Changing the rules Changing the rules INTERNATIONAL Cleaning and maintenance Caps and closures Frozen and chilled foodsVisit brother.co.uk/food-labelling or scan the QR code to discover our full range of food labelling solutions. Tougher legislation and rising customer expectations mean that accurate food labelling is more important than ever. And if you need technology to make this easier for you, a Brother label printer solution could be just what you need. From stock rotation labels in the kitchen to PPDS labels for the counter, our label printers make it easy to label your food quickly and accurately. Whether you need a simple solution using a PC-connected printer and free software or a more advanced solution, integrating with a third-party food management system, we can help create the perfect system for you. Accurate food labelling made easy Give customers more clarity with Brother food labelling solutionsContents May 2025 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 EIT International Q&A10 Recent bacterial outbreaks and disease scares in food products have highlighted the importance of accurate and quick testing. We speak with EIT International, to find out how they are helping customers detect problems ahead of time. Import and export12 Food groups in the UK are calling for a reset of regulations after the staggering gulf between UK trade of old and today was revealed. Supply chain spotlight16 As pressure mounts, the supply chain turns toward new technology and AI to try and make ends meet. MRPeasy Q&A20 We speak with MRPeasy to find out how they’re helping clients in the food and drink industry handle their inventory and stock. Caps and closures 22 More than just a lid, bottle tops are at the forefront of a packaging evolution driven by sustainability and smart technology. Functional ingredients26 Consumer demand for health-focused foods is reshaping the global market, driving innovation in functional ingredients and demanding new approaches to development and distribution. 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) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@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: stock.adobe.com/Dzmitry • Top: stock.adobe.com/Gophotograph • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ Juan • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ utaem2022 Frozen and chilled foods30 A multi-billion pound global market is seeing the frozen and chilled food industries expand, fuelled by factors beyond just cost, including premiumisation, sustainability, and technological advancements. Cleaning and maintenance 34 From microscopic threats to stringent regulations, maintaining hygienic food processing environments requires a multifaceted approach, embracing both traditional methods and innovative solutions. Slicing, dicing and cutting 38 Uniformity is seen as a marker of quality, and the methods by which food is sliced, diced and cut during processing is more important than ever. Multimodal 202541 Multimodal 2025, taking place from June 17th to 19th at the NEC in Birmingham, stands out as the premier event for food & drink visitors seeking to future-proof their operations. Events 42 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink Diary 46i2r further invests in its Ultra container range with new large-format edition Leading aluminium tray manufacturer i2r Packaging Solutions has strengthened its award-winning Ultra container range by launching a new 260mm x 260mm x 50mm profile. Designed for large, ready-to-cook family meals and multi-portion food products, this latest format combines enhanced strength with lightweight performance, offering food manufacturers a high-quality solution for demanding applications. Made with over 50% recycled content, the new tray reinforces i2r’s ongoing commitment to responsible packaging. It offers a lightweight yet high-performing solution that withstands high oven temperatures without warping – something other pack formats cannot match. Tom Cliffe, i2r’s sales director, said: “This profile fills a niche for manufacturers producing large, premium ready-to-cook products. The Ultra design offers a distinct competitive advantage in strength and shelf presentation, while aluminium’s recyclability and oven performance make it an excellent alternative to traditional containers.” 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Loma Systems® set to redefine food inspection with two new product launches at IFFA 2025 Loma Systems, a manufacturer of inspection solutions for the food and packaging industries, will showcase its latest product technology at IFFA, held from 3-8 May 2025 at Messe Frankfurt. Loma will exhibit in hall 12.0, stand D40. At the show, Loma will unveil two cutting-edge inspection systems set to establish a new benchmark in food safety, quality and contaminant detection. The IQ4M Metal Detector features Multi-Spectrum detection and Variable Frequency technology scanning, ensuring exceptional accuracy and minimising false rejects across various food products. Both systems are designed to come with enhanced connectivity and RFID integration as standard, providing improved control and traceability. Also making its debut is the X5DE, an advanced Dual Energy X-ray Inspection System that improves the detection of soft contaminants such as bone, rubber and glass. By utilising multi-level algorithms and advanced image processing, the X5DE enhances food safety while reducing waste and false rejects. Both systems are designed to meet the evolving demands of food manufacturers, providing leading total cost of ownership, greater efficiency, improved detection and seamless Industry 4.0 integration. Visit https://www.loma.com/en-gb for more information. Norseland Limited returns to its roots with corporate rebrand Norseland Limited, the UK’s leading blended cheese supplier, has today announced a return to its original name - The Ilchester Cheese Co.- reconnecting with its heritage and reaffirming its commitment to the local community and British cheesemaking. The rebrand reflects the company’s deep roots in Somerset and its position as a category pioneer. From being the first to introduce flavoured cheese to the UK market in 1962 with its now-iconic Ilchester Beer Cheese, to producing some of the country’s best-loved brands such as Jarlsberg, Applewood and Mexicana, the business is proudly returning to the name that started it all. “Our new-old name reflects who we’ve always been — rooted in Ilchester, proud of our legacy, and focused on the future,” said James Catchpole, Managing Director of The Ilchester Cheese Co. “We’re reconnecting with our community and proudly wearing our story on our sleeve.” With a turnover of £45 million in 2024, The Ilchester Cheese Co. continues to be a key employer in Somerset, with a team of around 175 people across production and office-based roles. Dantex brings back the ultra-popular PicoColour as the ultimate entry-level digital press Dantex Group has relaunched its highly popular, small-footprint PicoColour. This compact press makes a significant impact, embodying its original ethos, while being designed to provide high-quality printing at an accessible entry level for customers. The newly modernised PicoColour offers a compelling solution for businesses seeking to enter digital production. Building on the 10-year legacy of the original PicoColour, which achieved extensive global sales, this latest evolution retains the same footprint as its predecessor but is now equipped with today’s advanced technology. The result is a seamless and future-proof solution for label converters seeking high performance at an affordable entry point. With its official return, the industry has already expressed excitement. Pre-sales have already begun and the first deliveries are expected in Q4 2025. Customers eager to see the PicoColour firsthand will have the opportunity to experience it at Labelexpo Barcelona in September, where Dantex will showcase the press at Booth #5E73. It will then be available across global demo centres for customer visits. To learn more about Dantex visit https://dantex.com/ Trusted by professiona hygienicfurnitureand Leading the w , Tals worldwideeeknomek provi equipmenttailoredtothehigh way in hygienic des des hest sign hygienic furniture and equipment tailored to the high industry standards. •High quality materials •Innovative designs •Bespoke and customised solutions Visit our website at teknomek.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1603 249 663 today! Durham Box delivers bold IWD gifting packs for Rheal Superfood Durham-based corrugated packaging specialists, Durham Box, has recently worked with Rheal Superfoods to create a vibrant custom gifting pack for the brand’s International Women’s Day (IWD) campaign. Focusing on celebrating and empowering women, Rheal Superfoods curated a special IWD gift pack for over 70 influencers, women’s health advocates and brand ambassadors. The campaign aimed to help recipients “glow on the inside and out” and featured a selection of wellness- focused products from brands such as Wild, NEOM, Elemis, Hairburst and Hair Syrup. Charlotte Ali, co-founder and chief brand officer at Rheal Superfoods, said: “They looked fantastic! We were very pleased with how they turned out. The packaging was based on our existing e-commerce design, but featured a fresh twist, replacing our usual green branding with pink to celebrate the IWD campaign. Our influencers and ambassadors adored them.” Produced in a run of 100 units, the custom-designed pack made an impact and strengthened Durham Box and Rheal Superfoods’ ongoing collaboration. 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Veolia Water Technologies helps food manufacturer to eliminate hydrogen sulphide in its wastewater treatment As part of a long-term partnership, Veolia Water Technologies has supplied its Hydrex 6935 chemical solution to solve an emerging issue with hydrogen sulphide in the water treatment system at a food manufacturer’s site. The application of the specially formulated water treatment chemical provided immediate results to an issue that was concerning staff at the site. Veolia Water Technologies has provided a range of services to the business over the last decade, including supplying effluent treatment chemicals and servicing the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) water treatment plant at its facility. Brian Jones, Business Development Manager at Veolia Water Technologies, said: “Our work with this long-term client is an excellent demonstration of how effective Hydrex 6935 is in addressing the issue of hydrogen sulphide in wastewater. Some facilities use aerosol spray systems to mask the odour, but this is often ineffective and does not treat the underlying cause. Hydrex 6935 safely and quickly neutralises the compound and can be easily applied on a range of different water treatment systems.” DataLase and TamperTech partnership delivers smart tamper-evident tape for modern supply chains DataLase, the global leader in Photonic Printing solutions and TamperTech, a market leader in the design and manufacture of tamper-evident packaging and security solutions, have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking innovation in tamper-evident tape technology. The development marks the first time DataLase’s photonic printing technology has been incorporated into tamper tape, combining security, authentication and tracking into a single, seamless solution. By integrating DataLase’s pigment chemistry as a coating on paper or film within the tape, the new product eliminates the need for additional paper and plastic labels, conventional sealing tapes and traditional wet printing processes that rely on inks, solvents and other materials. The result is a more sustainable, energy-efficient and high-performance alternative that enhances both product security and supply chain efficiency. “Our collaboration with TamperTech marks a significant step forward in security packaging technology,” commented Ally Grant, chief technology officer at DataLase. “By embedding DataLase’s innovative pigment technology into tamper-evident tapes, we have created a solution that not only protects products but also enables real-time verification and authentication without the need for additional labels or complex scanning systems.” © stock.adobe.com/Alexstar La Radiosa Dual Milk from Gaggia, for premium drinks made with both dairy and non-dairy milk Gaggia Milano, with its long tradition of manufacturing premium coffee machines, is renowned as one of the most iconic brands in the world. Building on the success of La Radiosa, which has become the flagship model in the Gaggia Milano automatic machine range in recent years, La Radiosa Dual Milk will extend opportunities for operators by allowing them to respond to the demand, from both workplaces and hospitality businesses, for premium drinks made with dairy and non-dairy milk. “As coffee consumers increasingly focus on their health and wellbeing, the UK has been desperate for a solution to meet this particular lifestyle choice,” said Andrew Barrow, Evoca UK’s Sales Director. “That’s why we’re so excited to add this machine to our range. We know how well received the drinks from the standard La Radiosa are. We’ve set a high benchmark for ourselves but we fully expect our customers and their consumers will be delighted by the premium quality ‘alternative’ cappuccinos and lattes that La Radiosa Dual Milk is bringing to the market.” To find out more visit www.evocagroup.com Food & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net AI-discovered plant-based ingredients go into commercial production as demand for clean labels rises AI-driven food tech firm Shiru has begun commercial production of two functional plant- based ingredients— uPro and OleoPro— designed to meet growing regulatory and consumer demand for clean- label formulations in the food and beverage sector. The move comes as US policymakers continue to pressure manufacturers to eliminate artificial ingredients and added sugars from consumer products. Shiru’s rapid development and scale-up were made possible through its proprietary AI platform, Flourish, which shortens ingredient discovery timelines from years to months. uPro is a structured protein derived from potato, offering emulsifying and texturising properties. It can be used to replace synthetic additives in various oil-based food applications and is simply labelled as “potato protein” for consumers. Both ingredients are made from GRAS-designated components and are now available for commercial use. Shiru reports strong interest from global CPG firms looking to adapt quickly to cleaner labelling requirements while maintaining product performance. news New biopesticide offers promising solution to protect rice crops and improve food security As global rice production faces growing threats from bacterial leaf blight (BLB), a new biopesticide, Phytalix, developed by Ascribe Bioscience, could provide a safer and more sustainable solution for farmers. BLB, a disease causing significant crop losses, particularly in tropical regions, is currently managed with chemical pesticides, which pose environmental risks and are increasingly ineffective as pathogens develop resistance. Ascribe Bioscience, a New York-based agricultural tech company, aims to address these challenges with its biopesticide. Phytalix is derived from natural molecules in the soil microbiome, which boosts rice plants’ immune systems and protects against major fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. The disease has caused yield losses as high as 74% in affected regions, particularly in India, where the disease has led to up to 80% crop losses. Phytalix has shown promising results in trials, reducing BLB severity by 83% and outperforming traditional chemical treatments by 20%. In regions severely impacted by BLB, rice yields increased by 30%, with an overall yield boost of 13% across various test areas. © stock.adobe.com/Dionisvera © stock.adobe.com/DLCSavor creates butter from carbon dioxide for plant- and animal-free alternative Savor, a biotech company backed by Bill Gates, has introduced a butter made entirely from carbon dioxide (CO2), green hydrogen (GH2), and methane (CH4). The product, which is both plant- and animal-free, will be available in select restaurants later this year. The San Jose-based company produces food-grade fats by transforming CO2 and other gases into fatty acids, bypassing traditional agriculture-based production processes. This method reduces land and water usage and eliminates a significant portion of the greenhouse gas emissions typical of conventional fat production. Savor’s butter has already been sampled at exclusive dinners in San Francisco and New York, coinciding with the company’s recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Sustainability. Savor’s product is legally recognised as safe for sale in the U.S., with a General Recognition of Safety (GRAS) certification. 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on the shelf Coca-Cola to raise prices across product lines excluding flagship drink Coca-Cola Beverage will increase factory prices for several of its beverage lines by an average of 5.5% starting 1 May. The change affects products such as Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid, Powerade, and Georgia coffee drinks, though the company’s flagship Coca-Cola brand will not be impacted. The updated pricing includes a 100-won increase for a 350ml can of Sprite (now 1,900 won) and Fanta (1,700 won), while Minute Maid in a 350ml bottle will also see a 100-won rise to 2,000 won. Powerade in a 600ml plastic bottle will be priced at 2,400 won. The company cited rising input costs as the main reason behind the hike. Aluminium prices - critical for can production - rose 7.4% on average last year and spiked nearly 20% in Q1 compared to the same period in 2023. Although PET plastic prices have been stable, manufacturing costs like electricity and labour have risen by about 8%. Do Goodly dares to disrupt the dip aisle Do Goodly is shaking up snacking with a brand- new range of chef-crafted, plant-based dips that refuse to play it safe. The new range is launching in nearly 200 Tesco stores across the United Kingdom. The dips are bold, flavor-packed, and designed to do good, both for your tastebuds and the community. At the heart of the lineup is a guacamole revolution. Forget standard avo mush-Do Goodly’s next-gen guac blends smashed green peas with creamy avocado for an unexpected protein kick. Available in two variants: fiery jalapeño-coriander and fresh mint- garlic twists, these dips deliver big on taste and innovation. The disruption doesn’t stop there. Do Goodly has reinvented houmous with a luxurious blend of cannellini beans and chickpeas, supercharged with sundried tomatoes and basil. Mission Barns to launch cell- cultivated pork fat in retail and restaurants Mission Barns, a company focused on creating lab-grown meat for a sustainable food system, has announced the launch of its first products following regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its cell-cultivated pork fat. The company’s debut restaurant partner is Fiorella, an Italian restaurant group in the San Francisco area. Additionally, Mission Barns will begin retail sales through a major U.S. supermarket chain, marking the first grocery store to offer cultivated meat in the U.S. Mission Barns has developed its flagship products, Italian Style Cultivated Meatballs and Applewood Smoked Cultivated Bacon, both made with cultivated pork fat and plant-based protein. The process involves using a sample taken from a pig cultivated with plant-based nutrients in a controlled environment. This method can produce vast amounts of meat from a single animal sample, reducing the need for large-scale livestock farming and offering significant benefits for food security, greenhouse gas reduction, and resource conservation. BERO, the non-alcoholic beer founded by Tom Holland, expands retail offering BERO, the non- alcoholic beer founded by Tom Holland, has expanded its retail offering through a new listing with the department store, Selfridges. Cans of the premium beer are available to shop online and in UK stores in boxes of six. Consumers can find the beer in both the drinks aisle and chiller fridges, while OOH billboards around London and new social media content will tell the story of BERO. The range, which was inspired by Tom’s three-year path to sobriety, has been crafted for those who seek a more balanced lifestyle without compromising taste or quality. With experienced brew master Grant Wood refining the formula, consumers can choose from three classic beer styles: Kingston Golden Pils, Edge Hill Hazy IPA, and Noon Wheat. The listing with Selfridges marks the beginning of many UK milestones for the brand this year, with BERO also announced as a sponsor of the Taste of London Food Festival in June. © stock.adobe.com/ WDnet Studio © stock.adobe.com/Stanislav Loginov © stock.adobe.com/ exclusive-design © stock.adobe.com/ GreseiScience-based targets for ocean sustainability launched for the seafood sector The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has introduced the first science-based targets aimed at improving ocean sustainability, with an initial focus on the seafood sector. These targets provide companies with a structured framework to align their operations with environmental thresholds, helping to manage their ocean-related impacts. This initiative addresses overfishing, habitat destruction, and the risks posed to biodiversity, which directly threaten marine ecosystems and business resilience. Developed in partnership with organisations like WWF and Conservation International, the targets provide companies with a clear path to align their operations with science-based environmental thresholds. The seafood sector is the first to be addressed, but the broader aim is to expand the targets to include industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and packaging, which also depend on healthy oceans for resources like marine-derived compounds, fishmeal, and seaweed-based alternatives to plastics. JBS invests $100m in Vietnam for two new meat processing plants JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, is investing $100 million to build two meat processing plants in Vietnam. The move expands the company’s presence in Southeast Asia and supports growing regional demand for beef, pork, and poultry products. The facilities will primarily process imported raw materials from Brazil, supplying both Vietnam and neighbouring markets. The agreement was formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Vietnamese government during Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit. The first plant will be built in Nam Đình Vũ Industrial Park in northern Vietnam, featuring a logistics centre and processing operations. The second facility, planned for southern Vietnam, will follow two years later with similar infrastructure. JBS expects the investment to boost Vietnam’s economy through job creation and increased food security. The expansion aligns with the company’s global strategy to strengthen its foothold in high- growth markets and enhance Brazil’s meat exports to Southeast Asia. on line Food & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net Ultrasound and AI tool accelerates tuna quality grading for seafood processors A new AI-powered ultrasound machine is set to change how the seafood industry assesses tuna quality, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient alternative to traditional methods. Developed by Japanese tech firm Fujitsu and startup Sonofai, the machine-also named Sonofai- uses ultrasound waves and artificial intelligence to measure the fat content of frozen tuna in just 12 seconds. This replaces the conventional method of slicing the fish’s tail with a specialised knife, which takes around a minute and requires experienced handlers. Fat content, a key indicator of quality and pricing in the sashimi and sushi market, is traditionally judged by visual inspection. Sonofai automates this process. The system scans the fish on a conveyor belt using ultrasound sensors, and the AI interprets the signal patterns to determine marbling levels. Fatty meat absorbs less sound, and the software filters out anomalies to deliver consistent results. The machine borrows the same ultrasound technology used in medical imaging but avoids radiation exposure, unlike CT scans or X-rays. It’s designed for use in industrial fish-processing environments, not restaurant kitchens. Key Technology and PPM Technologies introduce new fully-integrated nut processing line Key Technology (Key) and PPM Technologies (PPM), both members of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, introduce their new fully-integrated nut processing line. Bringing together Key’s and PPM’s industry-leading technologies, this turnkey system processes nuts from post-shelling to packaging including grading, sorting, oil roasting, seasoning and more. Highly customizable to suit each application, the line helps processors achieve consistent product quality and minimize manual labor. “The depth of nut processing knowledge between Key and PPM is unmatched,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President - Food Sorting and Handling Group. “Our teams bring decades of expertise to every project, designing systems tailored to the unique characteristics of each processor’s products and their production requirements. The result is a seamlessly integrated line with all equipment working in perfect harmony, backed by single-source responsibility from purchase through startup and aftermarket support.” For more information, visit www.key.net. Prime Roots targets foodservice with clean-label deli meat alternatives Prime Roots, a US-based food tech company founded in 2017, is expanding its presence in the plant-based protein market by focusing on deli meat alternatives for retail and foodservice. The company has developed alternatives to ham, turkey, and salami made from koji mycelium-a fungus known for its umami flavour and use in traditional East Asian cuisine. The company’s range is designed to fill a gap in the market for plant-based deli meats, particularly as demand increases from flexitarians and younger consumers seeking clean-label, sustainable options. Prime Roots’ products are free from preservatives, cholesterol, and nitrates, and the ingredient list is deliberately short and recognisable, positioning it as a low-processing alternative in a category often criticised for additives and artificial components. After years of R&D, Prime Roots built its products to be a one-to-one swap for traditional deli meats, requiring no new equipment or additional training for foodservice operators. The brand is currently available in 18 US states and plans to expand nationally through 2025 and 2026, with a balanced strategy across both retail and foodservice channels. © stock.adobe.com/ Алексей Филатов © stock.adobe.com/whitestorm © stock.adobe.com/grinchh © stock.adobe.com/TatsianaNext >