< Previous40 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MICROBIOLOGY AND TESTING Microbiological testing can be slow but the consequences of an outbreak are anything but. Though memories may have been dulled by COVID, the years before saw a number of startling outbreaks in food products with dire consequences, and consumer and media attention now is even more focused on food hygiene. F ood makers already have many measures at their disposal which can be utilised in-house, such as ever more sensitive sensors that can be easily fitted into existing production lines. With advances in portable sensors, food makers are better able to detect the presence of foodborne pathogens such as E.coli, listeria and salmonella. Although some food companies, especially major global operators, will maintain their own in-house laboratory facilities for food testing, the majority simply can’t afford that expense or don’t have the space to spare. In these cases, companies will outsource to specialist food testing companies. Ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance Test now to avoid disaster later Test now to avoid disaster later 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:56 Page 1Food & Drink International 41 www.fdiforum.net MICROBIOLOGY AND TESTING UKASAccreditedServices Providing analytical services to the food and drink industry Testing includes: Microbiological analysis Nutritional declaration Allergen and Speciation testing Rapid DNA services by PCR and LAMP MICROSEARCH LABORATORIES, UKAS ACCREDITED AND APPROVED BY THE RSA SCHEME during the discovery of a pathogen is already a protracted process, but with added wait times between testing, it only draws the process out which could be difficult for food makers to mitigate in an increasingly competitive market. Advances in rapid diagnostics, however, have led to ever more efficient, accurate and swifter tests being developed to detect pathogens and contaminants and validate authenticity. Turnaround times are quicker, downtime for food producers and operators is reduced, and companies can implement recall plans and investigations quicker and more efficiently. This helps to protect 42 Á © stock.adobe.com/angellodeco 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:56 Page 242 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Food Care Solutions aims to help our clients achieve their aims. We have helped food businesses throughout the UK since 2003 with our services, including: • Food Safety and Food Quality • BRC and FSSC 22000 certification • Supplier Auditing • Training • Hygiene Inspections & Internal Audits • Complaints & Incidents Management Tel: 01933 276 400 • Mob: 07811 192545 • Email: fcs@food-care.co.uk • Web: www.food-care.co.uk FOOD CARE SOLUTIONS FOOD CARE SOLUTIONS customers, curb potential litigious action and reputational damage, and keep costs down. If a pathogen is detected in the test sample, then undoubtedly the batch that sample was taken from will be destroyed. Detecting that pathogen as early as possible means that the source can be more swiftly identified. Once that’s discovered, the source can be better ascertained. If, for example, environmental swab testing reveals that the conveyor system was the source of the contamination, steps can be taken to ensure its thoroughly cleaned or replaced and tested again to confirm whether production can resume. There will of course be production downtime during this process, but steps can be taken to ensure that no further batches pass through the same conveyor. Though testing is used during investigations in existing outbreaks, many food chain operators use it as a precautionary measure. It’s not that food makers are hoping to find contaminates or pathogens in their products, but rather want the peace of mind of knowing their products are safe. Should a pathogen then be found, they’re already in a better position to act. Routine testing is therefore advised, not only for ingredients and finished products, but for the premises and production lines themselves. Swabs can be taken of the entire production environment, from equipment, machinery and trucks to the growers of raw ingredients. Testing is a key preventative measure for food makers, but it also has a valuable role to play in new product development. With the testing of ingredients and prototypes, companies can undertake shelf life determination and, as previously mentioned, discover nutritional information for labelling. Products are recalled for a variety of reasons, though most commonly because of the presence of undeclared allergens such as soya, peanuts and gluten. Rigorous testing before products hit shelves can help to prevent future recalls and they cost they incur. There are plenty of sources where contamination can occur, whether that’s raw materials coming into contact from soil, sewage and live animals, in the slaughterhouse where meat is concerned, or in transit where food is improperly cooled or heated. Improper storage temperatures are doubly concerning for high risk foods such as dairy products, seafood, cooked rice, meat and poultry and prepared fruits and vegetables. Contamination also occurs during production, where chemicals used to maintain machinery can mix with foods, or pathogens can 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:56 Page 3Food & Drink International 43 www.fdiforum.net MICROBIOLOGY AND TESTING AstellBio manufacture thermal effluent decontamination systems (EDS) for sterilising up to 6300L per day. Visit AstellBio.com to find out more. AstellBio.com THERMAL WASTEWATER STERILISATION The AstellBio Sink & Autoclave Combo The perfect sterilisation station for autoclaveable materials and liquid waste The AstellBio Micro EDS A plumb-in effluent decontamination system which automatically sterilises wastewater using hea t Chemical sterilant and disinfectant free TheAs & Auto The perfect for autocla and m The AstellBio Sink Liquids washed down the sink are sterilised withheat before being despatched to thedrain develop on improperly cleaned machinery. There have been a surprising number of high-profile microbiology outbreaks within food products in the last few years, though the COVID pandemic has done a good job of making the consequences of them. Between September to December 2019, 167 people from twenty-seven states in the US were stricken with E. coli after eating contaminated romaine lettuce, resulting in eighty-five hospitalisations nationwide. Though no deaths were reported, fifteen of those sickened developed a type of kidney failure. This followed a similar one in 2018 from the same strain of E. coli from the Salinas growing region, and another the year before it. The issue arose because leafy greens like lettuce can become easily contaminated in the field by soil, water, animals and improperly composted manure. Contamination can also occur during handling, storage and © stock.adobe.com/Nathan Devery com 44 Á 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:56 Page 444 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net MICROBIOLOGY AND TESTING BOTTTLED& BBAGGGEDMMEDIIA Manufacturer of prepared culture media and associated products for microbiology. Find out more at www.sglab.com BESSPOKKE MEEDIA MANNUFAACTUURE PLAATE MMEDIAA CONVENIENCE YOU CAN TRUST. transportation and after all that, consumers typically eat it raw and while washing at home removes some bacteria, it does not eliminate E. coli. Last year also saw the outbreak of listeriosis in Spain, the biggest in the country’s history. In all more than two hundred people were taken ill, of which three died, after eating branded chilled roasted pork. Though the outbreak began in mid- August, and was declared over in October, arrests were made after the Spanish Civil Guard and law enforcement agency Europol found individuals were aware since December 2018 that some food products contained listeria but did not inform authorities and continued to sell them. In the UK, six people died from listeria infection after eating pre-packaged chicken sandwiches in hospitals. Through thorough testing, meat from distributor North County Cooked Meats was discovered to contain the outbreak strain of listeria. Along with sandwich producer The Good Food Chain, North County Cooked Meats went into liquidation and ceased trading. For the former, it was because the impact of suspending production during an inquiry was too great for it to remain viable, demonstrating the potentially huge costs that companies can face during outbreaks. Testing of any kind is no silver bullet, but rather one important part of wider efforts to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance. By regularly testing their suppliers, distributors, production line and products, companies can help to ensure they remain on top of any potential contamination and are better prepared to act should an outbreak occur. © stock.adobe.com/analysis121980 40-44.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:56 Page 5Food & Drink International 45 www.fdiforum.net PPMA TOTAL SHOW 2022 P PMA TOTAL Show 2022, the UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, is returning to the NEC Birmingham this autumn, and will take place from 27th to 29th September. The three-day event will provide a platform for innovation and live demonstrations of production machinery, act as a central hub for networking, expert knowledge and information share as well as present a rich showground of discovery for visitors seeking new solutions to enhance business performance. Comprising over 350 exhibitor stands, representing 2,000 brands and incorporating major exhibition brands Pakex and Interphex, visitors to Hall 5 will have unparalleled access to the most comprehensive collection of industry-leading production machinery and smart manufacturing equipment all under one roof. Showcasing the very latest in production-efficient technology, robotic and vision systems combined with state-of-the-art materials, containers and packaging design, the event caters for visitors from a wide range of sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, toiletries, building supplies, pet care, FMCG and contract packing. Visitors to the show will also benefit from a daily programme of educational and opinion-led presentations hosted at the onsite seminar theatre. Centred around the theme ‘The Future Of…’, the schedule of informative interactive discussions, debate, presentations and workshops will be delivered by respected industry experts who will share their knowledge, provide inspiration and offer their own insights into the future of the industry. PPMA Total Show 2022 will also play host to the PPMA Group Awards. Celebrating the best in machinery innovation, smart manufacturing and business acumen, the awards will be presented to winning and highly recommended companies during the final day of the show. Continuing the PPMA’s legacy to the future of the industry, ambassadors from PPMA Business Education Skills and Training (PPMA BEST) will be on hand during the show, engaging with visitors and presenting the charity’s pathway for supporting young people developing careers in engineering within the processing and packaging, robotics, and industrial vision industries. Commenting on the forthcoming show, Richard Little, PPMA Show director says: “We know our visitor audience wants to get close to the latest technologies – to touch and try, to discover new production-enhancing solutions and to speak one-to-one with product and applications experts from all aspects of production – and this is exactly what PPMA TOTAL delivers.” Richard continues: “We are immensely proud of PPMA Total Show’s long and successful history and the fact that this will be our 34th show clearly demonstrates we deliver a winning formula for both exhibitors and our visitor audience alike. This year’s event will be no exception, and I look forward to welcoming visitors when the show opens its doors again, walking the aisles, networking with peers and gaining inspiration from all the new technologies and live demonstrations on display.” PPMA Total Show 2022 is free to attend and visitor registration is now open. To pre-register your interest and receive your FREE visitor entry pass go to www.ppmashow.co.uk/visit or visit www.ppmashow.co.uk for more information. PPMA Total Show 2022 set to provide a platform for innovation, discovery, interactive demonstrations and information share 45.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:57 Page 1the world. Say you want to get the inside scoop on Turkey’s latest food and drink trends, discover new products, or meet fresh business partners. Where can you do all this, in one place, under one roof? WorldFood Istanbul. For visitors, the show offers a mixture of: exposure to new innovations and products hitting the market, access to international and domestic companies, and opportunities to forge relationships with suppliers and manufacturers. Speciality & Fine Food Fair 5-6 September London, UK The Speciality & Fine Food Fair is the home of fine food & drink discovery for buyers from across the retail, hospitality, foodservice, manufacturing, import & export, and wholesale sectors. Whether you’re looking for product inspiration for your business, or you’d like to learn the latest trends and insights from top industry experts, then you’ll uncover the ideas you’re searching for at the Fair. Labelexpo Americas 13-15 September Rosemont, USA Returning to Donald E. Stephens Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo 28-30 August Los Angeles, USA Whether you’re an independent owner, quick-serve restaurant operator, chef, caterer, baker, bar or nightclub operator, hospital, hotel or commercial foodservice personnel, join thousands of your peers at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, where you’ll have access to the hottest menu trends, state of the art design and decor, the best in business education and hundreds of the leading vendors and purveyors dedicated to serving the restaurant & foodservice community — all under one roof. Watch live culinary performances and awards ceremonies and listen in on roundtables. Emerging trends are abound on the show floor with hundreds of exhibitors and in exciting special events and pavilions. WorldFood Istanbul 1-4 September Istanbul, Turkey WorldFood Istanbul is the international exhibition in Turkey for the food and drink industry, with participating companies and visitors from Turkey, MENA and all over 46 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Events Food & Drink © stock.adobe.com/ terovesalainen London Packaging Week 21-22 September London, UK In an exciting move for the UK packaging sector, Easyfairs has launched London Packaging Week – a vibrant new home for collaboration, discovery, and innovation for the capital’s packaging community. The new-look event is a major evolution of the long- established Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging London event and will combine four targeted exhibitions: Packaging Première for the luxury products market, PCD for the perfume, make- up and personal care sectors, PLD for the premium and luxury drinks market, and Food & Consumer Pack. 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. Convention Center in Rosemont, IL from 13-15 September, the hotly- anticipated three-day show, Labelexpo Americas, is set to reunite the industry, with hundreds of live demonstrations, a digital embellishment trail, a two-day topical conference and two expert-led master classes. Aimed at label and package printing professionals, brand owners, label/packaging designers, this year’s © stock.adobe.com/ CStock 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:58 Page 1focus is on improving your converting business. Covering 5 halls, over 400 exhibitors are participating, including: ABG, Avery Dennison, Domino, Durst, Epson, Fujifilm, HP, Konica Minolta, Mark Andy, MPS, and Xeikon. Empack 14-15 September Ghent, Belgium The packaging industry will come together to meet, discover new possibilities and shape their next packaging or investment project at Empack. Thanks to the co-location with Transport & Logistics, Flanders Expo will become the meeting place for the entire supply chain in September: from design to packaging & filling and from logistics to transport. Vertical Farming World Congress 2022 19-21 September Brussels, Belgium Bringing together vertical farming operators, investors, suppliers and customers, this 3rd annual Vertical Farming World Congress is designed to help develop and advance the sector’s future. It is the most substantial dedicated event of the year, featuring two days of conference sessions, exhibits, local vertical farm tours, networking with key industry figures and presentation of the 2022 Vertical Farming World Awards. Low2NoBev 26-28 September London, UK Following a successful launch in 2021, the Low2NoBev show will receive even greater visibility this year and extend its reach and reputation by running alongside The Big Hospitality Expo at Olympia, London. Low2NoBev is the only dedicated trade show for the low and no-alcohol drinks sector and the change of dates and location reflect the growing importance of this market. From low-abv beers, ciders, wines & spirits to premium soft drinks, cordials and mixers, it will be the must-attend event for anyone who sources and buys low and no- alcohol beverages across retail, hospitality, convenience and the on/off licensed trade. Food & Drink International 47 www.fdiforum.net © stock.adobe.com/structuresxx PPMA Total Show 2022 27-29 September Birmingham, UK PPMA Total Show is the largest processing and packaging machinery exhibition in the UK. Showcasing the very latest in processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems, coupled with the latest innovations in materials, containers and packaging design, it covers the full spectrum of the industry; including food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, household products and toiletries, building materials and supplies, pet care, micro-brewery and distilleries, FMCG, as well as contract packers and more. Visitors also have the chance to network, source new ideas and solutions, and meet with potential new suppliers, influencers and technical experts alike, all under one roof. 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:58 Page 2FEATURES Machinery & Equipment Spotlight Packaging Materials & Design Loading Bays & Doors Dust Control Meat, Poultry & Seafood Microbiology Bakery & Confectionery EVENT PREVIEWS PPMA Show Future Food Fi Europe Next month in September 2022 - Deadline 17th August INTERNATIONAL 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? 48.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2022 14:58 Page 1Classified 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 Vicky Hunt 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. 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