< Previous50 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net SNACK FOODS AND READY MEALS this offer an edge over competitors but can help to set consumer’s minds at ease. Although the evidence linking the consumption of acrylamide to cancer in humans is inconclusive, there’s no denying the impact saturated fat can wreak on the body. With an obesity crisis affecting much of the western world, and even developing nations, it’s clear that the snack foods we know and love need an overhaul. Yet that’s not to say they need to be changed beyond recognition, but rather imbued with better-for-you ingredients, whist using innovative solutions to limit their high fat levels. Fat replacers are by no means a new solution on the food scene, but manufacturers and food producers have more readily embraced them in recent times as campaigners and action groups crack down on high fat foods and governments consult over levies and taxes. Targeted fat replacers allow manufacturers to maintain a desirable texture and crumb to their pastry and cake products with less of the calories. Reformulating products and amending the recipes to create a healthier variety can risk alienating loyal consumers. Yet utilising solutions such as fat replacers mean that a product can retain its tried and tested taste and texture whilst also helping to minimise a consumer’s intake of saturated fat. But of all the food industry’s bug bears, it’s sugar that remains public enemy number one. Here in the UK, the tides have turned on sugar, with the government introducing its much- mooted sugar tax on soft drinks in April 2018. Although some studies doubt the effect the move will have on public health, as far as economics go, it’s a winner with the tax forecast to raise around £520 million a year. It isn’t simply an example of the ‘nanny state’ either, with a survey undertaken by Ipsos MORI of behalf of Public Health England finding that around nine in ten people support the government working with the food industry to make everyday food and drinks healthier. There’s no shortage of ingredients and solutions for manufacturers to utilise when looking to slash the sugar content of their products whilst maintaining sweetness. Stevia is perhaps the best-known example and, with no shortage of innovation taking place in this market space, doubtless it will continue its dominance. But it’s not the only solution, with rare sugars purporting similar sweetness but with fewer calories of sugar. For manufacturers wary of sweeteners, natural or otherwise, and consumers not always appreciating the taste, rare sugars may be one of the best ways forward for the sweet snacks industry. It’s not just a case of what’s being taken out of products, but rather what’s being put in, with family favourites being fortified with fibre and protein. This way consumers really can have their cake and eat it. Protein is big business, whether fortifying chocolate bars or as a powder whizzed through a post-workout shake. That goes double for the snack foods industry where meat snacks such as jerkies and meat bars have rapidly gained in popularity over the last few years driven, in no small part, by paleo and keto diets. While this trajectory goes on, the protein trend continues with faux meat 49-51.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:01 Page 2Food & Drink International 51 www.fdiforum.net SNACK FOODS AND READY MEALS snacks which, according to Whole Food Markets, will be one of the biggest market movers in the years to come. Here we’ll have big meaty flavours and textures but with none of the meat or dairy, tapping the massive vegan market and the growing number of people reducing animal products in their diets. However, it isn’t only the snack food market that is evolving an adapting – as much to changing diets and attitudes as to the pandemic. In the wake of the COVID outbreak, one of the areas to enjoy the biggest gains is frozen foods – a growing subsector of the ready meals market. Frozen food has long garnered the reputation of being economic and, ultimately, unhealthy food brought for convenience and affordability and not for nutrition. This was despite the numerous producers working within the frozen foods arena offering a variety of healthy frozen food options. There’s also the persisting notion that freezing negatively affects product integrity. In reality, the freezer aisle has undergone a radical change over the last decade, and is now a cornucopia of healthy and vibrant food products alongside more traditional fare. Statistics from Kantar and the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) show that sales increased by £285 million between March to June 2020. During this period, which included the UK’s first national lockdown, sales increased in value by 19.4 per cent and volume was up 17.5 per cent – double the value growth and volume of 9.7 per cent and 9.3 per cent respectively for the previous twelve-month period. What’s interesting to note is that the data shows that frozen outperformed the total grocery market as well as fresh and chilled food sales in both value and volume. The surge in sales follows a trend first reported by BFFF in April of that year, when data revealed that in the four weeks from 23 February to 22 March, British shoppers spent an extra £131 million on everything, from ice cream to frozen meat and poultry, as they filled up their freezers before the lockdown began on 23 March. The Kantar figures show six out of nine categories of frozen food have seen a sales and volume increase over the last year, with frozen vegetables alone up 9.4 per cent in volume. One of the persisting misconceptions regarding frozen foods is the high levels of preservatives. Although budget ready meals still contain high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat and preservatives, that’s not to say that products need preservatives in order to be frozen. The freezing process itself often bypasses the need for such additives altogether. In the case of fresh produce, quick freezing often occurs shortly after picking, preserving the integrity and texture of the fruits and vegetables but also locking in nutrients. Studies have shown that food frozen immediately after it was picked and processed boasted more nutrients then their fresher counterparts as little as three days after picking. For this reason, many producers use this promised freshness and nutritional profile as unique selling points. Quick freezing also helps to sidestep freezer burns, a boon when it comes to specific textures and visual properties of, say, meat and fish. Aesthetics will assist in facilitating the market shift, as consumers begin their relationship with food and beverage products at a visual level – either with an advertisement of the packaging itself. In all honestly, frozen foods don’t look particularly appealing, meaning they are reliant on packaging and design. Though fruits and vegetables are still packed and sold in PET bags – as is also commonplace for ice cubes and fried potato products – it is becoming more commonplace for fruit pieces to be packaged in plastic or even paperboard boxes. The best canvas for producers to convey nutritional information and appealing graphics, however, is through cartoning and sleeving applications – namely a plastic tray, topped with a film and sleeved in card. The difficulty lies in packaging and sleeving these products quickly so that the nutritional benefit of the foods inside is preserved. The frozen food industry is also a fertile ground for new product innovation. Given the freezer is twinned with the history of consumer convenience, it makes sense that convenience itself is still a major selling point. Convenience, however, isn’t synonymous with high salt and fat fare, and can instead be applied to healthier options. Supermarkets in the UK, for example, have started selling pre-peeled and –sliced avocados to tap into the persistent trend, while bags of frozen pomegranate seeds are now commonplace, meaning consumers can take advantage of the fruit’s nutritional profile without needing to peel and de- seed it themselves. Both snack foods and ready meals have historically been bastions of convenience and, consequently, have garnered a reputation for foods high in fat, salt, sugar and artificial additives – a reputation that’s been hard to shake. However, both markets have evolved over the last fifteen years with a slew of healthier, better-for-you products aimed at younger consumers. It’s still convenient, intended for quick cooking or to be eaten on the go, but it’s a far cry from the problem snacks and meals of yesteryear. Couple to that the efforts brands are going to in order to insure their products makes a splash on social media, and you have two markets that are going above and beyond. © Shutterstock / icosha 49-51.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:01 Page 352 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net THE UK FOOD AND DRINK SHOWS Following a 16-month hiatus due to COVID-19, stringent safety and hygiene measures have been put in place and the shows will be the first opportunity for suppliers, buyers, experts and decision makers to come together as an industry once again and focus on the future whilst also celebrating the resilience, spirit and innovation that prevailed during the pandemic. Visitors looking for inspiration will get the inside track on this year’s latest, greatest launches, alongside the chance to see, sample and secure a fast track to profitability. Some of the innovative exhibitors preparing for Food & Drink Expo – the flagship event for retail, wholesale and foodservice audiences – include Lunchmate, Belvoir Farm and Dorset Sea Salt Co as well as Norac Foods UK who will be unveiling its vegan croissants and vegan pains au chocolat to the UK market and Porky Whites, the family- fun business known for producing award-winning sausages, formed meat and poultry products. Meanwhile visitors to Foodex, the UK’s premier trade event for food and drink manufacturing, processing, packaging and logistics, will leave thoroughly inspired with a refreshed view of the sector’s technology, automation and sustainability prowess. Fortress Technology, EFAFLEX, Inspiron Systems, OMEX Environmental and Kimberley Clark Professional are among nearly 200 exhibitors ready to share their products and advice in July. Probiotics, prebiotics, microbiome, gut health, sports nutrition, active nutrition, maternal and infant nutrition, personalised nutrition, medical nutrition, healthy aging, digital and wearable technologies, botanicals… The Ingredients Show is the place to see some of the big topics affecting and shaping the industry deconstructed, debunked and debated. Don’t miss Direct Food Ingredients, Falken Trade, Agrofusion, Caldic UK and Linwoods Ingredients. Across the shows, a stellar line-up of live events promises to be a real focal point for visitors as some of the biggest names in the industry examine state-of-the- The UK Food & Drink Shows have recently been accredited the ‘Visit Britain’ ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry charter mark, verifying that the event meets Government and public health guidance on COVID-19 with all required health and safety processes in place to open safely in July. The UK Food & Drink Shows The UK Food & Drink Shows return to the NEC this July (5th – 7th) with over 800 exhibitors set to revitalise the hospitality industry. Food & Drink Expo, The Ingredients Show and Foodex join National Convenience Show, Farm Shop & Deli Show and The Forecourt Show to create an unmissable proposition for progressive food and drink professionals across the industry. The UK Food & Drink Shows 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:03 Page 1Food & Drink International 53 www.fdiforum.net THE UK FOOD AND DRINK SHOWS nation issues. The Talking Shop Live will hold a series of events to discuss and debate the key challenges affecting retail, wholesale and foodservice. Head along for sessions such as ‘Trend forecasting: lifting the veil’; ‘Liquid assets: the lowdown on Low2No alcohol sales’; and ‘Industry Heads Panel: Where are we now?’ hosted by broadcaster Louise Minchin and featuring some of hospitality’s leading lights. For those keen to get the inside track on ingredient trends the Education Lab promises to be a hive of activity. Everything from the game changing ingredients in sports nutrition to harnessing wellness technology is on the agenda in various cutting-edge panel discussions. On the Foodex Centre Stage, there’s insight into how the supply chain has responded to Brexit in ‘Beyond Brexit: lessons from the first six months’; Dr Gabrielle Walker leads the keynote panel debate ‘No Planet B: how can we move faster on sustainability’; and on the final day of the show, ‘Risky business? Mitigating 2021’s biggest threats’ offering a look into the growing number of risks food and drink manufacturers face. Registration is free and one badge will provide access to all six shows. Find out more and register today at: www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk. FOODEX features new level switches for maximum efficiency Ask any operator - some of the smallest parts of the process, like sensors doing the ‘simplest’ detection and switching, can cause big problems; overspills, feed supply run-outs or long hold-ups – especially when they struggle with the demands of modern production and recipe The new VEGAPOINT 24 level switches have the answer and they are full of useful features. Out of the box thinking with minimal adjustment Versatility, it’s really quick to deploy - this plug-&-play sensor can be installed easily in just a few simple steps - with no adjustment for point level, foam or interface detection. Fits like a glove It’s designed to fit in easily, with a range of simple, versatile process fittings and adaptors. The front-flush design is perfect for CIP cleaning and ‘pigging’ systems. Light up your life Indicates the process status where you need it on the plant, with a super-bright 360° LED ring, that is easily visible from afar. Reliable and robust With current trends for a multitude of various textures and tastes, which in-turn is increasing the demands on the technology necessary for the consistent production of our favourite flavours and foods, it easily masters the sticky and viscous. VEGAPOINT 24 means optimum visibility and reliability of processes – delivering durability, low life-cycle costs, partnered with ease of use and ‘easy to see’ indication, this makes it a truly ground-breaking and reliable point-level switch. If you would like to test or try a device for yourself, or just get more information e-mail demo.uk@vega.com. You can also visit www.vega.com/uk or call +44(0) 1444 870055. See us on stand BB61 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:03 Page 2new products, equipment and services to meet your business needs. To find out more, visit www.seafoodexpo.com/north- america. The NAFEM Show 26 – 28 August Orange County Convention Centre, Orlando, Fl The NAFEM Show is the world’s leading showcase dedicated exclusively to foodservice equipment and supplies. Here’s where attendees will discover the very latest in equipment and the industry’s top supplies. Applications to exhibit are being accepted now. To find out more, visit www.thenafemshow.org. Vertical Farming World Congress 20-24 September London & Online Bringing together vertical farming operators, investors, suppliers and customers, the 2nd annual Vertical Farming World Congress is designed to Food & Drink Expo 5-7 July NEC Birmingham The UK Food & Drink Shows offer a full portfolio of events covering food development, grocery, manufacturing, specialist retail, wholesale and foodservice. Food & Drink Expo will run alongside The Ingredients Show, Foodex, National Convenience Show, Farm Shop & Deli Show and The Forecourt Show. To find out more, visit www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk. Seafood Expo North America 11 – 13 July Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre, USA Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America is a leading trade event for seafood buyers in every market category including retail, restaurant, catering, foodservice and processing. Meet with suppliers from around the world and source the seafood, 54 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Events Food & Drink © Shutterstock /svetlanabalyn © Shutterstock / beats1 The Sweets & Snacks Expo 23 – 25 June Indiana Convention Centre, USA The Sweets & Snacks Expo is a can’t-miss event for thousands of confectionery and snack retailers, manufacturers and suppliers for a reason – here you’ll find all the product innovations, insights and industry connections you need to build a world-class in-store or online experience that will delight your shoppers. To find out more, visit www.sweetsandsnacks.com. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, readers should be aware that events may have been cancelled or postponed. All dates correct as of publishing, but please check beforehand. help develop and advance the sector’s future. The 2021 event will feature two days of online conference sessions and networking opportunities, with additional elements for those attending in person, including vertical farm tours, produce tasting, policy forums and training courses. For new entrants as well as industry leaders. To book, please visit the 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:04 Page 1registration tab. For more information, visit www.zenithglobal.com/events/vfwc2021. 18th Global Water Drinks Congress 19-21 October Gleneagles, Scotland Tour Highland Spring’s bottling operations, followed by two days of conference sessions, networking opportunities and a gala industry awards dinner in a spectacular setting that hosted a G8 Summit. Insights will be shared by leading international and regional businesses on the latest market and strategic developments, as well as by innovators and entrepreneurs bringing new ideas and taking up new challenges. To find out more, visit www.zenithglobal.com/events/gwdc2021. Lab Innovations 1 – 4 November NEC Birmingham At Lab Innovations, the industry will meet to launch its products and innovations to the UK’s leading gathering of lab professionals, suppliers and manufacturers. Lab professionals across all sectors will be able to discover sustainable lab initiatives, secure the latest tech, join exciting free conferences to earn CPD points and explore new ways of future-proofing labs. To find out more, visit https://bit.ly/2SFFzxj 14th Global Dairy Congress 22 - 24 June Online The premier industry event devoted to marketing and brands, consumers and innovation, designed for industry leaders, innovators, suppliers, customers and advisers worldwide. This 14th annual Global Dairy Congress will be hosted virtually, featuring two days of interactive conference sessions with a focus on the latest market developments, trends and opportunities, plus extensive time. To find out more, visit www.zenithglobal.com/events/gdc2021. Food & Drink International 55 www.fdiforum.net Personalised Nutrition Innovation Summit 28 – 29 June Online This Summit will provide the perfect forum for the CEO’s and founders of innovative personalized nutrition start-ups to meet with potential partners and investors. It will bring together CPG firms, supplement brands, and start-ups who are specialising in this space, to foster further partnerships and innovation. To find out more, visit www.personalizednutrition-usa.com/events. © Shutterstock / Spectral-Design 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:05 Page 2FEATURES Health, Safety & Hygiene Spotlight Cold Storage Packaging Engineering & Components Dairy Industry Meet The Experts Import & Export Next month in July 2021 - Deadline 16th June INTERNATIONAL Food&Drink Food &Drink Visit us at www.fdiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues? 56.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:12 Page 1Classified Often imitated… …never equalled You can feature your company in our hugely popular Online Directory with a description, contact details and a hyperlink If you would like further information please contact Sam Trott on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fdiforum.net/directory From field to fork, Food & Drink International is the voice of the industry. Food & Drink International 57 www.fdiforum.net Depositors Tel: 01282 440040 enquiries@riggsautopack.co.uk www.riggsautopack.co.uk Manufacturers of depositors & filling machines for the food production industry Labels Tel: 01482 506560 sales@datamarkuk.com www.datamarkuk.com • Self adhesive Labels • Lasersheets • Fanfolded Labels • Thermal Transfer Ribbons • Barcode Labels INDEX Online Directory Depositors Labels To Let w w w . fd if o ru m .n et • Superb Location - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre • Secure off street parking • High speed internet availability • Easy in/out terms • A range of affordable office sizes Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Ground floor offices to let - prime location in Grimsby To Let Online Directory To advertise your services on the Classified pages contact us on 01472 310302 57.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:13 Page 158 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FoodandDrinkInternational@fdiforum company/fdiforum Once more Food & Drink International provides your ultimate guide to the industry – making sure you’re informed on what’s going on and looking closer at what’s happening. Don’t forget to keep up to date via www.fdiforum.net! Online this month… www.fdiforum.net is the best place to for up-to-date food and drink industry news. Here’s a sneak peek at one of our latest stories. Tesco Grocery Home Shopping, the home delivery service from Britain’s largest supermarket, will cut its CO2 emissions by more than 7,000 metric tonnes in just one year thanks to the introduction of Lightfoot, a unique and innovative driver improvement technology, across its fleet of delivery vehicles. Tesco turned to Lightfoot – a UK-based clean technology engineering company, backed by Innovate UK – to proactively manage emissions as demand for its home delivery services soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more vehicles covering more miles. Now, within a year of the new technology deployment, Tesco will deliver a saving of 7,346 tonnes of CO2 across the UK and ROI. These savings are the equivalent to: * Powering 1,334 family homes for a year * Removing 1,598 passenger vehicles from the roads * Charging 893,586,881 smartphones * Recycling 312,569 bags of rubbish Diary Food & Drink June 8-9, Plant-Based Foods Value Chain Europe 2021, online 22-24, 14th Global Dairy Congress, online 23-25, The Sweets & Snacks Expo, USA 18-29, Personalised Nutrition Innovation Summit, online July 5-7, Food & Drink Expo, UK 11-13, Seafood Expo North America, USA August 26-28, The NAFEM Show, USA Stay in touch with Food & Drink International For more up to the minute information from the food and drink industry, visit Food & Drink International online at www.fdiforum.net. Keep up to date with Food & Drink International, and let us know what you think, by following us on Twitter at @fdiforum, at www.facebook.com/FoodandDrink International or by searching for fdiforum on LinkedIn. 58.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 11:13 Page 159.qxp_Layout 1 28/05/2021 09:34 Page 1Next >