Functional ingredients News www.fdiforum.netMAY 2021 £3.50 STERLING Caps and closures Supply and demand Supply and demand INTERNATIONAL Food&Drink Food&Drink 01.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 09:57 Page 102.qxp_Layout 1 27/04/2021 16:06 Page 1Contents May 2021 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Import and export14 With the pandemic slowly coming to an end and countries opening back up, there will be more desire for new tastes and experiences than ever before. Is now the time to look at exporting food products to new and developing countries? It may well be. Supply chain spotlight18 From COVID-19 to Brexit, the past year has seen fresh challenges for food and drink supply chains. At the same time traceability continues to be clamoured for by consumers as well as sustainability, both of which if enhanced can benefit businesses themselves. Caps and closures22 Caps and closures are both part of the problem and the keystone to the solution when it comes to the environmental footprint of bottles and pouches. Slicing, dicing and cutting26 The slicing, dicing and cutting industry needs to be consistent at all times, never deviating from its strict processing homogeneity. So much depends upon slicing and cutting machines and equipment performing their duty within strict parameters. Functional ingredients 30 Consumers are focusing more than ever on what additional benefits food and drink products can offer them, from immune support to stress relief. Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Assistant Editor: Dominic Cuthbert (d.cuthbert@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305, Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. MAIN: SHUTTERST OCK/IGOR SIRBU • TOP: DIAGEO • MIDDLE: SHUTTERST OCK/GOSPEL BLUE • BOTT OM: SHUTTERST OCK/NITR Cleaning and maintenance34 Companies that carry out maintenance checks on a planned basis often fail to meet their targets. On-the-spot inspections often provide more comprehensive results, and a competitive edge. Cold storage38 The demand for cold storage within the food and drink industry has skyrocketed, driven by changing consumer habits craving fresh food and seafood, expanding supply chains, escalating concern over food waste, and a general increase in the amount of goods that are cold-stored. Frozen and chilled foods42 The freezer aisle continues to evolve as an increasing number of consumers see the benefit of buying frozen and more producers get in on the action. Events46 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world Classified 49 Food and Drink Diary 50 03.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 09:58 Page 14 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Kingsmoor Packaging successfully maintains AA grade as BRCGS expects higher standards Leading thermoformed packaging firm, Kingsmoor Packaging, has successfully retained its AA grade having been awarded the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) issue 6 for Packaging Materials. Following a series of infrastructure and equipment investments last year, coupled with improvements to workflow efficiencies, the Somerset-based company impressed the BRCGS certification audit team with their robust hygiene controls and product safety. The BRCGS for Packaging Materials update to issue 6 has seen refinement on several clauses, making the standard stricter as the certification process continues to expect a higher standard of compliance from organisations. A significant emphasis has been placed on better risk management in the shape of Hazard Analysis Risk Assessment (HARA) and preventing, eliminating or reducing product quality hazards. Of the many refinements, significant changes have included the introduction of the concept of corrective and preventive action, greater emphasis on product quality, and the importance of a product safety and quality culture. Inspired by COVID vaccine roll-out, poultry business trials E.coli vaccine to safeguard birds Inspired by the UK government’s COVID-19 vaccine programme, Banham Poultry, one of the nation’s largest poultry businesses, is trialling a new E.coli vaccine to safeguard its birds. In a UK first, Banham Poultry has joined forces with pharmaceutical company, Zoetis, and poultry veterinary consultants, Crowshall Veterinary Services, in trialling a new vaccine, Poulvac E.coli. The vaccine is being administered to day old chicks along with other vaccines in the hatchery, and sets out to protect the chickens against E.coli, which can cause disease and mortality in birds, leading to poorer welfare, and poor productivity as well as increased antibiotic use. It is anticipated that this vaccine will prevent the disease associated with E.coli bacteria by providing the birds with immunity. This trial has already been implemented, and more than 1.6 million birds will receive this Government approved vaccine. If the trial is successful, Banham Poultry will roll out the programme across its entire farming base. Banham Poultry Managing Director Blaine Van Rensburg said: “The poultry industry is a success story in its significant achievement in reducing antibiotic usage over the past five years, and the drive continues. “The world is changing, and we are all acutely aware, in the face of COVID-19, how vaccination is the cornerstone of disease control. We are now taking the same approach in protecting the welfare of our birds. “The poultry industry can be proud of the essential work that it has done in feeding the nation through the recent COVID-19 crises, but now more than ever food security and safety are key to the health of the nation. “Livestock face challenges too, and disease threats always exist, and the team here is evaluating new interventions to further protect the health of our stock and the quality of the products we produce.” New Sealed Air shrink packaging is Designed-for-Recycling for circular economy Sealed Air has developed a market-leading designed for recycling shrink-packaging solution to support food companies increasingly move to a circular economy. The new CRYOVAC® brand Designed-for-Recycling Standard Presentation Shrink Bag and Shrinkable Rollstock are the world’s first RIC4 coded heat-sealable food packaging materials, meaning they are 100% recyclable* to help food processors and retailers further improve sustainability. Enhanced efficiencies and environmental performance can also be realised through the range’s thinner, lighter EVOH barrier and excellent mechanical resistance. These features can help to reduce packaging material usage and overall carbon footprint by up to 60%, compared to widely used thermoforming packaging systems. Ed Roberts, Global Sustainability Leader at Sealed Air, commented: “The Designed- for-Recycling Standard Presentation Shrink Bag and Shrinkable Rollstock have been designed to offer a total packaging approach to improving sustainability. “The recyclability is complemented by high shrink, abuse resistance and barrier properties to reduce food waste, while also lowering sealing temperatures and energy usage during packaging.” The new Designed-for-Recycling Standard Presentation Shrink Bag and Shrinkable Rollstock have been tested in accordance with protocols set-out by the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), with the 100% recyclability certified by Institut Cyclos-HTP. Mr Roberts added: “The sealed packs are easy opening, glossy with reduced haze and avoid discoloration of meats. Together, these performance properties help drive sales, which is another step towards less food waste and better resourcefulness.” Operators can run the Standard Presentation Shrink Bags with a wide variety of heat-sealing equipment including CRYOVAC® brand VR and VS vacuum lines, while the Shrinkable Rollstock is compatible with Horizontal Form Fill Seal technology and a range of other loaders. *The degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the specific product configuration or components intended for recycling and the scope and availability of appropriate local recycling facilities. 04-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 104-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 2Vegan business, VCF Foods, raises £2.5m to scale up VCF Foods has raised £2.5 million in seed funding as the York-based vegan food business looks to scale up domestically and overseas. The company, which launched at the end of December 2020, already sells products in UK retail outlets and has completed its first expansion into Spain. The funding round was led by vegan investment fund, Veg Capital, and includes investment from the senior leadership team and Johnson Resolutions. Now, VFC Foods co-founder Matthew Glover – who is also co-founder of Veganuary and MD of Veg Capital – will become Chief Executive. Chef Adam Lyons, who created the product at his restaurant, Source on Castlegate, will continue to oversee operations. The company said that the funds will be used to scale up production and accelerate the growth of the brand both in the UK and abroad. VCF is targeting sales of £20 million by the end of 2023 and £50 million by the 2025. “The launch phase has been phenomenally successful, with sales far exceeding our expectations, incredible food service and retail interest, as well as enquiries from more than 50 countries,” said Stewart McGuckin, Director of sales at VFC Foods. “All this has shown us two things: we have a brand and a product that people really love, and that we are ready to shift up a gear.” Says Cliff Johnson, financial adviser at Veg Capital, said: “VFC is exactly the type of company that Veg Capital looks to support. “From the focus on removing as many animals from the food chain as possible to their unbashed activism, supporting the education on the impact of one’s dietary choices, we are proud to follow on from our pre-seed investment and support the team in their growth plans.” 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Mars Wrigley to develop home compostable food packaging Mars Wrigley has partnered with Danimer Scientific, a developer and manufacturer of biodegradable materials, to develop home compostable food packaging. The first brand Mars Wrigley will introduce as part of this two- year partnership will be SKITTLES in the US. Danimer Scientific’s signature packaging – Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) – is produced through natural fermentation processes using plant oils such as soy and canola and biodegrades in both soil and marine environments. Mars will continue to evaluate opportunities to scale this novel, innovative and sustainable packaging technology across its portfolio of brands and categories. The company’s plan to introduce NodaxPHA into flexible and rigid packaging that reliably breaks down in both industrial composting facilities and backyard compost units, offering an enhanced value proposition for environmentally conscious consumers and retailers. Sourced from the seeds of plants such as canola and soy, NodaxPHA can serve as an alternative to traditional petrochemical plastic and has been certified as biodegradable in soil and marine environments. In addition to better end-of-life options, NodaxPHA is renewably sourced, making it a truly circular material that helps eliminate waste. The aim of this collaboration is new, biodegradable packaging for various Mars Wrigley brands, starting with smaller and single packs that are more likely to be littered and typically less likely to be recycled. Mars Wrigley is leaning into this problem by creating new-to-world packs for a wide range of formats that can significantly support a sustainable planet. Initial development work with kick off in North America with the goal of reaching additional markets with underdeveloped recycling infrastructures where littering and leakage into nature are especially problematic. Mars Wrigley’s first on-the-shelf offerings are tentatively targeted for late 2021 or early 2022, featuring their SKITTLES brand in the US. Eat Just raises $200m to increase capacity, drive R&D Plant-based food-tech start-up, Eat Just, has secured $200 million in a new funding round to bolster capacity, build brand and drive research and development. The investment that will be used to build capacity for Eat Just’s products; accelerate research and development programs and build its brands in key international markets. The funding round was led by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar; joined by private investment firm Charlesbank Capital Partners and Vulcan Capital, the investment arm of the estate of Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen. The start-up, which has raised more than $650 million since its founding in 2011, will add QIA and Charlesbank to its Board of Directors. “We are very excited to work with our investors to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable food system,” said Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just. © Eat Just Matthew Glover and Adam Lyons 04-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 3We are much more than a packaging machinery manufacturer—we are your partner—a highly skilled team of specialists creating high-tech solutions to address your specifi c challenges. Whether you need a single bespoke machine or a complete integrated system, WestRock Automation provides a wide array of innovative end-of-line solutions. westrock.com/automation-uk ©2021 WestRock Company. All rights reserved. SOLUTIONS THAT ADAPT TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. Factory Packaging Automation & Robotics Warehouse Dispatch Service & Engineering 04-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 48 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Diageo collaboration produces most sustainable glass Scotch whisky bottles A successful pilot project has pioneered the lowest carbon footprint glass bottles ever produced for a Scotch whisky brand. The collaboration between Diageo and glass manufacturer Encirc and industry research and technology body Glass Futures, used waste-based biofuel-powered furnaces to reduce the carbon footprint of the bottle-making process by up to 90%. For the purposes of the trial, Diageo used its Black & White Scotch whisky brand – a popular and growing whisky in key global export markets. The trial produced 173,000 Black & White bottles, also using 100% recycled glass, making the batch the most environmentally-friendly ever produced for a Scotch whisky brand. Further work now needs to be done to develop and scale the trial for future production, Diageo said, but it represents a significant step forward in the company’s drive to transform the sustainability of our grain-to-glass supply chain. Diageo has agreed a 10-year partnership to accelerate collaboration and innovation in the glass industry. “This trial is just a first step in the journey to decarbonise this aspect of our supply chain and we still have a long way to go, but we are delighted with the results of the collaboration and the platform it creates for future innovation,” said John Aird, Senior Packaging Technologist at Diageo. “We see Glass Futures as a great opportunity to develop new technology and to help deliver net zero glass manufacturing and we are delighted to support them in that mission.” The project is part of the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Energy Innovation Programme, within which Glass Futures is leading a £7.1 million initiative to explore the most effective routes to switching glass manufacturing to low carbon fuels. Nespresso expands Avenches production centre Nespresso is investing CHF 117 million to expand its Avenches production centre in Switzerland to meet increasing consumer demand and support international development. The investment supports the increase of production capacity, by including three new production lines, and the expansion of its distribution centre, augmenting the current logistics capacity. The Avenches production centre acts as Nespresso’ global distribution centre, shipping capsules to over 80 countries around the world, and is dedicated to the production of Nespresso Original and Professional coffees as well as Starbucks by Nespresso. Growing consumer demand has led to the need to expand Nespresso’s logistics operations in Avenches, ensuring higher turnover in order processing and dispatching, as well as increased production capacity. The expansion of the distribution centre is set to start in July 2021 and expected to be fully operational by September 2022. The three new production lines are planned to be operational by March 2022. Nestlé inaugurates Malaysian plant-based production site Nestlé has inaugurated a production site for plant-based foods in Shah Alam, Malaysia as the company bolsters its plant-based presence in Asia. The new facility has the capacity to produce 8,000 tons of plant- based food a year and will supply both food service and retail with the new Harvest Gourmet brand. Specifically, it will produce plant- based burgers, schnitzels, mince and more. Harvest Gourmet has already inked deals to supply global and regional restaurant chains including Element Fresh in China, KyoChon in Malaysia and Carl’s Jr in Singapore. It will also supply growing demand in retail, starting in China with Tmall and Hema. Nestlé is making sure local products are designed for the Asian taste and local cuisine applications such as dumplings, stir fry, braising, katsudon, and more. In retail, first prepared dishes in China include plant-based versions of local classics like Gong Bao Chicken and Braised Meatballs. © Nestlé © Shutterstock/Daniela Staerk 04-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 5For more information get in touch today W: teknomek.co.uk T: 01603 788 833 FORWARD THINKING! let’s go there together quality products Quality runs throughout everything we do, from our intelligent hygienic design to our materials and workmanship. great value Our products are built to last, with industry-leading resilience that gives you excellent value for money year after year. incredible service As well as our helpful and knowledgeable team, we offer the most reliable lead times in the industry – you’ll save time and hassle by knowing it’ll arrive on time. our mission: Hygienic furniture & equipment Food & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net news Tyson Foods opens $425m poultry complex in Tennessee Tyson Foods has officially opened its new $425 million poultry complex in Humboldt, Tennessee. The facility, which includes a processing plant, feed mill and hatchery, represents Tyson’s biggest investment in Tennessee. The processing plant, which is expected to employ more than 1,500 team members by 2023, is located within the Gibson County Industrial Park and will produce pre-packaged trays of fresh chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide beginning in late April. “The demand for Tyson chicken products continues to grow and this plant will help us meet the needs of our customers and consumers,” said Donnie King, Chief Operating Officer and Group President, Poultry for Tyson Foods. The payroll and payments to farmers from the new operation, along with the purchase of grain and utilities, is expected to generate an annual economic benefit to the state of Tennessee of $150 million. “With five facilities across Tennessee, Tyson Foods has an enormous impact on our state’s agriculture industry and rural communities,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Job creation is crucial to our continued economic success, and I thank Tyson for its investment and commitment to Humboldt and West Tennessee.” The company’s Humboldt feed mill, which will supply feed for approximately 56 local poultry farmers, will employ 30 team members and produce 14,000 tons of finished feed a week when production reaches full capacity. The Humboldt hatchery employs 30 team members and provides chicks for local poultry farmers who supply broiler chickens to Tyson. This is the second major economic development project Tyson Foods has initiated in Tennessee in recent years. In August 2017, the company announced an $84 million expansion of its Union City operations, which has added more than 200 jobs. © Shutterstock/vodograj 04-13.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2021 10:05 Page 6Next >