< PreviousPPMA Group announces the launch of the Grant Jamieson Engineering Scholarship At the Chairman’s Lunch, the PPMA Group of Associations’ Chairman David Barber announced the launch of the Grant Jamieson Engineering Scholarship to the 100 plus attendees. Grant Jamieson, Managing Director of Winkworth Machinery, was most recently the PPMA Group’s Marketing and Communications Director and stands down after 11 years of loyal service. Grant became Chairman of the PPMA in 2015 which provided a platform for him to speak passionately about the engineering skills shortage. In this time, he has continually voiced concern that the UK manufacturing industry continues to suffer from an ageing workforce, caused by diminished entrants into the engineering sector over the last 25 years. This, in turn, has created a leadership vacuum. David Barber, PPMA Chairman said: “The PPMA are committed to funding the scholarship and the trustees of PPMA Best will define and execute the scholarship aligned to Grant’s request. The aim is to support people who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in engineering, demonstrating practical application outside of study.” Upside food develops animal component free cell feed for cultivated meat Real meat without animals. It’s an inspiring vision that offers an incredible upside for the world – environmental, animal welfare, human health, taste, and biodiversity, to name a few. Ever since UPSIDE Foods (previously known as Memphis Meats) was founded in 2015, kicking off the cultivated meat industry, they knew that developing animal-free production methods was one of the most significant technical hurdles they would need to overcome. Historically, cell feed has contained animal components, like fetal bovine serum or animal proteins. These components are a tried and true source of nutrients for the cells — but they come at a cost. First, they are counter to a mission to promote animal welfare and the environment. Cell feed represents the largest driver of the environmental footprint for cultivated meat. Second, these animal components are expensive, and there is a limited supply of them on the planet. In fact, cell feed is among the biggest cost drivers for cultivated meat. UPSIDE Foods announced that they have developed a cell feed that is completely animal component free (ACF). 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Clif Bar & Company Launches Trailblazers Incubator and Introduces CLIF Pet™ Clif Bar & Company has announced the launch of the Trailblazers Incubator, an in-house new ventures group built to deliver disruptive innovation and create sustainable business opportunities. Based in Clif Bar’s Emeryville, CA headquarters, the Trailblazers team of “intrapreneurs” is applying an agile start-up mindset to driving new growth strategies for Clif Bar. This includes expanding into new categories that align with the company’s Five Aspirations business model. Overseen by Chief Innovation Officer, Rizal Hamdallah, and led by Incubator Senior Director, Greg Lok, the Trailblazers first venture is CLIF PetTM, with the introduction of plant- based pet snacks. Slated for national launch in early 2022, CLIF Pet will start with three flavors of snacks for dogs with plans to build out the Pet portfolio in the near term. Stem cell study paves way for manufacturing cultured meat Scientists have for the first time obtained stem cells from livestock that grow under chemically defined conditions, paving the way for manufacturing cell cultured meat and breeding enhanced livestock. Researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Biosciences, together with colleagues at the Universities of Cambridge, Exeter, Tokyo and Meiji (Japan) have developed stem cell lines from pigs, sheep and cattle embryos grown without the need for serum, feeder cells or antibiotics. The research “Pluripotent stem cells related to embryonic disc exhibit common self-renewal requirements in diverse livestock species” has been published in the journal Development and was funded by BBSRC, EU (ERC), MRC and Wellcome Trust. Professor Austin Smith, Director of the University of Exeter’s Living Systems Institute, one of the world’s leading experts in stem cell research said: “It is very exciting that starting from a fundamental question about early development in different animals we have discovered a technique that may revolutionise future production of meat.” Wheaties continues 100th anniversary celebration with Century box featuring the legendary Michael Jordan In honor of its 100th anniversary, Wheaties is paying tribute to sports icon Michael Jordan, featuring him on the box for a historic 19th time. As part of the ongoing year-long commemorative celebration, Wheaties will also partner with 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and its driver, Bubba Wallace, during the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. Throughout his career, Jordan shattered records during his time in the NBA, created the emblematic Jordan brand, uplifted charities and nonprofits, influenced sports culture and most recently, formed 23XI Racing. As the embodiment of the Wheaties Champion, Jordan will be recognized on two limited-edition, 100th anniversary boxes: an iconic orange box available now at retailers, and a new collector's Gold Foil Box that debuted on December 14, 2021. The Wheaties Champion first appeared on the Wheaties box in 1988 and continues to inspire future champions. Kathy Dixon, senior Brand Experience manager for Wheaties said: "We are so proud to launch the next box in our anniversary series honoring one of the greatest sports stars and most-decorated Wheaties athlete in history." © adobe.stock.com/Dragana Gordic 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:27 Page 7on the shelf Sappi Rockwell Solutions launches a sustainable lidding film for the soft fruit industry Heat seal coating specialist Sappi Rockwell Solutions has launched a recyclable, lightweight, heat seal, lidding film designed specifically for the fresh produce market. The highly versatile RockFruit lidding film range provides a strong, peelable seal onto a wide variety of substrates including rPET, aPET, PVC and aPET lined paperboard. The film can be produced with 30 percent and 60 percent post-consumer recycled content variants to help customers in the soft fruit market reduce their environmental impact and bring them in line with the UK plastic packaging levy scheduled for April 2022. Chris Button, Head of Sales at Sappi Rockwell Solutions said: “RockFruit has been developed as a direct response to the needs of customers in this sector looking for a sustainable packaging solution that is robust enough to withstand the rigours of the supply chain. This is another step forward to reducing our own environmental impact and that of our customers.” Brixton Brewery launches its first ever four-packs Brixton Brewery are excited to announce the launch of four-packs of their Atlantic American Pale Ale and Reliance Pale Ale in 250 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide, as a growing demand for four-packs signals a change in consumer behaviour when shopping craft. The move to four-packs comes after Brixton Brewery enjoyed a successful launch of single cans in Sainsbury’s at the start of the year and is an exciting sign for the craft category as a whole. Jez Galaun, Co-Founder of Brixton Brewery, said “This launch is an exciting move for Brixton as we give our loyal base of drinkers a chance to grab some of their favourite beers in convenient new four-packs, perfect for enjoying socially over the festive period. The success of our launch in Sainsbury’s is just the start and signals an exciting time for the world of craft beer which we’re excited to keep pushing as we head into 2022.” Jim Beam® Releases Limited- Edition Bourbon Cream Just in Time for the Holiday Season This holiday season, Jim Beam® is helping you ring in the festivities with its new Jim Beam® Bourbon Cream — a rich, celebratory beverage best enjoyed with those who matter most. Jim Beam Bourbon Cream, a new innovation from a storied brand, combines sweet, velvety cream liqueur with the world’s finest Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The result is a perfect balance of delicious cream complemented by bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel and oak, making it the perfect drink to add holiday “spirit” to all your gatherings this season. To celebrate the launch of its limited-edition Bourbon Cream, Jim Beam is unveiling a holiday- focused campaign titled “Get to the Good Stuff,” which inspires people to speed through the holiday formalities and spend more time just relaxing and enjoying family and loved ones. Actress and bourbon fan Emily Hampshire is partnering with Jim Beam to create social content and share how she plans to “Get to the Good Stuff” this holiday season. Introducing Timothy Taylor’s Personalised Wedding Range Add a touch of the quality and experience of Timothy Taylor’s to your special day with personalised bottles of award-winning Landlord and custom-etched tankards. Whether you’re looking for gifts for those who’ve helped make your day extra special, or a unique way to decorate your tables, Timothy Taylor’s personalised range can be appreciated by all lovers of great-tasting, Yorkshire ale. Available direct from one of the UK’s longest-established breweries, Timothy Taylor’s will work with you to add personalised names or messages to bottles of its much-loved Landlord. As beer-lovers will know, Landlord is a full flavoured pale ale that has won more awards nationally than any other beer and is the go to drink for any cask ale lover. The bottles can be ordered in packs from 2-48 bottles and the personalisation is simply added through the brewer’s webshop, making it as easy as possible to add to your wedding set-up. The exceptional bottles also come with a personalised, hand-written Timothy Taylor’s gift message, free of charge. Plus, they offer free delivery on any order, regardless of how much you spend. Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net Primula unveils first plant-based range Primula, the world’s first squeezy cheese brand, has unveiled its first entrant into the plant-based market with Primula Perfectly Plant, which will launch in 2022. The new variant, which is fully endorsed by the Vegan society, is the only plant-based cheese alternative available in an easy-to-use tube format. Perfectly Plant provides an opportunity for the brand to target a wider audience, including the ever-expanding vegan market - with 14% of adults (7.2 million) in the UK now following a meat-free diet. Lisa Thornton, Head of Marketing at Primula said: “This product also offers an amazing taste experience for the growing number of flexitarians, identified as a key trend to watch for in 2022.” The new launch comes shortly after Primula unveiled a brand-new sustainable packaging earlier this year, which means that the packaging is now fully recyclable. Its famous squeezy tubes have previously featured an aluminium layer insert, however the brand has worked with their packaging suppliers to produce sleek new tubes that can be widely recycled up and down the country. 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:27 Page 812 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT As South Korean media and culture take the world by storm, food exports are on the rise. As South Korean goods rise in popularity alongside the country’s entertainment offering, from the Squid Game phenomenon to the Oscar winning movie Parasite to K-pop, food and drink exports are following suit. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), exports of agricultural and fishery goods passed $10 billion (USD) in 2021 (in the period 1 January - 25 November), up 16.1% on the previous year, which proved to be strong itself despite the pandemic. Strawberries, grapes, kimchi, ginseng, and seaweed products were key exports, with the last of these seeing $600 million in exports. With increasing demand for healthy goods as well as quick meals like ramen that can be easily prepared at home, expanding interest in fermented food, and growing visibility of South Korean foods including buldak spicy chicken noodles and Korean-style fried chicken in pop culture, the country is set to only gain more global consumers. Capitalising on the flourishing ‘Korean Wave’, or ‘Hallyu’, K-Food promotion events continue to be held, such as in November at COEX, exploring export opportunities for Korean agri-food products. Meanwhile, the South Korean government is throwing its support behind produce exports and has been chartering airplanes to facilitate the export of strawberries during their prime Riding the ‘Korean Wave’ Riding the ‘Korean Wave’ 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:31 Page 1Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/SeanPavonePhoto (from December to April) to countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as working to support the export of larger volumes of the fruit and strategising to push South Korean strawberries into overseas premium markets by making high-end products through the supply of high-quality seedlings, training on cultivation techniques, and developing premium packaging materials. A leading export item, last season Korea exported $20 million worth of strawberries to Hong Kong and $15 million to Singapore, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. Grapes have also been promoted as an important export by MAFRA, with the export of grapes reaching an all-time high amid COVID-19 thanks to the adoption of precooling and cold chain systems and the marketing activities of MAFRA. In a boon for South Korean food and drink firms, a number of positive shifts are opening up new markets. Trade discussions with the European Union (EU) for instance saw all 27 countries accept complex food imports from South Korea, such as those containing processed milk, eggs, and honey, including bread, sweets, and beverages. As reported by Food Navigator Asia, because of strict import regulations in the EU, South Korea’s food exports were valued at only around $525 million in 2020, small next to total food exports, but with this new development, significant growth is expected for processed foods entering the EU market. Furthermore, negotiations between South Korea and the Philippines have allowed the entry of strawberries into the Philippines, preceded at the end of 2020 by the 14 Á 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:32 Page 214 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT acceptance of paprika into China. On the other side of the coin, South Korea has opened up to the Mahachanok mango from Thailand, okra from the Philippines, and Hass avocados from Colombia, amongst other products. Though export expansion has previously focused primarily on South East Asia and India, looking forward South Korea is extending its food export target destinations with Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan selected as strategic countries of market exploration by MAFRA, after record sales of fresh and processed foods in Northern countries following years of decline. In 2021, food exports to the region rose past their previous high point of $118.6 million in 2018 to (as of May) $129.3 million, leaping from lows of $89.6 million in 2020. Processed foods saw a major increase to $119.4 million, while fresh food exports grew to $9.9 million. For wider global expansion, South Korea has announced a focus on supporting small and medium-sized food exporters to pioneer new online markets and bolster export competitiveness in online sales. Meanwhile, as countries witness drops in exports and friction with China, South Korea is becoming an important country to promote to, though with renewed attention on food safety starting in 2021 - particularly regarding imported meat - and new apps tracing food safety information of imported products for consumers, there is complexity to entering the market. For example South Korea has taken China’s place as the top export destination for Russian seafood. This came as Russia and China’s trade relationship became strained, with the latter tightening inspections and controls on imported seafood in tandem with claims of COVID-19 traces being found on packaging. A drop in seafood exports to China resulted, with the first 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:33 Page 3Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT half of 2021 seeing Russian seafood shipments to China decrease 83% by volume compared to 2020, and nearly half in value. South Korea of course has faced its own challenges with China, not least in the form of the recent kimchi war (with China claiming kimchi as a food of its own, and South Korea viewing this as theft of its ‘soul food’, leading to declines in kimchi imports from China). The country is now promoting measures to stop consumers misidentifying Chinese food products as Korean exports and maintain the reputation of Korean exports. As South Korean media and culture - from television to cinema, music, and skincare - gains a larger presence in lives across the world, new opportunities and demand are forming for the country’s cuisine, with food and drink exporters being pushed and the government eager to maximise the power of the thriving ‘Korean Wave’. © stock.adobe.com/norikko © stock.adobe.com/ping han © stock.adobe.com/Kirill Gorlov D Davies Turner Celebrating 150 years of pioneering service Your worldwide freight and logistics partner T: 01709 529709 www.daviesturner.com YEARS 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:33 Page 416 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT What constitutes a health, safety or hygiene concern is constantly changing. It was as recently as 1983 that wearing seatbelts became mandatory in cars, after all. Where the food and drink industry is concerned, things can be altogether more nebulous, yet this same ongoing evolution and redefinition of health and safety parameters is in constant effect. Take, for example, Titanium dioxide (E171) which was used to whiten or brighten the colour and appearance of food products – such as white chocolate, chewing gum and food for infants – for years, but was deemed no longer safe when used as a food additive by the European Food Safety Authority in 2021. It isn’t only with food ingredients and additives where this constant vigilance is applied, but right across the food chain – especially where processing machinery and equipment are concerned. There’s a good reason why the majority of process machines are made from stainless steel. It’s highly hygienic and easy to clean, although it is worth remembering that there are many different grades and types of stainless steel with some better suited to different foodstuffs. Investing in the wrong grade can lead to corrosion on material, so it pays to do your research. It should be noted, however, that corrosion on processing machinery can occur for several reasons – from stress corrosion to crevice corrosion – so getting an expert in to investigate is advised. On the same topic, having an independent analyst come in to inspect the production line or factory floor can be a great way to identify areas where health, safety and hygiene improvements can be made. Another important aspect to bear in mind is investing in processing machinery that offers quick downtime without compromising on hygiene. For environments that use caustic cleaning agents to combat bacterial contamination – such as meat processing – not all machinery is going to be suitable. While the material itself is undoubtedly key, the design and shape of the machine itself can mean the difference between a quick and reliably efficient washdown and one which leads to downtime and, in the worst cases, foodstuffs gathering in recesses. Should this occur, entire batches can be ruined and, at worst, multiple consumers can be poisoned, even fatally. The reputational damage alone Ongoing evolution Ongoing evolution From the hygienic design of processing machinery and reliable washdown routines, to the importance of robust allergen labelling, food and drink companies have a lot to be aware of when it comes to health, safety and hygiene. 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:39 Page 1Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/Seventyfour 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:40 Page 218 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT could be enough to put some companies out of business and that’s to say nothing of the financial ruin it could wreak in the wake of lawsuits. So, it’s absolutely critical to ensure that processing machines are designed and built with hygiene in mind. Things to look out for include sloped surfaces, which discourage liquid or debris collection, ingress protection, and components that are easily dismantled and reassembled for ease of cleaning and maintenance. Hard corners and right angles, especially inside storage tanks and mixers, can be problem areas, as it provides a sharp corner for food to get stuck in. Simple solutions such as making these rounded corners or blunting them can help reduce levels of build up significantly. Hygienic design shouldn’t come at the cost of accuracy, efficiency or sensitivity – or vice versa – but should instead work in harmony, delivering modern processing machinery that is fit for purpose. Not only are hygienic design and easy washdown routines critical for the prevention of food borne diseases, but also to avoid cross contamination, especially where allergens are concerned. Despite several prominent cases of food allergen related deaths, cases have actually reduced. Analysis of UK NHS data by Imperial College London scientists found that deaths from serious allergic reactions due to food have declined over the past twenty years, despite an increase in hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis over the same period. Allergen labelling was already a requirement for all pre-packed food sold in UK stores and supermarkets, likewise for food business operators in the retail and catering sector, helping to preserve the health and wellbeing of the nation’s approximately two million food allergy sufferers. Yet where this robust labelling fell short was when it came to food prepacked for direct sale (PPDS). According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), this is food that is packaged at the same place it is offered or sold to consumers and is in this packaging before it is ordered or selected. It can include food that consumers select themselves (for example, from a display unit), as well as products kept behind a counter and some food sold at mobile or temporary outlets. However, with the introduction of Natasha’s Law in October 2021, companies selling PPDS food now have a legal mandate to list all allergens clearly on their labelling, and have a constant reminder of the consequences that inadequate allergen labelling can have. The law requires that businesses label all PPDS food for sale with a full list of ingredients, with the fourteen major Food Safety Consultancy, Support and Training Food Care Solutions aims to help our clients achieve their aims. We have helped food businesses throughout the UK since 2003 with our services, including: • Food Safety and Food Quality • BRC and FSSC 22000 certification • Supplier Auditing • Training • Hygiene Inspections & Internal Audits • Complaints & Incidents Management Tel: 01933 276 400 • Mob: 07811 192545 • Email: fcs@food-care.co.uk • Web: www.food-care.co.uk FOOD CARE SOLUTIONS FOOD CARE SOLUTIONS Flexible training is key to Verner Wheelock’s success Food industry training experts Verner Wheelock ran most of their scheduled courses last year, despite lockdowns and the need to work from home – and they have a full training calendar for 2022. The company offers up to management level in Food Safety & Hygiene, HACCP and Auditing, as well as refresher training and specialist courses in subjects such as Legal Labelling, Managing Food Allergens and Ethical Trading. “The key to our success has been flexibility,” says Managing Director, Alison Wheelock. “Practically every course has the option of training either remotely or face-to-face here in Skipton. The course content is exactly the same for all attendees; with remote delegates receiving training materials via courier ahead of the course date.” Remote training has also been ideal for several customers booking in-house courses. Staff members can train together whether they’re at work or at home. For more information, please visit www.vwa.co.uk 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:41 Page 3Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net HEALTH, SAFETY AND HYGIENE SPOTLIGHT That’s wHy we conStanTly lisTen to oUr cusTomerS’ neEdS anD wanTs… We alWaYs loOk to imProve how we can perForM betTer. WANT A PRODUCTIVE, RISK MANAGED, HYGIENIC WORK ENVIRONMENT? CALL 01603 788 833 | teknomek.co.uk When we do betTer, so do yOu. IMPROVEMENT CENTRE IMPROVEMENT CENTRE |’ve worKed it oUt… if | DO ThIS it WILl imProve ThAT. THE THE TEKNOMEXPERTS TEKNOMEXPERTS InTroducinG allergens emphasised in the list. They were introduced following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after eating a pre-packaged baguette which at the time did not require ingredients labelling. Products that will now need to be labelled include pre-wrapped sandwiches, fast food that’s already in packaging before a customer places their order, and supermarket items such as cheeses and meat from the deli counter that are already wrapped and ready to be served. The law creates more consistency in the labelling of pre- packed products and gives more protection for people with food allergies and intolerances when purchasing ‘grab and go’ foods. Designing food processing and production machinery with hygiene in mind not only leads to less downtime for producers, but also helps to safeguard the health of consumers. © stock.adobe.com/Stephen Davies 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2021 14:41 Page 4Next >