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Contact us below for our 2023 editorial schedule Call today on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email: v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk INTERNATIONAL INTERN NATION AL ahe Sta d aying d i eals ng spotlight ahead a eadyRy mea ackPa kaaging s Micr obiol og testing gy INTERN NATION AL ma r Cha nging r ket angi s g y tr ryy and ma r kets m s Meat, poul p d ff ltt seaf foood v Sieev vees and separ raat ors spotlight separ raat ors e Softw waa re sp Sti INTERN bl NATION bus Sus bus Sus siness staina i ti s able bl business s End of f line packka aging Int INTERN NATION AL g ro Hea h althy o wth alth chain edients g ro wth g uncF ct tional ingr re edients y upplS lyy chai spotlight Caps and cl spotlight osur Caps and cl rees MINIMUM COST…MAXIMUM IMPACT! www.fdiforum.net Döhler Group strengthens global market presence and ingredient portfolio with acquisition of SVZ Döhler, a global producer, marketer and provider of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions has acquired SVZ, subject to regulatory approval. This strengthens Döhler’s portfolio of natural red fruit and vegetable ingredients and its global market presence, expanding the operations in the USA and Japan. SVZ is known for its high-quality purees, concentrates and ingredients of sustainably sourced vegetables and red berries. With production sites in the USA, Spain, Poland and Belgium, SVZ has established a strong global presence and successfully built a base of premium customers in the food, beverage and lifescience & nutrition industry. SVZ’s experience and operational excellence perfectly complements Döhler’s sourcing, production and supply chain capabilities. With this acquisition, customers will benefit from an even broader ingredient portfolio and larger raw material base. Opinions sought on proposed additional investigatory powers for UK’s National Food Crime Unit The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a new consultation seeking opinion from the public, public health professionals and food sector partners on proposed additional investigatory powers for the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU). This consultation asks for views on NFCU’s access to limited further additional powers that would allow food crime officers to be lawfully on premises and assist with searches, following an arrest by the police. This follows on from last year’s consultation on enhanced investigatory powers for the NFCU. Responses were broadly supportive. The FSA is seeking to secure further appropriate legal powers for the NFCU which are said to be critical if they are to investigate food crime effectively, with autonomy and independence, and to reduce the dependency of support on partners such as local authorities and the police. The Coca-Cola Company and bottling partners create sustainability-focused venture capital fund The Coca-Cola Company and eight bottling partners from around the world have announced the closing of a new, $137.7 million venture capital fund focusing on sustainability investments. Greycroft, a seed-to-growth venture capital firm, will manage the Greycroft Coca-Cola System Sustainability Fund. The fund is the first of its kind for Greycroft, which invests in enterprise and consumer solutions across life cycles and industries. The Coca-Cola system’s carbon footprint is a major priority for the fund, so it will focus on five key areas with the most potential impact to start: packaging, heating and cooling, facility decarbonization, distribution, and supply chain. “This fund offers an opportunity to pioneer innovative solutions and help scale them quickly within the Coca-Cola system and across the industry,” said John Murphy, president and Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “We expect to benefit from getting access to emerging technology and science for sustainability and carbon reduction.” The fund will seek to invest in companies at the point of commercialization. For Greycroft, partnering with the Coca-Cola system presents an attractive opportunity to help scale innovations alongside some of the top bottling operations in the world. “The market for sustainable supply chain and manufacturing technology has continued to grow as consumer brands rise to meet the demands of environmentally conscious customers,” said Dana Settle, Greycroft co-founder and managing partner. “Greycroft has an ‘invest anywhere’ approach that we believe allows us to identify promising startups with climate tech solutions ready to scale.” The fund’s $137.7 million in capital comes primarily from $15 million of committed capital from each of the following companies: The Coca-Cola Company, Arca Continental, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Coca-Cola HBC, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, and Swire Coca-Cola. Together, these bottlers represent nearly half of Coca-Cola system volume around the world. Seviroli Foods swoops for Mama Rosie’s Seviroli Foods LLC, an existing portfolio company of Mill Point Capital LLC and manufacturer of frozen pasta and other food products and importer of specialty foods, has acquired Mama Rosie’s Company, a second- generation family-owned manufacturer of frozen pasta products primarily in the Northeastern United States. The Seviroli and Mama Rosie’s partnership creates a stronger enterprise with enhanced scale, a robust product portfolio and a diversified customer base. The combined resources and capabilities of Seviroli and Mama Rosie’s provide a significant opportunity for the platform to scale organically and accelerate growth while ensuring the highest levels of product quality, safety and innovation. Nick Sardo, CEO and owner of Mama Rosie’s, will continue with the go-forward company in a senior advisor capacity. © stock.adobe.com/ kuvona Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net news © stock.adobe.com/ WDnet Studio © stock.adobe.com/ pogonici © stock.adobe.com/ neirfyAdministrators of plant-based foods firm secure sale of manufacturing site The administrators of Plant and Bean Limited (P&B) have sold the company’s manufacturing site and associated equipment to Vegan Solo Consulting Limited (Vegan Solo) and Duo Renovations Ltd (DRL). P&B is a dedicated alternative protein food manufacturer based in Boston, Lincolnshire, operating from a 125,000 sq ft factory and producing vegetarian products for large brand names with placements in major supermarkets. The company entered administration on 31 May 2023 when James Clark and Howard Smith at Interpath were appointed joint administrators. Vegan Solo specialises in the production of meat-free products and is run by Heather Mills, the entrepreneur and a leading champion for the vegan movement. This purchase will add to Miss Mills’ existing portfolio which includes Vbites – a pioneer of meat-free substitutes. Like several other businesses in the sector, P&B experienced significant inflation across its cost base, primarily increases in food and energy prices. The business also suffered from several operational issues stemming from a lack of investment. Treasury Wine Estates to shut Victoria winery Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has announced changes to its Karadoc commercial winery in Victoria, Australia, meaning the site will close by mid-2024. TWE’s wine brands will continue to be made locally, however. The company says a number of factors led to the decision including a global decline in commercial wine consumption, rising costs and under-utilised capacity at the site. “Making the decision to close a site is something we take very seriously and is a last resort after we’ve looked at all other possible options. We’re committed to assisting our team members to find future employment and continuing to support the local winemaking industry,” TWE chief supply officer Kerrin Petty said. The Karadoc winery has been in operation since 1973 and currently makes wine for TWE brands including 19 Crimes, Lindeman’s, Wolf Blass, and Yellowglen. These brands will continue to be made with long- standing local TWE winemaking partners Zilzie Wines and Qualia, and at TWE’s Barossa winery in South Australia. The company also plans to divest its commercial vineyards in Lake Cullulleraine (north-west Victoria) and Yankabilly (south-west New South Wales). 12 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Rising to the challenges of bacon slicing Bacon can be one of the most difficult products to slice. Natural variations in product size and shape, as well as inconsistencies with product conditioning or curing, all present challenges that Weber have overcome in the last 30 years. Interfood has a wealth of experience and understanding of the demands of the UK and Irish market, working with Weber and Textor to supply machines from their comprehensive range to satisfy any production requirements; from stand-alone, self-contained machines to full line solutions, incorporating the very latest in product preparation and automatic loading systems. The Textor TS700/750 is the industry standard high speed bacon slicer, which can now be combined with the Weber/Textor wePRESS 5000 bacon press, weLOAD 7500 infeeding system and wePACK 7000 thermoformer. Tom Foran is Divisional Manager, Slicing for Interfood and comments – “The addition of the wePRESS and weLOAD to the portfolio, have only pushed us further ahead in terms of what we can do on bacon. The synergy between all components allows us to produce faster, with fewer operators and greater accuracy than anything that has gone before.” olam food ingredients turns cocoa shells into power to fuel factory Two circular biomass boilers have entered operation at olam food ingredients’ (ofi’s) cocoa processing factories in the Netherlands and Germany, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The boilers use cocoa shells, a by-product of the production process, as fuel to generate steam, which in turn powers the crafting of cocoa ingredients from ofi’s premium brand, deZaan, at its factories in Koog aan de Zaan, Netherlands, and in Mannheim, Germany – where it believes it will be the first cocoa shell boiler of its kind in the country. The boiler at Koog aan de Zaan was partly funded by a subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and took over four years from concept to completion. It will reduce natural gas usage and CO2 emissions at the facility by 50%. The second boiler at ofi’s factory in Mannheim has been developed through a joint venture with energy company MVV. It has the potential to provide up to 90% of the steam needed to power the facility, saving approximately 8,000 tons of CO2 annually. © stock.adobe.com/Igor Normann MGP Ingredients to close distillery in Kansas MGP Ingredients, a provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions, has revealed the planned closure of its distillery in Atchison, Kansas, with the anticipated closure date estimated to be January 2024. The distillery is responsible for producing grain neutral spirits and industrial alcohol products as well as their related co-products. The decision to close this distillery is said to be consistent with the company’s plan to address profitability headwinds associated with its grain neutral spirits and industrial alcohol products within its Distilling Solutions segment. The company will continue to operate and invest in its Ingredient Solutions business located in Atchison, Kansas, including the previously announced $16.7 million-dollar texturized protein facility that is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The company will also continue to operate and invest in its Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery operations. © stock.adobe.com/ M-Production © stock.adobe.com/ dropStock © stock.adobe.com/ Manivannan TEmpire Bespoke Foods launches premium Mövenpick Hazelnut spreads into UK retail Family-owned Empire Bespoke Foods, a speciality food importer, distributor, and food brand owner, is launching a duo of Mövenpick Hazelnut spreads in the UK. Mövenpick Hazelnut Cream (300g) is available in two delicious flavours, Original Hazelnut Cream, and Hazelnut & Milk, which are created using natural ingredients. The Creams are free from colours and preservatives and are 100% palm oil free. The Hazelnut Cream range is made from whole hazelnuts that are carefully selected and expertly roasted by Master Roasters, to bring out the full flavour of the nuts. The Hazelnut spreads can be enjoyed on breakfast breads, rolls, thin crepes, or as a snack or dessert. Benjamin Moody, junior brand manager, USA & Cupboard, said: “Mövenpick is extremely high quality and well known around the world so it is a great opportunity for Empire Bespoke Foods to launch these incredible quality products into the market.” on the shelf A new generation of low alcohol wine A new generation of winemakers pioneering the world’s finest low alcohol wines, LECAP, is launching into the UK market with its first wine, a 5% ABV South African rosé. With a crisp and refreshing palate full of red berries, floral undertones and a citrus summer twist; LECAP is light blush in colour, with refreshing acidity, a soft texture and medium body. Made with cold-pressed Merlot grapes grown in South Africa’s Western Cape on the sunlit foothills of the Paardeberg Mountain, the rosé maintains a full, robust flavour with half the typical alcohol content. Priced at £14.99 RRP per 75cl bottle, LECAP has only 56 calories per serving. Kieran Gandhi, co-founder at LECAP, said: “We’re delighted to be launching LECAP to the UK, in a category we predict will have huge future growth. Low and no alcohol options have soared in previous years, and as the mindful drinking continues, it’s important for us to provide a moderate option for consumers that isn’t all or nothing, yet still delivers on taste and mouthfeel. LECAP has all the benefits, flavours and social rituals of wine, just with a lighter level of alcohol.” Fentimans unveils new Raspberry Lemonade Fentimans, the only Botanically Brewed soft drinks and mixers brand, is launching Raspberry Lemonade – a new addition to its existing repertoire of classic Lemonades alongside Victorian Lemonade and the brand’s iconic Rose Lemonade. Following extensive consumer research, Fentimans will be introducing its Raspberry Lemonade NPD at key on-trade hospitality venues, including JW Lees, with the aim of further growing its market share in the Lemonade category and distribution against key competitors. Like the famous Fentimans Lemonades currently in the portfolio, Fentimans Raspberry Lemonade will be created using the Botanical Brewing process that gives the drink its distinctive and complex depth of flavour. To help increase customer consideration and appeal to customers on-shelf, the Raspberry Lemonade will also feature a vibrant and enticing colour, bringing to life the bold yet delicately light essence of the new product. Fentimans already holds a significant share of the branded Premium Lemonade market, with Rose Lemonade currently being the brand’s biggest flavoured lemonade SKU worth £2m in the UK. Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net Swizzels collaborate with Bird & Blend on sweet-inspired teas Sweet manufacturers Swizzels have teamed up with independent tea company Bird & Blend to launch an exciting new range of tea blends this summer. If you love the iconic tastes of Parma Violets, Love Hearts, Drumsticks and Refreshers, you can now try them in tea form - a sweet treat for Swizzels fans across the country. Independent tea company Bird & Blend are leading the way with tea innovation in the UK, creating exciting flavours by blending a range of ingredients including herbs, flowers and fruit. Sweet manufacturers Swizzels have worked closely with the tea experts at Bird and Blend to create the new sweet-inspired teas. There will be four different tea blends inspired by the nation’s favourite sweets; Love Hearts, Refreshers, Parma Violets and Drumstick Lollies. Each contains the distinctive smell and taste of the beloved sweets with flavourings including: * Love Hearts - Apple pieces, Rosehip, Hibiscus and Elderberries. * Parma Violets - Black Tea, Hibiscus and Mallow Flowers. * Refreshers - Apple pieces, Rosehip, Lemongrass, Orange Peel and Calendula Petals. * Drumstick - Apple pieces, Rosehip, Hibiscus, Chinese Oolong Tea, Sunflower Petals and Freeze-dried Raspberry. Marlish Waters unveils new Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Spring Water Sustainable soft drinks producer, Marlish Waters is expanding its range of canned-at-source spring waters, with the launch of Marlish Sparkling Pink Grapefruit. Naturally light in calories, but packed full of flavour, Marlish Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Spring Water combines the finest pink grapefruit extracts and oils with Marlish’s slowly filtered Spring Water, to create a sharp and clean beverage that provides the ultimate refreshment. Free of artificial flavours and preservatives, Marlish Pink Grapefruit offers a well-balanced level of sweetness, met with the distinctive tartness you’d expect to find when biting into a perfectly ripe pink grapefruit segment, and all for less than seven calories per can. 14 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT War and EXPORTS Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on food and drink imports and exports continues to be felt, with arguments over a grain deal recently sending shockwaves and threatening global food security. R ussia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 put food and drink imports and exports in the firing line, seeing prices skyrocket, temporary export bans put in place, and forcing the world to explore ways to adapt. With both countries major exporters of staple foodstuffs and holding a vital role in global agriculture, with myriad nations worldwide dependent on Ukraine and Russia for certain foodstuffs, the crisis continues to be faced more than a year later. This has recently been thrust back into the spotlight with news breaking last month (July 2023) of Russia’s decision to pull out of the Black Sea grain deal, placing tens of millions of tonnes of food exports from Ukraine at risk. It came after a normalisation of trading conditions was starting to be seen, including declining freight and insurance rates, and a stabilisation in grain markets. 16 Á © stock.adobe.com/Miha Creative16 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT Negotiated by the UN and Turkey in July 2022 to mitigate a food crisis caused by blockades of Ukrainian ports, allowing the safe transit of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea, the deal was pivotal to keeping food moving from Ukraine to the world and to ensuring food security, especially in developing countries, as well as calming food prices. The agreement covered three Ukrainian ports, Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi, on the Black Sea coast, and saw a Joint Coordination Centre set up to inspect ships and their movements. It has been essential to the secure passage of more than 32 million metric tons of agricultural goods from Ukrainian ports. Recently, however, Russia was accused of hindering the agreement by slowing inspections of ships leaving Ukraine. Following Russia’s exit of the deal, the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine has obstructed the free flow of grain and other foodstuffs through the Black Sea, causing worldwide suffering. We urge Russia to re-join the initiative, which was developed by the UN in 2022, and allow the unimpeded export of grain.” He added: “Russia has obstructed the proper operation of the deal for several months. In doing so, Russia is serving its own interests and disregarding the needs of all those around the world, including in the poorest countries, who are paying higher food prices as a result. The UN estimates that without the grain provided by the BSGI (Black Sea Grain Initiative), the number of undernourished people worldwide could increase by millions. While exports of grain from Ukraine are restricted, Russian exports of food are at higher levels than before the invasion. We have always been clear that the target of our sanctions is Russia’s war machine and not the food and fertiliser sectors. Contrary to Russian claims, the UN and other partners have taken significant steps to ensure that Russian food is able to access world markets.” Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT Russia has complained that more needs to be done to put its own exports back on the market, claimed frustration at continued western sanctions and obstacles to Russian food and fertiliser exports, and has demanded the reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT payment system. This is despite the Russian grain trade reaching high export volumes and fertiliser markets stabilising with Russian exports nearing full recovery, as noted by the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Russian Fertilizer Producers Association. Pulling out of the deal (the second time it has done so after a brief departure in October/November), was quickly followed by a Russian strike on Ukrainian ports. A statement from UN Secretary- General António Guterres on the Russian Federation decision to stop implementing the Black Sea initiative said: “I deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative — including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the North-Western part of the Black Sea. This Initiative has ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports. The World Food Programme (WFP) has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations — relieving hunger in some of the hardest- hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, Horn of Africa and Yemen. The Black Sea Initiative — together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers — have been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world. At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year. With the decision to terminate the Black Sea Initiative, the Russian Federation also terminated its commitment to ‘facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea Ports’ — as expressed in paragraph 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the United Nations. Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But, struggling people everywhere and developing countries don’t have a choice. Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis.” Immediately following the announcement a jump in wheat prices occurred. Without the Black Sea deal, Ukraine could be required to reroute exports. While it has already been exporting grain through eastern European countries, logistical challenges have appeared, including different rail gauges. There has also been concerns raised by farmers in the region who indicated the flow of Ukrainian grain has undercut local supplies. The EU consequently allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds. Danube River ports have been identified as an alternative for exporting grain too, though these ports are anticipated to be less efficient, decreasing the amount of grain the country can export, and increasing the cost of transporting it. Ukraine’s president has meanwhile suggested continuing the Black Sea grain shipment deal without Russia’s participation, working with the UN and Turkey. Shipments without Russia’s participation would be reliant on insurance companies agreeing to provide coverage. Prior to the war Ukraine was the fifth largest exporter of wheat (with Russia the world’s biggest), while also being one of the largest exporters of sunflower and rapeseed oil, maize, and barley. D Davies Turner © stock.adobe.com/Kalyakan18 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT Developments in food processing technology Over recent years, advancements in technology and the relentless pursuit of efficiency and sustainability have led to significant innovations within food production. From ways to strike the balance between safety and efficiency, to making products more appealing to consumers, we will explore the latest developments in industrial food processing machinery. Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/ipopba T he integration of automation and robotics stands out as a major trend in industrial food processing machinery. By incorporating automation, various processes are streamlined, resulting in reduced manual labour while maintaining consistent quality and safety. Now a staple of many factories, robots are employed for a wide range of tasks, including sorting, grading, packing, and even cooking in some instances. Sophisticated sensors and computer vision technology are utilized in automated sorting systems to detect and separate defective or contaminated products from the production line, effectively enhancing food safety and minimizing wastage. Furthermore, robotic arms equipped with gentle grippers carefully handle delicate food items during processing and packaging, minimizing the risk of damage. The integration of software and robotics is also being used to improve ability to respond to changing trends. The emergence of 3D printing technology has extended its influence into the realm of food processing. By employing food-grade materials, such as edible pastes and gels, intricate and personalized food shapes can be created. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the way food products are conceived and manufactured. The possibilities offered by 3D food printing include tailoring food items to suit individual dietary preferences, catering to specific nutritional requirements, and crafting elaborate food designs for special occasions. A critical advantage of 3D printing in 20 ÁNext >