Special Edition: Sustainable packaging

United Biscuits to switch to rPET for all trays by end of 2010

United Biscuits is aiming to switch to rPET for all its thermoformed trays by the end of 2010 in a bid to scale up the amount of recycled packaging in...

News in brief

IDFA pushes US to prevent Chinese dairy trade block

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has urged the US government to act quickly to prevent US dairy exports being turned away from Chinese borders.

Organic lobby defends health value of its milk from study claims

The Soil Association has hit back at claims made in a newly published study that organic milk is similar in “nutritional quality and wholesomeness” to conventional milk.

Allegations dropped and fines cut in dairy price fixing probe

A long-running investigation into price fixing in the UK dairy market appears to have run its course as allegations are dropped and fines levied at leading processors and supermarkets are...

Special edition - sustainable packaging

Industry learns the limits of lightweighting

Lightweighting can be a win-win strategy, reducing the impact of packaging on both the environment and profit margins but food and drink companies are learning that it is not always...

Special Edition: Sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging - road map or road to nowhere?

Sustainable packaging is a buzzword on the lips of consumers and industry players alike. But what is sustainable packaging and how far has the sector come in developing a road...

New pea protein process aims to grow market

Roquette has optimised the production process for its Nutralys pea protein to enable higher levels to be used without affecting taste. It expects the breakthrough to bring considerable new market...

New spray-drying tower to help Arla exploit Latin opportunities

Arla Foods Ingredients has inaugurated a spray-drying tower in Argentina as the company looks to invest in South America and add value to its whey processing by-products.

BV Dairy looks to take a lead on anaerobic digestion

A dairy processor in the UK is installing an anaerobic digestion (AD) system to convert waste into energy as the government considers how best to encourage others to follow suit.

Tetra Pak underlines cost saving potential of consulting service

Tetra Pak has claimed that its Operational Cost Reduction (OCR) programme for dairy and juice firms cuts the cost of running a packaging line by an average of 12 per cent.

New TIC stabilisers target healthier dairy drinks

TIC Gums has developed three stabilisers to give a creamier, thicker texture to protein fortified beverages and dairy drinks.

Free supply chain guide now available online

A new guide aimed at helping food processors assess weaknesses in the food supply chain is now available to download free of charge, said one research organisation behind the project.

Goodbye milk fraud, hello origin tracking

A kit to test the authenticity of milk origin for use within the food and beverage industry can be used within the processing facility and has been developed by global...

Study claims organic milk offers no nutritional advantages

A new study has suggested that there may be little nutritional difference between conventional and organic milk.

New look for FoodManufacture.co.uk

One of NutraIngredients.com’s sister websites, www.foodmanufacture.co.uk, received a new look this week with a full redesign, daily dedicated news updates, easier navigation, and many new features....

Pactiv profits hit by high raw material costs

Pactiv Corp said high raw material costs were a major cause for a 38 per cent plunge in its Q1 profits.

Nisin coated films may stop Listeria growth in stored cheese

Nisin-containing sodium caseinate films were shown to be effective against L. innocua in cheese during refrigerated storage, according to a new French study.

Glanbia shares jump on news of Irish dairy disposal

Shares in Glanbia Plc skyrocketed yesterday on news that an agreement had been reached to sell the company’s Irish dairy business.

Breakthrough X-ray system kills foodborne bugs

A new food safety system that uses X-rays to kill harmful bacteria could aid public acceptance of irradiation and revolutionise the post-harvest processing (PHP) of oysters, said the scientist behind...

Nestle challenged on baby milk health claims

Food giant Nestle was once more challenged at its AGM in Lausanne last week, as activists again raised the red flag that has been fluttering since the first boycott the...

News in brief

New Greiner technology targets eco-packaging trend

Greiner Packaging has developed a green version of its K3 packaging technology – a new plastic-cardboard combination for cups and tubs.

FAO calculates dairy sector contribution to global emissions

The dairy sector as a whole is responsible for 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the vast majority coming from production, according to a Food and...

Krones acquires rights to elastic stretch-sleeves from CCL

Krones has acquired rights to the TripleS labelling technology – an unusually elastic stretch-sleeve film developed by CCL Industries for decorating contoured bottles.

Ti forecasts bioplastics boost after entry to BoPLA market

BoPP film producer Taghleef Industries (Ti) has announced plans to enter the bioplastics polylactic acid (BoPLA) packaging market by the end of this year.

Comment

Groundhog Day for European health claims?

“Many in industry are pinning their hopes on EFSA showing them the light at the meeting, including the likes of Danone, which withdrew three probiotic immunity/digestive health article 13.5 claims...

Carbery attributes profitability growth to ingredients

Carbery has insisted that its ingredients division performed strongly in 2009 despite a sharp reduction in group turnover.

Irish Dairy Board endures weak sales in 2009

The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) is investing in its ingredients division after overall turnover in 2009 fell 12.8 per cent to €1.89bn.

News in brief

CIAA welcomes EFSA's June health claims summit

The Confederation of Food and Drink Industries in Europe (CIAA) thinks the health claims summit called by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on June 1 could not have come...

Chr Hansen opens first Asian development centre

Chr Hansen has opened its first product development centre in Asia to boost its capabilities as a supplier and partner in the region.

Danisco and Fonterra broaden scope of probiotics deal

Danisco has signed a deal that will allow the ingredients supplier to sell two probiotic strains developed by Fonterra to a wider food and drink audience.

'Super dairy' plans shelved over environmental concerns

Plans to build an 8,100-cow dairy farm in the UK have been withdrawn over concerns about the environmental impact of the project.

Dairy and beverages dominate immune-supporting ingredients

Dairy products and beverages dominate equally the immune-supporting ingredients sector both within Europe and globally, according to a new report from Danish-based research group Bio2com.

News in brief

Analyst tips Danone to be well ahead of expectations

Bernstein Research analyst Andrew Wood has predicted that Danone will easily beat consensus expectations when it reports Q1 sales tomorrow.

Emmi to buy Fromalp in international cheese push

Emmi has signed an agreement to buy specialty cheese producer Fromalp in an effort to further boost its international sales.

EFSA to host June health claims summit

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is inviting stakeholders to its Parma, Italy, base for an “open meeting” to discuss health claim developments in the European Union.

Hydrocolloids show the 'whey' to cheaper dairy drinks

Food gums like gellan gum and pectin may hold the key to success in the growing market for whey-based beverages, as manufacturers look to offer dairy beverages at competitive prices.

Comment

Time for Europe to send bisphenol A into the sunset

Bisphenol A (BPA) is living on borrowed time. And not just in the United States but now in Europe too where mounting consumer hostility and scientific concern over its...

Dean Foods antitrust case to proceed, despite ‘structural issues’

A federal judge in Milwaukee has denied Dean Foods’ motion to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit that was filed against it by the United States Department of Justice in January.

Restocking boosts Givaudan’s first quarter

Sales for fragrance and flavour supplier Givaudan are looking up in the first quarter of 2010 as customers return to normal buying patterns.

Two new volumes examine dairy quality and safety

Woodhead Publishing has published two new books addressing the latest processing technologies and advances in formulation science relevant to improving the safety and quality of dairy products.

Cross-cultural study explores limits of healthy cheese and yoghurt

Manufacturers should be wary about cutting too much fat from cheese and too much sugar from yoghurt, according to new cross-cultural research.

Europe could upset return to dairy price stability

International dairy prices now stand in “a more comfortable range” but a spike in EU production this spring could spark another major fall, according to Rabobank.

Fonterra reports price jump and reveals new plant plans

Fonterra has unveiled provisional plans for a major new milk processing plant in New Zealand and reported a surge in dairy prices as production eases.

News in brief

IDFA puts weight behind dairy in schools bill

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has lent its support to a bill in the US that aims to get more low-fat milk and cheese into schools.

Organic production on the up – but field crops still struggle

Organic production has risen dramatically over the past decade but only a tiny percentage of soybean, corn and wheat crops are certified organic, according to a new report from the...

Comment

Slimmer cans could lead to bigger waistlines

Soft drink makers could end up swallowing a £10m bill for no good reason by embracing the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations for new slim-line 250ml drinks.

Finland proposes a doubling of Vit D dose for elderly

In recommendations published by Finland’s National Nutrition Council last week, the intake level of vitamin D for people over 60 years of age should be 20 micrograms (mcg) per day,...

Vitamin D may save 40,000 Canadian lives per year

Inadequate levels of vitamin D may be causing about 37,000 premature deaths in Canada and costing the country billions of dollars, according to a new review.

Dairy Crest on track despite spreads and cheese softness

Dairy Crest has revealed that it is on track to meet its profit targets despite weakness in its spreads and cheese businesses.

Vitamin D could save Germany €40 billion in health costs

Ensuring the German population gets adequate intakes of vitamin D could save the country about €37.5 billion in health care costs, according to a new review.

News in brief

Saputo closes milk and cream processing plant

Saputo is closing a plant in Ontario, Canada, which processes milk and cream products, and consolidating distribution activities in the greater Toronto area.

Cost pressure brews as Robert Wiseman beats expectations

Robert Wiseman has announced that full year sales and profits will beat expectations but warned that higher diesel and packaging costs may put pressure on margins in the new financial...

Colour changing nanoparticles to flag up melamine-tainted milk

A new method that uses nanotechnology to detect melamine in milk is quick, simple and economical, said scientists in the United States.

Infant nutrition company signs Persian Gulf joint venture

US company Mead Johnson has teamed up with food and beverage company Almarai, based in the Persian Gulf, to target the region’s infant formula nutrition market valued at US$450m....