PPMA Show The total package The total package INTERNATIONAL Meat, poultry and seafood Stand F101, NEC, Birmingham, 24th-26th September Stand F101, NEC, Birmingham, 24th-26th September Packaging materials and design IXEQSXY% 1 RSMXE^MQMXT3XREP4 IQIVYWEI1IVYXWMS1HI IVS1 VSJW[SPP%XRI ˆ˂ ʻˇʼˊ ˌʶˁʸʼʶʼʹʹʸ ʸˆʴʸ˅ʶˁʼ ʸ ˌ ʸ˅ˈˇˆʼ˂ˀ LXM;WHSLXIQFEPKRMQYWRSG IQMXR[SHIXWE[IXERMQMPI RIQIVYWEIQIVYXWMSQKRM^MPMX9 HI]EPTWMHHRSGIWVITWKRMHEIV IQMXHREVSVVIREQYLOVS[IVI EGIRMPRSMXGYHSVTILXRS]PXGIVMHXR H RE I ZEWWXRIQXWYNHE RMP'04VYS]SXVS]PPERVIX\I LXKRM^MQM\E1IRMPR-IVYXWMS1 XY3KRMQYWRS'IQM8IXERMQMP) ]IRSQHREIQMXKRMZ IZMXGESVTIOEQREGPIRRSWVITIR WWIGSV4RSMXGYHSV4ILXJSPEMXRIXS4I IVYWEI1HREWHSLXI1KRMXWI8IXE(JS ʦʤʧʣʫʩʠʫʦʤʤʧʧʞ ˠˢ˖ʡ˛˖˘˧˧˦˜ˢˠʡ˪˪˪Contents September 2024 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives EIT Q&A6 How Gappscan G2 can help overcome the common issues encountered when testing PHEs Import and export14 With food exports flourishing, Mexico is improving its position as an important trading partner. Machinery and equipment spotlight18 A combination of economic and societal conditions are fuelling a rapid change in food and drink manufacturing, and the machinery industry is faster moving than it has been ever before. Dust control24 Dust control and air filtration are necessary not only for hygiene reasons, but also for productivity of employees. Bakery and confectionary26 The bakery and confectionary markets face their own raft of issues surrounding obesity, sugar taxes and rising inflation, proving that even food staples aren’t immune to rapidly changing conditions. Meat, poultry and seafood30 With meat and fish under the microscope when it comes to environmental impact, the industry is having to adapt to a world in constant flux, and heat waves across Europe have done little to help. Verder Scientific Q&A 32 We speak to specialists, Verder Scientific, to see how they help their clients handle such complex issues. Microbiology36 Demand for microbiological testing is increasing in the food and drink industry as Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305 Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. Main: stock.adobe.com/beats_ • Top: PPMA Show • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ bit24 • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ Sergey Ryzhov awareness of food-related illnesses rises with consumers, and regulators become more focused on food safety. Packaging materials and design41 Designing sustainable packaging is a major focal point for the food industry, with myriad options and innovations available to improve the environmental footprint of a product. • Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions Ltd Q&A PPMA Show 202448 Established over 35 years ago, the PPMA Show is recognised as the UK's largest processing and packaging machinery exhibition. This year’s show takes place once again in Hall 5 between 24-26 September at the NEC in Birmingham. SIAL Paris58 The world’s leading food innovation exhibition, is set to mark its historic 60th anniversary from October 19 to 23, 2024 at the Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte. Loading bays and doors59 In the intricate dance of technology and logistics within warehouses, loading bays emerge as the unsung heroes, serving as both gateways and defences in the food industry’s critical journey from production to consumer. Events 62 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink Diary 66Acquisition of food and drink group Princes completes The acquisition of international food and drink group Princes by Italian-based Newlat is complete. In May, Newlat announced it had agreed to a £700 million acquisition of Princes from Mitsubishi Corporation, encompassing all current operations and brands. Concurrently, Newlat announced that it will rename itself as ‘New Princes Group’, comprising Newlat and its existing subsidiaries along with the addition of Princes. The renaming is expected to be completed by the end of this year, as soon as the related processes are completed. The combined ‘New Princes Group’ will have a turnover of €2.8 billion, a global network of 31 plants, 8,800 employees, and over 30 brands. The New Princes Group will double its product category offering to customers, becoming one of the leading multi-brand and multi-product food companies in Europe. Princes is one of the UK’s largest food and drink groups with a global supply network, a portfolio of established brands and heritage as a trusted supplier of customer own brand products. 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Verner Wheelock launches sustainability course Leading food industry training company Verner Wheelock has just launched a new one-day course entitled ‘Sustainability in the Food Industry’. Aimed at managers and supervisors within the food industry, it is designed to help them understand: * What is meant by sustainability * The complexities of the food system and how stages are interlinked * The UK’s sustainability goals and legislation * What food and beverage companies can achieve * The environmental, social and economic aspects of a sustainability strategy “Meeting Government and United Nations’ sustainability targets whilst remaining profitable is a challenge,” says Verner Wheelock MD, Alison Wheelock. “We developed this course to help companies find ways of being more sustainable without negatively impacting other areas of the business or wider environment.” Verner Wheelock’s new course is endorsed by Food & Drink Qualifications (FDQ). Initially offered as in-house training, it will be available to individuals as an open course in 2025. For more information, visit www.vwa.co.uk Cablevey unveils innovative metal-detectable cable assemblies Cablevey Conveyors, part of Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), the leading provider of automation solutions and specialised material handling equipment, has announced the launch of its new metal-detectable cable assemblies for tubular drag conveyor systems. The innovative product is designed to meet the evolving needs of the food processing and material handling industries, providing enhanced safety and operational efficiency. The metal-detectable cable assemblies feature metal-detectable additives in the coating and discs, ensuring that standard metal detectors in processing plants can quickly identify potential contaminants. This solution prevents potential contamination of food products, which is crucial for maintaining the highest quality standards and consumer safety. In addition to its detectable properties, the new cable assemblies offer robust performance and durability. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, allowing for straightforward retrofitting and inclusion in new installations. This flexibility ensures that manufacturers can upgrade their safety protocols without extensive system overhauls. For further information about Cablevey Conveyors and its new metal-detectable cable assemblies, visit https://hubs.ly/Q02J_Rxc0. DTM Trays for Direct-to-Food Printer Eddie Enhancing chocolate, biscuits and all kinds of tasty food by adding full-colour photos, logos, designs and text is easy with Eddie, the Edible Ink Printer. This NSF- and GMP-certified desktop printer prints with EU- and FDA-approved edible ink directly onto the surface of baked goods and confectionery. Depending on the size and shape of the food it can be operated either in automatic mode using the included carousel or in manual mode with DTM Trays that are designed especially for Eddie by DTM Print. The large variety of trays include trays for macarons, mints, biscuits and many more. DTM Print also offers the service to produces custom trays. DTM Trays are made of PLEXIGLAS® XT Colourless. Their smooth, dishwasher-safe surface prevents bacteria and mold growth. The trays are made from a material that meets the requirements of plastic materials in contact with food, complying with standards set by the FDA, EU and German BfR. A new upgrade is available for the two basic Eddie DTM Trays (DTM Manual Tray -M0001 and DTM Carousel Tray -CT0000). These trays now have a certified food grade silicone layer to provide a better grip on the surface for smaller objects and prevent them from moving during printing. The silicone pads are semi-transparent, allowing the engraved positioning grid to be seen through or a printed guide to be placed under the layer. Eddie and the DTM Trays will be showcased at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair at stand 3148. For more information visit https://dtm-print.eu © stock.adobe.com/philip kinsey6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net EIT INTERNATIONAL Q&A How can the Gappscan G2 identify a PHE’s defects when there are no obvious signs? The most frequent and significant issue encountered with PHEs is that defects often show no obvious sign of damage/defect. Rather than anything visibly evident, like external leaks, generally corrosion and expansion/contraction defects happen inside the PHE which means contamination sites can often go unseen. The Gappscan G2 uses software to detect minute pressure changes within the PHE, the software has been designed to use the Bernoulli principle to detect pressure fluctuations, which allows for a more effective maintenance programme that is proactive rather than reactive. Does the Gappscan G2 reduce the downtime associated with testing PHEs? PHE testing is a long process. Units need to be dismantled, decontaminated and then reassembled, which takes the PHEs out of use for significant time periods; which then affects production time. The Gappscan G2 doesn't require for the PHE to be dismantled for full testing to be conducted. It’s also a completely chemical-free process, so far less invasive. The result is much faster testing, meaning the PHE can be back in productive operation quickly, and multiple PHEs can be tested in one visit, improving the ROI drastically on traditional testing methods. So it’s fast – but how labour intensive is testing using the Gappscan G2? More traditional methods using substances whether dye, chemical or gas can be time consuming and Q&A EIT International How Gappscan G2 can help overcome the common issues encountered when testing PHEs Food & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net EIT INTERNATIONAL Q&A labour-intensive, as each PHE must be dismantled before anything is applied to the surface. It also takes additional time for the substance to penetrate each section before results can be returned. The Gappscan G2 only requires the PHE to be disconnected and not fully dismantled. It also only requires one person to conduct the testing, making it far less labour intensive. The whole process also takes less than 5 minutes with the results available immediately! How environmentally responsible is the Gappscan G2 compared to more traditional PHE testing methods? “I have to dispose of chemicals/dyes/gases and ensure the PHEs are thoroughly clear of any residues before reintroducing the PHE to production” In order for the testing of PHEs, involving chemicals/dyes or gases, to be completed fully the tester needs to ensure that responsible disposal of cleaning substances and thorough cleaning protocols are met for all units. This is the final stage that needs to be completed before the PHE is put back into service. The Gappscan G2 test uses only water under pressure to conduct the testing...no chemicals, no dyes, no risk. By using only water under pressure, Gappscan G2 gets your PHEs back into productive use quickly and it does so safely with low environmental impact; no harsh chemicals to dispose of and no exposure to chemicals for testers. Does the Gappscan G2 provide more information than simply a ‘pass or fail’ result? The Gappscan G2 method of testing can identify and report multiple cracks and defects in a PHE using varying levels of pressure and can detect defects as small as a few microns and it also makes the results available immediately. As a result, the reporting is far more granular than just ‘pass or fail’ allowing for planned, preventative maintenance for the unit. Each test result is also saved securely which means changes in PHE behaviour and performance can be monitored over time. To discover more of our range visit www.eit-international.com and contact us to discuss your requirements.PepsiCo makes £13m investment in Coventry factory PepsiCo has announced a £13 million investment in its Coventry factory – the home of Doritos. The Coventry site is Europe’s largest tortilla chip factory and has been making Doritos since it launched in the UK 30 years ago. The investment will see a manufacturing line replaced with brand new equipment, including more efficient machinery that will reduce the site’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 700 tonnes a year. The new manufacturing line will continue to make the Doritos range in the UK, including Doritos Dippers which last year became the first Doritos product to classify as non-HFSS. Layla Whiting, manufacturing director, PepsiCo, said: “We’ve been perfecting the tortilla chip here in Coventry for the past three decades, and I’m proud of our role in helping to build a loyal Doritos fanbase and make the brand a household name in the UK. This investment marks our commitment to the teams who have played such a key role in Doritos’ success over the years, and to our home in Coventry as we celebrate our 30th birthday.” 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Aldi to invest £3bn in British beef suppliers Aldi, the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket, is set to invest £3 billion with British beef suppliers over the next five years, as part of its ongoing commitment to championing Great British quality and assisting UK producers. As the country’s largest retailer of British beef, Aldi hopes the investment will allow farmers to plan confidently and provide security for supply chains up and down the country. Part of this investment includes a five-year contract with its supply partner Kepak, providing a £260 million investment into their line of Aberdeen Angus beef. As well as championing authentic British produce, the deal will enhance the quality and range of beef available to customers. Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “As the UK’s largest British beef retailer, we’re proud of our long-term relationships with British farmers across the country. “The UK farming community plays a vital role in our food supply chains – our continued investment in British beef is in recognition of this and means we can continue to provide the best quality British products for our customers.” Liebherr launches new full glass door freezer range, Cliff, to UK food retailer market following 2024 Red Dot Design Award win Specialists in commercial refrigeration, German manufacturer Liebherr has been awarded the 2024 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design for its new full glass door freezer range, Cliff. Comprising two different models - Cliff 156 (2-door) and Cliff 234 (3-door) - Cliff can be connected to create a singular and seamless freezer wall. Designed to meet the demands and requirements of supermarkets, Cliff combines first-class design and functionality to provide a low maintenance and highly energy efficient freezing solution that can perfectly fit into any supermarket space. With an industry-leading class B energy rating, the new range has been designed to ensure units can be opened without causing excess energy consumption thanks to its internal self-closing mechanism; guaranteeing unmatched energy efficiency and low operating costs. For example, the 3- door appliance model, Cliff 234 (3-door), requires only 15.9 kWh per day to run. Stephen Ongley, UK Business & Industry National Sales Manager at Liebherr, commented on the win: “Having been market tested for over a year, it’s truly an honour to have the Cliff range recognised by one of the world’s largest and most prestigious design competitions.” For more information visit www.liebherr.com Mars to acquire Kellanova in $35.9bn deal Mars, a family-owned, global leader in pet care, snacking and food, is set to acquire Kellanova, a leading company in global snacking, international cereal and noodles, North American plant-based foods and frozen breakfast foods, in a $35.9bn deal. Kellanova is home to iconic snacking brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Rice Krispies Treats®, NutriGrain® and RXBAR®, as well as food brands including Kellogg’s® (international), Eggo® and MorningStar Farms®. With roots dating back more than 100 years, Kellanova had 2023 Net Sales of more than $13 billion, with a presence in 180 markets and approximately 23,000 employees. Kellanova’s portfolio complements the existing Mars portfolio, which includes billion-dollar snacking and confectionery brands like SNICKERS®, M&M’S®, TWIX®, DOVE® and EXTRA®, as well as KIND® and Nature’s Bakery®. With more than 150,000 Associates across its Petcare, Snacking and Food businesses, Mars had 2023 Net Sales of more than $50 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, Kellanova will become part of Mars Snacking, led by Global President Andrew Clarke and headquartered in Chicago. Mars intends to apply its brand-building approach to further nurture and grow Kellanova’s brands, including accelerating innovation to meet evolving consumer tastes and preferences, investing locally to expand reach and introducing more better-for-you nutrition options to meet evolving consumer needs. Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Snacking, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create a broader, global snacking business, allowing Kellanova and Mars Snacking to both achieve their full potential. “Kellanova and Mars share long histories of building globally recognized and beloved brands. The Kellanova brands significantly expand our Snacking platform, allowing us to even more effectively meet consumer needs and drive profitable business growth. Our complementary portfolios, routes-to-market and R&D capabilities will unleash enhanced consumer-centric innovation to shape the future of responsible snacking.” © stock.adobe.com/mubus Photo courtesy of Mars Photo courtesy of AldiFood & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net Plant-based meat alternatives business, The Tofoo Co. gobbled up Comitis Capital has acquired The Tofoo Co., a plant-based meat alternatives business with over 60% market share in tofu. The Tofoo Co., headquartered in Yorkshire, was acquired in 2016 by David Knibbs and Lydia Smith. Beyond its core tofu portfolio, The Tofoo Co. offers a selection of value-added tofu products as well as other plant-based meat alternatives such as tempeh and seitan. With a strong holding in major retail, the company is expanding its food service channel with restaurant chains such as Wagamama. Nikolaus Bethlen, Managing Partner at Comitis, said: “The Tofoo Co. has firmly established itself as a leader in the plant-based meat alternatives market with a strong brand image offering high-quality products. “David Knibbs and Lydia Smith have built a remarkable enterprise that is ready for the next phase of growth. The Tofoo Co. represents a great addition to our portfolio, covering the thriving plant-based food market.” Existing management David Knibbs and Lydia Smith will remain invested in the business and continue to steer the company’s growth in the UK and international markets. news Kentish Oils and Condiments move into new factory Cold-pressed oil producers Kentish Oils and Condiments have moved into a purpose- built, state-of-the art factory near Sandwich, Kent. The factory build comes after a period of substantial growth, having won two large new contracts with Cook, the award-winning frozen ready meal manufacturer based in Sittingbourne, and Higgidy Pies, a Shoreham based manufacturer of pies and quiches. The build also includes a development kitchen with an expanded range of equipment. The move increases Kentish Oil and Condiments’ production capacity to manage the increasing demand for products but also creates new opportunities for the business, allowing them to work with other companies to ‘own label’ products on their behalf. As part of the expansion, the company have invested in new equipment which will allow them to produce hot fill products such as jams and chutneys, expanding their current product range. Whilst manufacturing in the new unit has already started, the development kitchen will be up and running from September. © stock.adobe.com/Moving Moment Photo courtesy of Kentish Oils and CondimentsNext >