< Previous30 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netNew dawn for British beverages April saw the official introduction ofBritain’s Soft Drinks Levy, or the sugartax as it’s more colloquially known. Itput the onus on beverage makers toreformulate their products or be facedwith an extra levy on high sugarbeverages as part of the Government’scrackdown on childhood obesity anddiet-related diseases such as heartdisease and diabetes. The levy, which is expected to swellthe Treasury’s coffers with an extra£240 million, has been praised by manyas a golden opportunity for innovation(more on that later), but others haveseen it as more antagonistic to industry.However, confronting adversity, marketchanges and new legislation is part andparcel of being a food producer.Artificial colours and flavours were oncethe big industry boogie man, and nowsugar has been firmly fixed in thecrosshairs. Ahead of the levy, many of thebiggest drinks companies reformulatedtheir recipes in order to stay the rightside of the tax. This meant takingrecipes back to the drawing board andswitching out sugar for low-caloriesweeteners. In some cases, this has notgone down well with consumers. Lastyear saw Irn Bru maker AG Barr earnthe ire of consumers after it announcedits flagship drink would be slashing itssugar content. In fact, some ardent fanseven took to stockpiling bottles aheadof the recipe change. Needless to say,the sugar tax is having an impact. ThesweetestthingThe introduction of the sugar tax inthe UK coincides with a sea-changetaking place in the beverage industry.Food and Drink Internationalinvestigates what the tax means andhow it’s spurring innovation.30-34.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:08 Page 1BEVERAGESFood & Drink International 31www.fdiforum.netVERSALINECENTRIFUGAL PUMPHygiene in Beer, Dairy & Soft Drinksproduction is an absolute necessity andhygienic centrifugal pumps are the mainprime mover in these industrieswww.hpeprocess.comTel: +44 (0)113 252 6712So, does the sugar tax work?There’s no easy answer to thisquestion, with research findings fallingon both sides of the divide. However,studies have shown that a tax on highsugar beverages would have aconsiderable impact on sales.Consumers have been shown to buyless of this kind of beverage or move tolow sugar alternatives when faced witha tax. The effectiveness of a levy wasgiven further credence last year after anexhaustive study explored a ten pencelevy placed on sugary drinks at Jamie’srestaurants in the UK. A white knight for children’s health,Oliver voluntarily introduced the levyback in 2015 as part of a re-designedbeverage menu with proceedings goingtowards a newly established children’shealth fund. After twelve weeks, salesof sugary drinks per customer haddeclined by 11 per cent, and after sixmonths, they had gone down by 9.3 percent. Though hardly indicative of the UKmarketplace, the study showedpromising results in a real-worldenvironment, with data that can bescaled-up to gauge how consumersmight behave nationwide. Other studies have doubted thevalidity of the sugar tax, claiming that itwould only shepherd consumerstowards an already-evolving market,rather than having any profound effectof its own. Many soft drinks companieshave been slashing the sugar content oftheir beverages for years, whileconsumers have been simultaneouslyshifting to lower sugar alternativeswhich, by their very nature, will beexempt from the tax. Given pure fruit juices and milk-basedbeverages are also exempt from the tax,it’s possible that these segments willattract a mass migration of consumerslooking for a more cost-competitivedrink compared to, say, fizzy pop. Likelyboth segments will experience growthin the coming years. The UK’s sugar tax is hardly the firstsuch levy to try and cajole a nation intobetter looking after themselves. Back in2014, a sugar tax was introduced inMexico where it proved controversial.Although the tax resulted in an upsurgein the consumption of packaged water,many claimed that the tax targeted thepoorest worse of all. Similar socialoutcries have been heard in the UK,with some saying that the soft drinkslevy is a tax on the poor, with lowerincome families typically the biggestdrinkers of sugary drinks. New road to innovation It was inevitable that the sugar taxwould lead to innovation, thoughperhaps not quite the creativerenascence we’re experiencing atpresent. As has been witnessed in thebeer and coffee segments, amongothers, soft drinks are now experiencinga premiumisation. Brands have foundthat the act of reformulating has led toa more desirable and better tastingbeverage. And so the craft sodamovement is gaining traction. As withcraft beer, products are marked out bytheir high-quality packaging and quirkydesign, offering a better product thatconsumers would be happy to pay morefor. The tax has had a similar effect forsome of the world’s biggest drinkscompanies. Coca-Cola, for example, isreleasing three new soft drinks this year– being, ice tea brand Fuzetea; ready-to-drink cold coffee Honest Coffee, anddairy-alternative smoothies brand AdeZ.It’s all a part of the industry’s effort toposition themselves ahead of the curvein exploiting the demand for beverageswith lower sugar content, rather thansimply responding to regulations. Emma Wright, Consumer Analyst forGlobalData, explains: “Sugar is oftenindicted in the press as the mostsignificant dietary cause of obesity andother health issues. In this way,consumers tend to perceive theingredient in an overwhelminglynegative way, and increasing mediaattention on sugar taxes and awarenesscampaigns will only serve to encouragethis. With 43 per cent of consumersglobally paying attention the type of© Shutterstock/Valerii_Dex32 Á30-34.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:08 Page 2innovative products containing raresugar that were launched in theJapanese market.“As well as strong consumerdesire to lower sugar intake, price-sensitive consumers will turn toalternatively sweetened options to savemoney,” says Wright. “However, theymay also shift their demand tosubstitute products with high sugarcontent. Deciding to re-allocate theirspending on untaxed categories thatstill contain high amounts of sugarcould impact soft drinks sales, but it willnot lower sugar intake.“Manufacturers can capitalise on thistrend by launching new products withinuntaxed categories, such as ready-to-drink coffee and tea, flavoured water,and milkshakes, appealing to indulgent32 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESMaintain your brand identity to the lastdrop Innovia Films’ new white matt Rayoface™ VBev BOPP film provides outstandingperformance, while its tactile proprietary top coat ensures it looks and feels like paper.This film is water and ice resistant ensuring that premium branding remains pristine. Idealfor label applications where they are exposed to wet and humid environments, such aswine and beverage labels. Rayoface™ VBev is printable through narrow web conversion using traditional printingmethods with a wide variety of different inks. It offers exceptional ink and foil adhesion indifficult environments.Richard Southward, Global Product Manager, Labels, said: “Interest in this new film hasbeen high since its launch at the end of last year. We have a range of trials underway which are proving the performance of this film. Anyoneconsidering adopting filmic labels for their product should certainly consider VBev.”For more information, visit www.innoviafilms.com.sugar or sweeteners used in food anddrinks, producers will be encouraged toexperiment with different types ofsweeteners in order to meet anincreasing demand for healthieroptions.”In Japan, for example, rare sugarappears to be the new way forward forhealth-conscious consumers. Low-sugarversions of standard products arecurrently losing ground in the countryas an increasing number of Japaneseconsumers are turning away from sugardue to health concerns. Rare sugars,which are sourced naturally, offersolutions in that they contain up to 70per cent of the sweetness of sugar withalmost none of the calories. During2014-2016, GlobalData tracked fourteenconsumers who are willing toexperiment with new flavours andformulations.”While the sugar tax is far from acure-all solution, it has ushered in anumber of positive impacts on thebeverage industry. As drinks companiesseek to stay one step ahead ofconsumer taste, they are creating evermore innovative products, reformulatingand turning towards more naturalingredients. The beverage industry isnow at a cross-road, and everything’s toplay for.© Shutterstock/MIA Studio30-34.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:08 Page 3dŚĞh<ΖƐůĞĂĚŝŶŐƉĂĐŬĂŐŝŶŐƐƵƉƉůŝĞƌƚŽƚŚĞĨŽŽĚĂŶĚĚƌŝŶŬŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ͕ŽīĞƌŝŶŐĂǁŝĚĞƌĂŶŐĞŽĨƉĂĐŬĂŐŝŶŐƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ͗ŝƌ^ŚŽĐŬďŽƩůĞƉĂĐŬƐŽdžĞƐĨŽƌďŽƩůĞƐWĂůůĞƚǁƌĂƉΘƐLJƐƚĞŵƐ>ĂďĞůƐFood & Drink International 33www.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESRadnor Hills launchrefreshing, natural energydrinkRadnor Hills have been ona mission to create theperfect range of enhancedwater products that are fullof natural goodness andmake the ideal on-the-gohydration source, energybooster or new gym buddy.Made using naturalingredients, the new RadnorPlus Energy range gives youthe same kick as a cup ofcoffee but with the addedadvantage of refreshinghydration too. With naturalGuarana and Ginsengextracts, Radnor PlusEnergy is available in two flavours including Lemon and Limeand Cranberry and Raspberry and is naturally sweetened withfruit extract and stevia. The Radnor Plus Protein range is perfectly tailored to supportthose training on weight loss or calorie controlled diets, eachbottle delivers 20g of whey protein and is sweetened withstevia. These drinks are ideal for making sure you always have arefreshing protein source to hand when working out, postworkout or in-between meals. For more information, visit www.radnorhills.co.uk.© Shutterstock/successo images30-34.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:08 Page 434 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netBEVERAGESCroxsons support historical-themed York Ginlaunch True to their mantra of delivering a “more than packaging” approach, leading glass packagingcompany, Croxsons, has supplied artisan start-up the York Gin Company with stunning bottle andclosure designs to complement the launch of their brand. The York Gin Company is a new craft gin company making quality spirits in the historic city of York.Using traditional methods to make their classic dry gin in a copper still named Ebor, after the Romanname for York, Eboracum, the self-funded distiller has used Croxsons to supply them with a primarypackaging solution that evokes the “solid, reliable and historic” significance of the ancient city.Croxsons provided square based bottle designs in 700ml, 500ml and 50ml sizes - the latter includedin the mix as a visitors’ gift or souvenir option. The weighty bottles help reinforce the quality of theproduct, whilst matching the overall ‘York’ branding based on the castellated city itself.For more information, visit www.croxsons.com.HpE Process offers AllPurpose Brewery PumpThe All-Purpose Brewery Pump (APB) from HpE Process, theindependent specialist distributor of pumps, valves, tubes, fittings,tank equipment and product recovery systems, is just the ticketfor the brewing industry.The key benefits are to provide a high suction capability forhandling heavy adjuncts, yeast waste and spent grain. The pumpoffers particularly low shear transfer of sensitive yeast, has theability to handle CIP scavenge without air-locking and low NPSHrequirements, allowing easy transfer of hot wort withoutcavitation. It is fully hygienic & EHEDG compliant.The APB pump is supplied as standard with IP55 & controlpanel, speed control, and a 4-wheeled trolley. Options includefully hygienic pressure relief valve, seal flushing pot (for drying &hot wort transfer), flowmeters, pressure gauges, pump protectionstrainers and hoses.For over 25 years HpE have been solvingproduction problems for brewing, dairy,confectionery, soft drinks and many otherindustries.For more information, visitwww.hpeprocess.com.Jimmy’s Iced Coffee now stockedacross UKJimmy’s Iced Coffee, the family-owned brand recreating ready-to-go iceddrinks, is now being stocked in Boots stores nationwide in the UK. All four delicious Jimmy’s flavours can now be found in the grab-and-gosection or part of the Meal Deal as the company expands its stockist to over4,000 stores nationwide including Waitrose, Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s.With summer on the horizon, Jimmy’s has also unveiled vibrant andinformative new packaging designs due to hit stores in June. Co-Founder Jim Cregan explained: “As a brand we’ve re-evaluated andreally thought what we want to be saying about each of our products and how to make that resonate in the mind of coffee drinkers.“We decided to lower our sugar content and opt for single source Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans to appeal to our core millennialmarket and their desire to understand what they are buying and drinking.”For more information, visit www.jimmysicedcoffee.com.Fuller’s Three Guineas goesvintage with Bright Goods LEDlighting Bright Goods hasannounced theinstallation ofdecorative, antique-style LED filamentlamps into The ThreeGuineas, a VictorianFuller’s pub withinReading train station.An array of LEDfilament lamps were chosen to complement the newly refurbishedpub, enhancing the many traditional features of the Grade II-listedstation building and showcasing the contemporary interior.The pub is illuminated throughout with the LED filament lampshoused in rustic reclaimed pendant lights, industrial brass clusterfittings and glass crystal chandeliers to evoke a welcoming andmood enhancing environment.“The lighting is the standout feature in each room,” said JaydenKopsala, Assistant Manager at The Three Guineas. “It attracts a lotof interest from our customers and has helped create theatmosphere we want here. We envisaged a contemporary lookwith a classic feel to the pub and the lighting has helped makethis a reality, making the perfect environment for all of ourcustomers.” Read the full story here:https://www.brightgoods.co.uk/blogs/led-filament/fullers-three-guineas-pub-goes-vintage-with-led-filament-lighting.30-34.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:08 Page 5Food & Drink International 35www.fdiforum.netCLEANING AND MAINTENANCEAutomation gives manufacturers offood and drink the ability to carry outcomplicated tasks quickly and easily.However, it also brings with it thepossibility of excessive downtime whenbreakdowns and accidents occur –interruptions which many companies canill-afford.It may be an unfortunate truth, butcompanies that carry out maintenancechecks on a planned basis (i.e. at set timesof the year) often fail to meet theirtargets. To stay ahead of the game,manufacturers should look to implementconstant on-the-spot inspections.Problems with machinery should beaddressed as they arise, not months downthe line. The best way to increaseproductivity is to ensure that every pieceof machinery runs as smoothly as possible. Of course, proper cleaning of thosesame machines also helps to reducebuild-up of material that may lead toissues or damage later down the line.Investing up-front in some of the moresophisticated technologies on the marketcould pay dividends in the long-run. Forexample, Electrical Panel Thermographycan be used to identify even the mostimperceptible flaws in a piece ofCompanies that carryout maintenancechecks on a plannedbasis often fail to meettheir targets. On-the-spot inspections oftenprovide morecomprehensive results,and a competitiveedge.36 Á© Shutterstock/KzenonAhead ofthe game35-37.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:13 Page 136 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netCLEANING AND MAINTENANCEFood safety update – what’s new in your industryThis is an essential conference for environmental health officers and food safety professionals from the Royal Society for Public Health, BritishHospitality Association and ALMR. It will be chaired by Professor Lisa Ackerley, Food safety Adviser, British Hospitality Association and Visiting Professor, University of Salford.Expert speakers will discuss current issues surrounding food safety in an ever-changing climate, providing delegates with an excellent opportunity to update theircurrent knowledge. Delegates will learn about:• Regulating our future• Acrylamide• The increasing importance of primary authorities• Genome sequencing• What should we learn from prosecutions?• Antibiotic resistance – new and emerging evidence• Protecting consumers with food allergies and intolerances5 CPD credits available for attendees. Places begin from just £115. Book before 25 May for early bird discounts. For more information and to book, visit www.rsph.org.uk/events.manufacturing equipment. Bymeasuring the temperature of a pieceof machinery or individual component,thermal imaging devices can catchminor electrical faults before they causeserious damage, which ultimatelymeans less downtime is needed formaintenance. Companies can also carry outspectrographic oil analyses to keeptheir machines running smoothly. Theoil used to lubricate manufacturingmachinery needs to be uncontaminatedin order to do its job properly, but theonly sure-fire way to guarantee this isto use an ICP (inductively coupledplasma mass) spectrometer to identifyand weed out unwanted particlecompositions. Conducting oil sampleanalysis can help to prolong thelifespan of machinery and should becarried out on a routine basis.Acoustic vibration monitoringtechnology, which costs relatively little,can also be employed to check thecondition of mechanical parts. Industrialrotors, for example, will emit higher-frequency sounds if they sustain anydamage. By using an Acoustic Emission(AE) sensor to detect early signs offriction, companies can addressproblems before they become causeproduction to grind to a halt.It is vital to keep machinery as cleanas possible – especially in anenvironment where food and drink isbeing produced. Products such as milkand cheese can be difficult to removefrom hard surfaces if they are allowedto burn, and caramelised build-ups willinevitably make machines and pipesless functional. In order to removepotentially hazardous blockages,manufacturers are investing in UHPpipe-cleaning technologies whichemploy water pressure to achieve amore powerful clean. The latestproducts on the market are able toclean lengths of piping over 1 km long,and because many of them featuresophisticated rotary heads that increasewater propulsion, they are also able toclean around bends. But what about health and safety?According to the Health and SafetyExecutive of the UK, machinery causesnearly five hundred accidents per yearin the food and drink industry, includingover 30% of fatal injuries. Poorlymaintained and/or supervised© Shutterstock/Phovoir35-37.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:13 Page 2Food & Drink International 37www.fdiforum.netCLEANING AND MAINTENANCEALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD!The new sera dosing pump iSTEP with stepper motor technology• Cleanable wet part (CIP) with FDA approved sealing• Add flavours, additives or enzymes to your process• Most accurate dosing technology• We also provide CIP chemical systems, salt addition, pH controlwww.sera-web.comContact: 01733 396040sales.uk@sera-web.com Teknomek begins new chapterwith new writing desk rangeTeknomek has updated itsrange of free-standing writingdesks intended for use in use inhigh and low risk foodproduction areas followingcustomer feedback.The lockable unit is now moresplash resistant thanks to awelded hinge hidden at the rearof the unit. Also, the slimmeddown units are now 600mm widewith a depth of 400mm, ideal fordocuments of up to, andincluding, A3 size without wastingunnecessary space on theproduction floor.The desks feature an easy cleansloping top with a front lip. Risk has beenmitigated through eliminating any potentialtrap points, notably the new range features nohorizontal ledges where dirt or food waste could accumulate. The writing desks are available in rear-railed, one and two shelvedoptions and customers can specify bespoke versions to suit theirparticular needs. The static versions came with four adjustablestainless steel feet complete with non-marking rubber base asstandard. For more information, visit www.teknomek.co.uk.Protecting the food supplychain with Insect-O-CutorWorld leadingflykiller brandInsect-O-Cutorhas beenproviding insectcontrol solutionsto the food anddrinks industrysince the brandwas establishedin 1962. Itrecognises thestringenthygiene levelsrequired by thissensitive industry as well as the importance of making everyeffort to minimalise the risk of bacterial contamination that fliesspread, which can lead to diseases such as Typhoid, Diarrhoea,Dysentery and Bubonic Plague. Insect-O-Cutor offers a comprehensive range of flying insectcontrol products, including; electric killing grid flykillers forindustrial backrooms, glueboard flykillers for food preparationand production areas, and decorative yet discreet units for frontof house applications. It also offers a range of specialist units suitable for wet areasor ATEX environments. To prevent flying insects from enteringpremises, Insect-O-Cutor are also experts in flyscreens,manufacturing tailor made solutions at our UK site to keep foodand drinks sites compliant with the UK Food Safety Regulations. For more information, visit www.insect-o-cutor.co.uk.conveyors are the biggest culprits, but food mixers,thermoform machines and wrapping machines alsoaccount for a significant percentage of the total. Thesefigures make grim reading, but, thankfully, mostcompanies are beginning to implement well-thought outmeasures to ensure the health and safety of their staff. Eliminating hazards at the design stage is by far thebest way to prevent machine-related accidents, but this isnot always viable, and no method of checking is 100%fool-proof. Therefore, where particularly dangerous,heavy machinery is being used, companies shouldinstitute a permit-to-work system to ensure that, a) onlyhighly-trained operatives have access to the machinery,and b) that no individual is required to use a piece ofmachinery for longer than is absolutely necessary. It is similarly vital that machines are positioned inunconfined spaces on the factory floor. This not onlyreduces the risk of getting trapped in the moving parts ofmachine, but it also lessens the chances of an operativeinhaling the dust that is an inevitable by-product of manyfood manufacturing processes. Dust inhalation and otherissues such as eye and skin irritation can also beprevented if companies provision their staff with thecorrect safety equipment and take the trouble to installhigh-quality exhaust ventilation systems.With automation on the rise, plant maintenance hasnever been more important to food and drinksmanufacturers. Taking the right steps now could meanincreased profits in the long-run.35-37.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:13 Page 338 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netExxonMobil Q&AThe use of corrugatedpackaging in the food andbeverage industry continuesto grow. However, theregulatory landscape andfierce competition are puttingdownward pressure oncorrugators, who thereforeneed to optimise all aspectsof their plant’s operationwhile also ensuringcompliance with food contactregulations. One element thatplays a significant role, butwhich is often overlooked, islubricant selection. Choosinghigh performance oils andgreases can provideimportant operationaladvantages and supportcompliance with regulations.We spoke to Rakesh Vyas,Field Marketing Advisor atExxonMobil to learn more.What are the end-use factorsthat corrugators should considerwhen selecting their lubes?A large percentage of corrugatedcard output will be intended for use astransit packaging for food. It is thereforeessential to use lubricants that are NSFH1 registered for these applications.That’s why ExxonMobil has developedMobil SHC™ Grease 462 PF, an NSF H1registered lubricant for incidental foodcontact, suitable for use in corrugators.It offers excellent high temperatureperformance up to 240°C and goodwear protection, making it suitable foruse in heated rollers. The Mobil SHCGrease 462 PF is also suitable for Halalas well as Kosher and Parve foodpreparation. Do corrugators really need topay attention to their lubricantselections?Unquestionably. Selecting andapplying the most appropriate oils andgreases can help to: • Reduce a plant’s energy bills • Extend oil drain intervals• Protect equipment and extend life• Minimise unexpected downtime andextend service periods• Reduce potential oil leakage• Provide problem-free operation infood and beverage processing plants.These improvements can help toreduce maintenance-related costs andalso increase plant safety by reducinghuman-machine interaction (HMI). Toachieve these goals, it is important thatcorrugators use high performancelubricants, especially for bearings onheated rollers as their high temperaturescan adversely affect the performance ofoils and greases.Will a high performancelubricant help a corrugatorimprove operationalefficiencies? Through outstanding tractionproperties, Mobil SHC™ Cibus Serieslubricants have demonstrated thepotential to provide significant energysavings — 3.6% in gear applications and3.5% in hydraulic applications.There are health and safetyconsiderations, too. A well lubricatedcorrugating machine can be less proneto mechanical outages, which reducesthe instances of unplanned maintenanceand human-machine interactions. Thefewer the interactions the less chancethere is of an incident. Q&ARakesh Vyas, Field Marketing Advisor, ExxonMobil38-39.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:14 Page 1Food & Drink International 39www.fdiforum.netExxonMobil Q&AWhat factors affect acorrugator’s choice of lubricant?A typical corrugating machine offers anumber of lubrication challengesincluding high temperatures [up to200°C] and contact with steam, whichis used during the forming process.Persistent exposure to elevatedtemperatures can cause a lubricant tothermally degrade, exposing machineryto increased wear. It is thereforeessential to ensure the selection oflubricants with appropriate levels ofthermal stability in order to ensureeffective protection.There is also the possibility of gluespillage and fibre build-up along withthe presence of metal particles if guideplates, slitter blades or rollers are notproperly aligned. Choosing lubricantsthat continue to provide protection inthe presence of contaminants istherefore essential to help maintain thepeak performance of corrugatingmachines.How can lubricant selection helpcorrugators reduce theirenvironmental impact?Effectively lubricating a corrugatingmachine can help reduce its overallpower consumption, which not onlyreduces energy bills, but also positivelyimpacts on an operator’s carbonfootprint. In addition, high performanceoils can offer extended drain intervals,which cuts the impact of waste oildisposal, while also reducing disposalcosts. Improving environmental impactscan also help corrugators save money –even more reason to select highperformance lubricants.For more information, visit www.corporate.exxonmobil.com/en38-39.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2018 10:14 Page 2Next >