or two? Ice cream made from camel's milk to go on sale in the UK (KERRY MCQUEENEY)
It has been heralded as a healthy treat, low in fat and containing ten times more iron than cow's milk.
- Morrisons hires former Apple exec for online food business (Anh Nguyen )
Morrisons has appointed a former Apple executive as head of its online food business, due to launch next year.
- Wincanton makes senior management appointment (pressonshd.com)
Supply chain solutions provider, Wincanton, has appointed Guy Elliott as Managing Director, Contract Logistics UK and Ireland.
- U.K.’s Iceland Foods Auction Set to Start (Rob Sheridan)
The auction of frozen food retailer Iceland Foods Ltd. will start next week with about 20 buyers set to receive sales information, the Financial Times said, citing people familiar with the matter that it didn’t name.
- Bettys chief executive Andrew Baker steps down (Julie Hayes)
THE new chief executive of North Yorkshire tearooms chain Bettys and Taylors has left the company.
- FDF Points East to Food and Drink Export Opportunities (Food & Drink Federation)
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is spurring on UK food and drink manufacturers to develop export links with China by supporting the British presence at its leading 2011 exhibition, FHC China.
- Food manufacturer Lauren's Patisseries launches learning academy to tutor staff in English and key skills (HR Editorial)
Food manufacturer Lauren’s Patisseries has unveiled a learning academy at its chilled desserts factory in Newark to provide employees with free tutored learning in English and other skills.
- PepsiCo UK taps Handy Can for Pepsi sodas (Lisa McTigue Pierce)
The Handy Can from Ball Packaging Europe is now available for the first time in the U.K.
- Waitrose Hires Michelin Star Chef To Help Develop Own Label (Nam News)
Waitrose has appointed celebrated chef Jonathan Moore as Executive Chef.
- Taylor’s £11m upgrade a statement of intent (Bernard Ginns)
TIMOTHY Taylor has unveiled its new brewery extension, the final part of a three-year, £11m project to secure production at its historic base in Keighley.
- Revealed: The UK's Foodie Capital (Emine Saner)
The nation has voted and the winner is Lincolnshire! Not just for the sausages, either...
- Scrap food sell-by dates, government urges manufacturers (bbc.co.uk/news)
Sell-by dates should be removed from food packaging to help cut waste and save shoppers money, ministers say.
- Flourishing food firm reflects the rising fortunes of Welsh Valleys (Robert Llewellyn Jones)
Robert Llewellyn Jones talks to Philip Hall, the site director of Tillery Valley Foods, one of the biggest food manufacturing operations in Wales.
- Turn Key Snack on Branston (Katy Cowan )
Humdinger Foods Ltd has reappointed Turn Key to handle the consumer PR launch for its newest snack product - Branston flavoured peanuts with mini cheese crackers.
- HP Sauce fans call on Heinz to bring back the Salt (Channel 4 News)
HP Sauce lovers are outraged as American owners Heinz secretly change the recipe of Britain's greasy spoon staple.
- Premier Foods launches Ambrosia Fruit Puds (grocery.com)
British company Premier Foods has recently launched an addition to its line of Ambrosia® Puds products. This new addition to the dessert product line is known as Fruit Puds.
- Premier Foods announces new group Sales Director (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
Premier Foods has announced the appointment of Ian Deste as group Sales Director.
- Food firm targets the Indian cookery market (yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk)
A FOOD retailer from Leeds is targeting Indian consumers in the UK with a new dairy range designed to appeal to the culinary needs of a typical Asian family.
- £750,000 buy-out at Denbighshire bakery firm (Martin Williams)
A £750,000 dough boost supported the buy-out of a Denbighshire food manufacturer.
- New chilled and frozen supply chain show is now just weeks away (mhwmagazine.co.uk)
The doors will soon open on a brand-new event for executives involved in the production, storage and distribution of chilled and frozen goods
- Cheese and butter ads face ban on children's TV shows (Shane Hickey)
HEALTH experts want severe restrictions put in place on how cheese and butter are advertised during children's TV programmes.
- Business Soapbox: Michael Bell (belfasttelegraph.co.uk/)
With partnership from the Executive regarding sustainability, planning, investment and skills, I believe we can accelerate the growth of our industry.
- Key Appointment at Macphie (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
The UK’s leading independent food ingredients manufacturer, Macphie of Glenbervie, has strengthened its Board with the appointment of Andrew Underwood as sales and marketing director.
- 500 jobs created at Brakes Group's new Reading warehouse (David Millward)
Five hundred new jobs are to be created in Reading with the opening of a huge new storage and distribution centre.
- Food groups show the way in avoiding Ireland's debt trap (independent.ie)
The author of the banking report, Peter Nyberg, described it as a "speculative mania''. Others have described it as a national addiction.
- Prawns net sales for CP Foods UK (insidermedia.com)
Worcestershire food supplier CP Foods UK has attributed a £12m revenue increase in part to a growing demand for prawns.
- Heinz Reports Solid First-Quarter Results with Sales Growth of 14.9%, Fueled by Emerging Markets (marketwatch.com)
H.J. Heinz Company HNZ -1.15% today reported first-quarter sales growth of 14.9%, fueled by dynamic growth in Emerging Markets and higher global sales of ketchup and the Company's Top 15 brands.
- Chinese farms are growing UK company profits (Malcolm Moore)
It took five years to negotiate a deal to send British pigs to China, an idea that ranks up there with sending coal to Newcastle and snow to the Eskimos.
- Meet the team feeding the nation (northamptonchron.co.uk)
WHEN you sit down to eat in a pub or restaurant anywhere in the UK and select something from the menu, you may find you are eating a dish developed and cooked in Northampton.
- Young Entrepeneur’s open Blackpool Go Mobile (David Lee)
Two young entrepreneurs have chosen Church Street Blackpool as the venue for their first business venture.
- R&R’s call for action to halt soaring sugar cost (yorkshirepost.co.uk/)
R&R Ice Cream has demanded urgent action from the EU to help the European food industry deal with the soaring cost of sugar.
- Kerry to spend €400m on several acquisitions in expansion drive (independent.ie)
Food group posts €144m profits on €2.65bn turnover surpassing expectations, boosting interim dividend
- Premier Foods’ new chief faces full inbox (Louise Lucas)
Mike Clarke takes up the reins at Premier Foods on Tuesday with a full inbox.
- Permira fingers a sale for Birds Eye (Rupert Steiner)
The private equity owner behind Birds Eye fish fingers has held early stage discussions which could lead to a £1.5bn sale of the business.
- Half portions of fruit and veg promoted in the UK (potatobusiness.com)
Food manufacturers in the UK plan to promote half-portions of the fruit and veg in products from baked beans to lasagne in an initiative to encourage consumers to eat more of their five a day.
- Unannounced BRC audits 'could force better food safety standards' (virtual-college.co.uk)
The latest edition of the British Retail Consortium's (BRC's) Global Standard for Food Safety, will aim to improve the standards of food hygiene across the British food retailing and manufacturing industries.
- Supermarket industry has 25,857 jobs up for grabs right no (Tricia Phillips)
The multi-million pound supermarket industry is constantly hiring staff and today there are at least 25,857 jobs up for grabs
- Family recipes land Sim's Foods deal with Tesco (Sion Barry)
A FAMILY-RUN Indian food business is continuing to expand having secured a new supply contract with supermarket giant Tesco.
- Jobs safe as factories take-over is in the can (fenlandcitizen.co.uk)
LEADING food company Princes has acquired the canning operations of Premier Foods
- Co-op and Vimto director becomes Chambers of Commerce director-general (menmedia.co.uk)
A businessman who has held a number of high-profile positions in some of the country's biggest supermarkets is to become the new head of the British Chambers of Commerce.
- Wagamama to open in York (Ron Godfrey)
ONE of Britain’s top restaurant chains is to open in York city centre, creating up to 40 new jobs.
- Domino's shrugs off 'World Cup' effect to boost half-year sales (Nick Clarke)
The UK's demand for pizza remains undimmed this year as Domino's revealed profits were up 15 per cent and management shrugged off fears that its popularity was on the wane.
- Fox’s biscuit factory escapes closure (Anthony Clay)
Worries that the Fox’s Biscuits factory in Batley was to close have been laid to rest by the company’s owner.
- World's biggest McDonald's to open... on the OLYMPICS site (Daily Mail Reporter)
Restaurant will have 1,500 seats and is half the length of an American football field. One in five meals sold at the Games will be a McDonald's
- Recovery in sugar business sweetens Real Good Food Company stock (IAN LYALL)
When Proactive Investors last spoke to Pieter Totté, the chairman of the Real Good Food Company, the share price was languishing at around 22 pence.
- Campbell Soup Increases Sodium As New Studies Vindicate Salt (Nadia Arumugam)
In February 2010, Campbell Soup announced that it would re-formulate over 60% of its condensed soups to reduce the sodium content of 23 of them up to 45%.
- Welsh food production “defines us as a nation” (Andrew Forgrave)
FOOD is moving up the political agenda in Wales as cottage industry production is replaced by big business and the spectre of hunger stalks the world stage.
- New crisp brand is keeping up with the Joneses (Andrew Forgrave)
Three potato growers and their partners have named their new crisps after the most common name in Wales.
- Premier Lures Kraft Boss (Mark Kleinman)
Premier Foods, the owner of Hovis and Angel Delight, has just confirmed my scoop from earlier this morning that it has lured Mike Clarke from Kraft Foods as its new chief executive.
- The Real Good Food Company Interview Transcript with Pieter Totte, Executive Joint Chairman (Harry Norman)
The Real Good Food Company plc is a leading UK bakery, ingredient and sugar group, offering a wide range of products to grocery retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers.
- UK Fish Processors Welcome European Commission Proposals for CFP Reform (drinksmediawire.com)
In response to the release of the European Commission’s proposals for reform of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Director of Sustainability and Competitiveness, Andrew Kuyk said:
- Jamie Oliver and Sainsbury's to part company (Mirror.co.uk)
TV chef Jamie Oliver is ending his association with supermarket giant Sainsbury's after 11 years.
- The Co-op launches free-from foods (worldbakers.com)
The Co-operative Group is to launch its first specific own-label free-from range to meet "increasing demand" for gluten- and wheat-free foods.
- Pet foods firm makes its move towards energy
As the momentum to recycle food waste in the UK gathers pace, Lizzie Murphy visits a company aiming to be ahead of the game with a new plant to convert food waste into energy.
- Greencore in £113million swoop for food supplier Uniq (Gaham Hiscott)
The UK's biggest sandwich maker has swooped for food supplier Uniq in a deal wrapping up the last remaining slice of the former Unigate empire.
- Former ITV CEO Charles Allen joins board 2 Sisters Food Group (Rupert Steiner)
Chicken magnate Ranjit Singh Boparan, who snapped up Goodfella’s pizza-maker Northern Foods in a £342m deal earlier this year, has announced the surprise appointment of Charles Allen as his new chairman.
- Kraft leverages Cadbury brand for Oreos in India (Rosie Baker)
Kraft could look to increasingly launch its brands under the Cadbury name in emerging markets following the recent introduction of Oreo products in India as a Cadbury brand.
- United Biscuits marketing chief promoted to top table (Russell Parsons)
United Biscuits (UB) - owner of the McVitie’s, Penguin, Jacob’s and Hula Hoops brands - has promoted snacks marketing chief Helen Warren-Piper to a new senior executive role with a direct report to the CEO.
- Greggs moves into frozen food (Rosie Baker)
Greggs, the baker, is making a move into the branded frozen food market in partnership with Iceland supermarkets.
- DBC appoints Jo Elder as director of independent & new business sales (bfff.co.uk/)
DBC Foodservice has appointed Jo Elder as director of independent and new business sales.
- Food producers swamp retailers with "use by" date labels (Richard Tyler)
Fear of prosecution over public health incidents is causing food producers to label more lines with "use by" dates than is required by law.
- £120m deal leaves sweet taste for Tangerine backers (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
Private equity firm Growth Capital Partners realised a stellar return on its 2005 investment in confectionery manufacturer Tangerine yesterday after US buyout giant Blackstone took a majority stake in a deal believed to be worth £120m
- Premier Food Investors Call For Swift Replacement Of Schofield (kamcity.com)
A group of shareholders in Premier Foods is to urge the company’s Chairman to speed up the search for a replacement for Chief Executive Robert Schofield.
- Tampopo chef to develop pan-Asian food offering for Mitchells & Butlers (bighospitality.co.uk)
Tampopo's former executive chef Adrian McCormack has joined pub group Mitchells & Butlers to help develop its pan-Asian food offering.
- Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas bite into iNet funding (insidermedia.com)
The East Midlands' Food and Drink iNet has backed the development of the UK's first fruit-based salsas. Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas has received funding from the organisation as it prepares for its official launch.
- National Milk Records to set up new 24-hour testing lab in Wolverhampton (Jamie Ashcroft)
National Milk Records (PLUS:NMRP) is preparing to set up a 24-hour milk testing laboratory in Wolverhampton.
- Glendale Foods improves stock control and productivity with new ERP system from Solarsoft (pandct.com)
Frozen food manufacturer goes live with Solarsoft’s Tropos ERP system to improve profitability and productivity, whilst driving down costs
- Swansea firm hired for starring role in hit BBC series (thisissouthwales.co.uk/)
YOU’RE hired! Workers at Swansea firm Mono Equipment were given the dream job of appearing on last night’s hit BBC show — The Apprentice
- Talkington Bates Achieves Red Tractor Status (Sam Rooke )
Talkington Bates has achieved Red Tractor accreditation for its beef, lamb, pork, chicken and turkey in a move that will give reassurance of the quality of its personal contract catering service.
- Diversification Benefits Associated British Foods (fool.co.uk)
A long term play on the global food and agricultural theme.
- Seafood Company named amongst the best in Europe (fishupdate.com)
A North East-based supplier of seafood has been named among the top 100 food and drink manufacturers in the UK and Ireland.
- TV ads boost kids' appetites (news24)
Television ads for junk food really do make children hunger for those treats, especially if they watch a lot of television, according to a study.
- Oliver James triumphs at BFFF Awards (bfff.co.uk)
Oliver James Foods, the UK’s leading sous vide specialist, has triumphed at the prestigious British Frozen Food Federation’s (BFFF) annual Awards with a Gold win in the Best New Main Course/Meal Centre.
- Premier seeks new Fray Bentos buyer (expressandstar.com)
Mr Kipling-maker Premier Foods is searching for an alternative buyer for its Fray Bentos brand after the regulator said selling it to Princes would create a “near monopoly” in the canned pies market.
- McDonalds experiential campaign to tour 21 UK cities to promote new wraps range (thedrum.co.uk)
A five-week experiential campaign has been launched by McDonalds to promote its Deli Choices range Wraps.
- Uniq makes mouths water with Food to Go (Nick Goodway)
Uniq, the food manufacturer which has been put up for sale by its own pension fund, today revealed what bidders like and dislike about the business.
- Cannock to host UK's largest food waste site (insidermedia.com)
Waste specialist Biffa is set to launch the UK's first "super" anaerobic digestion (AD) plant near Cannock.
- 50,000 apprenticeships created in food industry (theappointment.co.uk)
Thousands of new apprenticeships are to be created in the food industry under a drive to attract more young people to the sector, it was announced today.
- Morrisons to give own brand range biggest ever makeover (Rob Snowdon)
MORRISONS is to embark on a major relaunch of its multi-billion pound own label range and has poached Arla Foods’ top marketer to spearhead the campaign.
- EUROMARK'S U2 IS TAKING READY MEALS SECTOR BY STORM (pandct.com)
The U2, which was launched in the UK exclusively by Euromark Ltd earlier this year, is making a huge impact within the ready meals sector and demand for the world's most affordable and compact printer shows no sign of diminishing.
- Provexis fuels up with £8m sports nutrition deal (Mike Fahy)
FOOD supplements firm Provexis has launched a bid to buy Blackburn-based Science in Sport for £8m.
- Buying Iceland back is my priority, says Walker (James Hall)
Malcolm Walker, the chief executive of frozen food chain Iceland Foods, has said that his “number one plan” is to buy the 77pc of the business that he does not already own, after the retailer’s banks put the chain up for sale.
- Quorn looks to fish to broaden appeal (Rosie Baker)
Quorn, the vegetarian brand, is looking to broaden its appeal with the launch of an extended fish-alternative range.
- Sweet success for the wonder food that conquered the world (Sheena Hastings )
THERE was a time when sugar was hailed as a superfood, as a new exhibition explains. Sheena Hastings reports.
- Hotel Chocolat: Chocolate business tasting success (JOHN KRALEVICH)
IT is one thing to taste chocolate and thoroughly enjoy it; it is quite another to appreciate the extent of its popularity.
- Attracting talent for the future (Angela Coleshill)
The food and drink manufacturing industry is the UK’s biggest manufacturing sector employing a staggering 400,000 people in a huge variety of roles.
- Food Supply Chain Facing Skills Gaps (bdaily.info)
A landmark report has shown that a high proportion of workers in the UK food supply chain do not hold the right level of qualifications
- Mattessons launches UK sampling drive with The Marketing Store (thedrum.co.uk)
Kerry Foods' snack brand Mattessons is giving away one million samples of its Twisted Tails and Fridge Raiders ranges as part of a new sampling campaign.
- Tate & Lyle sweetens but market sours (Rachel Cooper)
Rumours that a suitor might have acquired a taste for Tate & Lyle sent the maker of Splenda sweetener soaring on Wednesday.
- We find 6,562 jobs in the food and drink manufacturing sector (Sheila Prophet)
WHATEVER happens to the economy, we all need to eat and drink and that means a constant supply of jobs. As part of our Get Britain Working campaign we’ve found 6,562 jobs in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
- Food & Drink Manufacturers Continue to Invest in Innovation (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
Despite upward cost pressures, FDF report that UK food and drink manufacturers are increasing their investment on innovation, research and development, in order to deliver value and benefits for consumers and to enable the sector to grow.
- Supermarket sandwich maker takes bigger slice of lunch money (Simon Bowers)
Greencore says cost-conscious office workers are replacing lunch with up-market supermarket sandwiches
- Barr Soft Drinks and Burton’s Foods appoints MTJ for portfolio-wide briefs (how-do.co.uk)
Staff at Leyland’s MTJ Associates will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting stuck into their latest account wins.
- .Good Food Group expects to exceed market expectations (StockMarketWire.com )
The Good Food Group Company, which owns the largest independent non-refining distributor of sugar in Europe (Napier Brown) and is a supplier of dairy ingredients ("Garrett"), bakery ingredients (Renshaw) and a manufacturer of sweet bakery products.
- First Milk Launches New Kung Fu Panda 2 Cheese Sticks (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
Paisley-based First Milk is set to revolutionise the kids’ snack market with Dairy Maniacs, a new dairy brand appealing to young families.
- Boparan to trim fat off supply chain (insidermedia.com)
Birmingham food entrepreneur Ranjit Boparan is looking to halve the number of suppliers to Northern Foods and 2 Sisters as he bids for a £1bn boost in turnover by 2015.
- Unilever up on £38bn bid talk (Geoff Foster)
For years it was considered by many fund managers to be a sleeping giant or just plain boring, but yesterday consumer goods behemoth Unilever was in good demand.
- Food manufacturing sector ‘must invest in skills’ (Andy - Guttridge)
The food manufacturing industry will need to add at least 137,000 employees to its ranks within the next six years, a new report has warned, many of which will be needed in engineering and management roles.
- Down the cakehole: the new ready meal (Victoria Stewart)
Coming home to a plate of food cooked by a Michelin-starred chef is what we'd all like every night.
- Ice Cool Move As DS-gluten Free Launch Frozen Ready Meals (beattiegroup.com)
DS-gluten free is continuing to strengthen its market-leading frozen gluten and wheat free food offering with three new frozen ready meal products.
- Food firm announces £500k investment to develop products (Clare Weir)
A Tyrone food firm is investing over £500,000 to develop products for export.
- Morrisons goes 'aggressive' in its drive to buy Iceland stores (James Thompson)
Morrisons is aggressively outbidding its rivals to secure new stores, particularly in the southern England, signalling the scale of its ambitions under chief executive Dalton Philips.
- Barnsley entrepreneur sells sushi to Japanese (thestar.co.uk/news)
Barnsley could soon be as famous for its sushi as its chops thanks to a fast growing company.
- Marmite makers urged to fight Denmark ban (telegraph.co.uk)
Marmite's makers have been urged to apply for a licence to sell the product in Denmark and end a temporary ban on the spread which has upset its fans living in the country.
- Aviagen opens new veterinary lab facility (worldpoultry.net/news)
Poultry breeding company, Aviagen, has completed the construction of a new, cutting-edge veterinary laboratory facility near its UK headquarters in Edinburgh.
- PepsiCo reshuffles with new Gatorade UK marketing director (Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith and John Reynolds)
PepsiCo has carried out a marketing reshuffle, shifting its Quaker Oats UK marketing director Hayley Stringfellow to the role of marketing director for Gatorade and sports nutrition UK and Ireland.
- Sweet inspiration for staff at factory (blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
FACTORY workers will be making life even sweeter after a major training drive at a Blackpool confectioner.
- UK Report Recognises Importance of Food Manufacturing (http://www.fdf.org.uk/)
A new report has recognised how the food and drink manufacturing sector is now a major contributor to the UK economy and will need investment in creating much needed high quality jobs for the future.
- I'm lovin' it: McDonald's boss hails firm's Ulster suppliers (Clare Weir)
Two thousand farms in Northern Ireland are currently supplying beef to fast food giant McDonald's.
- Ready meal firm creates 150 jobs in North East (bbc.co.uk/news)
A company in Consett specialising in chilled ready meals is to create 150 new jobs.
- Morrisons mulls over a £1.5bn Iceland bid in southern expansion push (Ruth Sutheland)
WM Morrison is considering a £1.5bn bid for frozen food group Iceland in a push to expand further beyond its Yorkshire roots into the South East.
- Greencore sales gather pace (Claa O'Brien)
Sales at Greencore grew in the first half of the year but a fall in property trading activity hit profit.
- MPs criticise Kraft chief executive on Cadbury takeover (bbc.co.uk/news)
MPs still have "significant concerns" about Kraft's takeover of Cadbury, according to a report.
- Pub meals outsell drinks for first time (walesonline.co.uk)
HARVESTER and Toby Carvery owner Mitchells & Butlers has warned soaring food and energy prices would continue to squeeze the business into next year.
- Premier Foods pegs growth on brands (Rosie Baker)
Premier Foods, the owner of Hovis, Ambrosia and Bisto, is overhauling its approach to brand, marketing and innovation as part of a new strategy to accelerate growth.
- NFUS Board Meets Vion in Netherlands (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
NFU Scotland has heard first hand Vion UK's plans for growing its business to the benefit of Scottish and UK producers.
- Asda sets aside £27m in food focus (shropshirestar.com)
Supermarket Asda has set aside £27 million to invest in fresh food as it reported a flat quarter for sales but said trading picked up last month with the help of Easter and the royal wedding.
- Billington on the up as profits soar (thestar.co.uk/news)
Last year, the break up of former Top 100 company Amco Corporation created two new table toppers in Barnsley – Amco Group and Billington Holdings
- Crumbs of comfort: When times get tough, Britons reach for chocolate digestives (Sean Poulter)
In these times of trouble, Britons are increasingly reaching for the biscuit barrel and a cup of tea.
- WKD firm swoops on Gloucestershire based Bottlegreen Drinks Company (thisisgloucestershire.co.uk)
Bottlegreen, the Gloucestershire-based soft drinks business, has been sold to the makers of WKD, Merrydown cider and Schloer for a pricetag believed to be £25m.
- Upper crust of the crisp world: At £4 a bag, welcome to a 'new concept of potato chip' (Sadie Whitelocks)
From pubs to picnics, crisps are a firm British favourite and the recession has seen sales of the low-priced potato snack soar.
- Cranswick wins approval to export to US (orkshirepost.co.uk)
UPMARKET sausage maker Cranswick is to go Stateside after winning US approval to export food to the States – the first British food company to gain American accreditation in over 15 years.
- Aussie yoghurts break into the UK market (David Stone)
The recent introduction of two Australasian yoghurts on to the UK market shows good export prospects for Australia and New Zealand.
- North West Young Chef Finalists Ready For Battle (Jane Duncan)
Five passionate young chefs from the North West are gearing up to give it their all at the final of one of the fastest growing regional culinary competitions in the UK.
- McCain Foods Co-Founder Dies Age 81 (hereisthecity.com)
G. Wallace F. McCain, co-founder and Vice Chairman, McCain Foods and Chairman, Maple Leaf Foods, died May 13th, 2011 after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
- Waitrose to open Leamington store creating 180 jobs (coventrytelegraph.net)
SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose has announced plans to open a £20 million store in Leamington – creating up to 180 jobs
- Screaming to be eaten: The microwavable curry that WHISTLES when cooked (Luke Salkeld)
Designed as the ultimate in modern convenience, microwave meals can still feel like a fiddly affair.
- Deli food firm creates 12 jobs in expansion drive (Heather McGarrigle)
A new food company in Randalstown is creating 12 new jobs and investing nearly £300,000 to target a lucrative Irish market.
- Exciting career opportunity at Healy (Mark Powell)
Due to one of the long standing members of the Healy Team leaving us to embark on a new and exciting adventure we have a career opportunity within the UK operation.
- Kent Crisps Launches first Oyster Flavour Crisp (fdin.org.uk)
Quex Foods has launched a new range of premium crisps reflecting the flavours and landscapes of Kent – the Garden of England
- Gü introduces master brand (Rosie Baker)
Dessert brand Gü is restructuring its portfolio of Gü Chocolate and Frü Fruity Puds sub-brands under one master identity designed around eating occasions.
- Brewdog share issue raises bar (tim sharp)
THE fast-growing Aberdeenshire beer company Brewdog is poised to conduct another multi-million pound fundraising scheme in an effort to boost capacity and extend its bar opening programme.
- Blackstone sweet on Tangerine Confectionery (By Chris Barry - Editor, North West)
PRIVATE equity firm Blackstone is set to buy Lancashire's Tangerine Confectionery in a deal worth more than £100m.
- Elliott Absorbents proudly announce the launch of Berry-Sorb™ (Matt Hankins)
After extensive field trials and over 12 months of market development, Elliott Absorbents are proud to launch their fruit absorbent pad “Berry-Sorb”.
- Real Good Food Company making progress in all sectors (Neil Hodgson)
TOXTETH-based ingredients supplier The Real Good Food Company made good progress in the year to December 31.
- Pet food business eyes US market (Shelina Begum)
A Cheshire based pet food company which specialises in natural cat and dog food as well as recyclable cat litter is targeting the US as part of its expansion plans
- Kraft set to raise food prices again this year (bbc.co.uk/news)
Food giant Kraft Foods, the owner of Cadbury, has warned that it will increase the prices of its products again this year because of higher raw material costs.
- Potato factory in Norfolk village damaged by blaze (bbc.co.uk/news)
More than 90 firefighters have been tackling a blaze that has seriously damaged a food factory in Norfolk.
- Green & Black's Taste Assistant wins by a nose (fdiforum.net)
William Leigh has won the much-coveted role of Taste Assistant at premium chocolate brand Green & Black’s.
- M&S makes two senior management appointments (retailgazette.co.uk)
High street retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has appointed a new Brand Director and a new Trading Director, with one poached from industry rival John Lewis.
- Crisps, pies and junk food used as new vehicle fuel (Rowena Mason)
It's one way to consume junk food without it being bad for you. One of Britain's biggest petrol suppliers is now melting down crisps, pies and pasties to make motor fuel at its £50m biofuel plant in Lincolnshire.
- Cadbury launches pampering range (Rosie Baker)
Cadbury is diversifying into beauty products by launching a range of Dairy Milk branded pampering products.
- ConAgra Has An Appetite For Ralcorp's No-Name Brands (Thom Forbes)
It doesn't take an economist to sense that people are going to resist price hikes in these jittery times
- Weight Watchers Launches the New Strawberry and Vanilla Sundae in UK (accentedtouch.com)
Weight watchers have launched a Strawberry and Vanilla Sundae in collaboration with the Icefresh, the iced desserts licensee.
- Allied Bakeries announce new launches (worldbakers.com)
UK-based Allied Bakeries has unveiled plans for new product launches behind its Kingsmill brand.
- Quick & Easy Real Potato Homestyle Mash From Lamb Weston! (bfff.co.uk)
Lamb Weston’s innovative range of potato products includes Homestyle Mash – a rich, real potato mash without the washing, peeling, mixing and mashing involved with making homemade mash!
- Food 'has become attractive to investors' (virtual-college.co.uk/)
Food hygiene professionals have seen the commodity become more popular with investors in recent months.
- Succulent seasonal food is by far the best (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
EATING the first succulent green spears of Yorkshire-grown asparagus dipped into a little molten butter reminds me that nothing beats the taste of seasonal food and the closer it is grown to where you live the fresher it will be.
- From New Zealand to Norfolk for yoghurt maker . (businessweekly.co.uk)
A dairy factory inspired by a New Zealand entrepreneur is being built on the outskirts of Norwich to produce a new gourmet yoghurt range for the UK market. Little Melton Gourmet Yogurt will be operational by the end of April.
- Sainsbury's launches £10m push behind "£50-a-week" offer (Sarah Shearman)
Sainsbury's is launching a £10m campaign to introduce a major new marketing initiative promising to show how to feed a family of four for £50 a week.
- Premier Foods, Mitsubishi Deal Needs U.K. Review, EU Says (bloomberg.com)
Premier Foods Plc (PFD)’s plan to sell its canned-food business to Mitsubishi Corp. (8058)’s Princes unit for 182 million pounds ($300 million) should be reviewed by the U.K.’s antitrust regulator, the European Union said.
- UK Indian chef contest to be held in Oxford (oxfordmail.co.uk)
BRTAIN’S best Indian chefs are coming to Oxford and there won’t be a tikka masala in sight.
- Benson Helps Launch Nut Free Cakes Across UK (bensongroup.co.uk)
Benson Group, one of the UK's leading privately owned carton printers, with headquarters in Bardon, Leicestershire, is helping launch a range of nut free celebration cakes in the UK.
- Q+A with Jenny Ashmore, global marketing capability officer at Mars (Rosie Baker)
Jenny Ashmore, global marketing capability officer at Mars is responsible for Mars food, chocolate and petcare brands including Dolmio, Whiskas and Snickers, as well as subsidiary business Wrigley, which owns the Skittles and Juicy Fruit brands.
- McDonald's franchisee offers apprenticeships to 250 (John Hill)
FAST-FOOD restaurant franchisee Ahmed Khan is keen to see 250 workers at his McDonald’s restaurants pass through an apprenticeship scheme by the end of the year.
- Scottish salmon exports hit record (fishnewseu.com)
FRESH Scottish salmon exports reached record levels in 2010, according to new figures published today by the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO)
- Hain Celestial Frozen Foods UK Ltd. Wins Prestigious Business Development Award (prnewswire.com)
Hain Frozen Foods UK has received the prestigious Eastern Daily Press Business Development Award
- Billions at stake in a giant VAT takeaway (Sarah Bridge)
Britain's biggest fast food retailers and sandwich chains are poised to launch claims for tax refunds that could run into billions of pounds.
- Premier Foods chief agrees to step down (Terry Macalister)
The boss of Britain's biggest food producer has swallowed his pride and agreed to step down.
- Greencore mulls bid for Uniq (Jonathon Sibun)
Greencore, the Irish food group that earlier this year failed in its efforts to merge with Northern Foods, is studying a potential bid for embattled rival Uniq.
- ‘Hard’ for tycoon to find blend with food groups (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
INDUSTRY experts believe food tycoon Ranjit Singh Boparan faces an uphill struggle to integrate and grow Northern Foods after paying £342m for the pizza and biscuit maker.
- ACPS Ltd - Plumbers Blackpool (Adam Carrington)
Arriving on time, driving smart vans and always dressed in uniform ACPS Ltd is not your usual plumbing company – we steer away from the image of late arriving, rip-off merchants who never complete the jobs they start and instead we provide a smart, effici
- Prince William requests McVities to make royal wedding cake (Rita Mu)
UK-based biscuit manufacturer, McVitie’s, will whip up a dark chocolate biscuit fridge cake – a childhood favourite of Prince Williams - for the royal wedding tomorrow.
- M&S food outperforms clothing (Rosie Baker)
Marks & Spencer has reported better than expected results for the first three months in the year as rising food sales offset falling clothing performance.
- Potential of pub and bar snacks (Lesley Foottit)
There’s £400m of potential snack sales being lost every year through pubs, but Lesley Foottit has some ideas to help boost sales.
- Brits Go Nuts For Peanut Butter (kamcity.com)
Peanut Butter - it has long been one of America’s favourite foods, but new research from Mintel finds the passion has spread from across the Atlantic.
- Traditional methods bring the cure for tasteless bacon (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
A YORKSHIRE butcher is helping to relaunch Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range of bacon. Catherine Scott reports.
- Mars appoints marketing chief for UK push (Rosie Baker)
Mars has put former Kraft marketer Michael Magee in charge of a £56m ad push that it hopes will increase its share of the UK confectionery market.
- Formby liquorice queen set to taste success and make millions
AN ambitious entrepreneur from Formby is set to see her company make millions of pounds – through selling liquorice.
- Was Cadbury a sweet deal for Kraft investors? (telegraph.co.uk)
With the US conglomerate's profits falling and its British purchase not performing as expected, Kraft's shareholders could be left with a bitter taste after the high-profile takeover battle.
- Keeping the ice cream menu fresh! (bfff.co.uk)
The ice-cream market has evolved and matured considerably in the last decade.
- A right royal marketing opportunity (guardian.co.uk)
Which of the exciting plethora of special food and drink products will you be buying to make the day of the royal wedding even more perfect?
- Isleport Foods expansion could create nearly 100 jobs (thisisthewestcountry.co.uk)
Nearly 100 jobs could be created after one of the Burnham and Highbridge area's biggest firms announced plans for a major expansion.
- The names are in for the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards (daniel@proactivecommunications.co.uk or caroline@proactivecommunications.co.uk )
The eagerly awaited list of nominees has been announced for the 2011 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.
- UK seafood firms unite to end fish discards (Natalia Real)
A group of top UK seafood suppliers, retailers and organisations have joined hands with the newly established Sustainable Seafood Coalition (SSC) to help end fish discards.
- McCormick launches the first Technical Innovation Centre in the EMEA region (Elke Dawkins)
The heart of this multinational company’s product development plants its roots firmly in Haddenham.
- Country Range Group launches new additions to its frozen range (Caroline Binch, Daniel Bowles)
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING - Desserts are available in a variety of formats, flavours and textures, offering caterers a multitude of options to choose from to suit different tastes or occasions.
- Legal beef against Taco Bell's meat filling dropped (independent.co.uk)
The class-action lawsuit filed against Taco Bell alleging that the chain's meat filling is mostly binders and fillers has been dropped.
- R&R is cream of UK’s growing businesses (Lauren Pyrah)
A YORKSHIRE food company has shown it is the cream of British industry after being pronounced the UK’s fastest growing business.
- Days are numbered for "sell by" dates in war on food waste (Vincent Moss)
“Best before” dates on food are being scrapped to cut Britain’s £6billion waste mountain.
- Simon Howie launches ready meal range (business7.co.uk)
Dishes to be sold in supermarkets across Scotland.
- I'm the real Willy Wonka (Joanna Della-Ragione)
HE sprinkles chocolate on his breakfast, uses it to perk up smoked salmon and his experiments in a Victorian laboratory could reinvent the Easter egg
- New McVitie's range launch with muffin and fruit loaves (worldbakers.com)
United Biscuits has announced plans to extend its McVitie's range with a breakfast muffin and a line of fruit loaves.
- Profits at Lakeland Dairies treble on global demand (Suzanne Lynch)
PRE-TAX PROFITS at Lakeland Dairies more than trebled last year to €4.5 million, boosted by growing global demand for dairy products.
- Unilever announces end to final-salary pension scheme (telegraph.co.uk)
Unilever, the company behind Marmite, Bovril and Magnum ice cream, has become the latest FTSE 100 company to close its final-salary pension scheme.
- Zetar buys Derby chocolate firm for initial £0.5m
(stockmarketwire.com)
Confectionery and snack foods company Zetar plc has acquired Derwent Lynton, a chocolate manufacturer based in Derby, for up to £0.8m depending on the level of working capital at completion.
- Chilli: C'mon baby, light my fire (Christopher Hirst)
Spicing our food with chilli has become as British as salt and pepper. But what does our obsession with heat reveal about the national psyche? And can we ever get enough? Christopher Hirst feels the burn
- Marks & Spencer poaches convenience head from Morrisons (supermarket.co.za)
Marks & Spencer’s Chief Executive Marc Bolland has poached one of his former Morrisons colleagues, Christopher Taylor, to take charge of his food stores division.
- Milk Link announces new production facility in Cornwall (farminguk.com/new)
Milk Link has announced that work has begun on the first phase of a new production facility at its Cornish Country Larder Trevarrian Creamery in North Cornwall.
- Call to cut VAT on ice cream (independent.co.uk)
Ice-cream makers and sellers have called for a cut in VAT to boost sales.
- Findus goes on £1bn seafood spree (James Quinn)
The company, backed by Lion Capital, is understood to have spoken to its syndicate of banks about resetting its covenants to allow it headroom to go on the acquisition trail.
- Focus now on marketing for China Food (sharecast.com)
China Food, the Chinese manufacturer of cooking and dipping sauces, is reviewing its options for its profitable animal feed business as it prepares for a big marketing push on the condiments side of the business.
- How red sauce covered the globe (independent.co.uk)
Marinara 'gravy' did more to integrate Italians into American society than Frank Sinatra or Joe DiMaggio. And it allowed for Italian cuisine to conquer the world, as John Mariani explains
- Amy's Kitchen frozen food range targets UK (Alex Brownsell)
Amy's Kitchen, the leading US healthy frozen foods brand, is pushing to break into the UK following the announcement that it has gained listings at Asda and Sainsbury's.
- Diamond Foods Gears Up to Expand After Buying Out Pringles (Apoorva Prasad)
The stock price of Diamond Foods Inc. jumped to its maximum in last four months after it agreed to buy Procter & Gamble Co.’s Pringles chip operations for $1.5 billion.
- Walker linked with Iceland bid as Landsbanki backs out (Emma Haslett)
Iceland's majority owner Landsbanki is poised to sell off its stake. Could founder Malcolm Walker be the one to save it from the deep freeze?
- 1,000-jobs bonanza at Co-op (Dick Bellringer)
THE Co-operative Group has launched a major recruitment drive to find 1,000 staff for its new regional distribution centre in Andover.
- Ronald makes a comeback amid concern that McDonald's is targeting children (Daniel Bates)
Ronald McDonald is to star in a series of adverts for McDonald’s and return as the face of the company for the first time in years.
- Domino's launches Reggae pizza in UK (jamaicaobserver.com)
PIZZA delivery company Domino's has combined with British-Jamaican Reggae singer Levi Roots to produce a Reggae-themed pizza.
- Pringles sold for a crisp £1.4billion (Ben Griffiths)
Billion dollar snack brand Pringles has been sold by American consumer giant Procter & Gamble to rival US food company Diamond, which gobbled up the business for £1.4bn.
- Andrew Baker is new chief executive of Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate (Haydn Lewis)
THERE’S a new man at the helm of the iconic North Yorkshire tearooms chain Bettys.
- KFC to stop using palm oil (Martin Hickman)
Fast food chain KFC is to stop frying chicken in palm oil.
- Alcohol matching trend offers huge opportunities for food industry (bizcommunity.com)
There is a massive opportunity for food manufacturers to take advantage of a growing trend of consumers matching their food and alcohol, finds Datamonitor.
- Kellogg’s UK MD departs (marketingweek.co.uk)
Kellogg’s UK managing director Greg Peterson has left the business after five years.
- Marks and Spencer to return to French retail market (bbc.co.uk/news)
Marks and Spencer has announced it is to re-enter the French retail market, 10 years after shutting down its stores in western Europe.
- British Curry Club launches Chaat! magazine (Katherine Levy)
The British Curry Club, the commercial organisation dedicated to the promotion and growth of the Indian food industry, is launching a curry magazine called Chaat!
- Co-operative Group sees 2010 profits jump 50% (bbc.co.uk)
The Co-operative Group has reported "record" results for 2010, with higher sales and profits up almost 50%.
- Schwartz launch seasoning range for summer BBQ's (Elke Dawkins)
Schwartz for Chef has added Smoky Mesquite to the newly launched BBQ seasoning range, taking the total to four, enabling chefs to easily create a tasty BBQ menu for the forthcoming summer season.
- Eat food chain to expand after buyout by Lyceum (James Thompson )
The private equity firm Lyceum Capital has acquired Eat, the sandwich and coffee chain, in a management buyout deal and vowed to triple its number of UK shops to more than 300 and launch overseas.
- 600 new jobs for supermarket site (Jenny Simpson - LEP)
Supermarket giant Waitrose has announced plans for a new regional distribution centre in Chorley which will create up to 600 new jobs.
- Food firms to do business (dewsburyreporter.co.uk)
A FAMILY firm is taking its products to a major food industry event for the first time.
- Profits fizz at Scottish drinks company AG Barr, maker of Tizer and Irn-Bru (Daily Mail Reporter)
Tizer and Irn-Bru maker AG Barr posted a 13pc leap in annual earnings, dodging the rising ingredient costs that caused rival Britvic to issue a profits warning last month.
- Real Good Food defies 'sugar rush' (Chris Barry )
REAL Good Food Company, the North West ingredients, sugars and cake supplier, has hailed a strong annual performance.
- Awards night honours Ulster food producers (Staff Reporter)
Northern Ireland's food producers have been honoured at the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards, supported by Ulster Bank.
- Soft Drink Sales Surge Past £9bn Thanks To Take Home Sales (kamcity.com)
Soft drinks have once again demonstrated their resilience in spite of tough economic conditions, growing to £9.4bn, according to the 2011 Britvic Soft Drinks Report published yesterday.
- Romer Labs moves to the Heath in Runcorn (Oliver Clay)
A FOOD diagnostics company has moved to the Heath, Runcorn, to develop test kits for products aimed at allergic consumers.
- Boparan succeeds in Northern Foods takeover bid (insidermedia.com)
More than three-quarters of Northern Foods shareholders have now accepted Birmingham entrepreneur Ranjit Boparan's £342m bid for the business.
- Multi-million pound Budget boost for Norwich
Norwich emerged as a big winner in the Budget, with a surprise £26m windfall for the city’s science park today hailed by MPs as “great news”
- Internet diet sensation Cho Yung Tea hits Holland & Barrett (Chloe August, Dani Boskovic, Matt Steele)
Internet diet aid sensation Cho Yung Tea, the specialist Green Tea that stimulates weight loss, is now available at Holland and Barrett, Europe's leading retailer of vitamins, minerals and supplements.
- Bottlegreen sets sights on overseas growth (Jonita Otto)
Leading UK premium adult soft drinks manufacturer, Bottlegreen Drinks Co has announced that the company is embarking on a major export growth programme.
- Frozen feather in your cap (SJ Barlow/Jane Duncan)
If you’d uttered the words ‘frozen food’ a decade ago, you’d have been met by an eerie silence. Today, however, the truth is starting to out and, with help from the scientists, people are starting to realise that frozen is just as good for you as fresh.
- Innocent Asks The Responsibility Deal To Spread Its Wings (femalefirst.co.uk)
No mention of 5-a-day leaves the Food Network’s pledges short on substance.
- McDonald's to make calorie count visible to customers at the counter (Alex Pielak)
Customers will soon be able to see just how many calories their Big Mac and fries contain as McDonald's agrees to show calorie counts on menu boards.
- Reggae brand lands UK drinks distributor (jamaicaobserver.com)
JAMAICAN-born chef and musician Levi Roots secured a deal to expand his Reggae Reggae empire through a lucrative UK licensing arrangement for his soft drinks.
- New taste sensations from Bensons Totally Fruity (Sarah Wheeler)
Pure juice producer Bensons Totally Fruity has launched a fresh new Orange and Apple Juice - a delicious natural soft drink and the perfect mixer!
- Juice deal means suppliers aren’t squeezed (menmedia.co.uk)
Founded with a loan from a local Catholic priest, JP Juices is now one of the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of Fairtrade drinks
- Greggs on a roll as squeezed punters tuck into its value pies and sandwiches (DAILY MAIL REPORTER)
Bakery chain Greggs is benefitting in the squeeze as cash strapped consumers are tucking into more of its value pies and sandwiches.
- UK food and drink export reach £10bn (edp24.co.uk)
Food and drink exports from the UK passed the £10bn mark for the first time after growing for the sixth year running in 2010 it will be announced today.
- Food producers 'looking to sell direct via the web' (Paul Burn)
Food producers are increasingly looking to offer products online for parcel delivery to establish direct links with their customers, a new survey has shown.
- Food giant launches chefs panel for industry feedback (James Verrinder)
Premier Foods Foodservice has launched an online panel of chefs to share their opinions on catering industry matters.
- Cox pipped out as our top apple as sweeter Gala takes over UK sales (Daily Mail Reporter)
It has been the UK's favourite home-grown apple for a century - but now the Cox has lost its crown.
- Food retailers sign up to healthy living deal (stockmarketwire.com)
Britain's biggest food retailers have signed up to a full list of pledges being launched by the Government today, which aim to help consumers make healthier choices.
- Hungry for graduate career success? Try the thriving food and drink industry (TARGETjobs news editor)
UK food and drink exports passed the £10 billion mark for the first time last year, food and farming minister Jim Paice announced yesterday.
- Dairy free: A significant and growing category (Helena Velliades/Leah Larwood )
Dairy free is a significant and growing category, worth over £136 million in 2010 (source: Nielsen, MAT to 30.10.10) and set to grow further as it becomes increasingly mainstream.
- How a sandwich franchise ousted McDonald's (Patrick Kingsley)
Limited seating, dreary lighting, a lot of sarnies – how Subway became the leading fast-food chain
- DLKW Lowe scoops Organix business (Matt Williams)
Organix, the organic baby-food brand, has appointed DLKW Lowe to handle its £2 million integrated advertising account.
- Vinmto Sales Spakle (Clinton Manning)
THE launch of Cherry Vimto helped soft drinks group Nichols boost sales and profits last year.
- Morrisons to start selling food online, from Bradford via New York (James Hall)
Supermarket's £32m fact-finding mission to America is an eccentric but bold move, writes James Hall.
- Food company Del Monte to put bananas in packaging (Rick Kelsey)
Del Monte is planning to sell single bananas in bags at places like service stations and gyms.
- Maximuscle founder weighs into health market with £150m fund (James Hurley)
Zef Eisenberg beefs up lending to health and fitness businesses with £150m fund following completion of £162m Maximuscle exit.
- Shrove Tuesday: the rise of the ready-made pancake (Harry Wallop)
Shrove Tuesday, for many households, is the first time a young child experiences the magic of breaking an egg, mixing it with milk and flour and creating food.
- Former Kellogg's marketing chief set to lead Quorn Foods (hedrum.co.uk)
Kevin Brennan, former marketing director for Kellogg’s has joined Quorn Foods as its CEO.
- Heinz To Utilize Facebook To Sell New Ketchup (Tim Ollason)
When it comes to Facebook and using it to sell different items there are lots of different companies and brands that are starting to take advantage of its seemingly easy access to customers.
- Kent Crisps promise a taste of the Garden of England (kentnews.co.uk)
A new range of crisps was launched this week reflecting the diverse flavours and landscapes of Kent.
- Devro investment to boost food industry Food firm announces significant factory investment (Simon Bain)
SCOTLAND’S key food manufacturing industry will be boosted this year by a £12 million investment in Lanarkshire from sausage-skin maker Devro.
- Food industry employment for Tyrone- The UK Knack Group (prfrog.co.uk)
A 10 million pound investment by Linden Foods in the Tyrone town of Dungannon will see the establishment of 85 new jobs there.
- Premier's meat-free sale expected to complete in March (Ian Biggs)
PREMIER FOODS' £205m sale of its meat-free business, including the Quorn brand which is based in North Yorkshire, is expected to be completed by early March
- Merger for Findus firms (James Reed )
THE Findus Group is to merge its Young's Seafood, The Seafood Company and Findus UK operations to create Young's Seafood.
- LighterLife Announces New Healthy Ready Meals (Josie Smart)
LighterLife has launched new healthy ready meal options to help over 50% of the UK* who are currently overweight or obese.
- Peter's Ensure Blues Fans can ‘Keep Right On' for the Carling Cup Final (David Lee)
As Birmingham City prepare for one of the biggest matches in the club's history, official club supplier Peter's have prepared a tasty treat for all Blues fans travelling on official club coaches.
- Eversheds leads on sale of Sugar Puffs owner to Finnish company (Claire Ruckin)
Eversheds has taken a lead role on the £82m purchase of Sugar Puffs parent company Big Bear Group by a Finnish food business
- Grant for food firm (Gordon Bannerman)
A PERTHSHIRE butchery and food production firm has cashed-in on bacon’s popularity.
- Premier Foods beats profit expectations (Duncan Brodie)
A SLIMMED-down Premier Foods revealed yesterday that its debt mountain was set to fall below £1billion – and posted better-than-expected annual profits.
- Poultry company invests £30m in Thetford factory (Rebecca Gough)
Some £30m will be invested in a new food manufacturing site in Thetford which is due to begin production in the spring.
- The gourmet popcorn explosion (Victoria Stewart)
Popcorn is causing quite a crackle in London but there isn't a cinema in sight.
- Cadbury 'thriving' despite hitting Kraft's profits (bbc.co.uk)
New figures show the takeover of Cadbury helped boost sales at the American food company Kraft by around 30%.
- Hovis owner Premier Foods sells canning business for £182m (Jonathon Sibun)
Premier Foods chief executive Robert Schofield has claimed the company is "nearly at the finishing line" in its efforts to pay down debt after agreeing a £182m deal to sell its canning business.
- Boporan's £340m bid for Northern creates finger-licking giant (independent.co.uk)
Ranjit Singh Boparan – the poultry magnate who supplies chicken to KFC – has emerged victorious from a £341m battle to buy Northern Foods.
- Crisp firm wins £6m of investment in Norwich plant (bbc.co.uk/news)
A £6m expansion of crisp producer Kettle Foods in Norfolk has been announced by the firm's US owners.
- Food company gives to Armed Forces Charity (Lisa Jones)
A FOOD company which donates all post-tax profits to Armed Forces charities, welcomed former rugby internationals and ex-squaddies at a promotional lunch.
- First employees scoop new food productivity qualification (onrec.com)
Two employees at Kensey Foods have become the first in the UK to be awarded a new qualification designed to boost productivity and efficiency in the food and drink industry.
- Now UK company sells samosas to Indians (indiatimes.com)
Call it food colonialism in reverse, but a British food manufacturer has started selling samosas in India, from where the delights of spicy dishes caught the imagination of the British palate 200 years ago.
- Krispy Kreme to open first UK doughnut factory in Greater Manchester (James Ferguson)
The factory, which will create up to 40 jobs, will supply 15 varieties of doughnuts to Krispy Kreme's outlets around the north west, which include cabinets in Tesco and Selfridges stores.
- Yearsley Group unveils £20m expansion plan (/menmedia.co.uk/)
Cold food storage and distribution company Yearsley Group today unveiled a £20m expansion plan in a move which could create 150 jobs.
- Apprentices Urged to Take Up Tasty Careers (scotlandfoodanddrink.org)
Food and drink manufacturers are urging students to think about tasty careers with their companies as National Apprenticeship Week kicks off on 7th February.
- Greencore given more time for Northern bid (James Thompson)
Greencore persuaded Northern Foods to delay its shareholder meeting yesterday to give the Irish food producer more time to consider a counterbid to Ranjit Boparan's £342m takeover offer.
- Bad weather can't derail Marston's (Sarah Modlock)
The outlets of Marston's provided a haven for Britons in the cold snap, with the pub and brewery group reporting an in-line performance over the period.
- Willowbrook Foods creates stir by landing 'innovative' export contract (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
A Co Down food firm is celebrating after winning an export deal for its stir-fries.
- UK businessman purchases further 4.8% of Northern Foods (Suzanne Lynch)
YORKSHIRE BUSINESSMAN Ranjit Boparan tightened his grip on target company Northern Foods yesterday with the announcement he had bought a further 4.8 per cent of the company on Monday. The latest purchase brings his holding in the company to 11.4 per cent.
- Landsbanki to sell Iceland Foods for £1.5bn (James Hall)
The Resolution Committee of Landsbanki, the failed Icelandic bank, is about to kick off the process of selling Iceland Foods, the UK frozen food chain, for an estimated price of up to £1.5bn.
- £45m deal 'a fantastic vote of confidence' for industry (Ginny Ware)
THE sale of a South Devon seafood suppliers has been hailed 'a fantastic vote of confidence' in the local seafood industry.
- Premier Foods sells Quorn and Cauldron for £205m (Helia Ebrahimi)
Premier Foods, Britain’s largest food producer, has put a small dent in its £1.4bn debt pile by offloading both Quorn and meat-free sausage brand Cauldron for £205m.
- Ready cash tempts Northern Foods investors (guardian.co.uk)
Investors want ready cash for ready meals specialist Northern Foods, analysts said today, as shares in the maker of Goodfella's Pizzas and Fox's Biscuits rose slightly above an agreed 73p-a-share offer from Ranjit Singh Boparan.
- McDonald’s UK reports record year (Rosie Baker)
McDonald’s says a “strong” performance in the UK and Europe helped boost global profit by 9% last year.
- Burger King hunts new marketing chief as Sarah Power exits (John Reynolds)
Burger King's UK and Ireland marketing director, Sarah Power, has left the company after four years.
- Domino's Pizza lines up Tesco boss for top post (James Thompson )
The pizza retailer Domino's Pizza UK has appointed Lance Batchelor, the head of Tesco Mobile, to be its next chief executive.
- Tasty packaging spices up sales in positive food market (SIOBHÁN O'CONNELL)
THERE WAS good news this week in Ibec’s business sentiment survey, which found that Irish food companies are more positive about the business environment and future prospects than the wider business community.
- Linden Foods to create 85 jobs in Tyrone (Jacqueline Purse)
Linden Food are to create 85 jobs in a new £10m facility in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
- Unilever, Birds Eye and Mars sign up for Change4life Swapathon (Russell Parsons)
The Department of Health has confirmed details of the £250m Change4Life “Great Swapathon” that will see companies including Unilever, Birds Eye and Mars take part in an initiative to encourage people to swap to a healthier lifestyle.
- Unilever, Birds Eye and Mars sign up for Change4life Swapathon (Rusell Parsons)
The Department of Health has confirmed details of the £250m Change4Life “Great Swapathon” that will see companies including Unilever, Birds Eye and Mars take part in an initiative to encourage people to swap to a healthier lifestyle.
- Eazycuizine puts overseas expansion on the menu (Shelina Begum)
A frozen food manufacturer is aiming to take a bite out of new global markets this year as part of its expansion plans.
- Weight Watchers launches 'not just for diets' push (Sara Kimberley)
Weight Watchers from Heinz has launched a £1.5m New Year ad campaign by VCCP to reposition its range of frozen foods as not just for dieters.
- Food firm Baraka invests £500,000 in extension (Sion Barry)
A VALLEYS food company, whose customers include some of the UK’s biggest retail names, is poised for fresh growth after a new investment round.
- Hazeldene invests £1.7m in expansion plans (James Ferguson)
Salad supplier Hazeldene is to invest £1.7m expanding its factory in a move which will generate 25 jobs, the Wigan firm announced today.
- Lurpak embarks on ‘kitchen odyssey’ for 2011 (alkingretail.com)
Lurpak, the UK’s No. 1 BSM (Butter, Spreads & Margarine) brand from Arla Foods, is launching a new marketing campaign for 2011 in cinemas on the 7th of January.
- Linda McCartney Foods searching for UK’s tastiest meat-free dish (Eric Fortney)
The purveyors of frozen vegetarian and vegan friendly favorites such as spicy bean and sausage casserole, vegemince and toad in the hole—had to look that one up—are looking for the UK’s tastiest meat-free dish.
- Campbell's agrees deal with Symington's for new range launch (thedrum.co.uk)
Iconic food brand Campbell’s is set to return having agreed a deal with Symington’s to launch a range of dry soups and pasta and rice meals.
- Sainsbury's to create 20,000 new jobs over the next three years (Thomas Knorpp )
Sainsbury's has today announced that it will create 20,000 new jobs in the next three years.
- Mega 340m euro bid for Icelandic Group in offing (ww.fishupdate.com)
A MEGA fish takeover deal involving two of Britain’s largest seafood companies could be in the offing.
- Hungry TV fans ring up chunky Domino's sales (By Tanya Jefferies and Press Association)
Major TV 'event' shows like The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing boosted pizza home delivery sales at Domino's at the end of last year.
- European Sales help John West net increased profit (Alex Turner)
LIVERPOOL-BASED canned fish company John West Foods has continued to make progress in choppy waters, with a marked improvement in its operational performance.
- Food firm dines out on success after research investment (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
A FOOD firm in Co Down is hoping to cash in its export chips after a major investment in research and development.
- Finsbury Food moves for deal with Genius (Sion Barry)
CAKE to gluten free bakery goods maker Finsbury Food Group has entered into a new joint venture agreement which could result in a £21m sale of two of its subsidiaries.
- Greencore rival in UK deal 'must make' intentions known (SUZANNE LYNCH)
BOPARAN LTD, the company which has expressed a possible interest in mounting a counter-bid for Northern Foods, must make a firm intention for the company by January 21st, the British Takeover Panel said yesterday.
- Schwartz Flavour forecasst identify's the latest flaour pairings for 2011 (Elke Dawkins)
Once again the flavour experts at Schwartz have teamed up with specialists across the food industry to identify five exciting flavour pairings to look out for in 2011.
- Mozzo thinks about the box as it prepares to launch its “Magic Mozzo Coffee Box” (Elke Dawkins)
Arabica coffee traded in New York jumped 51% in 2010 and in December reached $2.20/lb, the highest price since August 1997* - but there is one company that is refusing to compromise the quality of its coffee and has again turned its focus to packaging.
- Food and drink brands must shout about sustainability (Rosie Baker)
Food and drinks brands have set out tough new goals to make the industry more sustainable but must make more effort to communicate their achievements to consumers.
- Dairy foods 'could help prevent diabetes' (bbc.co.uk)
A natural substance found in dairy products appears to protect against diabetes, say researchers.
- Harry Ramsdens owner Ranjit Boparan plans £300m bid for Northern Foods (tradingmarkets.com)
Ranjit Boparan – the West Midlands chicken tycoon behind Harry Ramsdens and Fishworks – is planning to launch a £300m hostile bid for Northern Foods.
- £4.5m funding to produce branded cheese at Caernarfon cooperative (Martin Williams)
A DAIRY cooperative secured £4.5million to sustain jobs and follow its dream of becoming a leading manufacturer of branded cheese.
- Silgan Holdings to acquire Vogel & Noot’s food can business (Paul Chapman)
Silgan Holdings Inc., a supplier of consumer goods packaging products announced that it has agreed to purchase Vogel & Noot AG's food can operations for EUR250.
- Heather Mills opens new shop in Corby (northantset.co.uk)
Vegetarians and vegans in Corby preparing for the festive season have an early Christmas present.
- Premier Foods to focus marketing spend on fewer brands (Rosie Baker)
Premier Foods, which owns the Bisto, Mr Kipling and Hovis brands, will focus its marketing budget on fewer brands as part of the company’s turnaround strategy.
- Leading Swedish Pet Food Company Believes in the UK Market (mynewsdesk.com)
The European leader in home delivery of quality pet food Husse has now found its way across the channel and is in full career to establish the brand in United Kingdom.
- Kepak Foods wins 'Best frozen product of the year' title (asianimage.co.uk)
A Kirkham-based food manufacturer came out on top at a national awards ceremony.
- Premier Foods fills new COO role to increase sales (worldbakers.com)
The UK's largest food producer has created a role of chief operating officer in a bid to drive sales of branded products.
- Harrison becomes Kellogg's UK marketing director (how-do.co.uk)
Kellogg’s has confirmed that Peter Harrison has been promoted to UK marketing director.
- Two new Conran restaurants head for Leeds (Bernard Ginns, Business Editor)
SIR Terence Conran's restaurant company is opening two new restaurants in Leeds.
- Quorn attracts two potential buyers (Graeme Evans)
Premier foods has confirmed it is in advanced talks with two parties over the sale of Quorn, its meat-free food range.
- Applaws firm recognised for its fast growth (petproductmarketing.co.uk)
MPM Products Limited, the firm behind the popular Applaws pet food, has been ranked 32 in a FastTrack Survey of the 100 fastest-growing UK private companies as sponsored by the Sunday Times.
- Diamond Foods Kettle Brand Chips Win UK Top Honors in Financial Times Taste Test (Diamond Foods Inc)
Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar Chips Made From Real Potatoes Win Accolades in Financial Times Salt and Vinegar Taste Test; Kettle Ridge Crisps Salt & Malt Vinegar Takes Runner-Up.
- Yoghurt and the functional food revolution (Sreya Biswas)
In half a century, the humble yoghurt has gone from hippy health food to mass market phenomenon, triggered a functional food revolution and become a multi-billion pound industry.
- Green & Black's man on the hunt for food and drink investments (telegraph.co.uk - James Hurley)
William Kendall, who sold Green & Black's to Cadbury five years ago, rediscovers his appetite for consumer food and drink brands – and reveals why bootstrapped start-ups are unlikely to turn his head.
- Food firm Symington's to build gravy factory to roast rivals
A FOOD firm is creating 40 jobs at a new gravy factory as part of a £10million expansion.
- Jobs mean it’s butter for Westbury (wiltshiretimes.co.uk)
Around 60 jobs could be created in Westbury if a butter factory opens at Westbury Dairies.
- Want coursework with that? Swansea fast food firm to offer business degree
A FAST food giant is offering its staff the chance to discover the ingredients to running a successful business.
- Hunger for canapes drives growth at Frank Dale Foods (Elaine Maslin)
Miniature desserts and party food have proved to be big business for a food manufacturer which is set to nearly double its turnover this year.
- Jobs ‘safe’ in Greencore and Northern Foods merger deal (Julie Hayes)
HUNDREDS of jobs in Selby are not expected to be affected by the proposed merger of food companies Greencore and Northern Foods, announced yesterday.
- New food colleges to train Sainsbury’s staff (retailgazette.co.uk/)
The UK’s third biggest grocer Sainsbury’s is to provide new training facilities for its employees who work on the meat, fish, deli and hot food counters.
- Jobs boost as Symington's wins backing for expansion (Lizzie Murphy)
DRIED food manufacturer Symington's is to create about 40 new jobs after receiving a £10m boost from its owners to fund its launch into the gravy market and new product development.
- Heinz's Mr Bean has big ideas in the can (Jonathan Sibun)
David Woodward, Heinz UK's fourth boss in less than three years, has relied on innovation to reverse its decline.
- McDonald's and PepsiCo to help write UK health policy (Felicity Lawrence)
Department of Health putting fast food companies at heart of policy on obesity, alcohol and diet-related disease
- Ready meals keep up the pace during recession (potatobusiness.com)
Tightened household budgets are resulting in increased expenditure on food to be eaten at home as consumers turn away from more expensive eating options found in restaurants, according to analyst insight by Euromonitor.
- Northern Foods to merge with Greencore (shropshirestar.com)
Northern Foods, the company behind Fox’s biscuits and Goodfella’s pizza, has announced plans to merge with the biggest sandwich maker in the UK.
- £10million food centre brings 120 jobs to Aston (Jon Griffin)
A £10 million 90,000 sq ft food distribution centre is on its way to an inner-city Birmingham site which has been dubbed an eyesore by local residents, creating 120 new jobs.
- Dairy Crest calls pitch for product launch (Matt Williams)
Dairy Crest, the UK food and drink manufacturer, is approaching agencies regarding an advertising project ahead of the launch of a new product next year.
- How food manufacturers are changing their wasteful ways (Julian Hunt)
Zero waste to landfill. It's a bold ambition. And it's one of five public commitments made by members of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF) as part of a major programme launched in 2007 to reduce their environmental impact.
- Silvery Tweed Cereals Ltd wins £1.2m boost (Chris Knox)
A 167-YEAR-OLD cereals processing company is set to create jobs and boost its profits after receiving more than £1m to upgrade its production and storage facilities.
- Jammie Dodgers to be given £2million makeover (mirror.co.uk)
Tea-time favourite Jammie Dodgers are being given a £2million makeover in a bid to halt crumbling sales.
- Seafod industry welcomes new frozen food survey (fishupdate.com)
A HIGHLY detailed new report on the future of the UK frozen food and frozen fish industry has been welcomed by some of the country's leading seafood companies.
- Sainsbury's half-year profits and sales rise (bbc.co.uk/news)
The UK's third-biggest supermarket group, Sainsbury's, has reported higher sales and profits for the six months to October.
- Whole Foods Market announces expansion plans for the UK (imagesfood.com)
Whole Foods Market intends to open two new stores in the UK, one in Richmond upon Thames in London and one in Giffnock in Glasgow.
- Jain Irrigation Acquires 80% UK-Based Sleaford Quality Foods (Jain Irrigation Acquires 80% UK-Based Sleaford Quality Foods by Khyati Doshi | November 03,2010 - 03)
Jain Irrigation Systems has acquired 80% stake UK-based Sleaford Quality Foods Ltd (SQFL), an industrial food ingredients supplier.
- Takeover saves 70 jobs axed at food firm, with more to follow (newsguardian.co.uk)
A NORTH TYNESIDE company hopes to save almost 100 jobs lost after a food factory went into administration last year.
- Funding for £4.2m project will help food and drink workers improve skills (Tina Crowson)
EMPLOYERS in the food and drink sector in South Devon who are looking to improve the skills of their workforce can be met halfway in the funding stakes — thanks to a successful multi-million pound bid.
- Deal secured for £2.3m food plant at Reaseheath College (Simon Halewood)
CONTRACTOR ISG has secured a deal with Reaseheath College to create a £2.3m food processing facility.
- Morrisons offers training for the homeless (Cath Everett)
The Morrisons supermarket chain is to give 10% of the 10,000 new jobs it creates by opening a raft of new stores to homeless and other vulnerable people.
- Peter’s targets pie-eating football fans (Michael Kavanagh)
Pastry munching football fans look set to benefit from a renewed bout of pie marketing wars with Peter’s Food Services aiming to win market share in sports grounds across England and Wales.
- WeightWatchers plans £28m campaign for new diet programme (Rosie Baker)
WeightWatchers has overhauled its diet plan with the introduction of a new points system.
- An appetising prospect in the food industry (cambridge-news.co.uk)
Never mind the wind chimes, it’s the delicious wafting aroma that is beckoning Jenny Chapman as she visits CP Foods and talks to joint site manager Helen Mepham, who has built a £50m business from scratch...with a little help from feng shui.
- Pwllheli food manufacturer receives bank backing for revamp (Martin Williams, Daily Post)
A CHEESE processing company has secured financing to revamp its Gwynedd headquarters.
- New MD for Findus's UK frozen food business (Ian Briggs)
FROZEN food company Findus Group has promoted its chief marketing officer, Leendert den Hollander, to managing director of its UK frozen business.
- It's food, drink and 'cleantech' that will get the UK back to work (Deirdre Hipwell )
Or so hopes the Chancellor, George Osborne, as he counts on the private sector to save the country. Deirdre Hipwell reports
- £20m revamp safeguards over 200 jobs at Deeside packaging plant (Martin Williams)
A FOOD packaging company’s £20million relocation project safeguarded 230 jobs and produced a 25% increase in turnover.
- Kraft boss visits Birmingham Cadbury factory (new.bbc.co.uk)
The chief executive of food giant Kraft has visted Cadbury's main UK factory for the first time since the US firm bought the chocolate-maker.
- Rising temperatures lead to bumper harvest of homegrown exotic crops like tea and olives (Sean Poulter)
Rising temperatures and changing tastes have led to the fields of Britain being turned over to exotic crops such as tea, melons, chillis and olives.
- UK fish processors launch new seafood risk process (fishupdate.com)
The sustainability group of the European Union Fish Processors and Traders Association (AIPCE), of which Findus Group is a member, has launched a new risk assessment process to define a Europe-wide sourcing standard for seafood.
- Sales increase in Scotland's food and drink industry (eat out magazine)
Sales in Scotland's food and drink sector grew by £1 billion over 2007-2008, reported The Scottish Government.
- Food firm bakes up Genius advertisement (Douglas Hamilton )
Genius Foods is using an Albert Einstein look-alike in what it claims is the first TV advertisement for a gluten-free bakery brand in the UK.
- Scottish Government: Success Of Food And Drink Sector (Scottish Government)
Scotland's food and drink sector saw sales increase by a billion pounds over 2007-08, according to new figures
- UK's Food Safety Rating May Soon Be Mandatory (Dan Flynn)
Increase the number of local inspections by combining food safety and health and safety inspectors, and then make the Food Standards Agency's public rating system mandatory.
- PepsiCo reveals sustainable business plan (Rosie Baker)
PepsiCo has announced an “ambitious” sustainability strategy to cut water usage and carbon emissions by 50% in the farming and packaging of its brands.
- East Anglian pea farmers sign frozen food deal (news.bbc.co.uk)
East Anglian pea farmers who lost a contract with Birds Eye earlier this year have signed a new deal to supply their crop to the UK market.
- Northumberland company battles back from liquidation (Tom Mullen)
A NORTH East chilli sauce company is firing on all fronts just months after battling back from liquidation
- Ocado to create 2,000 jobs with second distribution centre (Zoe Wood)
Midlands location will allow Ocado to deliver to 85% of UK postcodes as rapid growth expected in online grocery market
- Sainsbury's King slams schools for shortage of skilled food workers (James Hall)
The British education system is leaving supermarkets "short" of potential employees with appropriate specialist skills, says Justin King, the chief executive of J Sainsbury.
- Walker Bids £1bn For Iceland (kamcity.com)
Malcolm Walker, founder and Chief Executive of Iceland Foods, has offered £1bn to buy back the business he set up 40 years ago, according to weekend press reports.
- CP Foods appoints senior commercial manager (Georgina Ndlovu)
CP Foods has appointed Tim Graham as its new senior commercial manager in its developing Ingredients Business Unit.
- Pepsi's Potato Packaging: Will It Peel? (Arial Schwartz)
Sustainable chip packaging is a risky thing. Frito-Lay learned the hard way; the company's much-heralded compostable Sun Chips bags were nixed this month because of concerns about noise.
- Cargill reaps bumper harvest from grain price (Gregory Meyer)
Big spikes in grain prices have led to soaring profits at Cargill, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader.
- Asda re-launches own-label food and drink range (Harry Oldfield)
UK supermarket chain Asda has announced the re-launch of its own-label grocery range under the new banner: Chosen By You.
- Dairy farmers launch range of cheeses with help of £26,000 grant (Mike Brigden)
DAIRY farmers Neil and Carol Peacock are to launch their own range of artisan cheeses.
- Pret A Manger chief is stacking up healthy profits in lean times (Rebecca Smithers)
Pret's Clive Schlee helped turn around the sandwich chain after it expanded too fast, and saw it survive the recession as a trusted brand
- Gwyn Burr, Customer Service and Colleague Director at Sainsbury’s, named Chief Marketing Officer of the Year 2010 (Thomas Knorpp)
Sainsbury’s is the UK’s third largest supermarket chain, trading from over 800 stores.
- Packaging for Indian inspired confectionery nominated at Global Food awards (Paul Hughes)
Devnaa are a family business making Indian inspired confectionery and have been nominated for the best packaging category at the World Food Awards, held on October 23rd in London.
- NFU recruits communications director from Coca-Cola (FW Reporters)
The NFU has announced that it has recruited a senior executive from Coca-Cola to become its new director of communications.
- Mergers and acquisitions on the menu for food groups (John Hughman )
After Kraft's audacious swoop for Cadbury last year, merger activity in the food industry has been off the menu for a while
- Food production industry set to embrace robotics (James - guttridge.co.uk)
The food production industry is set to benefit from productivity growth as it increases its uptake of robotic technology, it has been claimed.
- Northern Foods sees sales growth (UKPA)
Northern Foods has posted a return to sales growth after its rebranded Goodfella's pizza range secured a bigger slice of the UK market.
- NI Food Industry 'Bucks Recessionary Trend' (4NI.co.uk)
Part of NI's economy is still literally 'growing' with a new report revealing potential growth opportunities for the local agri-food sector.
- Export surge takes some of sting out of rising costs for Walkers (PETER RANSCOMBE)
RISING raw material costs are continuing to take a bite out of profits at Walkers Shortbread but rising exports are helping the iconic food firm to bounce back from the global economic downturn.
- Horlicks eyes new avatars in food and health (Rachit Vats)
Horlicks, a familiar name among homemakers and mothers, is heading for change. The flagship brand of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) is seeking new pastures for the brand under the broad health and food category.
- Premier Foods confirms bid interest for Quorn (news.bbc.co.uk)
Premier Foods has confirmed that it has received takeover approaches for its meat-free business, which includes its Quorn brand of products.
- Wellness losses cut despite £10m debt repayment hit (Jonathan Sibun)
Wellness Foods, the company backed by Irish horseracing tycoons JP McManus and John Magnier, fell to a £22.1m loss last year after taking a £10m charge on interest rate swaps.
- Jobs boost for Lakes catering firm
A SOUTH Lakes catering firm is expanding its business and creating new jobs.
- Sara Lee shares jump on report of takeover rejection (Sandra Guy)
Shares of Downers Grove-based Sara Lee Corp. jumped nearly 14 percent this morning based on a New York Post report that the company rejected a takeover bid by famous leveraged-buyout firm KKR, formerly Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
- UK's Dairy Crest renews Morrisons milk supply deal (Lin Noueihed; Editing by Matt Scuffham)
British food manufacturer Dairy Crest said on Wednesday it had renewed its fresh milk contract with Morrisons supermarkets through to 2015, boosting its shares one day before it issues a six-month trading update.
- Big Food eyes profits in smaller waistlines (cLIVE cOOKSON)
Nestlé milked maximum publicity from its creation this week of a health science business “to pioneer a new industry between food and pharmaceuticals”.
- Use of robotics in food sector to increase within 10 yrs (Natalia Reel)
The use of of robotic technology in the food sector will gradually rise to help processors increase their efficiency gains to the point that demand for the technology could rival that of the automotive industry within 10 years.
- Shipping out £1.4m order to Thailand
A Lowestoft-based company is putting the finishing touches to a £1.4m project to supply bespoke freezers for a new food processing factory in Thailand.
- Food firm invests in the future (yorkshirepost.co.uk)
PRODUCTION has been stepped up at a foods processing and distribution business after it secured an investment to help it keep pace with demand.
- Economic woes put comfort food top of the menu says Lees (Nathalie Thomas)
LEES Foods, the iconic confectionery maker, has continued to benefit from hard-up households indulging in comfort food as half-year profits jumped 43 per cent.
- New sealing system could cut costs for food production industry (Emma)
A new sealing system for food packaging has been launched which could significantly cut costs for those in the food production industry.
- Food Industry Careers.co.uk finalist at the NORA's 2010 (David Lee)
Food Industry Careers has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Newcomer in Online Recruitment category in the National Online Recruitment Awards 2010.
- Continuing development of Merseyside food and drink industries (Neil Hodgson)
MERSEYSIDE was built on a trading and industrial heritage that propelled it to the status of second city in the Empire.
- Trewithen Dairy in £1m Cornish milk deal (bbc.co.uk/news)
A food company in Cornwall has signed a deal with a local dairy to have all its milk provided locally.
- Unilever looks to sell Chicken Tonight brand (Louise Lucas)
Unilever is to sell its Chicken Tonight brand as it continues to shake up its food portfolio and forge deeper into personal care.
- Unilever spends £2.3bn to acquire US toiletries firm (Tom Bawden)
• Alberto Culver deal brings high-margin hair products
• Anglo-Dutch firm will aim to cut costs by $160m
- Food and Drink Federation joins Labour Party Conference (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has organised a series of fringe events at the 2010 Labour Party Conference in an attempt to highlight some of the core issues of Britain's food and drink Industry.
- Calorie counts on menus to fight obesity (Denis Campbell)
Minister launches voluntary scheme urging food industry to highlight healthy options for diners
- China based Bright Food to purchase the UK’s United Biscuits (investinuk.net)
United Biscuits may be up for sale if the Sunday Times report is anything to go by. The Newspaper carried reports regarding a planned purchase of the UK based firm by Chinese firm, Bright Food.
- Rectory Foods struts in with No Nonsense chicken (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Rectory Foods is strutting its stuff with an exciting new range of fresh, 100% natural chicken fillets under a striking new brand – ‘No Nonsense’.
- UK nut market reaches £547m thanks to healthy eating (Mike Stones)
The UK market for nuts, seeds and dried fruit reached £547m last year reflecting the continuing trend towards healthy eating and a revived interest in home-baking, according to the latest food report from global research organisation, Mintel.
- Ready-to-eat foods drive demand for packaging metal (fnbnews.com)
Worldwide consumer goods packaging market has witnessed a sturdy growth over the past few years, translating into healthy demand for packaging products including metal cans, and containers.
- Traditional dishes back in fashion as Brits call for regional food in restaurants (Rachel Johnson)
British consumers are calling for more traditional British cuisine in restaurants, new research has revealed.
- National recruitment firm celebrates new contract win with leading food supplier (onrec.com)
National recruitment firm gap personnel, headquartered in Wrexham in North Wales, has secured a major new contract with a leading UK food manufacturer.
- Food Prices Increase at Fastest Pace in a Year, BRC Says (Jennifer Ryan)
Food prices increased the fastest in a year in August as manufacturers passed on higher commodity prices, the British Retail Consortium said.
- Pet food firm works with college to boost sales (Sion Barry)
A PET food company based in Carmarthenshire has opened up new markets with support from Coleg Sir Gâr and a UK-wide initiative to improve business performance.
- Hilton advances as cheap meat loses appeal (Michael Kavanagh)
A switch among recession-hit consumers towards cheaper cuts of meat has been partly reversed according to Hilton Food Group, Europe’s biggest packer of red meat and a supplier to some of Europe’s leading supermarket groups.
- Holland's Launch Special Best Of British Corrie Pies (readymealsinfo.com)
Holland’s Pies, the North West’s best known producer of pies and puddings, has announced that it is going to give pie and Corrie fans a real flavour of ‘The Street’ with the launch of a new range of Limited Edition Coronation Street Pies across the nation
- Two new chinese-style meals from Gressingham Duck (readymealsinfo.com)
Speciality poultry company Gressingham Foods has launched two duck-based ready meals to satisfy what it says is growing demand for Chinese-style dishes.
- UK unveils new labelling responsibilities (Rory Harrington)
New rules carving up responsibilities for food labelling policy in the England came into force this week, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) losing much of its power on the issue.
- 40 jobs on offer as Waitrose moves into Spinningfields (Catherine Shannon)
The supermarket chain, which is the food outlet of the John Lewis Partnership, has confirmed that it will open a store close to Spinningfields in November.
- Bread Tops Waitrose List Of Most Commonly Wasted Foods (supermarket.co.uk)
Bread is the most commonly thrown away food in the UK, according to new research by supermarket chain Waitrose .
- Growing Reputation for Healthy Eating (thisisbristol.co.uk)
BRISTOL has long been the spiritual home of organic food, but the sector has taken some heavy knocks in recent years.
- Foster’s Gains After Rejecting $2.5 Billion Wine Bid (Robert Fenner and Shani Raja)
Foster’s Group Ltd. rose to the highest in two and a half years in Sydney trading on speculation suitors will raise bids for its wine unit after the company rejected an offer worth as much as A$2.7 billion ($2.5 billion).
- Ocado sees 30% rise in food sales (bbc.co.uk)
Online grocery retailer Ocado saw its sales rise nearly 30% in the last quarter and said it expected to see that pace of growth continue.
- New route into food and drink careers for unemployed young people (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Food and drink manufacturers are being invited to have their say on shaping a new training programme aimed at getting more young people working in the industry.
- Pepsi Raw removed from UK market (David Burrows)
Pepsi Raw, the cola made using naturally sourced ingredients launched in 2008, is being removed from the UK market, Pepsi has confirmed.
- Morrisons to launch online food service (Prajakta Ambre)
UK retailer Morrisons plans to sell groceries online in order to capture the digital space for better future.
- Staffline boosted by demand for unskilled work in UK (reuters.com)
Blue-collar recruitment specialist Staffline Group Plc (STAF.L) posted a 50 percent profit rise on Monday as it takes advantage of a glut of British jobseekers to plug a demand for temporary labour.
- Brand owners see chance to seize baton from FSA (Joe Fernandez)
Food and drink marketers should find it easier to promote healthy eating without the interference of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) if it is scrapped, according to industry experts
- Why size matters for Cadbury (David Burrows)
With the price of commodities, like cocoa, on the rise, and the health lobby proposing smaller portions, confectionery manufacturers may well be weighing up the merits of cutting bar size.
- Nestlé in strategy review after confectionery marketing chief leaves (David Burrows )
Nestlé’s marketing team faces further scrutiny after the relocation of its UK marketing director for its confectionery division.
- Mars cuts sat-fats by 15% (Rosie Baker)
Mars is reducing the saturated fat content of its chocolate bars as part of its ongoing strategy to improve the nutrition credentials of its products.
- Chilled ready meals sales up 8.4% year-on-year (Elaine Watson)
Sales of chilled ready meals surged 8.4% in the year to July 11, while volumes shot up 14.4% over the same period, according to new data from Kantar Worldpanel.
- Findus fills senior UK Frozen marketing role (John Reynolds)
Findus Group, which owns the Findus and Young's food brands, has hired Unilever marketer Tasha Gladman as marketing director of its UK frozen-food business.
- Frozen Food: Global Industry Guide - new market report released (Mike King)
Frozen Food: Global Industry Guide - a new market research report on companiesandmarkets.com
- Welsh Assembly begins 10 year plan for food (Debbie James)
The first phase of a strategy for generating sustainable and profitable growth for the Welsh food industry over the next decade, has begun.
- BaxterStorey's innovative approach to Food waste management (Adrienne Cohen)
Adrienne Cohen describes the nationwide programme of recycling food waste into green energy set up by BaxterStorey, one of the UK’s leading catering companies.
- EU Clears Lactalis To Buy Ebro Foods' Milk Unit (David Tidmarsh)
The European Commission Monday cleared French dairy products corporation Groupe Lactalis to purchase Puleva Foods, the milk product unit of Spanish food company Ebro Foods SA.
- Tata Global to enter food business (indiatimes.com)
Tata Global Beverages (TGB, formerly Tata Tea) is planning to enter the food segment.
- Farmers reap benefits of food firm success (Andy Richardson » )
NORTH-EAST farmers are set for a boost following confirmation that a County Durham food firm is to complete a major expansion that will triple its capacity, after doubling the size of its workforce over the past 12 months.
- Campbell’s eyes United Biscuits deal (Oliver Shah)
CAMPBELL’S, the American maker of tinned soup and pasta sauces, has emerged as a potential bidder for part of United Biscuits (UB), the manufacturer of Jaffa Cakes.
- Straw theft is omen for the future of food (By Garry White and Rowena Mason)
Mining giant BHP Billiton has made its bid for Canadian group PotashCorp of Saskatchewan because it sees a bright future for agricultural commodities. It looks like a very sensible move – providing the price is right.
- Study to check if garlic and asparagus can fight diabetes (David Batty )
Diabetes UK examining whether foods rich in fibre could supress appetites and reduce blood sugar levels
- East, west, home’s best: British food (Lesley Foottit)
Lesley Foottit looks at ideas for how pubs can maximise food and drink sales during British Food Fortnight.
- Batchelors expands its range with new Cup a Pasta (talkingretail.com)
Premier Foods, the UK's No.1 food manufacturer, is set to drive sales in the Hot Snacks category with the launch of the new Batchelors Cup a Pasta range from September 2010.
- Fruitapeel in line to squeeze £12m turnover in first year (Graham Henry)
A JUICING factory that only started production five months ago is on course to reach a turnover of £12m in its first year, after being bought out of administration.
- Green leafy veg 'may cut diabetes risk' (Emma Wilkinson)
A diet rich in green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, UK research says.
- “Simply Halal” launch of Halal Barbeque Range (newsroom - meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
“Simply Halal” launch of Halal Barbeque Range could create more employment on the New European Halal Food Park.
- Poultry firm aims to create Wrexham jobs (Phil Robinson)
A POULTRY firm aims to create up to 50 jobs when it opens its first UK plant in Wrexham.
- Monaghan gets employment boost as mushroom factory announces 150 jobs (careersportal.ie)
Monaghan Mushrooms will create 150 new jobs, thanks to the opening of a new state-of-the-art plant.
- Baxters Food Group Optimises Best Practice And Boosts Profits Thanks To Domino’s M-Series Print And Apply Labelling System (packagingessentials.com)
Baxters Food Group is renowned across the UK for its wide range of delicious soups, preserves and condiments.
- UK-based Compass Group buys India's Tirumala Hospitality Services (Press Trust Of India)
UK-based Compass Group Plc has snapped up Indian catering services provider Tirumala Hospitality Services Private Ltd for an undisclosed amount.
- Kellogg's pledges to reduce sugar levels in cereal range
Company responds to campaigning by health groups with announcement of 15% cut in sugar content in Coco Pops
- Greggs stays bullish despite wheat shortage
The humble sausage roll looks set to escape the worst effects of the global wheat shortage, Greggs has forecast, as the pastry and sandwich chain said it did not anticipate sustained high prices for grain in spite of the drought in the Black Sea region.
- Nestle First-Half Profit Rises 7.5% (Goran Mijuk at goran.mijuk@dowjones.com )
Nestle SA on Wednesday warned of a difficult second half as the Swiss food and beverages giant reported a 7.5% rise in first-half net profit.
- Northern Foods Agrees To Sell Dalepak Unit For GBP6.4M Cash (Hannah Benjamin)
Food producer Northern Foods PLC (NFDS.LN) Monday said it has reached an agreement to sell its Dalepak Frozen Foods business to the Irish Food Processors Group in a cash deal worth about GBP6.4 million
- The East India Company to resume trading - but this time under Indian control (David Wilkes)
It was the paragon of British imperialism, set up to exploit India’s wealth of resources and ending up governing large parts the country in the process.
- Marks & Spencer Appoints AWAS' Alan Stewart as CFO (Simon Zekaria )
U.K. clothing, homeware and food retailer Marks and Spencer Group PLC (MAKSY) said Tuesday it has appointed Alan Stewart as chief financial officer.
- Government To Create Supermarket Adjudicator (kamcity.com)
Suppliers and farmers will have the power to complain to a Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) about their treatment by the major supermarket multiples, under plans published today by the government’s business department.
- Sausage skin firm Devro post 86% rise in profits (bbc.co.uk)
Scottish sausage skin maker Devro has announced an 86% rise in half year profits as global demand for its product continues to grow.
- Liverpool-based Real Good Food Company has right ingredients for progress (Neil Hodgson)
LIVERPOOL-based The Real Good Food Company is filled with “considerable confidence” ahead of its second half period.
- Rush for jobs in fast food outlet that doesn’t exist (cambridge-news.co.uk)
Fast food giant Subway has been inundated with job applications from people who want to work at a store it says it has no intention of opening.
- Plan aims to boost food exports by 40% (ALISON HEALY)
An ambitious ten-year plan for the agriculture and fisheries sector aims to increase food and beverage exports by more than 40 per cent and boost value of primary production by farmers and fishermen by €1.5 billion euro.
- Kelloggs to create 50 jobs in Ireland (examiner.ie)
Kelloggs, the producer of breakfast cereals, has announced the creation of 50 jobs in Ireland.
- Jersey success in UK food awards (news.bbc.co.uk)
Chocolates made from Jersey's special preserve, black butter, have won a national award.
- Morrisons acquires Simply Fresh Foods (James Thompson)
The new chief executive of Morrisons has made his first acquisition by purchasing Simply Fresh Foods, a supplier of packaged vegetables, to enhance its distribution services as it expands in the UK.
- Real Good Food Company serves up strong half year performance (Stockopedia News)
Bakery ingredients group Real Good Food Co (LON:RGD), has reported “good trading progress” during the first six months of the year, with a continuation of strong sales growth at Renshaws, its baking ingredients business, and at Hayden's Bakeries.
- Welsh lose to French in bid for Rachel’s Organic (Richard Misstear)
ONE of Wales’ most high-profile food brands – Rachel’s Organic – has been sold by its American owners to a rival French firm.
- Fire-hit company look for temporary site (The Lowestoft Journal)
EMPLOYEES at the Lowestoft food factory gutted by fire are waiting to hear if the company will relocate to new temporary premises in the area.
- Chester based fudge maker gains gold taste award (Naomi Dunning)
CHESTER-based confectionery business FudgeBox has been awarded a sought after "Gold Star Award" at the Guild of Fine Foods "Great Taste Awards 2010" for its “Blossom Honey and Amaretti Fudge”
- Restaurants drop out of calorie count scheme (Dan Thomas)
The majority of hospitality operators that took part in a Food Standards Agency (FSA) trial of labelling menus with calorie information have failed to commit to the scheme, it emerged today.
- Lion to buy Picard in biggest French LBO since 2008 (Quentin Webb)
BC Partners BCPRT.UL has agreed to sell French frozen-food firm Picard Surgeles to rival Lion Capital, highlighting the keen appetite of private equity firms to strike deals in the recession-resilient food industry.
- United Biscuits' units may split in private equity firm exit (Jane Byrne)
The snacks and biscuits division of UK manufacturer United Biscuits could be parcelled out to different buyers, according to a research firm's analysis of the market following media reports the company is to be sold by its private equity owners.
- Agricultural Wages Board axed by government (Michelle Stevens )
The Agricultural Wages Board has been abolished in a quango cull announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
- Cows given new feed to reduce fat in milk
Shoppers could soon be able to drink healthier milk, after dairy cows were given an experimental new feed.
- Kraft seeks manufacturing allies in India (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
Kraft Foods, the world’s second largest foods company, is in talks with at least three biscuit makers including Cremica group and Surya
Food & Agro for manufacturing alliance in India.
- Jobs boost as M&S warehouse opens in Bradford (bbc.co.uk)
A Marks and Spencer distribution centre that will create hundreds of jobs in West Yorkshire has been opened.
- Starring role at taste awards for provinces food and drink firms (Russell Lynch)
Thirty food and drink companies from across Northern Ireland have gained over 100 gold stars for their produce in the annual UK Great Taste Awards.
- Bid to win special status for Welsh food (Steffan Rhys)
THEIR status is such they have been made the protected species of food.
- Penguin biscuit firm could be p-p-p-picked up (Dab Milmo & David Teather)
Private equity owners put United Biscuits up for sale
- Tilda Easy Cook Gains Craft Guild Stamp of Approval (Sam Rooke)
The Craft Guild of Chefs has passed Tilda Easy Cook Basmati and Easy Cook Basmati & Wild rice ranges with flying colours, exceeding the pass mark for use of the ‘Approved Product’ logo.
- Co-op launches £21m skills drive (David Coates)
North West group Co-operative has launched an £21m campaign to boost skills levels in the region.
- Fivemiletown cheeses have gold star quality (newsletter.co.uk)
HANDMADE cheeses from Fivemiletown Creamery have added to the Tyrone dairy's reputation for quality after winning another raft of awards in the prestigious Great Taste Awards in London.
- Birds Eye looks to kick off frozen food brand war (Joe Fernandez)
Birds Eye Iglo is looking to become Europe’s leading frozen food brand following its €805m (£684m) acquisition of Findus Italy from Unilever yesterday.
- Waitrose to double stores by 2015 (Sarah Howard)
High end supermarket chain Waitrose plans to double its offering of shops by 2015, drawing on its recent successes in terms of revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Nestle UK staff balloted in pay dispute (news.bbc.co.uk)
The first national ballot for industrial action at food giant Nestle is to be held in a dispute over pay.
- The Innocent school of business (Sarah Bridge)
First there were the Men from Mars, then the Tescocrats but now it is the trendy Innocent Men and Women who are making a name for themselves in the world of business.
- Unilever to sell Italian frozen foods business Findus for €805 mln (Sergei Balashov )
Food manufacturer Unilever (LON:ULVR) gas agreed to sell its Italian frozen foods business Findus for €805 million to a company controlled by Birds Eye Iglo, which will now own the 4 Salti in Padella, Sofficini.
- Northern Ireland - Linden Foods in Awards Hat Trick (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Linden Foods, one of the UK’s leading meat processing companies, has recently won a series of awards for innovation and quality across its range of beef, lamb and rosé veal products.
- Lasagne sandwich launched by Tesco (Martin Frecker)
If you're Italian, we suggest you look away now. Tesco has created the ultimate student sandwich... designed to taste like leftover cold lasagne.
- Factory which supplies all of Burger King's burgers is destroyed in blaze (Chris Musson )
A MASSIVE blaze has destroyed Burger King's main supplier.
- Starbucks Expands in Japan and U.K. (Zacks Equity Research)
Starbucks Corp announced the launch of two new innovative quick-brew products to expand the coffee giant's presence in grocery stores in the U.K. and Japan.
- Premier Foods lures rival marketer to head international division (Joe Fernandez)
Burton Foods marketing director Jaspal Chada is to leave the company to take up the newly created role of international director for grocery at Premier Foods.
- Waitrose opens cookery school (telegraph.co.uk)
Waitrose has become the first British supermarket to set up its own cookery school.
- UK's gluten-free food market expected to rise (talkingretail.com)
The global gluten-free market is set to grow by $1.2bn (£800m) over the next five years to be worth over $4.3bn (£2.96bn), according to independent market analyst Datamonitor.
- Del Monte wins UK food award (talkingretail.com)
Frutini Pineapple Fruitsticks by Del Monte is the big UK winner at SIAL d'Or, the trade competition which rewards 30 international innovations for their major commercial success in their national markets.
- Industry waits for news of FSA's future (Kerstin Kuhn)
Confusion surrounds the future of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) after reports that the Government was preparing to scrap the health body, with all "arms length bodies" under review as part of its cost cutting.
- Northern Foods gets boost from £1 Tesco sandwiches (Amy Wilson)
Northern Foods reported strong sales in the first quarter and said it may beat forecasts after supplying more £1 sandwiches and pizzas to Tesco.
- World Cup boosts June food sales (James Hall)
Hot weather and the World Cup led to an increase in sales of barbecue products, salads and ready meals in June.
- Dearne Valley Foods factory fire threat to 200 jobs (bbc.co.uk)
Nearly 200 workers at a food company in South Yorkshire are facing an uncertain future after their factory burnt down.
- Food and Drink: UK's Biggest Manufacturing Sector (Ian Armitage)
Food and drink processing is the biggest UK manufacturing sector, a new report shows
- Dairy Crest introduces Clover Lighter 1kg (talkingretail.com)
Dairy Crest's number one dairy spread brand, Clover, that is worth £80m* and growing by 3%* in value year-on-year, is expanding its range with the launch of Clover Lighter 1kg from 28th June.
- Heston Blumenthal to launch food range for Waitrose (guardian.co.uk)
Fat Duck wonderchef conjures up British classics such as beef and ale pie.
- Travel advice: the cost of in-flight food (Sophie Butler)
Sophie Butler compares the price of in-flight snacks by airline and answers readers' queries.
- Birds Eye pledges to drive more sustainability awareness (Joe Fernandez)
Birds Eye has launched a company-wide sustainability plan, called “Forever Food”, pledging to only sell responsibly sourced food and promising to drive consumer awareness of more sustainable and healthy choices.
- Ocado Sets IPO Price (Michael Carolan)
Online grocer Ocado on Tuesday priced its initial public offering at a level that values the company as high as £1.18 billion ($1.79 billion).
- Birds Eye boss Martin Glenn: 'frozen food is the future' (James Hall)
Birds Eye chief executive Martin Glenn has his hands full bidding for Findus Italy, deciding whether to launch an IPO and educating Britain about the value of food.
- Halewood launches new soft drink for men (Robyn Black)
Halewood International is to follow up its successful launch of Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer with a new soft drink for men.
- Mission Foods set to rock sales (talkingretail.com)
Mission Foods, the UK's No1 wrap manufacturer, has teamed up with hit West End Musical 'We Will Rock You' to create a fun and appealing on pack promotion that will have consumers going Ga Ga.
- Premier Foods Appoints Former Kraft Veteran As Chairman (kamcity.com)
Premier Foods has appointed former Kraft veteran Ronnie Bell to become its new Chairman from October.
- Rectory Foods Enters Ingredients Space (Food INgredients First)
Working exclusively with an approved garlic specialist, Rectory Foods now offers premium frozen and dehydrated garlic as well as an ambient sterilised purée.
- UK food industry signs up to waste reduction commitment (Click Green Staff)
The new coalition Government has shown support for the Courtauld Commitment 2 when new Environment Minister, Lord Henley, attended the inaugural meeting of signatories in London.
- R&R Ice Cream appoints corporate development director (foodanddrinkeurope.com)
Ice cream giant R&R has appointed its first director of corporate development to explore further acquisition opportunities in mainland Europe.
- Auction For MW Brands Moves Toward Finish (Jessica Hodgson and Carol Dean )
The auction for French canned seafood business MW Brands is moving toward the finish, with at least three final offers valued at EUR650 million to EUR700 million expected within the next week, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday.
- Kerrygold and North Downs Dairy merge (talkingretail.com)
The Kerrygold Company and North Downs Dairy, both wholly owned Irish Dairy Board subsidiaries, are merging to create one consumer foods business, Adams Foods Ltd. This will take effect from 3 October 2010.
- Tate & Lyle Sells EU Sugar-Refining Operations (JONATHAN BUCK )
Tate & Lyle PLC on Thursday announced the sale of its sugar-refining operations in the European Union to American Sugar Refining Inc. for £211 million ($315 million) in cash, advancing its strategy to focus on its specialty food-ingredients business.
- UK scrambles to keep 'dozen eggs' in EU battle (Laurence Peter)
UK officials say they will defend food producers' right to label groceries by number, amid fears that the EU may consign "a dozen" eggs to history.
- Daniels Group's soup plant will create 200 jobs (thisisgrimsby.co.uk)
THE strength and depth of Grimsby as Europe's Food Town was heralded as a world class soup and ready meals production plant was officially opened.
- Scottish food and drink sales increase (guttridge.co.uk - Andy)
The Scottish food and drink industry has been boosted by the news that brand sales have increased significantly over the past three years.
- Welsh bakery selling pizzas to Italy (Graham Henry)
MOST would dismiss the idea of a business that was based on selling haggis to the Scots, Guinness to the Irish or waffles to the Belgians as audacious.
- Sainsbury’s Recruits World’s First Supermarket Beekeeper (kamcity.com)
Supermarkets can offer a wide variety of careers, from retail management to food technology, to engineering. However, Sainsbury's has increased the repertoire of jobs available after recruiting retail's first ever bee keeper.
- Well-travelled hospital food among the most reliable meals on wheels! (Cetti Long )
WE'VE all heard of 'meals on wheels' - but when it comes to hospital food, our region's patients receive some of the best-travelled culinary delights in the country!
- Northern Ireland holds its own with story of provenance (Elizabeth O’Keefe )
Staring into the face of adversity, the fresh produce industry in Northern Ireland has had to diversify by offering added value to survive various issues such as funding cuts, competition from overseas and margin squeezes.
- Oysters – why we can't get enough of these slippery customers (Katie Allen)
They take five years to grow, can be wiped out by cold or parasites and cost a fortune but the recession has not affected our appetite for oysters
- Halal poultry: A minefield for producers (Scott Casey)
Halal is a market full of eastern promise, but it's also a market full of potential pitfalls, as Scott Casey finds out
- Buy British standard food, Defra head tells Cabinet (James Hall)
All food served in the UK's hospitals, schools and prisons will have to conform to British farming and manufacturing standards under a major Government initiative to improve the nation's health and boost the struggling agricultural sector.
- Tesco takes over Fresh & Easy suppliers (Jonathan Birchall)
Tesco is taking over the US operations of two key suppliers to its fledgling Fresh & Easy business after its slower-than-expected expansion.
- Seafood giants continue impressive growth (fishupdate.com)
TWO of Britain's seafood producing companies have combined revenues of well over £2-Billion, new figures have shown.
- Lyons Seafoods awarded Grade A* British Retail Consortium certification (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
Lyons Seafoods has been awarded the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Grade A* Global Standard for Food Safety Accreditation.
- Food and toy packaging contributing to UK waste problems (Zoe Taylor)
Food and toy manufacturers could face crackdowns as the government moves to slash excessive amounts of packaging entering homes.
- Hain Celestial Buys Churchill Food Products (kamcity.com)
The Hain Celestial Group, a leading natural and organic products company in the US, has announced the acquisition of Churchill Food Products Limited.
- North Wales-based Iceland is one of UK’s biggest private companies (David R.Jones)
NORTH Wales based frozen food retailer Iceland makes it onto a list of Britain’s 100 biggest private companies by sales.
- Skills ambrosia (TheManufacturer.com)
Food and drink manufacturers in the North-West have cause for greater confidence in the future of the industry after the opening of a new £2.7 training centre, the Eden International Dairy Academy.
- Ethnic Food manufacturer finds new home (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
The Ethnic food manufacturer Spice Time is moving its team into larger premises this year as part of its ambitious plan to become the UK's largest foodservice manufacturer.
- 'Supertasters' find lower salt levels make foods too bitter to eat (Richard Alleyene)
Some people are put off the new generation of healthy foods because lower salt levels make them too bitter to eat, research has shown.
- Victory for food lobby as MEPs reject new labelling rules (Martin Hickman)
MEPs caused outrage yesterday by rejecting a colour-coded system of food labelling which health campaigners said would inform consumers about levels of fat and sugar and halt rocketing levels of obesity.
- MEPs set to vote on EU food labelling rules (Martin Banks)
Socialist MEPs have launched a last ditch effort to "prevent a PR push" by food industry lobbyists from stopping shoppers from getting "honest, upfront" information about their food.
- McCain Foods brings in Pitch to promote sponsorship of UK Athletics (Gemma O'Reilly)
Frozen food firm McCain Foods has appointed sports PR agency Pitch to undertake PR support for the company's sponsorship of UK Athletics.
- Selling our ready meals to the Americans is a tall order (Tracy Corrigan)
The ready meal is much underrated, writes Tracy Corrigan.
- £1m red-meat processing research project will benefit whole industry (Andrew Arbuckle)
A £1 MILLION research project involving high-tech equipment in meat processing plants should produce benefits for everyone in the red-meat food chain.
- Boom in gluten-free foods as consumers shun wheat (Harry Wallop)
Gluten-free products has become Britain's fastest selling food category, as millions of consumers buy pasta, bread and biscuits that are not made from wheat.
- Sweet success for bakery business (Sheila Prophet)
Six months after launching her bakery business, Allison Whitmarsh knew it was time to move from her own kitchen to larger premises.
- North-east food firm to launch new range at taste of Grampian (Joe Watson)
Posh puddings and Macphie of Glenbervie’s other DevilShh products will mark its first move into direct retailing
- Food supplier Brakes sweeps the board at frozen food awards (Claire Dodd)
Company takes 12 titles at British Frozen Food Federation awards
- Jobs boost as QV buys Taypack arm (Andrew Arbuckle )
THE potato packing business of one of Scotland's biggest potato producers, Taypack of Perth-shire, has been bought by QV Foods, based in East Anglia.
- Merseyside food producers nominated for top awards (Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo)
A LIVERPOOL restaurant group, a Wirral tea specialist, an Aintree biscuit maker and a ready meal producer from Warrington are short-listed for this year’s Food Northwest Awards.
- Patak’s receives consumer’s seal of approval (talkingretail.com)
Patak's, the iconic Indian food brand, is excited to announce its Good Housekeeping accreditation.
- Public want food hygiene scores on display (Abby Alford, South Wales Echo )
THERE is “unanimous disappointment” among consumers that restaurant and takeaway businesses will not be forced to display their food hygiene score to customers in the wake of the South Wales E.coli outbreak.
- Ready meals provider Greencore serves up a profit again (Amy Wilson)
Greencore, which supplies Tesco and Asda's ready meals and sandwiches, saw first-half earnings grow "very strongly" and has forecast higher profits for the rest of the year.
- Singing Sandwich For World Cup Fans (Emma Langman, Sky News Online)
Now football fans will be able to support the World Cup with their lunch, thanks to the launch of a new singing sandwich.
- New Longer Lasting Bagged Lettuce Goes On Sale At Waitrose (supermarket.co.uk)
Waitrose has become the first UK retailer to begin selling Lasting Leaf - a new brand of bagged lettuce which is guaranteed to stay fresh for two days longer than standard bags of salad once opened.
- New food board for the North East (Anna Smith)
LEADING lights in the North East food sector have come together in a new strategic board.
- Food minister calls for cheese exports boost (bbc.co.uk)
The British dairy industry should make more cheeses to export to the world, food minister Jim Paice has said.
- Darwin Buys UK Organic Food Company Plum Baby For GBP10M (Marietta Cauchi)
Darwin Private Equity said Tuesday it has bought Plum Baby Foods for GBP10 million, marking the London-based buyout firm's third acquisition since launching in 2007.
- C&D Foods buys Dutch canning facility from Nestle (John Mulligan)
C&D Foods, the Longford-based pet food manufacturer that is 50pc-owned by beef baron Larry Goodman, has acquired a canning facility in the Netherlands from Nestle. It is likely to provide a springboard for the company into mainland Europe.
- Northern Foods pins recovery hopes on pizza fairy (uk.reuters.com)
Food manufacturer Northern Foods (NFDS.L) hopes the relaunch of Goodfella's pizzas will help it to cope with tough trading conditions, it said on Tuesday, as it reported flat annual profits.
- Frozen food firm blazes recovery trail
North East food manufacturer Longbenton Foods is creating 314 jobs as it continues a multi-million pound recovery.
- Food chain to premiere at Lakeside (thurrockgazette.co.uk)
FAMOUS Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell has chosen to open its first ever restaurant in the UK in Thurrock - at the Lakeside Shopping Centre.
- Mather offers a taste of Homecoming (Robbie Dinwooddie)
Tourism Minister Jim Mather, above left, has visited Edinburgh Castle to launch a year-long celebration of Scottish food and drink, as part of the build-up to the second Year of Homecoming in 2014.
- Meat packers united: labour renaissance in the UK food industry (Felicity Lawrence )
Scandalous working conditions in industrial chicken sheds have led to a revolution. The labour movement has come back to life in the UK poultry sector– and forced supermarkets to act
- Britain’s vegetarian food firms given a boost (guttridge.co.uk)
This week, Britain’s hundreds of specialist vegetarian food firms are being put in the picture.
- Homepride drives Bakes and Sauces (talkingretail.com)
Premier Foods, the UK's No. 1 food manufacturer, is extending its Homepride range this June with the launch of a raft of new products, including Vegetable Bakes, Pasta Bakes, Bolognese and Lasagne sauces.
- Cranswick profits hit a record (menmedia.co.uk)
Pork products supplier Cranswick said increased supermarket demand for its bacon and sausages helped annual profits jump by 26 per cent to a new record.
- Brits spend most in Europe on ready meals (talkingretail.com)
Brits are spending the most money on ready meals in Europe accounting for a fifth of the market, according to Business Insights.
- England players spice up their diet in quest to win World Cup (Chris Smyth )
Ten kilos of sushi rice, seaweed sheets and plenty of wasabi paste. This is not a shopping list one naturally associates with Wayne Rooney.
- Producing Fresh, Sustainable Foods on Allotments in the UK ( Alice Alech)
The British have discovered an uplifting, social, healthy way to promote sustainability - care for the environment by growing their own fruits and vegetables while at the same time interacting with fellow gardeners.
- Chocolate you inhale: breathable food Le Whif hits UK shops (Anna Leach)
Breathable chocolate is not just some wacky Willy Wonka idea - it's a reality. A commercially available reality. You can now buy food aersols "Le Whif" in House of Fraser outlets across the UK.
- Heinz appoints CMO from Unilever (Joe Fernandez )
Heinz has appointed Unilever's global vice president for brand development Matt Hill to the role of chief marketing officer for Heinz UK & Ireland.
- Bodybuilder is muscling in on meals market (Peter Edwards )
A FORMER bodybuilder who set up a muscle and fitness store has launched a range of high-protein ready meals for people who want to bulk up.
- Online protest drives Nestlé to environmentally friendly palm oil (Martin Hickman)
Food giant bows to Greenpeace campaign and vows to cut its 'deforestation footprint'
- McDonalds promotes British food for London 2012 Olympics (William Surman )
MCDONALDS has teamed up with the London Olympic committee to lead the charge on delivering British farmed food to participants and spectators during the 2012 games.
- Barnstaple firm reaches finals of best burger competition (dave.tanner@archant.co.uk)
A North Devon food manufacturer is through to the national finals of a competition to find England's best burger.
- New premises for Blackburn food firm (lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)
THE maker of Soreen malt loaf has secured new premises in Blackburn.
- Murray takes new retail job at Spar (Chris Randal)
Spar UK has announced that Stores Development Controller John Murray has been appointed into a new retail job.
- Food can help cut the fiscal deficit (Tim Lang and Charlie Clutterbuck )
Sustainably increasing food production in the UK makes financial not just environmental sense
- Tilda offers a ‘Taste of Italy’ (Elke Dawkins)
Win a trip to Italy with Tilda and experience a one-to-one in the art of Risotto with a top Italian chef!
- Sustainability could serve food industry profits (guttridge.co.uk)
A growing demand for eco-friendly foods could bring substantial profits to the UK food industry.
- Food companies energise employees in well-being practices (thegrapevinemagazine.com)
Food companies across the UK are showing their commitment to employee well-being, as the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) launches a new report into its members well-being practices.
- Nestle plans to sweeten its UK market share (David Jones)
Nestle aims to gain share in UK confectionery market
- Greggs success testament to UK food industry (guttridge.co.uk)
From humble beginnings, Greggs bakery has gone on to become one of the UK’s biggest names in the food industry.
- Birds Eye’s biggest-ever marketing push (talkingretail.com)
Birds Eye, the UK's leading frozen food manufacturer, is launching its biggest ever 360 degree marketing campaign on 10th May to champion its commitment to 100% quality across the Birds Eye portfolio.
- Deeside food company wins contract to supply curries to Whitbread (David R Jones)
A DEESIDE food company has won a contract to supply curries to the giant Whitbread pub chain.
- Sainsbury urges coalition not to add VAT to food (Elizabeth Ribgy)
J Sainsbury's chief executive has urged the Con-Lib coalition to resist slapping value added tax on food in its scramble to repair the public finances as Britain's third-biggest grocer delivered solid annual sales and profits
- Discovery Foods launches Santa Maria line of spicy sauces in UK (Angela Frewin)
Mexican food and snacks specialist Discovery Foods has launched the Santa Maria range of spicy sauces into the UK and Irish markets
- Logopak targets pallet labeller at food and drink sector (packagingnews.co.uk)
Print and apply labelling specialist Logopak is targeting food and drink manufacturers with equipment to apply bar codes to three sides of a pallet
- Manufacturing growth at 15-year high as factories cash in on sterling’s weakness (The Times )
Activity at British factories has soared to a 15-year high, boosting hopes that the economic recovery is gathering speed.
- Gluten-free food supplier faces competition from the supermarkets (Philip Smith )
Chris Hook is not looking forward to 2011. It is the year when the main four supermarkets are hoping for 80pc of sales in the specialist area of food for coeliacs coming from their own-label products, he says.
- Food manufacturing riskier profession than construction (Occupational Health magazine)
An analysis by health insurer Aviva has suggested that people working in food and drink manufacturing are more than one-and-a-half times more likely to be injured at work than construction workers.
- Benson Group goes nut-free for cake pack contract (Jill Park)
Benson Group has won the contract to produce the packaging for a range of nut-free celebration cakes in the UK.
- AB Foods Gains After First-Half Profit Rises on Sugar (Howard Mustoe)
Associated British Foods Plc, the owner of Primark stores, rose the most since November 2008 in London trading after saying first-half profit rose 79 percent on higher Chinese sugar prices.
- Booths enters Slow Food partnership to boost local products (UK) (Sarah Hills )
Local retailer Booths has partnered with Slow Food UK to promote the quality, provenance, seasonality and regionality of food
- Premier Foods says TV advertising key to taking on rivals (Ros Snowdon)
THE UK's biggest food producer Premier Foods is spending more on TV advertising to counteract the rising popularity of discounted rivals and special offers.
- Patara Launches “Super Rice” In Harrods (Food & Drink Innovation Network )
With the popularity of Thai cuisine continuing to soar in the UK, the Harrods Food Halls have joined forces with the Royal Thai Embassy to showcase all the Thai essentials needed to create your favourite dishes at home for the month of May.
- UK - Rectory Foods spreads its wings into retail (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Rectory Foods is making its debut in the retail sector with the launch of a new range of frozen chicken products under its Hot Chicken Company (HCC) brand.
- Report on UK - Lamb exports (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Exports of food have hit record levels, with major increases for lamb and beef, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has announced.
- Food manufacturer to link pension payments to profitability (Tony Bonsignore)
Food manufacturer Uniq has agreed an innovative deal with its pension fund trustees to link future payments to the company’s final salary pension scheme to profitability.
- Dairy farm creates green power from herd waste (by ClickGreen staff)
A dairy farm has invested in cutting its carbon footprint by more than 65% as a pioneer of liquid anaerobic digestion (AD) technology.
- TESCO RINGS UP 9,000 NEW JOBS (Louise Barnett )
TESCO is to create 9,000 British jobs this year after the supermarket giant yesterday reported a 10.1 per cent annual profit leap to a record £3.4billion.
- Beat the cost of food inflation (Rosie Murray-West)
Holdiaymakers are not the only ones to be stuck at airports across the globe this week. The volcanic ash cloud has also grounded many of our fruity treats and vegetable favourites, forcing us to turn to more prosaic fare
- Scientists will go wild with £4.9m plan to sow a better class of oats (Andrew Arbuckle )
A £4.9 MILLION plant breeding programme to produce better varieties of oats was announced yesterday.
- Overseas sales of food and drink reach record level (NATHALIE THOMAS)
OVERSEAS sales of British food and non-alcoholic drinks hit a record high in 2009 despite an overall slump in the UK export market, according to fresh figures.
- Kellogg's Special K red dress to be sold by Marks & Spencer (telegraph.co.uk)
Women can now buy a replica of the red dress worn by the actress in Kellogg's Special K adverts after the cereal giant was bombarded with requests from viewers.
- Twice as many shoppers now buying locally produced food (fdin.org.uk)
The Real Food Festival happens every week at London’s Borough Market. It has been conceived as a mini version of the Annual Real Food Festival.
- Coca Cola Re-Launches 5 Alive
We are told 5 Alive bursts back to life with a new look and integrated marketing campaign featuring a dancing Dodo.
- GU LAUNCHES CUPCAKES (fdin.org.uk)
LOLA’s Kitchen celebrate has opened a store in London’s Mayfair and partnered with Gu Chocolate Puds to create an “ultimate” Gu chocolate cupcake.
- New food festival launched in Worcestershire (Alun Thorne)
A Malvern woman with a passion for local produce is calling on Midlands producers to sign up for Worcester’s only free-to-public food festival.
- Automated LIMS solution facilitates quality control in the food supply chain (scientistlive.com)
For today's food companies the industry is constantly changing and evolving. Food manufacturers, distributors and retailers are striving to satisfy the growing demand for high quality, safe food.
- Findus grows portionable ready meals (talkinretail.com)
Following the successful launch of the unique Findus Pasta Bags, the nation's popular frozen food brand is extending its innovative range of portionable ready-meals with the addition of three new rice recipes.
- Andy Bond steps down as Asda Chief (Zoe Wood and Graeme Wearden )
• Asda on hunt for new chief executive
• Andy Bond's departure a surprise after five years in post
• Outgoing boss will chair executive committee
- Cadbury set to launch cafe chain (news.caterer.com)
One of the UK's most well-known chocolate makers is set to start a new project which could give a boost to catering jobs, after it unveiled plans to open a chain of cafes.
- Call to re-open beef-line to create jobs at Anglesey abattoir (Andrew Forgrave)
AS more than 180 jobs are lost in the agricultural sector on Anglesey support is growing to reopen a cattle slaughter line at an island abattoir.
- British manufacturing activity 'rises at fastest rate in 15 years' (Katie Allen)
• CIPS/Markit reports that manufacturing activity rose for ninth straight month
• Stockmarkets rise worldwide amid evidence of recovery in UK, China and eurozone
- Developers warn time running out for £40m plan (Mike Last)
HUNDREDS of jobs and the chance to attract new firms to Lynn's Hardwick Industrial Estate will be at stake when borough planners consider £40m-plus plans for a Sainsbury's superstore in June.
- Win a day on a Weber Barbecue Cookery Course with Hammonds (Elke Dawkins)
One lucky reader will win the chance to attend a Weber barbecue cookery course to brush up on some techniques in time for the summer season, courtesy of Hammonds, the sauce brand of choice for many foodservice operators.
- Goodbye Beswicks - Same great sauces… all that’s changed is the name! (Elke Dawkins)
The start of this year’s BBQ season will see the entire range of Beswicks sauces rebranded under the Hammonds label creating a complete range for caterers with a fantastic heritage.
- Pritchitts launches Regional Recipes Competition in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs to win dinner for two in the Dorchester’s Krug Room! (Elke Dawkins)
Pritchitts, one of Europe’s leading dairy manufacturers, and a Patron of the Craft Guild of Chefs, has just launched its Regional Recipes competition.
- Yorkshire sprout producer hails benefits of BRC food safety standard award (hortweek.com)
East Yorkshire Brussels sprout producer W Clappison has been awarded the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety.
- Information influences choices in supermarket (marketingweek.co.uk)
Eighty-three per cent of respondents to this week’s MarketingWeek.co.uk poll said on-pack food labelling was important to the choices they made at the supermarket.
- First sustainable cat food to go on sale this year (Ben Leach)
Whiskas and Sheba are to become the first companies in the UK to sell sustainable cat food.
- Hot news from Branston (talkingretail.com)
Premier Foods, the UK's No. 1 food manufacturer, is adding two new flavour extensions to its Branston summer squeezy range.
- Domino's serves up strong growth despite closures (James Hall)
Domino's Pizza reported strong sales over the start of 2010 despite having to temporarily close numerous outlets due to the cold weather.
- Reed Bordall Scoops Two Awards From Asda (bfff.co.uk)
Frozen food consolidator Reed Boardall has won ‘Environmental Carrier of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Service to Distribution’ in ASDA’s annual National Carrier of the Year awards.
- London Chef wins World Class Culinary Competition (bfff.co.uk)
Chef Tobias Kaergel from the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel, London, has been crowned a winner of the ‘Fish Dish Challenge’ at the world renowned competition Le Salon Culinaire International de Londres.
- Tonnes of edible food dumped in the bin says FSA (telegraph.co.uk)
Millions of tonnes of food are being thrown away every year because people do not understand 'best before dates', consumer watchdogs have warned.
- Welsh rarebit joins kangaroo and haggis in a crisp packet (Sally Williams)
A DISH that has been synonymous with Wales for the past 200 years is about to reach a wider audience – as a new flavour of crisps.
- Spotlight shines on province's pork with £2m boost (Linda Stewart)
Tesco is to boost its spend on local pork for stores in Northern Ireland by £2m a year.
- Scotland leaps Chile in salmon sales stakes (Perry Gourley AND JOHN ROSS)
SCOTLAND overtook Chile as the world's second-biggest exporter of fresh salmon last year as sales jumped 24 per cent.
- Tilda offers a ‘Taste of Italy’ (Elke Dawkins )
Win a trip to Italy with Tilda and experience a one-to-one in the art of Risotto with a top Italian chef!
- Put some srping into your menu with Movenpick Ice Cream (bfff.co.uk)
Freshen up your menu for Spring! With warmer weather on its way, consumers will be making the most of eating out, spelling good news for the out of home market.
- It’s a people thing… Oakland team development driven by HR Manager (bfff.co.uk)
A Midlands based third party supply chain specialist in warehousing and logistics, Oakland International, has seen employee numbers swell over recent years.
- DBC Foodservice signs Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council contract (bfff.co.uk)
DBC Foodservice has won a two-year contract with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, to supply food and drink to over 70 schools as well as a number of social units in the North West including care homes and leisure centres.
- Poultry supplier Rectory Foods get taste for red meat (manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
A Cheshire food company has taken a leap towards its target of achieving sales of £30m this year with a move into the meat products sector.
- Big brands sign up to new government litter drive (Cath Everett)
McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Tesco among those who met with the government to discuss new approaches for tackling the UK's 30m tonnes a year of litter
- Plenty think floundering fish-supply company would be a good catch (thisisgrimsby.co.uk)
GRIMSBY'S Five Star Fish is attracting major interest, according to the administrators overseeing operations there.
- Africa and UK link up over food security (freshinfo.com)
Major moves to bolster food security in the UK and Africa are speeding up, following an initiative from the Warwickshire-based International Agri-Technology Centre (IATC).
- Finsbury Food profits stable but cake sales suffer ( Sarah Hills FoodBizDaily.com London)
Finsbury Food Group saw cake sales decline in the first half as consumers looking for value traded down and opted for promotional product offerings.
- UK's Mitchells & Butlers targets food-led business (reuters.com)
British pubs group Mitchells & Butlers (MAB.L) said it planned to reshape the company into a food-led business and would withdraw from non-core assets.
- Schwartz Flavour Forecast announces top food trends for 2010 (Elke Dawkins)
A new report released today by leading herbs and spices company, Schwartz, in collaboration with experts from the European food community, has identified the major European culinary trends and top flavour pairings for 2010.
- Twinings Teams Up with Rainforest Alliance (Gemma Buckley-Roberts)
Leading tea manufacturer Twinings is proud to announce that its Twinings Everyday tea will now be sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
- Glisten shines as takeover nears (pa.press.net)
Snack firm Glisten has posted a 12% rise in half-year profits in its last update before being taken over by Benecol maker Raisio.
- PepsiCo commits to salt and sugar cuts in food (David Burrows )
PepsiCo is planning dramatic cuts to the salt and sugar content in its brands such as Pepsi, Quaker oats and Walkers crisps
- M&S drops 'food porn' ads (Mark Sweney)
New 'post-recession' advertising campaign stars celebrities such as Caroline Quentin, Jamie Rednapp and Dannii Minogue
- 13 jobs saved in food company takeover (thisissouthdevon.co.uk)
THE takeover of a collapsed food firm has saved 13 jobs.
- Bakery suet supplier rivals Premier (bakeryinfo.co.uk)
A new suet manufacturer has set up in direct competition to industry giant Premier Foods.
- Nestlé stars in smear campaign over Indonesian palm oil (Kai Tabacek )
Greenpeace links food manufacturer with mass deforestation
- Icelandic Bonus boss to open supermarkets in the UK? (icenews.is)
Jon Asgeir Johannesson, the former boss of now-bankrupt Baugur Group is preparing to open a three-store chain of low cost supermarkets in London.
- Marco Pierre White signs as Bernard Matthews ambassador (telegraph.co.uk)
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has signed up as an ambassador for turkey company Bernard Matthews.
- UK - Sainsbury open bakery college (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
Sainsbury’s is to launch “the UK's first supermarket bakery college” and Asda has announced a new ‘young retailer programme’ as grocers and manufacturers are expected to boost training budgets.
- Men buy Mars, women prefer Galaxy: Gender targeting is advertising industry's secret weapon (Meg Carter)
If you thought food choices had nothing to do with gender – think again.
- Kraft to cut sodium levels ((UKPA))
Kraft Foods has announced plans to cut the salt in its products sold in North America by an average of 10% over the next two years to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
- Jamie Oliver creates restaurant jobs in Liverpool (news.caterer.com)
One of the UK's most well-loved TV chefs is set to open a new establishment in Liverpool which could create restaurant jobs in the north-west.
- Disney develops toddler snacking range (ausfoodnews.com.au just food)
Disney has teamed up with Annabel Karmel, author on baby and toddler food and nutrition, to launch a “healthy snacking” range for the UK market.
- Dale Farm to invest €43m (Declan O'Brien)
Ulster dairy processor Dale Farm is to invest €43m (£39m) in plants in Tyrone and Antrim in one of the largest-ever investments in the Northern dairy sector by a single company.
- Anchor launches £10m ad push to support brand repositioning (Joe Fernandez )
Anchor Butter is to reposition itself as the “Original Butter Co.” as part of a £10m marketing campaign for 2010.
- Seda UK wraps up another 26 jobs with WAG support (Aled Blake)
FOOD packaging manufacturer Seda UK is to invest £12m at its Welsh facility over the next four years.
- Délifrance scores with World Cup range (bfff.co.uk)
French bakery manufacturer Délifrance UK Ltd is embracing the football frenzy in the run up to the World Cup by offering a team of top breads to caterers and pub chefs to help score with footy fans.
- Time’s running out* to enter Aviko’s Great British Breakfast Competition! (jellybean creative)
What full English breakfast would be complete without a hash brown? Crispy, golden triangles of real potato heaven, Aviko’s Hash Browns make a Great British Breakfast truly great and come in ovals, rounds and triangles.
- FSA announces 'traffic light' food labelling system will not be made compulsory (Graham Pembrey)
Healthy eating campaigners are outraged after the Food Standards Agency has refused to make a ‘traffic lights’ food labelling system compulsory.
- UK keeps title of No 1 champagne export market (telegraph.co.uk)
The UK remained the world's largest export market for champagne despite the recession, according to figures.
- The luxury meals on wheels that promises to boost your brain power (Liz Neale)
Healthy eating messages bombard us wherever we go and most of us know what we should and shouldn't be eating.
- Scottish FA adds Mars as sponsor (marketingweek.co.uk)
Mars has signed a four-year sponsorship deal with the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
- Nampak invests £3.25m in bottle manufacturing facility (Simeon Goldstein)
Nampak Plastics is investing £3.25m in a bottle manufacturing facility inside Dale Farm's Pennybridge dairy in Northern Ireland that will come on line this summer.
- 13 jobs saved at Newton Abbot food company (newtonnews)
13 jobs have been saved after the acquisition of a Newton Abbot company by one of the largest independent food distributors.
- Food industry wins battle over warning labels on 'junk' meals (Martin Hickman)
Campaigners claim intense lobbying has watered down proposals that could save millions of pounds
- 150 new jobs at Blackley retail park (manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
Around 150 jobs will be created under plans being considered to redevelop a north Manchester retail park anchored by a Sainsbury’s superstore.
- Forget manufacturing, the future is food, says Sainsbury’s boss (Marcus Leroux)
Sainsbury’s and Asda are setting up landmark schemes to train apprentices and sell the food retail industry as a career choice.
- Dale Farm bottles plan for growth (Margaret Canning)
Dairy processing in Northern Ireland received a major vote of confidence yesterday with news of 60 new jobs and a £39m investment, the biggest ever to be poured into the sector.
- Healthy eating boosts export of Scottish salmon (telegraph.co.uk)
Healthy eating trends have boosted exports of fresh Scottish salmon but there are fears that the market cannot keep up with global demand.
- Two months on, and Hobart’s new Service website is a resounding success! (Jelly Bean Creative)
Two months since Hobart announced the launch of its new Service website and over 500 customers have become registered users, with 66 signing up in the first week!
- Ireland: Australian Probiotec Limited to Establish European Manufacturing Headquarters in Dundalk (Enterprise Ireland)
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan, TD, has announced that leading Australian healthcare company Probiotec Limited is to establish its European manufacturing headquarters in Dundalk, Co Louth.
- CENFRA EMPOWERING FOOD MANUFACTURERS (pandct.com)
As the UK starts to recover from recession, food automation plans are firmly back on the agenda as manufacturers strive to keep production costs down, in the knowledge that cheap labour is not a long term option.
- Introducing Chicken Wings with a Touch of Magic!
Atlantic Foods has expanded its Harvest Chicken Range with the launch of two new and exciting products.
- Schwartz Flavour Pairing Challenge at Hotelympia. And the winners are... (Jellybean)
Ian Morgan, executive head chef, and Dan Boniface, Group Manager Cambridge, from Cucina, a private sector school meals provider, have won the Schwartz Flavour Pairing Challenge Competition at Hotelympia!
- Lucozade drinks 'to lose distinctive orange colour' amid child hyperactive warnings (Andrew Hough)
The distinctive orange colour in Lucozade drinks could be lost, after research found the chemical used in its production was linked to hyperactive behaviour in children.
- 80 jobs created at biscuit factory (Ben Robinson)
Recruitment is set to get under way after 80 jobs were created at a Lancashire biscuit factory.
- UK needs export strategy, say food producers (Hannah Kuchler)
Food producers are calling for a national export strategy to help them take advantage of the weak pound to sell more products overseas.
- Sirane enjoys the Fruit Logistica breakthrough (Daily News)
Europe’s premier packaging solutions company, Sirane Ltd, is still enjoying the aftershock of its ground-breaking presence at Fruit Logistica, Europe’s premier fruit exhibition in Berlin last month.
- 300 new food sector jobs announced ((UKPA))
More than 300 new jobs have been announced in the food sector as the Government faces damning criticism over unemployment.
- M&S Simply Food store to create 50 jobs (thisishullandeastriding.co.uk)
Retail giant Marks and Spencer say a new store opening in Anlaby later this year will create 50 new jobs.
- Food and drink plans prompt Labour censure (Tim Pauling)
The Scottish Government is planning a year of events to promote Scottish food and drink as part of plans to build on the legacy of last year’s Homecoming.
- 70 health food jobs for Dundalk (insideireland.ie)
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has announced that a leading Australian healthcare company, Probiotec Limited, is to create around 70 new jobs by establishing its European manufacturing headquarters in Dundalk, Co Louth
- Tilda Chef of the Year Competition at Hotelympia. And the winner is... (Jelly Bean Creative)
Dean Heselden from the Rendezvous Casino, Brighton, has won the coveted Tilda Chef of the Year Competition at Hotelympia!
- Restaurant jobs in Wales could be bolstered by statue (news.caterer.com)
People looking for catering jobs in Wales could receive a boost after a businessman unveiled plans to erect a huge structure, which he believes would rank alongside the Statute of Liberty in New York.
- New Hot Chicks on The Block (bfff.co.uk)
Rectory Foods, global supplier of quality poultry and food ingredients, has launched a new range of frozen chicken products for the foodservice sector under its Hot Chicken Company (HCC) brand.
- Schwartz for Chef Recipes Mixes from McCormick are through to the final in the inaugural Hotelympia Innovation Awards! (Jellybean Creative)
After beating off stiff competition, Recipe Mixes win the Food & Drink category and go through to the final to compete against the category winners in Design, Technology and Equipment for this prestigious Award.
- First GM potato to be grown in Europe (Louise Gray)
Farmers will be able to grow fields of genetically modified (GM) potatoes in Europe for the first time after a controversial ruling by the European Commission.
- Food and drink: Beer, bread and baked beans on the menu (William Hall)
Food and drink is big business in the north-west. According to Food North West, the promotional body, the region is the UK’s largest for food and drink production, with some 103,000 people employed in more than 2,000 companies.
- Diamond Food acquires Kettle Foods in UK and US (foodmag.com.au)
DIAMOND Food has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Kettle Foods from Lion Capital LLP for US$615 million in cash.
- Wholesale success for Midlands distribution firm (bfff.co.uk)
Established multi temperature supply chain specialist Oakland International, building on their recently launched wholesale distribution operation Oakland Distribution Limited, is reaping rewards via a major contract with Landmark Wholesale.
- Chips With Everything In New Takeaway Favourites Range from Glendale (bfff.co.uk/)
Britain is the country most attached to fast food, with 45% saying they would be unable to give it up, according to a BBC survey, and the recession has only increased our taste for takeaways, ‘eating in’ becoming the new ‘eating out’.
- McDonald's creates 30 jobs in Kent
McDonald's, the fast food chain, is creating 30 jobs across the county as part of a £1.5million restaurant makeover.
- Region's food and drink companies invited to enter prestigious awards (nwda.co.uk)
Food and drink companies from across the Northwest are being invited to enter the fifth annual Food Northwest Awards and the Fine Food Northwest Awards 2010.
- Engineer favourites could be energized by creating 150 jobs (Peter McCusker,)
NEW jobs could be created after the North East division of a Yorkshire-based engineering group em- erged as favourites to win an £18m contract at one of the Europe’s largest biofuels plant.
- Jobs in the production line for packaging firm (Chris Knox)
A COMPANY that recycles household plastics for the food packaging industry is investing in a second production line as it aims to build sales from £9m to £16m within 18 months.
- Ainsleys bakery jobs saved in sell-off deal (bbc.co.uk)
Most of the 285 jobs at Yorkshire bakery chain Ainsleys have been saved with the sale of the troubled business.
- Snowbird Beefs Up Gourmet Plus Chipolatas (bfff.co.uk)
Snowbird foods has strengthened its selection of unique Gourmet Plus Chipolata Sausages with the unveiling of an improved recipe for its beef variant – part of the only fully cooked and frozen range of chipolatas in natural casings on the market.
- £5 Million Funding Package Means World-Class Expansion and New Jobs at Norwich Research Park (PR Newswire)
The Norwich Research Park (NRP) in Norfolk is poised to boost its world-class reputation as one of the UK's leading centres for scientific research.
- Fruit farm is hoping to take on more staff (tewkesburyadmag.co.uk)
A WORCESTERSHIRE fruit farm is targeting new sales after gaining a £45,890 rural enterprise grant (REG).
- Distribution deal drives 750 new Widnes jobs (englandsnorthwest.com)
Tesco and logistics company Stobart have agreed a deal on a retail distribution centre that will bring 750 jobs to Widnes.
- Right Jobs in Wales appoint new Sales Manager (David Lee)
Right Jobs in Wales has brought in a new Sales Manager to exclusively run sales on the radio station backed job board for the South West, highlighting continued commitment to offering an account managed, personal service to all advertisers.
- Asda To Unveil An Enhanced Buying Deal With Walmart, To Create 6,000 New Jobs (kamcity.com)
Asda has said it will outline later this today how it will further leverage Walmart’s buying strength in 2010.
- Scientific Skills Recruitment in the Food Sector Set to Grow in 2010 (PR Newswire)
A recent survey of over 550 scientific organisations shows a UK wide positive outlook for 2010 recruitment.
- McDonald’s to create 100 new jobs in Wales (Sion Barry)
FAST-FOOD chain McDonald’s is creating over 100 new jobs in Wales as part of a £5.1m investment.
- Schwartz for Chef Recipes Mixes from McCormick is a category finalist in the Hotelympia Innovation Awards (jellybean creative)
The innovative range of 6 mixes is ideal for use across all foodservice sectors, from education to healthcare and pubs to hotels, and covers a wide variety of world cuisines; Mediterranean Herb, Moroccan, Tex Mex, Indian Curry, Savoury Mince and Chilli.
- The popularity of Basmati rice continues to grow (jellybean creative)
According to Mintel’s last Rice, Noodles and Pasta report1 there was a massive 22.5% rise in retail sales in this category between 2007 and 2009, but the highest value growth has come from rice, up 32% against 21.4% for pasta and 11.5% for noodles.
- SCRI takes major role in ClimaFruit group aiming to boost berry industry (Andrew Arbuckle)
COMMERCIAL soft fruit growing has long been associated with Scotland and yesterday an international link up was announced between Scottish scientists involved in raspberry, blackcurrant and blueberry research.
- UK firm eyes first Halal industrial park (Jane Merriman and Claire Milhench)
A venture capital firm is raising funds to launch Europe's first industrial park for Islamic goods, tapping an under-served market worth up to 4 billion pounds ($6.27 billion) a year in Britain, its chairman said.
- Premier Foods hails Hovis growth ((UKPA))
The UK's biggest food producer has said Hovis continued to make progress after capturing more than a quarter of the branded bread market last year.
- Huge ‘food village’ plan to showcase north-east larder
A huge regional food market which would become the first of its kind in Scotland could be built just north of Aberdeen.
- Soup-er news! £8.5m and 200 jobs boost (thisisgrimsby.co.uk)
NEWS of the creation of 200 jobs and an £8.5-million investment in Grimsby by a leading soup manufacturer has been welcomed today.
- Spice up your profits with NEW Appetizzzers from Aviko! (Jellybean Creative)
New from Aviko, Appetizzzers are ideal for the coming World Cup season.
- Authentic Goes Large (bfff.co.uk)
The Authentic Food Company (TAFC) has introduced a new Indian Snack range to their portfolio.
- Baxters Food Group to manufacture in Australia (just-food )
Baxters Food Group, the UK soup maker, is planning to use Australia as a manufacturing base for its chutneys business to push the products into new markets in Asia.
- Second round bids for Kettle Chips (UKPA)
The maker of upmarket Kettle Chips has attracted a second round of bids after being put up for sale in a £400 million auction, it has been reported.
- Good year for food company (meattradenewsdaily.co.uk)
For Rectory Foods, 2009 was its most successful year to date: it increased its staff base by 40 per cent, saw an uplift in new customers and turnover reached an all-time high of £26 million.
- WASTE NOT, WANT NOT - Why tackling food waste makes sense for caterers (bfff.co.uk)
Kitchen folklore has long decreed that restaurants stand or fall on the contents of their waste bins, with each bin a barometer for good kitchen portion control and customer satisfaction.
- Baxters beats the crunch to dip back into acquisitions (Nathalie Thomas )
BAXTERS – the iconic Scottish soup firm – is on the cusp of making a second acquisition in Australia in as many years and is sitting on a "very attractive" war chest for overseas expansion.
- Kraft to boost UK manufacturing jobs -- Mandelson (reuters.com)
Kraft Foods Inc has not committed to running Cadbury Plc from Britain, but expects to boost manufacturing in the country, British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said on Tuesday.
- Confidence returns to recruitment sector (freshinfo.com)
The recruitment sector is hoping for a return to form as early signs point to a steady recovery. Doris Lee Butterworth reports
- Sainsbury's Expansion in York Will Create Jobs (nationalsupermarketnews.com)
In Monks Cross, York in the UK, Sainsbury's are extending the supermarket in multi million pound scheme.
- Sports nutrition firm gets grant to build new factory (crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk)
CNP Professional Ltd, a Tameside-based distributor of sports nutritional products, has received a £126,750 grant to enable it to begin its own manufacturing operation.
- Newcastle firm Geneius is hungry for more (Chris Knox)
A FOOD science company that uses advanced DNA testing on a range of high-street products plans to expand throughout the UK and overseas after receiving industry accreditation.
- Northumberland Foods looks to add 20 jobs (Peter McCusker)
A FROZEN food company brought out of administration last year has created 40 jobs, and is looking to add 20 more after launching new lines which have helped boost sales by 40%.
- Javelin moves into busy Bradford food jobs sector (Chris Holland)
Booming catering opportunities in Bradford are expected to boost a West Yorkshire industrial recruitment firm which has acquired a specialist food sector jobs specialist.
- Frozen Community Meals (bfff.co.uk)
Birmingham City Council invites organisations to make an application to be considered for inclusion on a preferred list of suppliers for the provision of Frozen Community Meals.
- New crates system improves service and cuts CO2 emissions (bfff.co.uk)
apetito, the leading frozen ready meal supplier to the community and healthcare sector, has launched a new ‘crates’ system for delivery to customers, replacing cardboard boxes.
- Harry Hill's bid to help farmers (msn.com/)
Harry Hill is launching his own range of Fairtrade peanuts and cashews.
- Sweet success as biggest UK firm (blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
THE boss of Blackpool sweet giant Tangerine Confectionery plans to focus on "organic growth" following two record-breaking years.
- McDonald’s: the world’s local restaurant (Ian King)
After years of declining popularity, the fast-food giant is enjoying a surge in the UK thanks to a more ‘local’ approach.
- Chinese beats curry as UK's favourite food (Tom Morgan)
CHINESE has overtaken Indian cuisine as the nation’s favourite food, it emerged yesterday.
- Birds Eye deals UK pea blow (freshinfo.com)
Frozen food specialist Birds Eye has cancelled the contracts of almost half its UK pea growers in a “disappointing blow” to the industry.
- Dog food firm Butcher's abandon Coventry factory plan (coventrytelegraph.net)
DOG food giant Butcher’s will not be relocating to Coventry’s £13 million flagship business park
- Supermarkets face tougher suppliers' code of practice (bbc.co.uk)
A new code of practice has come into force which is intended to help farmers and food companies when they do business with the main supermarkets.
- Dairy Crest to follow rivals in depot upgrade (Hannah Kuchler)
Dairy Crest is to invest £75m ($120m) in its milk business, following in the footsteps of rivals Robert Wiseman Dairies and Arla Foods.
- Kellogg axes Coco Pops cereal brand extensions (John Reynolds)
Kellogg is scaling back its Coco Pops product range as part of an overhaul of its breakfast- cereals offering.
- One North East Helps Family Dairy Farm Create More Jobs And Expand (One North East)
A dairy farm has received funding to expand its business, creating jobs and strengthening the region’s dairy supply chain.
- BBC criticised over 'Disgusting Food' show (Andrew Laughlin)
Fishermen and the seafood industry have accused BBC factual entertainment programme Britain's Really Disgusting Food: Fish of pushing "cheap sensationalism".
- Which? Report reveals Branston as the best-liked baked beans (talkingretail.com)
Premier Foods, the UK's No. 1 food manufacturer, has this week stolen the ‘Best Baked Bean' crown from market leader Heinz, when its Branston Beans brand beat Heinz in a Which? taste test.
- Whole Foods Market revives UK expansion plans (Joe Thomas)
Whole Foods Market, the natural and organic food retailer, is set to launch a fresh assault on the UK market after a previous bid ended in failure.
- Food & Drink Expo plays host to 600 exhibitors at the NEC (mhwmagazine.co.uk)
Well-known brands from every part of the food and drink sector will be in Birmingham from 21-24 March 2010, demonstrating the very latest products and innovations at each of eight specialist food and drink events.
- Black apricots, yellow carrots and bubblegum plums: The unusual new fruit and veg coming to a store near you… (Sarah Chalmers)
Try this, exclaims food technologist Hugh Mowatt, thrusting what looks like a slice of ripe plum in my direction.
- Further sales boost for Cranswick (ADAM AIKEN)
Cranswick Country Foods - the company behind the former Bowes of Norfolk - yesterday reported healthy trading figures, with sales soaring in the third quarter of the year.
- Lactalis Nestlé appoint Oakland International as its Irish distribution partner
The Irish multi temperature distribution hub venture between Oakland International and Caffrey International continues to bear fruit.
- Love Chicken! Introducing the new Butterfly Chicken range (bfff.co.uk)
Menu solutions specialist Atlantic Foods has expanded its Harvest Meat & Poultry range with the launch of three new Butterfly Chicken products.
- DBC Foodservice reports record Christmas sales (bfff.co.uk)
DBC Foodservice is reporting a record Christmas trading period, with foodservice sales up 39% year-on-year during the four-week period to 1 January 2010.
- 3663 Appoints New Director of Marketing (bfff.co.uk)
Leading wholesale distributor, 3663 First for Foodservice, has appointed Jenny Wilson as Director of Marketing.
- PepsiCo plans $30bn push into healthy eating (telegraph.co.uk)
PepsiCo is to launch a $30bn (£19bn) push into nutritional and healthy foods after its global chief executive said she wanted to fundamentally change the mix of products the global food conglomerate produces.
- Premier Food’s chairman David Kappler steps down (Jenny Davey )
The former HMV chairman has run the company's board since the Hovis owner floated on the stock market in 2004.
- Inventages Venture Capital invests £4m in Tanfield Foods (Deborah Sterescu)
Inventages Venture Capital has invested £4m in food manufacturer The Tanfield Food Company.
- Green and Black's to go 100% Fairtrade (Rebecca Smithers)
Move will make Green & Black's the world's leading manufacturer of organic Fairtrade chocolate
- FIRST BRITISH OLIVES TASTE SUCCESS (Tom Morgan)
A COUPLE who started growing olives two years ago are enjoying the fruits of their labours.
- Real Good Food grows bakery sales to major retailers (Sarah Hills )
The Real Good Food Company’s bakery division, Hayden's, has reported “significant growth” in sales to its major customers, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Costa Coffee.
- R&R Ice Cream unveils its new impulse range (talkingretail.com)
As R&R Ice Cream celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it does so with the launch of a refreshing new range for the impulse sector.
- Heinz opens Pop-Up Café in the heart of London (eatoutmagazine.co.uk)
Baked beans supplier Heinz has opened its very own pop-up café in Shoreditch, east London offering hungry passers-by Heinz Beanz on toast.
- Lyons looks to expand into teatime cakes ranges (Joe Fernandez)
Premier Foods’ traditional cake brand Lyons is launching a new range of Teashop Classic Cakes, in an effort to capitalise on the growing teatime occasion.
- Exciting Re-Launch Of MRC’s Flava-It™ Range (packagingessentials.com)
One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of marinades, seasonings, coatings, glazes and sauces, MRC – The Flava People has announced the re-launch of its Flava-it™ sachet range.
- Piece of cod is becoming a luxury item (Ian Fletcher )
Manufacturers turn to pollock for ready meals and fish fingers.
- Scottish fish and chip shop named best in UK (Rebecca Smithers)
Atlantic Fast Food in Coatbridge named best fish and chip shop in UK – Scotland's third win in a row
- McDonald's creates 5,000 jobs in UK after record sales in 2009 (James Hall)
McDonald's will create 5,000 new jobs in the UK this year after seeing an 11pc rise in sales over 2009, chief executive Steve Easterbrook said on Friday.
- Gwynedd food firm to create 15 new jobs (David R. Jones)
A GWYNEDD based food manufacturing company is creating 15 new jobs after investment in new cooking and cooling equipment.
- Recession is good news for Consett food firm (Chris Knox)
A FOOD company that makes upmarket ready meals hopes to double its sales this year to £14m after receiving a £4m investment to help market its brand and quadruple production.
- Unibake adds the French touch to fast food (bfff.co.uk)
The French Hotdog Baguette™ from Unibake is an exciting new innovation for the UK food-to-go market.
- Noble Foods to get just desserts in £35m deal for Gü ( Marcus Leroux and Catherine Boyle )
Gü, the premium pudding maker, was on the brink of being sold last night for up to £35 million.
- Harry Ramsden's new owner mulls Asian expansion (Sean Farrell)
Harry Ramsden's is set for expansion into Asia after the fish and chip chain was sold to Ranjit Boparan, the owner of the FishWorks restaurant group.
- Snowbird Shakes down 2012 Salt Rules (bfff.co.uk)
After more than six months of concentrated effort, the technical team at Snowbird foods has given the company a New Year gift with a difference: every single house brand product recipe has been upgraded to meet 2012 government healthy eating requirements.
- Aviko wins Brakes listing with its Steam and Fresh range (bfff.co.uk)
Aviko has just confirmed a new listing with Brakes for four of the products in its Steam & Fresh range.
- Online food shopping expected to double in five years
The amount that Britons spend buying groceries online is set to double over the next five years, according to new estimates from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).
- Food watchdog urges suppliers to ditch origin labels on meat products (Rebecca Smithers)
Companies can say sausages or pies are 'British made' if they are processed in UK, even if meat comes from abroad
- Michelin-star boost for restaurant jobs in Wales (caterer.com)
Restaurant jobs in Wales have been given a boost by three top-notch eateries being awarded Michelin stars.
- Cadbury to accept takeover bid from Kraft (Laura Roberts)
Cadbury will be taken over by US food maker Kraft ending more than 150 years of independence for the British chocolate company.
- Food Waste Being Addressed by UK Stores (Victoria Painting)
Due to the holiday season many prominent politicians came out about the importance of the issue of food waste.
- Like tea? This may be the job for you (http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_like-tea-this-ma y-be-the-job-for-you_1336044)
There are a variety of jobs you can opt for, as far as the tea industry is concerned. While tea-tasting is one of the most specialised areas of work, the other jobs pertain to that of researchers, plantation managers, tea brokers, consultants, etc.
- Work at height Guidance for Cold Stores (bfff.co.uk)
BFFF and the Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) are delighted to announce the launch of new Work At Height Guidance for the frozen food and cold storage industry.
- Food industry 'too secretive' over nanotechnology (Pallab Ghosh )
The food industry has been criticised for being secretive about its use of nanotechnology by the UK's House of Lords Science and Technology Committee.
- Expanded Kerry Group denies jobs threatened (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Kerry Group has told staff of plans to 'streamline' operations across its food division, but has denied the move means imminent job losses.
- DBC Foodservice Wins Newcastle City Council Contract (bfff.co.uk)
DBC Foodservice has signed a two-year contract to supply food to over 100 sites owned by Newcastle City Council, incorporating school catering, social care and civic locations.
- Campden BRI takes its Open Day on the road (Daphne Llewellyn Davies)
Food and Drink exhibitions and shows give the industry at large the opportunity to appreciate the state of the art in different areas and current scientific and technological developments.
- Panic buying in supermarkets as the weather tightens its grip on Britain (Matthew Moore)
Fears over supplies of fresh milk led to the Government relaxing restrictions on delivery drivers yesterday amid reports of panic buying.
- Cadbury boss: We're grateful for your support (Shamsher Singh )
Cadbury chairman Roger Carr says he appreciates the support of people who have joined a campaign to keep the company in British hands.
- More UK workers filling unskilled jobs (Gill Plimmer )
The recession has forced more UK workers to take jobs formerly filled by eastern Europeans, according to Staffline, the blue-collar recruitment specialist.
- Poundland, House of Fraser and Co-op see sales rise (news.bbc.co.uk)
A range of retailers have reported buoyant trading over the Christmas period, but remain cautious about 2010.
- Probe after factory destroyed in blaze (thisisstaffordshire.co.uk)
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the cause of a factory fire.
- Pet food firm to create 10 new jobs in exports boost (Symon Ross)
A Belfast pet food company expects to create up to 10 new jobs early next year following growth of its export business.
- Double expansion to bring 110 new food processing jobs (Symon Ross)
Up to 110 new jobs could be created as a result of expansion investments announced by two Fermanagh firms.
- Assembly joins fight to save Memory Lane cake jobs (Abby Alford)
THE Assembly Government has stepped in to try to save the jobs of 95 workers threatened with redundancy at Cardiff’s biggest manufacturer.
- FDF Calls For Chancellor To Support Food Manufacturing Sector (Namnews)
The Food and Drink Federation is urging the Chancellor to use next week’s Pre-Budget Report to outline clearly the ways in which the Government will help UK manufacturers as the economy moves from recession to recovery.
- Food Academy boosts West Midlands industry
The West Midlands Regional Food Academy (WMRFA) underscores the role the region plays in securing the UK’s future food supplies.
- £200m rail hub could create 4,400 jobs for South Holland (Andrew Brookes)
MAJOR plans for a rail freight hub in South Holland could attract £200m investment and create more than 4,000 jobs.
- And Now, the More Ethical Kit-Kat (Martin Hickman)
Swiss food giant Nestlé says it will start using Fairtrade cocoa for its popular Kit-Kat bars in coming months, a lift to 8,000 farmers in Côte d'Ivoire
- Ginsters maker beats recession (Sarah Bridge)
More than a century after George Samworth founded his pig-dealing business, the company now run by his great grandchildren and employing more than 6,000 people is weathering the recession with near record sales.
- Magners maker buys English brands (news.bbc.co.uk)
C&C, the maker of Magners cider, has bought the UK cider brands Blackthorn, Olde English and Gaymers as part of a £45m deal.
- JD Wetherspoon plans 250 new pubs in Britain (telegraph.co.uk)
JD Wetherspoon, the pub chain known for its discount food, has announced plans to open 250 new pubs across Britain in a move it says will create 10,000 jobs.
- Kettle Chips launches ‘Perfect Night In’ campaign (talkingretail.com)
KETTLE Chips, the UK's number one hand cooked crisp, is currently worth £80m and has grown almost 17% during the last year, more than double the growth of the total snacks market
- Buoyant Britvic seeks to increase margins (Jenny Wiggins)
Britvic, the owner of the Robinsons squash and Fruit Shoot brands, reported a 23 per cent rise in full-year profits and raised its annual margin guidance as innovative marketing campaigns boosted soft drink sales.
- Highland Spring buys Irish bottled water firm (http://news.bbc.co.uk)
Highland Spring has bought the bottled water division of a Dublin company for £17.5m.
- Heinz sells UK frozen desserts business ( Alexandra Frean)
Heinz, the American food group, has sold its struggling private-label frozen desserts business in the UK, employing nearly 600 people in Devon and Warwickshire, to PoleStar Foods as part of a plan to shed non-core assets and focus on its branded products.
- More jobs are created at a Rhyl-based Meals on Wheels service (David R. Jones)
A MEALS-ON-WHEELS company is on the road to success in North Wales
- Olympic Park site 'will benefit purchasing jobs' (Francis Finch)
Purchasing jobs have been boosted by work provided through the construction of the London 2012 London Olympic Park site.
- Finnebrogue food company finds favour with supermarket chains (Margaret Canning )
A Co Down food company is creating at least 15 additional jobs thanks to new contracts with supermarket multiples.
- Aunt Bessie’s success at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (talkingretail.com)
Family run frozen food company Aunt Bessie's Limited achieved a great success at last week's Food Manufacturer Awards.
- Cadbury shares rise as Hershey and Ferrero eye bid (Ben Harrington)
Cadbury shares rose in London on hopes that Hershey and Ferrero are planning to trump Kraft, as the multi-billion pound battle for the Dairy Milk maker takes another twist.
- Sales of Polish food increase 15% as workers return to the UK to find jobs (Sean Poulter)
Demand for Polish food in Britain has risen 15 per cent compared to a year ago, suggesting that the Poles are coming back.
- Lewis becomes Tangerine's first marketing director in sweet move (how-do.co.uk/)
Alison Lewis has joined Tangerine Confectionary - the firm behind brands such as MOJO, Butterkist, Sherbet Fountain and Princess Marshmallows - as the firm's first ever marketing director.
- Arla Foods to build the world’s biggest dairy near London (Catherine Boyle )
The biggest dairy in the world is to be be built near London as the consolidation of the milk market continues.
- Ireland opens new seafood innovation centre (fishupdate.com)
With a floor space of 768 sq metres, the Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s (BIM’s) Seafood Development facility is based in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
- Dolmio first to sponsor ITV Saturday competition (Rosie Baker )
Dolmio, the pasta sauce range, is the first brand to sponsor ITV1’s Saturday night competition with interactive red-button TV ads.
- 50 jobs created as Marks & Spencer Simply Food arrives in East Kilbride (Lynda Nicol)
MARKS & Spencer is opening a brand-new Simply Food store in East Kilbride next week bringing an additional 50 jobs to the town.
- Taste of success at Norfolk food firm (CHRIS HILL)
The sweet taste of success has returned to a Norfolk food factory where a £1.5m new dessert plant has crowned two years of financial turnaround.
- The Findus Group steps up marketing agenda with new CMO (Amy Golding)
LONDON - The Findus Group, which owns brands including Young's Seafood, has appointed Leendert den Hollander to the new group role of chief marketing officer.
- Marminte Introduces Cereal Bar (fdin.org.uk)
‘Lovers’ and ‘Haters’ to be thrown in to turmoil over the introduction of the Marmite cereal bar – the world’s first savoury cereal bar
- Jobs secured at pet food retail chain (news.bbc.co.uk)
A pet food retail chain has been bought in a deal which should secure 153 jobs in 24 stores throughout Scotland.
- Sainsbury's to create 10,000 jobs with northern expansion (mirror.co.uk)
The supermarket giant plans 50 new stores and 50 extensions over the next two years. Boss Justin King detailed the expansion plan after revealing an 18.5% leap in profits.
- Northern Foods ready to gobble up rivals (John Collingridge)
NORTHERN Foods is eyeing assets of struggling rivals as it seeks to lead consolidation in the biscuit sector.
- Thriving trade in out-of-date best-before foods (Tamsyn Kent )
Thousands of tonnes of food are binned annually in the UK because of confusion over use-by dates. But those willing to overlook the labels are finding big online discounts on food past its prime.
- Sainsbury profits jump as food promotions attract more recession-hit shoppers (telegraph.co.uk)
Sainsbury reported a jump in profits and raised its dividend as food promotions helped attract more recession-hit shoppers in the first half.
- Mini and Deli Meatballs from Scan Foods (caterersearch.com)
Swedish meatball specialist Scan Foods celebrated its 10th anniversary in the UK with the launch of new mini and deli lines.
- Young's takes its healthy battered fish to the Houses of Parliament (fishnewseu.com)
LAST week Young’s took its best-selling battered fish brand, Chip Shop, to Parliament - highlighting for MPs the work done in recent years to reformulate it as a healthier product.
- Fish factory to create 100 jobs (news.bbc.co.uk)
A salmon farming company has submitted a planning application for a £5m factory at Arnish, south of Stornoway.
- Right Jobs in Wales.com Launches! (David Lee)
Job Board Provider the Right Jobs Network has teamed up with leading Welsh UTV radio stations the Wave & Swansea Sound to launch the first of its radio-backed geographical job boards in the UK.
- Northern Foods "Well Placed" For M&S Branded Product Move (Hannah Benjamin )
Frozen foods company Northern Foods PLC (NFDS.LN) Thursday said it is "well placed" to deal with key customer Marks & Spencer Group PLC's (MKS.LN) decision to start stocking branded products.
- Put doors on freezers to bring food prices down, supermarkets are told (Sean Poulter)
Supermarkets should put doors on all freezer units to cut down on energy waste, the Government's customer body has said.
- Biscuits boost New Britain Palm Oil as ethical credentials clinch deal (guardian.co.uk)
A deal with United Biscuits has provided a lift to New Britain Palm Oil today as the maker of Jaffa Cakes became the latest food company to highlight the supplier's ethical status.
- Sales are proving to be sweet at Associated British Foods (Rupert Steiner)
Associated British Foods weighed in with better than expected full-year sales as discount clothing chain Primark and the company's giant sugar business starred.
- Improve lands new mandate (freshinfo.com)
Improve has won a new mandate to continue to deliver the strategic reforms and solutions to help drive up food and drink industry performance and productivity.
- Cinnamon Club named best UK ethnic restaurant in World Food Awards (Daniel Thomas)
The Cinnamon Club was named as the best ethnic restaurant in the UK at the inaugural World Food Awards, held on Saturday at London’s Hilton Park Lane.
- New supermarket opens four stores (bbc.co.uk)
A new supermarket chain has bought four stores in Scotland ahead of expansion across the UK which it claimed would secure hundreds of jobs.
- Aldi plan to create jobs in the Isle of Wight (internationalsupermarketnews.com )
Aldi have hopes of opening a 1,700 square meter supermarket near Cowes, on the Isle of Wight in the UK. It would bring more jobs to the island, and would be the first Aldi there.
- Commission takes aim at retailers in food supply probe (euractiv.com)
The European Commission yesterday launched an inquiry into the food supply chain for unfair contractual practices imposed on small farmers by major retail chains and other buyers.
- Bootiful boss stepping down (TheManufacturer.com)
The eponymous chairman of the Norfolk turkey food producer Bernard Matthews has announced he is to step down shortly after his 80th birthday in January, following a second consecutive year of losses at the firm.
- Supermarkets donate to food bank
Supermarkets are donating food past its sell-by date to charity, following the official launch of a new food bank.
- ISG to build dairy facility at Nantwich College (Michael Fahy)
ISG has secured a £1m project with Reaseheath College to refurbish and enlarge an advanced dairy processing facility at its 500-acre Cheshire parkland site.
- Bickering food promotes healthy eating in FSA show sponsorship (Mark Sweney)
Idents for UKTV's Family Supercooks feature arguing apricots, irritable potatoes and a scared sausage
- 45,000 science jobs in feeding the world, safely and healthily (Alex Brannen)
Job prospects for food scientists and food technologists in the UK are excellent, according to advisors to the series, the leading Food and Nutritional Science department based at the University of Reading.
- Positive signs for graduate recruitment in UK's food sector (gradplus.com)
Thousands of graduate jobs are being created in the UK's food production sector as it seeks to replace its ageing workforce.
- Good Little Company wins Waitrose deal (meatinfo.co.uk)
An ethically-minded Northern Ireland food company has won a contract to supply sausages to Waitrose stores across the UK.
- GE pours £9m into drinks firm (Sion Barry)
A NORTH WALES drinks manufacturer has been boosted with a multi-million- pound funding line.
- McDonald's defies the downturn with bulging profits (Catherine Boyle )
Fast-food restaurant group reports better than expected third quarter figures as consumers seek out cheaper eats
- 10,000 Jobs Available in Food Production (Laurette Ziemer)
No matter how tough things get, the things people will always keep buying are food and drink.
- Food and drink exports soar (Richard Tyler )
FOOD and drink exports rose 10.2pc in the first half of the year compared with the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Food and Drink Federation.
- Baker Greggs says it will create 6,000 jobs (AFP)
The baker Greggs, a seller of sandwiches and pastries, announced a plan Tuesday to open at least 600 shops in Britain in the coming years, creating 6,000 jobs.
- Jobs boost follows firm expansion (bbc.co.uk)
An investment by a Northern Ireland food company is to lead to the creation of 41 jobs.
- BRC defends supermarkets against claim price cuts cost jobs (talkingretail.com/)
The British Retail Consortium has defended supermarkets against the accusation that they could jeopardise thousands of jobs in the food industry by cutting prices.
- Jobs saved as food packaging firm buys rival (Joanne Birtwistle)
MORE than 100 jobs have been saved at a Lancashire cakeboard maker after it was bought from administrators by a Manchester rival.
- Beckham to continue with GO3 (extrafootie.co.uk)
David Beckham's latest business venture has left a sour taste in the England star's mouth after just £633 of his healthy microwave meals range 'GO3' were sold last month.
- Green shoots for ready meals (CONOR POPE)
It seems that even the recession can’t kill our appetite for ready-made meals – with sales for some product lines up 20 per cent
- Scottish food and drink: a growth industry (careers-jobs.eu)
Scotland's food and drink producers have been given a chance to showcase their wares on the world stage.
- Topsham food company celebrates (devon.editorial@archant.co.uk)
A FOOD produce company based in Topsham celebrates its third year in business this month.
- Marston's to spend £45m building new food-led pubs (Hamish Champ)
Midlands brewer Marston’s is to splash the cash on building new pubs in the coming year.
- Kellogg's plan laser branded flakes to fight fakes (guardian.co.uk)
It's being put about by their PR team that Kellogg's are to individually laser etch each of their cornflakes with the company logo.
- Marco Waste Management System, makes sense of waste for Unilever food manufacturing (marco.co.uk)
Profitability experts Marco are making it easier for food manufacturers to protect their profits through the introduction of the company's waste management system.
- Marks & Spencer looks to online food shopping to boost sales (Daily Mail Reporter)
Marks & Spencer is planning to set up an online food shopping service.
- Food retailers up for challenge of future events (theretailbulletin.com)
There are still many challenges faced by the grocery industry through the recession and beyond but the major companies in the sector have shown great ability in the past to deal with adversity and this pedigree will continue to see the industry succeed.
- London’s first food and drink innovation centre to launch (Lisa Jones)
London’s first food and drink innovation centre launches on Thursday 15th October 2009 at Dephna House, 14 Cumberland Avenue, London, NW10 7QL
- Food sales boost to Co-op profits (bbc.co.uk)
The Co-operative Group has posted a 17% rise in first-half profit, boosted by its food business.
- FSA Salt iPhone app aims to keep you healthy (Nick Spence)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has introduced a free iPhone and iPod touch application which aims to help limit the amount of salt users eat as part of a healthy diet.
- Business big shot: Jim Smart, finance director, Premier Foods (Miles Costello )
Jim Smart seems to have a knack for flushing out takeovers. The Scot, 49, was named yesterday as the new finance director at Premier Foods, the UK’s biggest food producer and owner of the Branston Pickle and Hovis brands.
- Return of the luxury ready meal: indulgence is back in fashion at the checkout (Julia Finch)
This year was meant to mark the start of a tough new era of austerity: frivolity would now be frowned on and frugal would be the new cool.
- Twenty-one day shelf life for fresh sea food (Ron Golan)
Hefestus, Israel, has created an advanced packaging solution for extending fresh seafood shelf life.
- Celebrated Scottish food could soon go global (Stephen Christie)
Scotland’s most celebrated foods, including the world-famous Arbroath Smokie, could soon be marketed on a global scale under proposals to boost the profile of the country’s finest cuisine.
- £10m campaign to boost Cobra's food credentials (John Porter)
Molson Coors backing lager brand to expand the beer-with-food market
- Frozen Retail Market Hits New High (bfff.co.uk)
The latest data from TNS Worldpanel for the 52 weeks ending 6th September 2009 has shown that the value of the retail frozen food market is now worth just over £5.1 billion.
- Tory pledge to buy British food (Allie Anderson )
The UK Conservative party has said it will "lead by example" to ensure all central government departments buy more locally produced food.
- Cranswick pleased with life as a pure food group (David Parkin)
CRANSWICK today said it had a "pleasing" trading performance with turnover up 19% during its first six months as a purely food business.
- Yorkshire Bank economist to deliver insight on food sector fortunes (Anastasia Weiner)
FOOD companies in Yorkshire are to get a run down on how the global economic recovery can affect their business from Yorkshire Bank's chief economist.
- Northern Foods remains resilient (David Parkin )
NORTHERN Foods today saluted its resilience in difficult markets and said that its first half results will hit targets
- The National Trust Launches Own Brand Food in the UK (internationalsupermarketnews.com)
Supermarkets will be stocking foods and produce supplied by The National Trust, in the UK, from today.
- Uk’s Biggest Manufacturing Sector Launches Checklist For Success (Claire West)
The next Government must support the UK's food and drink sector as a strategic priority in its own right, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which today published a checklist of 20 ways to safeguard the future success of the country's bigge
- Nestlé: the world's biggest food company and one of the 'most boycotted' (Ian Johnston )
The world's largest food company began life in 1867, when Henri Nestlé developed the first milk food for infants - and "saved the life of a neighbour's child".
- Asda puts webcams in food factories (Harry Wallop)
Asda, the supermarket group, has started to put webcams in its food factories as part of a series of moves to make the company more transparent.
- Fast food firm Go opens Arndale unit (James Chapelard)
Go Fast Fresh Food Company has taken on a unit at Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre from joint landlords PRUPIM and CSC.
- Food firm remains cautious despite growth in revenue (Aled Blake)
BAKED-GOODS manufacturer Finsbury Food yesterday warned of another tough year ahead for the company after reporting growth in revenue of 8%.
- New Vegemite puts Kraft in pickle (bbc.co.uk)
It was never going to be easy tampering with a food spread considered iconic by some in Australia and New Zealand.
- Stability to aid The Real Good Food Company (Alex Turner,)
THERE was no icing on the cake of The Real Good Food Company’s half-year results this morning as it announced a pre-tax loss of £1.19m.
- Miquel takes over at Lees Foods after father quits (Simon Bain)
Lees Foods, where 77-year-old executive chairman Raymond Miquel stepped down unexpectedly earlier this month, has appointed Miquel’s son Clive as chief executive and 75-year-old drinks industry veteran Dr Chris Greig as chairman.
- Success for food and drink festival (thisiscornwall.co.uk)
CULINARY creations from some of Cornwall's finest producers were showcased to capacity crowds at a three-day festival celebrating a cornucopia of food and drink.
- Fire-hit factory back to work (bdaily business news network)
A food factory in North Tyneside which was destroyed by fire is to begin production again, creating 226 jobs in the process.
- Food company rewarded with business award (Karen Dent)
A COMPANY that has been operating for less than two years has been crowned Wansbeck Business of the Year.
- Waitrose to sell food in Boots (James Hall)
Shoppers in branches of Boots stores will soon be able to buy Waitrose food with their toiletries following a tie-up between the two chains.
- Weight watchers from Heinz gives dieters some home comforts (talkingretail.com)
Weight Watchers from Heinz (WWfH) is unveiling a new range of frozen ready meals, Weight Watchers from Heinz Home Comforts.
- Explore Britain's Food festivals: Eat, drink and be merry (independent.co.uk)
As the 'barbecue summer' fizzles out, Aoife O'Riordain samples this season's gastronomic events
- Spicy supermarket deal for food manufacturer (Anastasia Weiner)
INDIAN ‘cook at home' specialist Kitchen Guru has received a listing in Tesco with four products from the company's extensive range.
- Greggs still has faith in the high street (Marcus Leroux )
The convenience food group believes in town centre retail, even though many others may have their doubts
- Food campaign gains momentum (PAUL CULLEN)
A new campaign to promote Irish food and drink brands is gaining significant momentum, according to its promoters.
- Northern Foods looks for growth with new FD (David Parkin)
NORTHERN Foods has today said it was poised for growth after recruiting the finance director of Comet-owner Kesa Electricals.
- Organic firms harness the power of superfoods to boost flagging fortunes (Zoe Wood)
It will be wellies at dawn in London tomorrow as the big names of the organic food and farming business launch a bid to reverse their sales, which have tumbled during the recession.
- Amanda Holden fronts Kenco packaging campaign (Jill Park, packagingnews.co.uk)
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden is to encourage the British public to go on a "packaging diet" in a new role as the face of a new Kenco green packaging drive.
- Branston Commits To £1.4 Million Environmental Investment (Source: FarmingUK Newsdesk)
Branston Ltd has confirmed that plans to build an anaerobic digestion plant that will turn waste potatoes into electricity are to go ahead, with construction work starting next month.
- FoodIndustryCareers.co.uk launches new careers advice section (David Lee)
Niche Food Manufacturing Website www.foodindustrycareers.co.uk has launched its new Careers Advice section for those looking to forge a successful career in the UK Food Manufacturing Sector.
- New £35m funding deal for food service company (Dave Jones, Daily Post )
A FOOD service company bought by Iceland boss Malcolm Walker and two other members of his board has secured a new funding deal worth more than £35m.
- 1 in Every 7 Jobs Dependent on Agriculture and Food Industry (www.agriaware.ie)
National Industry Study Highlights that Agri-Food Industry is Curbing a Key Recessionary Trend
- Asda plans new Angus store with 270 staff (Stephen Christie)
The retail boom in Angus was given another huge boost yesterday when supermarket giant Asda announced multimillion-pound plans to open its first store at Forfar – creating some 270 jobs.
- Back in flavour! Why ARE we turning to nostalgic nosh to help us cope with the recession? (Jan Moir)
Do you fancy a Wagon Wheel with that cup of tea? Go on. You know you want one.
- Frozen veg 'better than fresh' (Press Association)
Frozen greens can be just as nutritious as eating fresh, according to new research.
- Waitrose seals royal deal with Duchy Originals (Louise Armitstead )
Waitrose has bought the exclusive rights to the Duchy Originals brand, the upmarket food range founded by the Prince of Wales.
- Finea food company takes gold at Great Taste Awards (Sean McMahon)
Mr. Crumb, the multi-award-winning company and well-known Irish brand of breadcrumbs, stuffings and puddings, has added another Gold Great Taste Award to its long list of achievements, this time for its organic sage and onion stuffing.
- Kraft holds back in bid for Cadbury (James Quinn, US Business Editor,)
The board of US food conglomerate Kraft is prepared to wait and let the market decide the fate of its £10.2bn bid for Cadbury rather than take the initiative and bring the rejected offer directly to its target's shareholders.
- £2m food centre an Asset to Queen’s (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
A £2m food safety centre that has created 20 jobs will be launched at Queen’s University this month.
- Food group reports profits boost (http://news.bbc.co.uk)
The Irish food company Kerry Group has reported an increase in profits in the first half of this year.
- Kraft in £10.2bn move for Cadbury (Amy Wilson)
US giant Kraft Foods has proposed buying UK confectionery firm Cadbury in a £10.2bn ($16.7bn) move.
- Princes launches Hot Pots ready meals (www.talkingretail.com)
Princes is targeting a bigger share of the £220m instant hot snacks market with major investment in its ambient ready meals range.
- Food packaging firm Excelsior Technologies moves to a new £20m factory on Deeside. (Daily Post )
NORTH Wales company food packaging company Excelsior Technologies has moved from Flint to a new £20m factory on Deeside Industrial Park.
- Sales of exotic foods soar as staycations force Britons' culinary hand (Sophie Borland)
It may not be the summer for a far-flung exotic break. But despite the fact many of us are holidaying in UK this year, we are determined not to miss out on the culinary delights of our favourite destinations.
- Dairy industry gets pat on the back for green initiative (www.gaurdian.co.uk)
Dairy UK, the trade group for the dairy industry, has today announced that it is to team up with the Carbon Trust to develop a new guide for measuring and reporting on the carbon footprint of dairy products.
- Business Interview: Martin and Tracy Hamilton, Directors of Mash Direct (Belfast Telegraph)
Marting & Tracy Hamilton tell us how to make a mashing success out of a cottage business.
- Seasonal boost as Sainsbury set to hire 20,000 (PETER RANSCOMBE )
J SAINSBURY yesterday unveiled plans to take on 20,000 seasonal staff, its largest intake ever for the festive period, as the UK's supermarket sector continues its expansion despite the recession.
- ‘Food and drink industry jobs offer’ (The Northern Echo)
UP to 4,000 extra workers will be needed in the North-East’s food and drink industry during the next eight years, an industry body claimed.
- Shilpa Shetty gets into the food business (Upala KBR)
Last Sunday in London, Shilpa Shetty and her fiancé Raj Kundra announced a 33% stake in the V8 Gourmet Group, an international Indian food company that includes The Bombay Bicycle Club Kitchens and Tiffinbites amongst other brands.
- Cranstons to open expanded Penrith food hall (Thom Kennedy )
CUMBRIAN food company Cranstons’ expanded Penrith food hall is set to open in October, bringing with it up to 20 new jobs for the town.
- Wirral brewery to sponsor food festival (Liverpool Echo )
A WIRRAL brewery has stepped in to sponsor the borough’s food and drink festival – and will launch its latest beer at the event.
- Dole Food Company to go public again (Mike Knowles)
World's largest fresh produce company announces plans to raise US$500m by listing on the New York Stock Exchange
- Jobs being created at food depot (http://news.bbc.co.uk)
A food distribution depot being opened on the site of a warehouse that burned down will create hundreds of jobs.
- British food producers urged to join EU protected name list (By Emily Beament)
MORE British producers should apply for "protected food name status" to boost local economies and let consumers know they are buying authentic produce, the government urged yesterday.
- Local Food Project launched at Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival (Huddersfield Daily Examiner )
A NEW bid to persuade Huddersfield people keep local for their food has been launched.
- Luxury food producers scoop top awards (Mike Pryce )
LUXURY food producers from Herefordshire & Worcester have scooped awards in a major fine foods competition.
- Meat supplier jobs secured just months after major fire (http://news.stv.tv)
Company unveils new facility three months after blaze destroyed Broxburn plant.
13 August 2009
- Britain's wet summer leads to spike in winter food sales (thetelegraph.co.uk)
Supermarkets are reporting a rise in winter food sales because of Britain's wet summer, figures show.
- Food companies create 150 jobs (www.bbc.co.uk/news)
Two food companies in Dungannon, south Tyrone, are to expand creating over 140 new jobs.
- Value-conscious customers drive big expansion by food company (Lizzie Murphy)
DEMAND for value foods such as sausages and ham during the recession is helping a Yorkshire manufacturer to nearly double its turnover after investing £4m in new production facilities.
- Allergen-free ready meals to hit shelves (Owen McAteer )
A FOOD company has increased staff numbers as it launches ready meals specifically for people with food intolerances.
- Fish plant plan brings hopes of 150 jobs (www.highland-news.co.uk)
A NEW fish processing company is planning to set up near Croy, creating up to 150 jobs hot on the heels of the closure of Strathaird Salmon in Inverness
- North Yorkshire food manufacturer scoops award (Anastasia Weiner)
A RICHMOND-based food manufacturer has scooped a top industry prize for its twice braised pork shank in a cider and apple sauce.
- Food Industry Careers.co.uk launch new Toolbar
As recruiters do you want to know what jobs are active in the market place at the moment? As candidates do you want to know as soon as a suitable job is uploaded to the site?
- Hovis and Loyd Grossman prove winners for Premier Foods (Anastasia Weiner)
THE success of Hovis, Branston and Loyd Grossman means that Premier Foods is on course to deliver full year expectations.
- Finsbury Food sees revenues grow in “difficult” market (www.smallcapnews.co.uk)
Cake and bread maker Finsbury Food Group is set to report an 8% rise in revenues in the year to June 30, 2009, which should take its figures to around £182.5 million.
- Real Good Food Co sees cost-cutting benefits (Joanne Birtwistle )
BAKERY ingredients business The Real Good Food Company has said it is starting to see the benefits of its restructuring, although margins in its sugar business are lower than last year.
- DJ Osem Buys UK Food Co Yarden GB For GBP1.9 Mln (Sara Toth)
Osem Investments Ltd. (OSEM.TV) said Sunday that it has purchased the UK food distributor Yarden GB for 1.9 million British pounds.
- Food Industry Careers.co.uk continues free trial! (David Lee & Martin Heywood)
Following a successful 1st month which far exceeded even our wildest expectations both in terms of jobseekers numbers and visitors to the site, Food Industry Careers.co.uk have decided to offer all users a continuation to the unlimited free posting trial
- Jobs boost after £24-million takeover (This Is Scunthorpe)
NEW jobs could be brought to a Scunthorpe food factory following a £24-million takeover deal.
- Frozen food championed for schools (Fresh Info.com)
A new in-depth report into school lunches has attacked the common assumption that fresh food has greater nutritional value than frozen.
- Smaller chocolate bars, mini drinks cans to be standard under Government plans (Harry Wallop)
Some of Britain's favourite snacks, including Mars bars, Cadbury Dairy Milk and cans of Coca-Cola, will all be shrunk in size, under controversial new plans to tackle the obesity epidemic.
- Focus on Customers puts Apetito first (bfff website)
apetito, the speciality frozen ready meal supplier to the community, care homes and hospitals nationally, has won The Customer Focus Award at the prestigious National Business Southern Awards.
- Deals push down pub meal price average (John Porter )
Average main course down to £5.77 in managed pubs. The average price of a pub main course has fallen by 15p in the last year, despite food inflation.
- Samworth's deal with Tesco gives it a big share of the UK food pie (Roland Gribben )
Brian Stein, chief executive of Samworth Brothers, the family-owned Melton Mowbray pie and Cornish pasty business, has recovered his bounce.
- Alex James joins food campaign (pa.press.net )
Alex James has signed up to a campaign to encourage people to eat locally-produced British food.
- Ready happy returns: The instant meal celebrates its 30th birthday (Simon Usborne)
Thirty years ago, a young product developer in the poultry department at Marks & Spencer had her work cut out when the bigwigs on the board got cold feet.
- Food products should carry 'water footprint' information, says report (Rebecca Smithers)
The hidden amounts of water used in manufacturing food and drink products should be made known to customers, according to lobby groups.
- Heather Mills Acquires the Redwood Food Company (The Redwood Food Company)
The Redwood Wholefood Company, award-winning producer of natural plant-based, animal-free foods, has announced that charity and animal rights campaigner Heather Mills has acquired the business.
- Morrisons and Waitrose take a bite of rivals’ market share (Marcus Leroux)
One retailer is based in leafy Berkshire and is famed for selling swordfish steaks and crayfish sandwiches to Middle England. The other was built up from a few shops in Bradford into a multibillion-pound group by a plain-speaking Yorkshireman.
- Ah, the olive groves of balmy England (Chris Gourlay )
SUBTROPICAL crops such as dates, figs and rice could become staples of British agriculture within 20 years, according to government forecasts.
- Soup firm in £24m deal (teletext.co.uk)
A Scunthorpe-based food company has been been bought by a private equity firm in a £24m deal.
- UK buying more Scottish produce (BBC Scotland)
Sales of Scottish produce across the UK have increased by 21% in two years.
- Food retailers slash plastic bag numbers by 48 per cent (George MacDonald )
Grocers have almost halved the number of carrier bags distributed to customers, reducing their environmental impact.
- Calorie counts on food labels may be inaccurate by up to 25 per cent (The Telegraph.co.uk)
The calorie counts written on food labels may be out by up to 25 per cent, according to new research.
- Sorting the sticky issue of UK food labelling (Dan Buglass)
MARKET research shows that consumers are increasingly interested in where the food purchased in shops and supermarkets is sourced.
- Loyd Grossman launches Al Forno bake range (Talking Retail)
Premier Foods, the UK's No. 1 food manufacturer, has expanded its £52m range of Loyd Grossman cooking sauces to include four recipes of Italian Al Forno bakes, as well as large sized family jars of bolognese and Indian sauces.
- Food and Drink Sector Gets Teeth Into 2020 Water Target (Keren McCarron)
Almost 500,000 cubic metres of water - equivalent to nearly 200 Olympic swimming pools - have already been saved as thirty six of the UK's leading food and drink manufacturers report their first full year progress
- Outlook for the Packaged Food Industry (Daniel Palmer)
Despite the deterioration of the global economy, Euromonitor International believes the packaged food industry is well positioned to weather the storm.
- Frozen food defies the chill of recession (Erikka Askeland)
FROZEN food has proven resilient in a recession as Cumbernauld-based Farmfoods yesterday revealed its profits had almost doubled on a sharp increase in turnover.
- North East producers represent region at London event (Business Daily News Network)
The Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, addressed over 600 senior food and hospitality industry delegates at an event in London recently
- Juice company to create 50 jobs (BBC News)
Up to 50 jobs are to be created on the site of a former juice and smoothie company.
- Fullers lands £120m deal with Asda (Greg Wright)
YORKSHIRE-based Fullers Foods International has become one of the largest family-owned food companies in Britain after securing a £120m deal with Asda.
- Grate expectations (Ben Rooth)
An entrepreneur who decided to set up her own business after a serious accident has doubled sales over the past two years to smash through the £6m barrier.
- Food Industry Careers.co.uk Press Release (David Lee & Martin Heywood)
Food Industry Careers.co.uk will focus predominantly on jobs in the UK food industry. The site will is managed by experienced recruitment professionals and adds automated services in order to offer the best user experience for its clients.
- New man at helm of Fox's project (Batley News)
A new director has been appointed to oversee the development of a new Fox's Biscuits site.
- Water inefficiency costing UK food and drink companies up to ₤160,000 a day (Rory Harrington)
Food and drink producers in the UK may be pouring up to ₤160,000 a day down the drain by failing to maximise the potential for water efficiency, according to Envirowise.
- Morrisons to give own brand range biggest ever makeover (Rob Snowdon)
|
|
