< Previouson line10 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netNestlé launching dedicated research institute for sustainable packaging Nestlé has created a dedicated research institute for the discovery and development of “functional, safe and environmentally-friendly” packaging solutions. The company said the new Institution of Packaging Sciences is part of its commitment to make its packaging 100% recyclable or reusable by 2025. “We want to be a leader in developing the most sustainable packaging solutions for our food and beverage products,” said CEO Mark Schneider. “To achieve this, we are enhancing our research capabilities to develop new packaging materials and solutions.” The Nestlé Institute of Packaging Sciences will be located in Lausanne, Switzerland. It will employ around 50 people and include a state-of-the-art laboratory complex as well as facilities for rapid prototyping. In close collaboration with the company’s global R&D network, academic partners, suppliers and start-ups, the institute will evaluate the safety and functionality of various sustainable packaging materials.Macsa launches idTIJ small character thermal inkjet printing solution Further reinforcing its unrivalled position at the forefront of high-performance coding and marking solutions, Macsa ID has launched its first ever small character thermal inkjet (TIJ) printer. The new idTIJ is particularly suited to high resolution, high speed printing applications in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and beverage industries. Its innovative design also ensures flexible and easy integration into existing production lines with maximum uptime. Utilising Macsa’s powerful marking software, the idTIJ offers accurate and consistent reproduction of barcodes, alphanumeric texts, 2d data matrix codes, dates, logos and graphics on to virtually any porous and non-porous surface, including cardboard, blister packs and PE and HDPE plastics. For maximum production efficiencies, the idTIJ is capable of high speed printing up to 150 m / min and 600 dpi. It offers high quality and fast drying print with excellent adhesion on a diverse range of materials.Key Technology introduces new ADR EXOS for potato strips Key Technology recently introduced the newest automatic defect removal system for potato strips – ADR EXOS. As the only vision system on the market specifically designed to cut out defects from potato strips, ADR recovers strips with defects and turns them into ‘good’ product, directly increasing yield. Featuring a new cutter-wheel design and intelligent software, the next-generation ADR EXOS better manages strip quality and length while improving product recovery to maximise process profitability. Marco Azzaretti, Advanced Inspection Systems Product Manager at Key, said: “Customers are telling us the quality of potato crops is becoming more variable due to challenging climate conditions. During seasons when processors risk not having enough good potatoes to meet demand, product recovery becomes even more critical. ADR EXOS is the ideal complement to wet potato strip digital sorting systems and a uniquely valuable tool to achieve the desired product quality at the highest possible yield.”McDonald’s unveils antibiotic policy for beef supply chain McDonald’s is aiming to curb the use of antibiotics in its global beef supply chain with a new policy it hopes will drive industry-wide progress. Working with its suppliers and beef producers, the restaurant chain is taking a phased approach. It will first work with beef producers in its top ten beef sourcing markets to measure and understand the current usage of antibiotics. By the end of 2020, McDonald’s says it will establish reduction targets for medically important antibiotics. Beginning 2022, it will be reporting progress against antibiotic targets across its top ten beef sourcing markets. Overall it aims to reduce the usage of antibiotics with the goal of replacing them with “long-term solutions”. The policy is the fruit of a year and half’s work, during which time the restaurant chain consulted with a cross-section of expert stakeholders – from vets to beef producers.Arla acquires Mondelēz’s Middle East & Africa cheese business Danish food producer Arla Foods is acquiring Mondelēz International’s Kraft-branded Cheese Business in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for an undisclosed amount. The deal sees Arla gain control of all Kraft-branded cheese products in the MEA markets as well as a cheese manufacturing facility in Bahrain. The sale was motivated by Mondelēz’s desire to focus on growing its “faster-growing” snacks categories, including its core chocolate, biscuits, gum & candy offerings. Maurizio Brusadelli, EVP and President AMEA for Mondelēz International, said: “The time is right for the brand to take the next step in its journey and we are very happy to hand over this successful business to Arla Foods.”© Andrey Armyagov / Shutterstock.com© HeinzTeh / Shutterstock.com© Allmy / Shutterstock.com04-11.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:50 Page 7Food & Drink International 11www.fdiforum.netDon’t forget you can now read Food & Drink International Digital Editions now available on iPad & iPhone www.fdiforum.netIdeal for those who spend time away from the officeon the go!Prohire strengthens temperature controlled sales team Commercial vehicle contract hire and fleet management company, Prohire Limited, has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Maria D’Andrea as National Sales Manager. Heading up Prohire’s temperature-controlled sales drive, Ms D’Andrea is tasked with expanding the company’s presence in chilled and frozen food distribution, catering and retail and pharmaceutical distribution. Group Sales Director Andrew Morley said: “We are very excited that Maria is joining Prohire at such an exciting time as our business continues to go from strength to strength in this key sector. We are investing in new equipment for temperature-controlled distribution as well as expanding our sales team and with Maria’s proven track record in this field, I’m confident that she will be able to deliver our strategy for continued growth.” Ms D’Andrea added: “Prohire has been in the business for over twenty years and is very well respected for excellent customer service in all areas, so I’m excited about the opportunities that my new role presents.” Campbell Soup Company bolsters board Campbell Soup Company has bolstered its board with the addition of Sarah Hofstetter and Kurt Schmidt. Ms Hofstetter is the President of Comscore, a global information and analytics company that measures consumer audiences and advertising across media platforms. She previously served as Chairwoman and CEO of 360i, a US advertising arm of Japanese PR firm Dentsu. Mr Schmidt served as a director and CEO of Blue Buffalo Company from 2012 through 2016. Prior to joining Blue Buffalo, he was Deputy Executive Vice President at Nestlé, where he was responsible for the $8 billion Nestlé Nutrition division and served as a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Chairman Les Vinney said: “Their diverse knowledge and insight will be invaluable to Campbell’s Board, management team and shareholders as we continue to execute on our strategic plan to build a stronger and more focused company that creates long-term value for all shareholders.” appointmentsKurt Schmidt04-11.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:50 Page 812 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTDealing with regulations Before one can even think about exporting to another country, it’s important to look at the measures taken to ensure the security of food. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:54 Page 1Food & Drink International 13www.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTAs consumer tastes continue to become more adventurous, with new and exotic produce being shipped around the globe, total product integrity has to be assured during the importing and exporting of food and drink. Consumers are demanding better, fresher produce, and a raft of complex legislation means that products must remain tamper-proof and hygienic throughout lengthy supply chains. Quality assurance has never been more important. This article examines some of the methods the industry is using to ensure that the food and drink on your table is as fresh and as safe to eat as possible. Before we take a look at what the industry is up to, however, it’s worth noting the measures that nation states have implemented to ensure the security and safety of our food. Today, it is not enough to ensure that products meet with general food safety requirements at the beginning of the supply chain; there is now an understanding that, because of the global nature of the industry, ever-more rigorous checks are required at the point of entry. A lot can go wrong before a product reaches a country’s borders. At worst, products may be deliberately tampered with or mislabelled, which could easily compromise their hygiene or create a security risk. The transmission of diseases such as African swine fever and bluetongue and the smuggling of illegal substances disguised as food and drink cargo are major concerns for most nation states, and, by extension, for an industry keen to avoid reputational damage. © Shutterstock/SantiPhotoSS14 Á12-15.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:54 Page 214 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTImport and export legislation is particularly stringent in the European Union. In most EU countries, including the UK, meat, fish and dairy products may only enter through a port with a Border Inspection Post (BIP), which means that there is significantly less chance of contaminated produce entering these countries. This approach is certainly not confined to the EU: in the United States, the vast majority of food products entering the country are inspected under the terms of the U.S federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C). Strict checks are made to ensure that any food additives, colorants and pesticides used at the preparation and packing stage have not compromised the overall integrity of the product in a way that could endanger the health of the consumer. The labelling of food and drink imports is also a major concern across the globe. Some countries now demand that imported products be labelled in a language that is understood by consumers in the area where the food or drink is marketed. This way, consumers are able to make informed choices based on their specific dietary requirements – coeliacs will know which products are gluten-free, for example – or ethical issues, such as concerns about genetically modified foods. It is the responsibility of producers and import and export companies to ensure that this information is provided in the correct language. So, what is the industry doing to guarantee quality assurance? Given the increasing length and complexity of modern-day food and drink supply chains, there are a number of health and safety issues that suppliers must address before they can import or export a product. First, measures must be taken to ensure the personal hygiene of all workers handling the product at the preparation and packing stages. The grim spectre of food poisoning – still a problem that affects millions each year – can add up to greater levels of consumer dissatisfaction and unwanted reputational damage. To counter the threat of contamination and poisoning, many companies have implemented strict food safety management guidelines which insist on the fastidious cleaning and disinfection of all working areas and implements used in the preparation and packing of food and drink products. The most rigorous companies will also implement these guidelines while the product is in transit, a crucial stage of the supply chain where products are most susceptible to deterioration and illegal compromise. Temperature control is paramount at the transit stage. Conscientious import and export companies are employing increasingly sophisticated refrigeration technologies to help maintain the freshness of their products, and great care is being taken to ensure that optimum temperatures are maintained depending on the specific product. Rapidly perishable products such as fresh meats need to be chilled at lower temperatures – usually between -0.75 and -1.25°C – to prevent degradation, whereas most canned goods can stand a warmer transit environment. Such is the commitment to quality assurance; if a fresh product shows signs of © Shutterstock/Ekaterina_Minaeva12-15.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:54 Page 3Food & Drink International 15www.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTdiscoloration many companies will discard it before the loading stage. The import and export business has to contend with a variety of security threats, many of them potentially catastrophic. Product-tampering, theft, and the stowing of illegal cargo on vessels intended to transport food and drink are all major concerns. There is much at stake: in most countries, the food and drink supply chain is worth billions of pounds a year. If security is compromised, huge financial losses are a real possibility, not to mention the threat to consumer safety if products are contaminated. International collaboration seems to be the best way to address these threats. Companies and regulatory bodies need to work together to guarantee traceability in the food supply chain. This is easier said than done, but increased levels of vigilance and improved checks could help to prevent humiliating disasters and scandals. Cargo insurance is paramount for import and export companies, but it is taking major interventions from international governments to resolve the larger security issues afflicting the import and export industry. In 2010, for example, the U.S passed the Food Safety Modernization Act, which aims to prevent security breaches at source. Such heavyweight involvement is particularly necessary in countering malevolent threats such as biological attacks perpetrated by terrorist organisations, and marks a significant shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to food and drink security. Put otherwise, the industry is no longer waiting for security breaches to happen before it acts. On a micro-level, companies are investing in tamper-proof (or “tamper-evident”) technologies to guarantee the safety of their products. These can range from the “security button” on the lid of a mason jar to sophisticated customised seals, which provide unequivocal evidence of tampering at any stage of the supply chain. These innovations, coupled with increasingly tough international legislation, represent positive steps towards ensuring safety and security within the import and export business.A new agreement has seen India open its market to British sheep meat for the first time, with farmers and food producers getting ready to reap the benefits. The UK’s sheep meat exports were worth £386 million to the economy in 2017, with lamb meat alone reaching 69 export markets. In Wales, lamb exports account for a third of total food and drink exports – worth £110 million. The new agreement, which covers a range of sheep meat cuts, is expected to build on this by over £6 million in the next five years. The deal has been secured following a detailed process of inspections and negotiations by the UK government, working with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and UK Export Certification Partnership. Exporters can take advantage of the market as soon as the administrative listing process is completed and export certification is made available.The UK’s food and drink exports have reached £16.4 billion for the first nine months of 2019 – up 1.8% on the same period last year – according to analysis from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). The food and drink trade deficit narrowed by 1.3% and it now stands at -£18 billion, which is £243 million lower than the same period in 2017. Export growth to EU markets (+4.1%) was positive, while exports to non-EU markets declined (-1.8%), with the EU exports share growing to 62.1%. All of the top 10 export products – including whiskey, chocolate and cheese – reported growth in January to September, apart from beer and salmon. The fall in exports of salmon – down 20.1% – is primarily a result in a fall in sales to France (-19%) and the US (-36.2%). In volume terms, this represents a decline of 16.6 thousand tonnes, which is equivalent to £94.3 million.India opens market to British sheep meat UK’s food and drinkexports hit £16.4bn© ZRyzner / Shutterstock.com© Shutterstock/Iness_la_luz12-15.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:55 Page 4Power transmission solutions from Cross & More Cross & Morse was established in 1984 through the amalgamation of two long-standing and well-respected companies in the power transmission industry – T D Cross and Morse Chain. In 1996 the company was bought out by its management team and rapidly began expanding its manufacturing capability, particularly in the field of special and adapted standard products. It operates a policy of continue assessment to develop and improve its products and customer service. In pursuance of these objectives, Cross & Morse has been successfully assessed by Lloyds and its registered as an approved manufacturer of power transmission products to BS EN ISO 9001. Cross & Morse aren’t the only ones to rest of their laurels, seeking out instead new challenges. To that end, they welcome a challenge and encourage clients to send them a drawing of a difficult design to test their mettle and expand their manufacturing capabilities. For more information, visit www.cross-morse.co.uk.16 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netCONVEYINGAs we inch closer towards Industry 4.0, automated technology becomes much more commonplace across the food and beverage manufacturing sector. The British Automation & Robot Association have predicted that by 2030 a third of all British jobs will be automated, continuing the trajectory the industry has been seen these past decades. Since 2000, there has been a sixty per cent increase in the adoption of automated technology as robot systems become indispensable in the manufacturing industry. And it’s easy to see why, with complex robotics and automated machinery being able to take the place of many manual labour and physical processes, the better to boost output, reduce downtime and improve occupational safety. With the increased deployment of robotic systems to the manufacturing floor, there is one common component linking them all – the conveyor. Despite the critical role it performs right across the food processing industry, the conveyor is left somewhat in the shadows as manufacturers contemplate their automation strategy. However, with the increasing number of robots and automated systems that are used to pick, place and palletise delicate and raw food ingredients, making the choice Evolving conveyor Conveying systems are a crucial part of any food production line but are too often overlooked by manufacturers when considering their automation strategy. 16-18.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:57 Page 1Food & Drink International 17www.fdiforum.netCONVEYINGInterroll’s conveyor solutions for chilled and deep-freeze environments Interroll’s new Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP) for chilled and deep-freeze environments, with decentrally controlled RollerDrive drive technology, expands the range of applications of the company’s conveyor solutions. Deep-freeze logistics poses special challenges for material flow solutions but can now benefit from an efficient, zero pressure accumulation (ZPA) material flow down to -30°C. The energy efficient 24V roller conveyors and diverters support a zero pressure accumulation operation and increases the work productivity. It can also reduce manual labour in deep-freeze temperatures and supports a safer working environment. The new deep-freeze MCP from Interroll offers flexible and scalable configuration with standard plug-and-play components. The new solution has been tested in several conditions and ambient temperatures and has proven to be a solution perfectly suitable to harsh temperatures. For more information, visit www.interroll.co.uk. Joloda International provide Great Bear and Cereal Partners with ultra-efficiency Third-party logistics provider, Great Bear Distribution, has taken delivery of two new tri-axle curtainsider trailers for its long-standing contract with Cereal Partners Worldwide, each fitted with the ultra-efficient Hydraroll loading system from Joloda International. Joloda’s specialist conveyor system, first introduced by Great Bear to Cereal Partners’ South West factory and distribution centre in 2007, incorporates a moving slipchain floor built into the loading bay and trailer. It is capable of loading or unloading up to 30 tonnes in as little as 90 seconds – a process that would ordinarily take around 20 minutes. The two new Don Bur 13.6-metre curtainsiders replace the original trailers that have been in constant operation since the Joloda system was installed. Each trailer clocks up around 52,000 km annually, making 12 collections and deliveries per day, 365 days a year. The significant boost in operational efficiency has resulted in close to 35,000 hours of labour saved, which equates to £250,000. For more information, visit www.joloda.com.of conveyor systems a vital consideration to the longevity of future production lines. When assessing conveyor options, flexibility, robustness and safety are all crucial criteria. System integrators have access to a vast array of options, from gravity rollers to belt conveyors and heavy duty palletisers. In addition, conveyors can be customised for any automation format, including horizontal, bucket, vertical, swan neck and carousels. Unlike some of the other aspects of the production line, conveying offers a significant degree of customisation, which allows manufacturers and producers to install bespoke solutions designed to their specifications and needs. The fact of the matter is that no two food businesses are same. Certainty they share some of the same needs and possibly even produce similar products, but their requirements and outlooks will be different. It serves to follow, then, that different machinery and equipment will be needed for the specific processes and production criteria. Bespoke isn’t synonymous with expensive, so smaller or artisan producers worried that having a system which meets their unique needs will be out of budget may be surprised at what’s available to them. As modern consumers expect customisation in their food and beverage products at every turn, why shouldn’t manufacturers expect the same from their machinery and equipment? There’s no ‘one size fits all’ conveying system, after all. Conveying machines are quite literally the links in the production chain and there are more factors involved in the © Shutterstock/Romaset18 Á16-18.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:57 Page 218 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netCONVEYINGMulti-lane checkweighing and detection offers high speed advantages Interfood Technology is the sole representative in the UK and Ireland for the Sparc Systems range of weigh grading, bespoke conveyors, checkweighers and combination checkweigh/metal detection units. Available through Interfood’s dedicated Packing Solutions Division, the multi-lane systems –including checkweighing, metal detecting and XRay – have been developed specifically to fill a gap in the market as checkweighing machines typically tend to be single line. Designed for high speed lines where products remain in the multi-lane format throughout, the systems offer excellent control and efficiency. Each unit is designed to meet specific production requirements, with this bespoke approach ensuring the systems can be tailored for a range of processing applications. The range includes the capability to retrospectively add checkweighing and vision inspection into the machine, providing the potential to meet changing and expanding requirements, without the need for investing in a new dedicated piece of equipment or impacting on the length or configuration of the line. For more information, visit www.interfoodtechnology.com. integration than just simply getting a product from A to B. For example, a customer may require delayed stops, accelerated sections or turning devices. In every instance, the conveyor element of a production line is about optimising production flow. With food automation making up such a significant slice of many systems integrators’ business, the specification for high grade, food safe conveyors is hardly surprising. Requirements in the food sector can be both challenging and unique, particularly for meeting stringent hygiene standards. Although the emphasis is often on the end effector, which places the food item within the bag or box, it is both the gripper and the conveyor that will make the most contact with raw produce, giving rise to potential cross-contamination situations. Designers or conveyor systems have long focused on minimising crevices and other areas where the ingress of contamination can occur, while facilitating easy cleaning between production units. Accordingly, there have been significant advances in the materials used within the design and build of conveyor systems to ensure they are flexible enough to cope with changing environments, as well as meeting harsh washdown procedures. Food manufacturers want quality, reliable, high-spec systems that will last and can be modified to boost the ROI. In this arena, the technology moves fast. However, as with any automation installation, production flow efficiency will always take centre stage, and the choice of conveyors is a vital link in the whole turnkey chain. © Shutterstock/industryviews16-18.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 09:57 Page 3Food & Drink International 19www.fdiforum.netCARTONING AND SLEEVINGInnovations in production in recent years has created hundreds of new ideas that are being incorporated into packaging – yet that’s not to say that companies can simply over-indulge in incorporating every new trick in the book as consumers and retailers alike are now on their guard for packaging that appears to be excessive. With security concerns taking on ever increased importance, it’s a constant juggling act for packaging specialists. Consumer demands and expectations have led to an increased level of interaction, first with labels and calorie counts, then with ever more specific information on RDA’s and information on where the product was sourced from. On top of that, conscientious consumers are demanding that packaging have as small an environmental impact as possible Some specialists think that the sector could well become unrecognisable in the near future thanks to the huge changes that are being introduced. But the need for packaging itself will likely never fade. Most of the changes are being brought in by shifts in consumer demand, and the cartoning and sleeving industry has benefitted greatly from recent consumer interest in pre-cooked and ready-meal foods. As the lifestyle of the average consumer becomes more mobile, and free time becomes less available, food that can be heated quickly and consumer grows in demand. While cartoning and sleeving hardly has the monopoly in this industry, many readymeals are making use packaging that can be quickly and easily removed – like © Shutterstock/Artem ShadrinIn one package The cartoning and sleeving industry is growing stronger due to shifts in consumer demand, but that doesn’t mean the same challenges aren’t still around. 20 Á19-23.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2018 10:25 Page 1Next >