< Previous30 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netPROCESSING SPOTLIGHTEliminate problem metalsVibratory FeederWWW.ERIEZ.COMEriez Magnetics Europe LimitedT: +44 (0)29 2086 8501 E: info@eriezeurope.co.ukEriez’ wide range of Metal Detectors, Magnetic Separators and Vibratory Feeders provide the ultimate solution to protect product purity and increase the efficiency of your process line – from the moment ingredients enter your plant to the time your end product ships. Improve quality control Protect machinery Protect reputation Eliminate downtime Save costsbottoming out of talented workers looms. Among its key recommendations to Government,the report calls to further facilitate innovation throughsupport for fundamental and applied research.Elsewhere the focus was on attracting and nurturingnew workers, as well as helping manufacturers withexporting, but innovation in processing was clearly apriority. A degree of forward thinking savvy andcollaboration with Government is needed if the UK isto capitalise on its food and drinks sector, rise abovethe current climate and continue its growth trajectory. This issue is hardly unique to the UK, witheconomies around the world evolving their foodprocessing industries. Investment into new technologyand materials and superior machinery is heraldingnew levels of efficiency and output. Though hardly anafterthought, the knock on effect is that a company’sproduction line is more sustainable and wastage isstymied. This, of course, is on top of its environmentalefforts all round. Shining a light on food processing reveals anindustry forever chasing efficiency, an industry with abig social and environmental conscious and onewhere innovation abounds. © shutterstock/alterfalter20-31_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:07 Page 11Food & Drink International 31www.fdiforum.netPROCESSING SPOTLIGHTWhile it didn’t spark an outcry like thehorsemeat scandal, the study onmislabelled fish conducted by theOceana institute did attract a greatdeal of attention, after the analysisof fish samples from more than150 restaurants and canteens inBrussels revealed that the fishserved was not the fishmentioned in the menu in over30 % of the cases.EU project ‘Labelfish’ forimproved fish labellingEven though the results werealarming, the problem wasn’tnew. Already in 2012, studies hadindicated that almost 40% of fishconsumed within the EU was not thespecies advertised. As a consequence,the EU initiated the Labelfish project inorder to improve labelling andtraceability of fishery products. The project resulted in EU regulation1379/2013 which came into force inDecember 2014 and requires fisheryproducts to be labelled with both thecommercial name and the scientificname. Moreover, the production method(e.g. aquaculture, freshwater fishing),the fishing gear (e.g. hook, trap, trawl)and the fishing area must be labelled.The Labelfish project made animpact: a study carried out in 2015showed a significant decrease ofmislabelling. According to the study,1563 samples from six Europeancountries have been analysed and under5 % were found to be mislabelled.However, the analysis only included fishproducts sold in supermarkets. Theproblem apparently still exists inrestaurants and canteens.US initiative against illegal, unreportedand unregulated fishing (IUU)In the USA, mislabelled fish is also abig problem. In April 2017 the journalConservation Biology published a studywhich examined more than 300samples from 26 sushi restaurants in theLos Angeles area over a period of 4years. The study found that 47 % of thefish samples were mislabelled. Halibut,red snapper and yellowfin tuna hadparticularly high occurrencesof mislabelling. The studyindicates thatthe situationdid notimprove inrecent years – despite stricterregulations following the “Initiative onCombating Illegal, Unreported, andUnregulated (IUU) Fishing andSeafood Fraud” which wasinitiated by former USPresident Obama in 2014.Fish remains to be one ofthe most counterfeited foods.A particular problem is thelong production chain fromcatching to filleting, processing andselling which often includes severalintermediaries from different countries.Modern technologies can help tocombat food fraud. For example,Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testsfor fish authentication allow authoritiesand manufacturers to detectmislabelling as part of their controlprocesses and so prevent them fromreaching the consumer. Also the so-called “block chain technology” whichwhile not a way of testing couldcontribute to greater transparency andthe traceability of fishery products inthe future through DNA markers whichcan be attached to every single productand act as a guarantor of openness andtransparency.Food Fraud:is this a common issue?Last year a study on food fraud attracted attention in Europe. One out of three fish dishesisn’t what is said on the menu. Consumers and authorities were justifiably alarmed and calledfor stricter controls. For more information,visit www.r-biopharm.com,email info@r-biopharmrhone.comor call +44(0) 141 945 2924.PHOTO: ADBOBE STOCKPHOTO: ISTOCK20-31_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:07 Page 12There is no faster-moving sector inthe food and drink industry thanpackaging. Once-upon-a-time theresponsibilities of packing were onlytwofold; protect the contents and sellthe product. Nowadays, things are a lotmore complicated. Consumer demandsand expectations have led to anincreased level of interaction, first withlabels and calorie counts, then withever more specific information on RDA’sand information on where the productwas sourced from. On top of that,conscientious consumers aredemanding that packaging have assmall an environmental impact aspossible. All of this must be donewithout compromising the integralelements of appearance, strength anddesign.Packaging has long been thedetermining factor in the success ofmany brands and this has changed littlein recent years. Consumers may now bemore conscious of what they desire, butscience still shows that aestheticallypleasing packaging catches the eye.and efficiency system that can workwith batches of well over 10,000individual products.If there’s one overarching principlethat has united the global food andbeverage supply chain in recent years,then it’s the move to more sustainablepractices. Consumers have demanded itfor some time, and technology has nowbecome commonplace enough to reachan affordable price for the majority ofmanufacturers. From a logistical standpoint, foodand drink generates plenty ofpackaging. It’s not simply a matter ofpacking products together andtransporting them as many productshave specific requirements, whetherThe trick now is in ensuring that oncethe customer’s attention is caught, theydo not put down the product. Packaging is evidence of the foodindustry attempting to balance itself, bethat through more efficient use ofmaterials or machinery, introducingmore environmentally-friendlyprocesses into play, or increasing theambient profile and shelf life of aproduct with the latest technologies.This has led to major overhauls of thepackaging process in many companies– and some find this a challenge.Investment costs for regulation andlegislation will always be a difficultfactor, especially with varying standardsacross the EU. These are necessitiesthat cannot be avoided however, and aslabelling is one of the fastest-changingsectors when it comes to changes inlegislation, it is something that manyare forced to quickly adapt to.Considering the large quantities offinished products that go through amanufacturing facility in any given day,there is also a necessity for a flawless32 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netPACKAGINGAPI Group opens new creativeHQ at Manchester AirportAPI has opened its new Customer Design Centre and Group Headquarters at theprestigious Voyager office building at Manchester Airport.With its global customer base and increasing focus on providing creative anddesign support services, it become essential for API Group to provide the rightenvironment for visiting brand owners and converters. The new HQ has been designed with a real focus on its creative space as well asproviding the ideally situated location. Situated in Airport City Manchester, Voyager is located directly next to thetransport interchange and within minutes of the passenger terminals, meaninginternational visitors will be able to walk from their plane to the new premises. The new HQ covers 3,500 sq ft, with its conference area and innovations room forming an integral part of the development. It will alsoprovide the base for the API executive team who will move from the current API Laminates manufacturing site at Poynton.For more information, visit www.apigroup.com.From theground upThe packaging sector remains strong, and recentinnovations have helped to tackle many problems thatcompanies face. 32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 1Food & Drink International 33www.fdiforum.netPACKAGINGIf you think you’ve seen this before, you’re wrongAsk us for a sample on 01274 68 55 66 or email marketing@nationalflexible.netthat’s a chilled environment, or agreater level of packaging material dueto a fragile nature. Of course, when itcomes to the packaging of the productitself, many fruit and vegetables, forexample, are packaged with acardboard tray and wrapped incellophane or film. This has been astandard for generations now, whichmakes change a difficult prospectindeed.The vast majority of companies in thefood and drink sector are having tomeasure and report on theenvironmental performance of theirpackaging. In fact, some companies areeven taking a more proactive approachby using packaging assessments at thedesign phase, which can offer anopportunity to reduce costs in theirsupply chains while also reinforcingtheir corporate social responsibilityactivities and brand image. All thisobviously has to come in addition tothe packaging remaining secure androbust throughout the supply chain.of Europe’s forests – up by 30% since1950. Although it has been used in oneform or other for many years, thecorrugated packaging industry iscontinually investing in newtechnologies to ensure it retains its toptable place.Innovative technology is improving in-store performance as well throughbetter print capability. High Quality PostPrint has transformed corrugatedpackaging from protective transitpackaging into multi-functional,colourful retail ready packs, withoutcompromising product integrity. Linersand coatings are also being developedfor corrugated material to provide evengreater food freshness and, with theadvent of modern corrugated processes,such as new flutings that offer up to23% storage space saving, it also offersmore efficient logistics managementthrough better use of pallets, resulting infewer vehicles on the road. 35 Á© shutterstock/GtsMany packaging specialists haveboosted their research anddevelopment departments toemphasise this new approach, andfocus is now on packaging that ismade from plant, food or otherwisesustainable material. One packaging concept that hasproven particularly popular in recentyears is that of corrugated. With a widerange of benefits, including an inherentflexibility, corrugated can be modifiedfor different crops and misshapenproduce, thereby reducing thepotential for bruising and skin damagethat can sometimes occur with rigidpackaging.Because over 80% of corrugated isrecycled, while new boxes are madefrom recycled material, theenvironmental footprint is very low.Where new fibre is used, it comes fromsustainably managed forests. Thiscommitment to responsible forestmanagement has made a hugecontribution to the increase in the size32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 2If you could improve your business with technology that no one else has, wouldn’t you? At Labelexpo Europe 2017, you’ll discover the most advanced label and package printing technology ever assembled. See it live in action.Enhance your existing machinery, increase efficiency, improve speed-to-market.Come to the show and you can accelerate beyond your clients’ expectations, overtaking every competitor on the way.GET OFF TO A FLYING START, BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT:WWW.LABELEXPO-EUROPE.COM| 4 DAYS | 9 HALLS | 600 EXHIBITORS | AUTOMATION ARENA | LINERLESS TRAIL | LABEL ACADEMY MASTER CLASSES | INKS, COATINGS & VARNISHES WORKSHOP32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 3Food & Drink International 35www.fdiforum.netPACKAGINGThese are totally stainless-steel professional items,extremely flexible to be used in the most differentsituations. Thanks to their most updated technicalfeatures, they have become essential to pack a certainnumber of products (Sauces & liquids food, meat, fish,vegetables…) in several fields of activity: fromrestaurant to gastronomy, catering, supermarkets etc.PARKERS FOOD MACHINERY PLUSPackaging & IngredientsUnit 6, Southern Cross Trad Est, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9SET: 0844 9802 428 E: sales@pfmplus.co.uk W: www.pfmplus.co.uk400mm Seal Vacuum Packer Inter-Com Square400 230vKingsmoor Packaging retains highestBRC grade for a consecutive yearSomerset-basedKingsmoor Packaging hasmaintained its AA gradeBRC certification for aconsecutive year. Under the revised issue 5of the BRC Standard forPackaging and PackagingMaterials, a AA grade isone of the highest awardsthat a business can achievewithin the certificationscheme. The certificationstreamlines the supplier approval process and makes it easier for food companies tomeet the requirements of the BRC Food Standard, while also helping retailers andfood manufacturers to adhere to their legal obligations.The standard specifies HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point), goodmanufacturing practices, plus the hygiene, safety and quality requirements forpackaging manufacturers who supply the food and consumer products industries.Managing Director James Hill said: “A consecutive AA grade shows ourcommitment to operating at the highest possible standards in producing qualitythermoformed packaging products. The achievement is credit to the hard work andresolve of the team here at KPL.”For more information, visit www.kingsmoorpackaging.co.uk.Combined with all of this is the challenge forproducts more than ever before is to stand outon the shelves – so the importance of adistinctive, high quality package is emphasised.However this distinctive nature has to go hand inhand with convenience in distribution and display.While creativity is all-important, products thatrequire distributors to obtain new pallets, retailersto invest in new display units and consumers torearrange their kitchen shelves are unlikely toprove particularly popular at any stage in thesupply chain.The packaging of many of the products onretailers’ shelves remain in the iconic anddistinctive designs they have kept for many years– but while their look hasn’t changed, thematerials used often have to create moreeffective, efficient and secure packaging. Toachieve higher shelf spacing is the challengefacing all producers. This is particularly so inconvenience stores where space is even morelimited. The use of mixed tray systems thereforehas great merit, allowing more variety, choice andrange of products. With an assorted range of© shutterstock/Moreno Soppelsa37 Á32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 436 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netREGISTER FOR FREE TODAYwww.easyfairs.com/PI-London www.easyfairs.com/LuxuryPackaging The UK’s most exclusive event for food & drinks packaging13 & 14 September 2017 | Olympia, London I have seen a lot of innovation so far and the talks have been really interesting and informative. It’s also good to see that others in the industry think what you do about such topical issues.Arun Thomas, Packaging Technologist, Lucozade & Ribena SuntoryonThe specialists in leak detection solutions.www.dynascan.co.uk info@dynascan.co.uk | +44 (0)1480 462142 32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 5cagesofstock".Nextdaydeliveryon2,500productsBrowseonlineatkitepackaging.co.ukFREEEssentialPackagingGuideCall02476420065EmployeeOwned"Wepurchasedthisasatrial,IwoulddefinitelyrecommendKitePackagingandthisproductforstretchwrappingpalletsofallshapesandsizes,wrappingplasticcratesandalsosmallandbigMatt-TrustpilotInnovia helps protect your productAll Innovia’s BOPP materials provideexcellent moisture barrier. The productrange also includes a spectrum ofoxygen barrier options (from 6 to 3200cc/m2.24hrs). Where hermetic sealing isrequired, specific coated films exist. Avariety of thicknesses are also availablefor the toughest transit requirements.“Protecting the product remains thenumber one priority of our customers.Maintaining the product’s qualitythroughout its shelf life is importantand in some instances, shelf lifeexpansion is desirable,” said AmaiaCowan, Market Development Managerat Innovia Films. Following a comprehensive scientific study, Innovia Films can also offer BOPP filmswhich have been proven to significantly reduce the migration of mineral oils intofoodstuffs, when compared to conventional plastic substrates. Propafilm™ RCU has beenshown to provide up to three years protection at room temperature. For more information, visit www.innoviafims.com.Food & Drink International 37www.fdiforum.netPACKAGINGLeibinger GmbH forms UK Partnershipwith PMC Engineering Solutions Leibinger GmbH, a leadingEuropean manufacturer of fillingmachines, has recently agreed apartnership with PMC EngineeringSolutions (PMCES) to provide fullUK sales, technical andengineering support.Leibinger have suppliedautomated machines worldwide tofill beer, wine, champagne, spiritsand soft drinks in any bottle orcan. Combining advancedtechnologies with mechanical main functions, ensure high dependency and reliability,easy maintenance and a long service life. PMCES’ management team are well established and experienced within the food,beverage (bottling/canning) and packaging industries. The company is excited aboutthe partnership with Leibinger (www.leibinger.eu) as it provides a platform for PMCES toestablish itself and expand its current activities. PMCES offer a wide range of support services including line design & layouts,feasibility studies, front end designs, equipment selection and turnkey solutions throughto installation and commissioning.For more information, visit www.pmces.uk.products there’s a greater chance of seeingsomething which will catch the eye. Forsmaller outlets, these assorted product traysprovide a creative way for retailers to offer awider product range in a smaller space.Pouch Packaging has been a silent player inthis market, with many large companiesincluding Kraft Heinz, Mars and others movinginto the sector. There are many reasons forthis change. Firstly, the lack of rigidity in thepackaging is a big selling point. Cans,cardboard and paper packaging are all verysusceptible to damage and harm becausethey need to conform to a rigid shape and socannot flex when pressure is applied. Thisleads to cans being malformed in transit orcardboard being punctured. Pouch packagingis typically made of puncture-resistantlaminated film, and many layers of it. Thisallows the material to flex and bend, taking onwater-like properties to avoid being damaged.While it does not offer the same protection tothe food inside, certain foodstuffs such assoups, ready meals or rice, do not fear beingjostled or malformed. They will simply flowback into shape. All of this works together notonly to reduce the chance of damage, butalso to offer longer shelf life and ensure theproduct remains attractive on the shelf anddoes not fade or become misshapen. Stand-up pouches can also be made from 100%recycled materials, adding an environmentalappeal to the design.As always, the packaging market is acomplicated and fluid creature, prone tochange and adaptation at a rate that defiesevolution. This is a necessity however, thanksto the ever-changing demands of consumers,which can at times seem whimsical indeed.Some trends such as environmental concernshave remained stable however, and are bestadhered to in early stages of packagingdesign. One thing is for sure, though themarket remains strong – there is still plenty ofroom for innovation. 32-37_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:09 Page 638 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netVISION, INSPECTION AND DETECTIONThe increasing demand for completeproduct integrity in the food and drinkindustry means that the productionprocess must now incorporate all-encompassing and effective inspectionto ensure potential contaminants arelocated and removed swiftly. Productconsistency – in terms of size, shapeand weight – is also essential. However,the industry must do this while retailersand consumers demand the supplychain moves faster than ever. It is nolonger reasonable or viable to expecthuman inspection to be fit for the task.The solution, as ever, lies withtechnology. This feature examines theways in which vision systems, ID readersand sensors are being employed tocomplete these tasks as quickly andeffectively as possible.There is only so much that humaninspection can achieve in anyproduction environment. Given thatfood safety is absolutely essential fromboth acommercial andan ethicalstandpoint, it isvital that anypotential for erroris eliminated. Thehuman eye is apowerful organ,but with theadvent of Machine Vision Systems weare entering an entirely new – andpotentially flawless – world. For themost part, food and drinksmanufacturers use Machine VisionSystems to carry out tasks such ascounting large numbers units on theproduction line, reading product labelsto ensure they contain accuratenutritional and allergen information,portion control, and testing for faults inthe packaging of a product which couldresult in contamination or degradation. These systems are also employedduring the initial stages of themanufacturing process to measureindividual ingredients, so detailedinformation is available at every step ofthe supply chain thanks to theirintegration with ever-moresophisticated hardware. 100% qualitycontrol is the bottom line, and virtuallyevery process from harvesting tosorting to packaging is now using thesetechnologies, significantly cutting downcosts while reducing the risk ofcontamination at every stage. The options in this area are certainlyAssuringQualityNobody is perfect but we demandsuch from food manufacturers. In aworld where a single gram out ofplace, or the slightest lapse can spelldisaster, how do manufacturers cope?38-43_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:12 Page 1Food & Drink International 39www.fdiforum.netbecoming more advanced, however –meaning contamination and mistakescan be spotted almost immediatelywithout the requirement of lengthydowntime or the need to destroy alarge number of products. Of course,product recalls are also something to beavoided, especially since they can fatallydamage relations with both customerand consumers.It is of course welcome news forthose using machine visiontechnologies, that they are becomingmuch more cost effective: multispectralcameras – a relatively inexpensivetechnology that is already usedfrequently in other industries – are usedto inspect large quantities of perishableharvested products such as freshvegetables, which they sort accordingto colour systems, while lasertriangulation systems are employed toensure that the volume of each unit isconsistent. The data is then processedusing the integrated hardware and anyundesirable products are rejected. Theincreasing availability of these systemsmeans that companies can ensuremaximum productivity whilst being sureof the quality of their products; swiftproduction can now take place withoutcutting corners. We are now looking at a situationwhere the machinery can inspect over3,000 small products per minute. Ifyou’ve ever wondered how foodmanufacturers make the products yousee on supermarket shelves soconsistent in size, shape, colour, andweight, and why there are now40 Á© shutterstock/Evru38-43_Layout 1 24/07/2017 11:12 Page 2Next >