< Previous40 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net READY MEALS Importaco Group expands its agricultural integration programme Importaco, the European leader in the production of nuts and dried fruit, has expanded its agricultural integration programme dedicated to ensuring the responsible sourcing of its produce. The company has introduced a new element to its farming integration project with the creation of its FEED agricultural programme. The programme aims to align strategies and priorities across Importaco’s different product-origin countries to guarantee the supply of raw materials with assurances relating to quality and food safety and the implementation of environmentally friendlier agricultural practices. FEED sees Importaco conduct a rigorous process of risk assessment. The company monitors agricultural situations, draws up profiles for each crop, determines risks related to the varieties of crop used, growing techniques, and the causes of crop defects. Importaco supports farmers as part of the FEED process. It operates business partnerships, runs training sessions, provides ad hoc support, and stipulates environmental and quality requirements. For more on Importaco visit https://importaco.com/en/home/ © st ock. adobe .com/ dasuw an wasted food in consuming ready meals versus cooking from scratch, there is also space for developing more products with a longer lifespan, sourcing ingredients closer to the manufacturer to reduce food miles/CO2 emitted in transportation, and incorporating more vegetables (which have lower greenhouse gas emissions) over meat - all factors that can bolster a brand’s sustainability. There is additionally of course a need to keep designing ready meals that use sustainable packaging with less problematic virgin plastic and waste. Those that contain more recycled content and have heightened recyclability themselves are desirable, such as trays that are fully recyclable in paper streams, as well as packaging that can address challenges for grease resistant barriers in recycling streams. Ready meal packaging manufacturers must also ensure materials used, like cardboard and plastic, can be easily separated, and that packaging can be recycled into new food grade products repeatedly or is compostable. With sustainability influencing ready meal packaging innovation, there is also the concurrent impact of needing to enhance food protection, ease handling for consumers, retailers, and producers, and present attractive products. A drive toward higher quality and more environmentally friendly ready © st ock. adobe .com/P iotr Krzeslak 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:31 Page 3Food & Drink International 41 www.fdiforum.net READY MEALS We specialise in Halal Certification of Food Ingredients, Beverages Dairy, Confectionery, Flavourings, Colourings, Pharmaceuticals, Toiletries, Cosmetics and other non-food items. We also certify Meat, Poultry, Slaughtering, Cutting, Portioning, Processed and Ready Meals for national and international markets. www.halalfoodauthority.com | info@halalfoodauthority.com | 0044 (0) 20 8446 7127 LONDON - IRELAND - BELGIUM GLOBALLY RECOGNISED SINCE 1994 Halal Food Authority SYMBOL OF TRUST & AUTHENTICITY meals comes alongside the demand for and opportunity to deliver healthier ready meals that do not compromise on taste. A key barrier to ready meals, as recently reinforced in a 2020 Bord Bia study, has long been consumers feeling guilty when eating them, associating them with being an unhealthy choice that should not be eaten frequently. This image of the highly processed ready meal however is gradually improving as producers respond to consumers perusing labels more closely and becoming more well- being focused. Healthier NPD will be essential for ready meal producers and the market, and reformulation to cut down sugar, fat, and salt. As consumers look to establish healthier diets, there is also the booming turn towards veganism, vegetarianism and flexitarianism. Backing this, ready meal brands have expanded their plant-based ranges, with last month’s ‘Veganuary’ seeing a myriad of new launches. Where a few years ago plant-based products were primarily just a meat replacement, now they are being presented as a full ready meal. Eating Better’s 2021 Ready Meals survey revealed increasing choice and affordability for plant-based ready meals at UK supermarkets, with plant- based meals the fastest growing category, up by 92% since Eating Better’s first survey in 2018. Meanwhile the number of meals with meat as the main ingredient has dropped by 9% since 2018. Though the pandemic took away typical consumers of ready meals - the cash rich and time poor - there is much room for the category to expand yet, with a new audience ready to embrace healthy, ‘posh’, and sustainable products. Moreover, there remains further available exploration in ready meals to satisfy consumers wanting to travel the world through adventurous flavours. © st ock. adobe .com/Monk ey Business Enercon Announces the Launch of a New Super Seal™ Range of Induction Cap Sealers Enercon Industries Limited is pleased to announce the latest generation of the world’s best-selling induction cap sealers. The Super Seal™ 300, 400 and 600 are direct replacements for the Super Seal™ 50, 75 and 100, bringing new features to give more value to packagers and manufacturers. Built on proven design, the new Super Seal™ range has an improved easy-to-use user interface that simplifies, set-up, operation and troubleshooting. An optional sensor package is mechanically and electronically integrated within the machine for the first time, removing the need for a second installation on the line. Paul Bennion, Sales Director at Enercon comments “The new Super Seal™ range offers easy set-up and operation, ultra-efficient sealing heads and stable power-delivery independent of loading. These new features improve usability to offer packagers, reliable, consistent, hermetic sealing at a low cost of ownership”. For more information visit www.enerconind.co.uk/super-seal 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:31 Page 4business insights for the frozen food supply chain. For more information visit www.affi.org White Label World Expo 2 - 3 March ExCeL London, UK The UK’s largest event dedicated to the most cutting-edge white label goods, suppliers and professional online sellers. Returning to London on the 2nd & 3rd of March at the ExCeL, the White Label World Expo will introduce 500 exhibitors, and their plethora of innovative products, ideas and strategies to thousands of industry-defining leaders, ensuring unparalleled networking opportunities. For more information visit www.whitelabelexpo.co.uk Smart Retail Tech 2 - 3 March ExCeL London, UK Smart Retail Tech Expo is an unmissable one stop event for industry professionals alike to attract, inspire and retain customers in the age of New Retail! Taking place on the 2nd & 3rd of March 2022 at the ExCeL in London, the event aligns your ideas and products with the strategies and Food Safety Europe 2022 10 February 133 Houndsditch, London UK This 1-day conference will deliver invaluable insights and high-level, constructive knowledge share, designed specifically to improve European food safety management in retail, food service and manufacturing environments. The event is being offered as Hybrid, meaning that you can attend in person or remotely via our virtual event platform and we will bring you an energizing, interactive and vibrant experience. For more information visit www.bregs.com AFFI-CON 19 – 22 February Dallas, USA AFFI-CON is the premiere business event for frozen food and drinks makers, industry suppliers and logistical partners. Year after year, AFFI-CON brings together 600+ companies and 1500+ attendees, creating the space and time for them to meet one-on-one to discuss current and future business needs. AFFI provides the tools needed to make connections, secure business meetings, network and attend education sessions focused on timely 42 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Events Food & Drink © stock.adobe.com/peangdao Gulfood 13 – 17 February Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE Gulfood 2021 marked the most successful return for food businesses worldwide as the only live, in-person food and beverage sourcing event of the year. Business was thriving across the show floor as exhibitors from 85 countries met up with buyers and attendees from 156 countries to kick start 2021 with major orders. All, in the safest face-to-face business space. This year’s event is expected to be better yet. For more information visit www.gulfood.com Due to the coronavirus outbreak, readers should be aware that events may have been cancelled or postponed. All dates correct as of publishing, but please check beforehand. connections to execute them into a profitable action. For more information visit www.smartretailexpo.co.uk Food Ingredients China 15 – 17 March National Convention & Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China Described as “the biggest and the most © stock.adobe.com/badahos 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:35 Page 1professional food additives and ingredients exhibition,” Food Ingredients China is one of the largest trade shows in the field of food additives and ingredients. The annually held trade event covers all fields of the food industry. FIC is a highly industry- cohesive exhibition with well-known enterprises from countries and regions across the world. For more information visit http://fic.cfaa.cn/ Food and Drink Expo 25 – 27 April NEC Birmingham, UK For the past 26 years, Food & Drink Expo has been the flagship event for retail, wholesale and foodservice audiences focusing on finished products, and in 2022 the show returns, revitalised and ready to tackle the key challenges affecting the sectors. The event promises a more intuitive visitor experience, a cutting edge and highly engaging programme featuring specialist journalists and high- profile keynote speakers, alongside masterclasses, plenary sessions, live interviews and panel discussions centred around hot button, state-of-the- nation issues. For more information visit www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk/ Fruit Logistica 9 – 11 February Berlin Fruit Logistica, the world’s leading trade fair for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, is being held once more as a physical event in Berlin from 9 to 11 February 2022. Along with the three-pronged approach of fresh inspiration, the best information, and new business opportunity. Fruit Logistica 2022 will give the industry a look to the future and provide answers to questions about how the fruit trade will grow in the medium and long term. For more information visit www.fruitlogistica.com Food & Drink International 43 www.fdiforum.net © stock.adobe.com/AA+W Retail Supply Chain + Logistics Expo 2 - 3 March ExCeL London, UK Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo is the ultimate hub for retailers to source the solutions that will ensure their supply chain is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Taking place at London’s ExCeL on the 2nd & 3rd of March 2022, the event will showcase the innovations and technologies that are transforming the industry. All in all, the shows encompass everything from sourcing new products, gaining insight into and finding new fulfillment options, as well as smart retail solutions for both off and online stores. For more information visit www.retailscl.co.uk 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:35 Page 2FEATURES Software Spotlight Labelling, Coding & Marking Sieves & Separators Flavouring & Colouring Water Treatment Meat, Poultry & Seafood Import & Export EVENTS IFE Future Food-Tech Beviale Moscow Next month in March 2022 - Deadline 16th February INTERNATIONAL Food&Drink Food &Drink Visit us at www.fdiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues? 44.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:36 Page 1Classified Often imitated… …never equalled You can feature your company in our hugely popular Online Directory with a description, contact details and a hyperlink If you would like further information please contact Vicky Hunt on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fdiforum.net/directory From field to fork, Food & Drink International is the voice of the industry. Food & Drink International 45 www.fdiforum.net Depositors Tel: 01282 440040 enquiries@riggsautopack.co.uk www.riggsautopack.co.uk Manufacturers of depositors & filling machines for the food production industry Labels Tel: 01482 506560 sales@datamarkuk.com www.datamarkuk.com • Self adhesive Labels • Lasersheets • Fanfolded Labels • Thermal Transfer Ribbons • Barcode Labels INDEX Online Directory Depositors Labels To Let w w w . fd if o ru m .n et • Superb Location - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre • Secure off street parking • High speed internet availability • A range of affordable office sizes Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Ground floor offices to let - prime location in Grimsby To Let Online Directory To advertise your services on the Classified pages contact us on 01472 310302 45.qxp_Layout 1 31/01/2022 12:36 Page 146 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FoodandDrinkInternational@fdiforum company/fdiforum Once more Food & Drink International provides your ultimate guide to the industry – making sure you’re informed on what’s going on and looking closer at what’s happening. Don’t forget to keep up to date via www.fdiforum.net! Online this month… www.fdiforum.net is the best place to go for up-to-date food and drink industry news. Here’s a sneak peek at one of our latest stories. Upward Farms reveals plans for world’s largest indoor vertical farm Indoor aquaponic vertical farming company Upward Farms has announced plans to add what it says will be the world’s largest vertical farm to its network. The new 250,000-square-foot facility, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, is slated to be complete and operational in early 2023 — providing fresh, locally sourced microgreens and sustainably raised hybrid striped bass to consumers throughout the Northeast and beyond. Upward Farms says its new facility in Pennsylvania will be 2-4x the size of the next largest vertical farms operated by their sector peers. The company’s 250,000 square foot facility will conserve more than 100 million gallons of water and more than 120 acres of land on an annual basis, and eliminate 1.7 million food transportation miles per year. Jason Green, CEO & cofounder of Upward Farms said: “Solutions for food production that are good for people and the planet are sorely needed. With the construction of the world’s largest vertical farm we’re demonstrating the power of nature and nurture, adding our proprietary Ecological Intelligence to the accelerating trend of indoor and vertical farming.” Diary Food & Drink February 9 – 11, Fruit Logistica, Berlin 10, Food Safety Europe, London 13 – 17, Gulfood, Dubai 19 – 22, AFFI-CON, Dallas, USA March 2-3, White Label World Expo, London 2-3, Retail Supply Chain + Logistics Expo, London 2-3, Smart Retail Tech, London 15-17, Food Ingredients China, Shangai April 25-27, Food and Drink Expo, Birmingham Stay in touch with Food & Drink International For more up to the minute information from the food and drink industry, visit Food & Drink International online at www.fdiforum.net. 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