< PreviousBuilding works commence on largest drinks packaging factory in UK Ball Corporation has begun construction of its new facility at Kettering in the UK. Due to be completed in January 2023, the new can-making factory at the SEGRO Park Kettering Gateway is being built in response to growing demand for recyclable aluminium drinks cans. Covering 56,000 sq metres, it is anticipated to be the biggest ever built in the UK, with space to expand production in the future. The factory will manufacture more than one billion fully recyclable cans and create 200 local jobs. The growth in demand for aluminium cans comes as consumers seek alternatives to single-use plastic, with a recent poll showing almost 80% of people are taking steps to reduce single-use plastic and two-thirds want to do more. Aluminium cans are currently the world’s most widely recycled beverage packaging, with a UK recycling rate of 82% and a European average of 76%. Gin research is just the tonic for distillers A University of Nottingham researcher is appealing for gin producers to get in touch to help support a research project into the breadth of flavour profiles within the UK gin market, that could help distillers with new flavour development and flavour quality. Dr Hebe Parr, a research scientist in the Flavour Research Group, is looking to establish flavour profiles of gins from the UK by separating, identifying, and quantifying the flavour compounds in the samples by Gas Chromatography. Understanding the flavour composition of a gin range can help with product development by identifying unique aspects of the range. This form of flavour analysis can also identify undesirable flavour compounds, enabling the targeted reduction of their perception. The Food Innovation Centre at the university has spearheaded the appeal to gin makers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. But now the appeal is being widened across the UK in the hope that gin producers from further afield will join the research project. Dr Parr, a beverage flavour development specialist, said: “We are looking for 5ml samples of as many gins as possible, but my target is around 1,000 different gins. The samples will not be consumed and will be used for instrumental analysis only. We can share a summary of this analysis with the producer of the gin.” The samples can be purchased if required and Dr Parr can either visit the distillery or producer or arrange delivery of sample bottles with a prepaid return label. She is looking for samples from distillers and gin producers of all sizes; no manufacturer is too small. “If it’s commercially available, I would like a small sample of it,” added Dr Parr. 10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Diageo North America opens new canning facility to accelerate growth in the Ready-to-Drink category With capacity to produce over 25 million cases of malt-based beverages and spirits-based Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails, Diageo has opened a new manufacturing site, featuring two high-speed can lines. Located in Plainfield, Illinois, Diageo Lincolnway will help accelerate the development of the company’s RTD portfolio and growth strategy in the convenience category. “We’re incredibly proud of the speed and innovative approach from our team and partners in their efforts to build this site in record time. Diageo Lincolnway will be instrumental in accelerating our offerings in the convenience space and help meet consumer demand,” said Michael L. Nelson Jr., Manufacturing & Distillation, Senior Vice President, Diageo North America. “The new facility strengthens our manufacturing footprint in the region and allows us to leverage synergies with our warehouse and bottling operation in Plainfield.” The operation at the new 225,000 square-foot facility supplements existing ready- to-drink production across North America. Salad grower chooses Sandwich for vertical farm GrowUp Farms, a UK-based grower of salads, is building a vertical farm at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent. Using 95% less water than conventional growing methods, without the need for pesticides and directly powered by renewable energy, GrowUp says its farm will bring fresher, longer-lasting salads to supermarket shelves all year-round. GrowUp Farms and sustainable infrastructure company Generate Capital, have announced an investment exceeding £100m to transform British food production by accelerating delivery of GrowUp’s energy-efficient vertical farms, starting with the farm in Kent. Generate Capital is a Public Benefit Corporation that builds, owns, operates and finances sustainable infrastructure projects. The San Francisco-based company, which also has a team in London, has more than 2,000 projects operating around the world in sustainable energy, agriculture, transportation, water and waste. Salads from the GrowUp farm are expected to save up to three million lorry miles per year by avoiding imports. © stock.adobe.com/Funtap © Diageo © GrowUp Dr Hebe Parr 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 17:06 Page 7GREY GOOSE introduces botanical spirit GREY GOOSE has introduced GREY GOOSE Essences, made with GREY GOOSE Vodka infused with real fruit essences and cold-distilled botanicals. Following the successful launch in the US, the range will make its debut in the UK this April, available in three flavours. GREY GOOSE Essences Vodka spritz, ready to drink versions will also be launching in June. With increasing demand for fresh tasting flavours and natural ingredients, GREY GOOSE Essences is born out of a heightened desire for simple cocktails that are brimming with vibrant flavour. Designed for those who sip mindfully, each Essences expression offers an ABV of 30%, 82 calories per 50ml, and contains no artificial ingredients. The Ready to Drink version is carefully crafted with GREY GOOSE Vodka, sparkling water, a touch of juice, and natural flavours. They are 4.5% ABV, and 250ml cans are 79 calories. The trio of expressions include the bright and citrusy Strawberry & Lemongrass, the floral, yet savoury White Peach & Rosemary, and the fresh-tasting and peppery Watermelon & Basil. on the shelf Plenish launches premium packaging across plant-based milks, juices, and shots Plenish, the plant-based drinks brand, has unveiled a full brand refresh and launched new premium packaging across its range of plant-based milks, juices, and shots, as a key part of their strategy to further accelerate growth in the plant-based drinks category. Each product in the range now showcases their hero ingredients through striking on pack imagery, whilst introducing a warm colour brand world, encouraging discovery with an improved standout on shelf. Consumers will see the brand leans into a rich, indulgent, lifestyle-focused aesthetic. As the UK’s first carbon negative drinks brand to be certified by the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative, Plenish’s mission is to inspire consumers to make a positive change for themselves as well as a healthier world. All bottles remain recyclable and made with 100% recycled materials, and 35% of the plastic in Tetra is now made from bio-based sources, demonstrating the brand’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. Beyond Meat and PepsiCo’s Planet Partnership debuts jerky Beyond Meat and PepsiCo have debuted Beyond Meat® Jerky. The convenient plant-based jerky is the first product from the two companies’ joint-venture, Planet Partnership, LLC. Beyond Meat Jerky offers a full-flavored, on-the-go snack experience that furthers Beyond Meat and PepsiCo’s shared passion for creating products that are better for both people and the planet. Beyond Meat Jerky is marinated and slow roasted to offer the savory experience of traditional beef jerky in three flavors: Original, Hot & Spicy and Teriyaki. Beyond Meat Jerky contains 10g of protein per serving, no cholesterol, and is made with simple, plant-based ingredients like peas and mung beans, all without GMOs, soy or gluten. Available in three different sized packs, Beyond Meat Jerky is Beyond Meat’s first shelf-stable product, unlocking new channels of distribution with availability from grocery stores to gas stations, and club stores to pharmacies, powering better-for-you snacking that’s both convenient and accessible. Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net Highland Spring introduces new 5L Fridge Pack Highland Spring is introducing a new 5L Fridge Pack, a first for the category which builds on the success of their 10L hydration pack which launched in 2021. The new addition to the Highland Spring range demonstrates the growth opportunity for large format dispense solutions. This 5L format is a natural extension to the Highland spring range, offering consumers a larger pack size of natural source water that can be enjoyed in or out of the home, fresh from the fridge. These large format packs tap into a continuing consumer trend for alternative packaging solutions. The 5L fridge pack keeps fresh for up to four weeks once opened. The new 5L pack size is the most requested size by consumers (after 10L) and offers a more compact solution for shoppers as the trend for staycations and ‘the big shop’ continues. Mike Buckland, Consumer Marketing Controller at Highland Spring, says: “The new 5L fridge pack is a natural extension to our range in a tried and tested format. We have seen from the success of our 10L Hydration Pack that consumers were looking for additional dispense solutions. The 5L pack meets on-the-go and at home decanting occasions and fits perfectly in the fridge. This new addition underlines our focus on innovation which delivers formats for every consumer occasion. “The new space efficient 5L fridge pack should be merchandised in-store with Highland Spring multi-pack formats, mid-shelf for ease of handling. The easy-to-store pack also provides a solution that supports online delivery streams, offering convenience and enabling us to reach more shoppers.” 04-11.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 17:06 Page 812 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT T he invasion of Ukraine, the “breadbasket of Europe,” by Russia has seen food and drink imports and exports in the firing line once again, after previously being knocked by and trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both are major food producers that play an essential role in global agriculture and are net exporters of agricultural products. With myriad countries around the world dependent on Ukraine and Russia for certain foodstuffs, leaving them now vulnerable, a global food crisis is anticipated. Adding further cause for concern, those reliant on Ukraine and Russia for food supplies include those in the Least Developed Country (LDC) and Low-Income Food-Deficit Country (LIFDC) groups. The attack has stomped on exports from Ukraine, one of the world’s largest grain suppliers, ports have gone quiet, traders have stopped operations, and looking into the near future, we do not know whether Ukraine will be able to harvest crops in the coming months, hitting its exports further. Meanwhile, though intense disruption is not expected to crops, with economic sanctions imposed on Russia, there are likely to be sales difficulties impacting its exports. Russia is the world’s biggest exporter of wheat, Ukraine is the fifth largest, and together they provide 19% of the world’s barley supply, 14% of wheat, and 4% of maize, accounting for more than a third of global cereal exports. The countries are additionally key suppliers of rapeseed and make up 52% of the world’s sunflower oil export market. With wheat a staple for more than 35% of the globe’s population, there is now a severe reduction in its export expected from Ukraine and Russia. Forecasts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for the ongoing 2021/22 season (July- June) before the conflict and on the pace of exports to date, indicate that between March and June 2022, Ukraine was predicted to export approximately 6 million tonnes of wheat while the Russian Federation was estimated to ship 8 million tonnes. However, port closures in Ukraine and anticipated sales difficulties in Russia call into question whether these exports will be realised. Though there is potential for other countries, such as the USA, Argentina, and those in the EU, to help plug a gap, many of these are likely to limit their exports as governments look to ensure domestic supply; wheat inventories are already running low in locations like Canada and the USA after reduced harvests in 2021/22, and Australia has reached its maximum shipment capacity logistically. According to simulations by the FAO, considering the Imports and exports in the firing line Critical exporters of staple foodstuffs, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is impacting food systems worldwide. 14 Á 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:22 Page 1Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/Miha Creative 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:22 Page 214 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT potential effect of a sudden, steep reduction in grain and sunflower seed exports by Ukraine and Russia, shortfalls could only be partially compensated by alternative origins during the 2022/23 marketing season. The FAO notes that the capacity of many of these origins to boost output and shipments may be limited by high production input costs, and worryingly, the resulting global supply gap could push up international food and feed prices by 8 to 22% above already enhanced levels. Supply gaps are set to be of particular importance in the Near East and North Africa and, with wheat a food staple, could lead to some countries increasing imports now to secure supplies in fear that wheat markets will get tighter and prices will rise further, adding extra pressure on global supplies. Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and the Islamic Republic of Iran for instance source, on average, 60% or more of their wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia. Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and Pakistan also rely heavily on Ukraine and the Russian Federation for their wheat imports, sourcing on average roughly half of their wheat purchases from these locations. Meanwhile a shortfall of maize is of concern, as Ukraine’s maize exports in 2021/22 were forecast to make up 18% of the 2021/22 global trade in the grain, which would have made the country the world’s third largest maize exporter. A drop in maize exports would be particularly relevant to China and the EU (Ukraine’s primary maize export destination), and Egypt and Turkey (which on average source a third of their maize imports from Ukraine). Demand is expected to shift to other major maize exporters, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the USA. Moreover, as a result of the invasion there may be damage to inland transport infrastructure and seaports, alongside storage and processing infrastructure, and there is limited capacity of alternatives. The FAO has also highlighted apprehensions regarding increasing insurance premia for vessels destined to berth in the Black Sea region, as these could exacerbate 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:22 Page 3Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/Lightboxx already elevated costs of maritime transportation, compounding further on the final costs of internationally sourced food paid by importers. The conflict’s disruption to food exports has put global food markets at heightened risk of tighter availabilities, unmet import demand and higher international food prices. Indeed Russia’s attack on Ukraine is seeing prices for foodstuffs skyrocket, and the world scrambling to adapt. Prices for wheat for example leaped to their highest levels in years. This comes at a time where food prices were already growing, reaching a high in February 2022 due to soaring demand, input and transport costs, and disruption at ports. The UN’s food agency has since warned that food prices could increase by over 20% because of the war. Escalating prices are triggering export bans, slowing or restricting exports. Serbia has introduced a temporary ban on the export of certain food commodities, halting export of agricultural food products including wheat grain, wheat flour, corn, groats, and sunflower oil. Amongst others, Hungary has announced controls on exports of items including wheat, maize and soybeans, Indonesia announced plans to put restrictions on the trading of palm oil, Egypt banned export of wheat, flour, pasta, lentils, and more, and Lebanon has banned the export of some locally-produced foods, from processed fruits and vegetables, to milled grain products, sugar, bread, meat, and dairy products. These come as Ukraine itself suspends exports of staples such as wheat and oats and introduces licences on the shipments of others. New rules on agricultural exports further prohibit export of millet, buckwheat, sugar, live cattle, meat, and other cattle byproducts. In Russia, the government has also introduced restrictions - on the export of grain and sugar. G7 agriculture ministers however are urging countries not to protect their food supplies by restricting exports. Both major exporters of staple foodstuffs, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be felt across the world, hitting food systems already weakened by the pandemic. 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:22 Page 416 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net INGREDIENTS SPOTLIGHT © stock.adobe.com/Daniel Vincek Shifting As the world is faced with new pressures, the food ingredients market shifts in subtle ways – from the war in Ukraine to the continued rise of functional ingredients, and Government schemes to tackle obesity. Ingredients Ingredients Shifting 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:24 Page 1Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net INGREDIENTS SPOTLIGHT A s global warming ramps up and a war breaks out in Ukraine, ripples spread throughout industries and sectors, slowly influencing – for good or bad – companies within, who are often left struggling to pick up the pieces or take full advantage of a given opportunity. The world is, as always, a complicated place but these last few years, including a pandemic and now global tensions over Russia, aren’t making it any easier. In the world of ingredients there is major concerns over the global food supply, especially seeing how much Ukraine contributes in a normal year and factoring in that this will be anything but. Already supermarkets in the UK are speaking to Defra about the possibility of relaxing labelling rules around allergens and ingredient laws, to cope with the uneven supply chain from Ukraine. As Ukraine is a major exporter of sunflower oil, wheat and barley, the knock-on effects on the oil, bread and alcohol (beer primarily) markets are expected to suffer. One alternative to sunflower oil is palm oil, but many brands are rightfully concerned of turning to it due to the terrible reputation it has for environmental damage and poor working conditions. Meanwhile, other alternatives such as soya have run into problems surrounding labelling of allergens, and given the sudden invasion by Russia, businesses simply haven’t had time to adapt. Any changes to come will surely be slow as a result. Questions about the sustainability and long-term viability of supplying a constantly rising global population have quite understandably had a knock-on effect in the ingredients market. This is before countries have started to shift, as the UK has, with the FSA (Food Standards Agency) which unveiled a five-year plan last month (March 2022). The plan will in theory ensure healthier, more sustainable foods reach the UK – presumably to the detriment of suppliers of unhealthy, less sustainable ingredients. This five-year plan is also dedicated toward fighting obesity and a spike in diabetes among UK residents, while also keeping food affordable and sustainable. Much of this will also have been required due to the UK’s more difficult role in trade now due to Brexit, but other countries are already signalling their intent to work more toward tackling obesity and diet- related diseases that are gripping Europe. “Our five-year strategy signals our intention to work with partners and other stakeholders in the food system to achieve healthier and more sustainable food. Through all of this we will continue to uphold the interests of consumers so we can all enjoy food we can trust.” said Professor Susan Jebb, FSA Chair. “Today the FSA therefore plays a more critical role than ever in supporting 18 Á 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 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:24 Page 218 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net INGREDIENTS SPOTLIGHT 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 governments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on matters relating to food. The strategy commits us to put consumer interests at the heart of our work so that food is safe and what it says it is as well as being healthier and more sustainable.” This plays handily into the rise of the functional ingredients market, which is expected to rise to over $118 billion by 2026. The health and wellness trends surrounding the market have continued to remain influential, and TikTokkers and other influencers cashing in on the craze have driven the demand higher still. Research has suggested that in recent years tastes have shifted toward ingredients that promise an increase in mental health, wellbeing and the immune system, rather than those that specifically target one thing, like weight. This may be an impact of the COVID pandemic leaving many seeking to improve their overall resistance to illness or more subtle shifts in culture. Whatever the case, functional ingredients that prioritise gut and intestinal health, long linked to wellbeing and the immune system, are expected to outgrow many other niche sectors. The post COVID world has proven a ripe ground for start-ups and niche suppliers in this regard as well, but it has led some to question – including Governments – how much of this is based in science and how much in homeopathy. Given supplements and healthy ingredients often being linked © stock.adobe.com/Sergii Figurnyi 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:24 Page 3Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net INGREDIENTS SPOTLIGHT with scams and pseudo-science, the market is likely to become much more tightly regulated in the future. As such, it might be best for businesses in the sector to have the material to hand now to prove effectiveness. Any delays in being able to produce such should such a scandal break out will only be perceived as signs of guilt otherwise. As pressures continue to mount on the ingredients market it becomes clear that, despite its volatility, the market does still have clear direction. Other industry sectors such as transport will be suffering far greater from unreasonable oil costs that don’t have much of a solution, but the ingredients market has seen clear and constant growth in the direction of healthier, functional ingredients, and Governmental objectives of reducing diet-related disease only signal just how important this sector will be in the future. The time is obviously now, or the time was years ago, to jump on the train, but there is still opportunity aplenty for those who can find ways to improve the health-benefits of their ingredient portfolio, even if only a little. © stock.adobe.com/mescioglu MoistTech increases profits, productivity, and efficiency with moisture sensors MoistTech Corp is the world leader in Moisture Measurement and Control, manufacturing a range of on-line sensors and at-line instruments for moisture measurement and real-time moisture process control. Utilizing near-infrared state-of-the-art technology to develop world class sensors and outstanding customer satisfaction, MoistTech exceeds expectations, increasing profits, productivity, and efficiency. In addition to moisture measurement, MoistTech can measure oil and fat/protein content as well. MoistTech’s near-infrared (NIR) moisture sensor allows manufacturers the ability to adjust moisture levels on real-time information lowering raw material and fuel costs, facilitating higher yields, and more uniform products. With NIR analysis, all manual steps of collecting, drying and accurately weighing samples are eliminated. When moisture levels fluctuate, it can cause significant changes to the quality of many applications. These inconsistencies mean that your final product will have varying quality depending on when in production they were created. Near-infrared technology is the best solution to accurately measure the moisture levels of multiple applications, offering a solution that meets all quality control factors. Accurately detecting moisture levels frequently throughout the process allows for line adjustments as needed that improve the overall functionality and efficiency of the facility Insensitive to material variations such as particle size, material height and color, MoistTech moisture sensors provide continuous, reliable readings with zero maintenance and a one-time calibration with a non-drift optical design allowing operational personnel to confidently make immediate process adjustments based on real-time measurements. Moisture sensors are recommended to be installed in several locations throughout the process to achieve ultimate efficiency. Adrian Fordham, President 6408 Parkland Drive Suite 104 | Sarasota, FL 34243 941-727-1800 www.moisttech.com | info@moisttech.com 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 28/03/2022 15:24 Page 4Next >