Packaging spotlight Soups and sauces www.fdiforum.netNOVEMBER 2021 £3.50 STERLING Lean Operations Lean Operations INTERNATIONAL Food&Drink Food&Drink Depositors and filling 01.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:16 Page 1Packaging systems for the future of food gea.com/uk Contact us as fht.uk@gea.com Marination Preparation Processing Slicing Thermoforming Chilling/Freezing Bagging Reducing material, limiting wasteage • Thermoformers - PowerPak Range • Vertical filling & Packaging - SmartPacker Range • FoodTray 02.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:17 Page 1Contents November 2021 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Import & export10 Actively looking to expand its food exports, Morocco has embarked on a mission to grow awareness of its quality agriculture and reliable logistics. Packaging Automation Q&A14 We spoke to Packaging Automation about tray sealing and the forthcoming launch of their latest and most innovative high speed tray sealer to date – evolutionS Packaging spotlight16 Food and drink packaging has undergone a seismic shift over the last few decades as environmental pressure builds. Yet as well as the sustainability of packaging materials themselves, companies must also be cognisant of their production lines. Facilities management25 Facilities management is more than just ensuring the continual running of a processing line – it is ensuring the continual running of the workforce, and that has never been harder than in today’s tumultuous world. Depositors and filling 28 From flow to the viscosity of throughput, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to depositing and filling. Cold storage32 Temperature control is paramount for many industries, but even the smallest breach can cause huge losses for companies. 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: Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305, Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. MAIN: SHUTTERST OCK/AO NORI • TOP: VEGA CONTROLS L TD • MIDDLE: SHUTTERST OCK/PHOT OMA VENST OCK • BOTT OM: SEALED AIR Soups and sauces36 After demand for soups and sauces surged last year, brands will need to innovate to maintain momentum, capitalising on health- and eco- conscious consumers as well as those with experiential palates. Kecol Pumping Systems Q&A42 Food and Drink International recently spoke to Kecol Pumping Systems about the importance of viscous pumping solutions. Food service44 Food service hasn’t been easy with COVID-19 impacting the industry, and the start and stop nature of lockdowns hasn’t helped. Now with potential for more in the future, there are fresh challenges ahead. easyfairs 48 Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging London will showcase the latest developments in food and drinks packaging when it returns to the Olympia on 1 & 2 December. Events50 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world Classified 53 Food and Drink Diary 54 03.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:25 Page 1Morocco steps up to the plate to take on UK fresh produce market Morocco has announced it is stepping up to the plate with its fresh produce offering in the UK thanks to a new range of Moroccan products specific to the needs of the UK market, direct commercial relationships between operators, new lines of logistics and a new competitive situation towards continental producers. The UK has long been a major importer of fresh fruits and vegetables and now, with the UK no longer part of the European Union, trade agreements between Morocco and the UK have opened up a completely new environment ripe for the picking – and Morocco is ready to seize the opportunity. The announcement comes off the back of the launch of Morocco’s first agricultural and seafood product export campaign in the UK – FromMoroccoToUK – which builds on the existing long standing relationship between the two countries to position Morocco as a reliable, credible trading alternative for fresh, sustainable produce. 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Industry first as ROCOL secures Vegan Trademark for FOODLUBE range ROCOL has become the first lubricant and maintenance product manufacturer to secure the Vegan Trademark for 45 products in its FOODLUBE and PUROL ranges. The firm says the registration will help food manufacturers reinforce their vegan credentials and demonstrate a commitment to quality throughout the supply chain. ROCOL has one of the widest portfolios of food grade products in the market. The FOODLUBE range boasts ISO 21469 certification, Halal, and Kosher, alongside NSF approvals and accreditations. Now, ROCOL has become the first lubricants manufacturer globally to be registered with the Vegan Trademark. Managed by The Vegan Society, the trademark helps consumers identify products that are free from animal ingredients. It signifies that no animal or animal-derivatives or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) involving animals have been used in the product or manufacturing process, and that there has been no animal testing on product or ingredients, where this is controlled by the manufacturer. ROCOL Food & Hygiene segment specialist, Andy Howard, says this is a fast-growing area of the market that cannot be ignored: “The Vegan Trademark is the most recognised mark globally, and this is why we sought to register products from our FOODLUBE and PUROL ranges. “Using NSF-registered food grade lubricants in your manufacturing processes demonstrates a commitment to food safety. Choosing products that display the Vegan Trademark adds another layer of transparency to your supply chain by confirming that your vegan credentials extend beyond the ingredients used to manufacture your products. “Consumers are often left second guessing supply chains, which can result in lost sales of end products. Looking beyond ingredients and selecting products for machine maintenance that have the Vegan Trademark will help eliminate that doubt and give your products a competitive edge in the fast- growing free-from category.” 45 products in the ROCOL FOODLUBE and PUROL ranges now display the Vegan Trademark. New patented feature for Spiroflow’s iconic flexible screw conveyor Spiroflow’s flexible screw conveyor (FSC) now includes a new patented feature. To assist in the breakdown of conglomerated product during conveying, rotating cutter bars have been added, which are powered by the FSC’s drive motor. This will not only result in less agglomerated material in the end process, it will also prevent foreign objects from progressing through the conveyor and stalling or damaging the apparatus. Spiroflow has been synonymous with flexible screw conveyors for over 45 years. The brainchild of President Michel Podevyn who pioneered its early development, the FSC continues to offer a system that’s hygienic, low on installation and maintenance costs and high on efficiency and performance. “We tried various systems such as a rigid screw, which deposited metal contaminants in the end process, and vacuum, which was not the best for handling powder,” said Mr Podevyn. “I therefore looked at combining a screw with an open spiral to get mixing and conveying.” HEINEKEN UK delists all PET bottles from on-trade network, saving 170 tonnes of plastic per year HEINEKEN UK has delisted all PET bottles from its on-trade network as part of its sustainability commitments. The removal of PET for cider and beer will save almost 6 million PET bottles or 170 tonnes of plastic per year, the brewer said. It has also delisted all third-party PET SKUs from its e- commerce website, encouraging direct-supplied customers to switch to more sustainable alternatives like aluminium or glass that can be recycled. To further reduce environmental impact, following successful trials HEINEKEN UK is offering on-trade operators, festivals and stadia environmentally friendlier cups for events, as an alternative to single use plastic. Each reusable cup uses significantly fewer materials and lower energy consumption during its lifetime than producing the equivalent number of single use cups. They can be recycled in the normal waste paper streams, plus are biodegradable, compostable and repulpable. Andy Howard 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 1Food & Drink International 5 www.fdiforum.net news Kite Packaging attend NHS Supplier Awards ceremony due to their outstanding contribution Kite Packaging was recognised at the NHS Midlands Excellence in Supplier Awards 2021 held at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club for their supply of around 400,000 of PPE visors to major Midlands hospitals. The Midlands based packaging distributor galvanised their resources to react to the national crisis in March 2020 with such rapidity that their first visor prototype was complete within hours on the 24th March: three days after a first lockdown was announced. The employee share-owned business was nominated for the Supplier Innovation Award to celebrate this achievement. The team overcame considerable supply chain challenges, calling in favours with their contacts and sourcing new suppliers when required to create the amount urgently needed by NHS staff. Switch from oil to liquid gas serves up big savings for Tracklements Leading British condiments maker, Tracklements, has boosted its production capacity and enhanced its environmental credentials by switching its energy supply from oil to liquid gas from Flogas. The move to modern, efficient liquid gas-fired Fulton VSRT steam boilers is expected to cut the company’s costs by a significant 21%, whilst also reducing carbon emissions by almost 25% and nitrous oxide (NOx) levels by 75%. Tracklements looked to Foultons to specify a cutting-edge system that would help minimise its environmental impact. Fulton also recommended Flogas as a liquid gas supplier – one that could provide a reliable supply and trusted on- going service. Flogas and Fulton partnered to deliver Tracklements a full turnkey, end-to-end energy solution that also included all necessary ancillary equipment as well as service and training contracts. Commenting on the project, Jeff Byrne, aftercare and business development manager at Fulton said: “By modernising their steam raising equipment and changing their fuel type to liquid gas, Tracklements can expect an impressive 21% financial saving and a near 25% reduction in carbon emissions.” Jude Hurley, Business Energy Manager at Flogas says, “This is a great example of how a simple switch from oil to liquid gas can have a major impact, logistically, financially and environmentally. Not only will the company benefit from a more efficient, reliable fuel with fewer emissions, but it is also setting itself up perfectly for a seamless transition to renewable green gas in the future.” For more information visit www.flogas.co.uk Smart and connected production As part of its digital transformation drive for food and beverage manufacturers, all new SIG filling line systems and downstream units are now equipped with built-in bi- directional digital recipe management. The solution is also available as an automation upgrade which can be retrofitted to installed and existing SIG filling lines. Digital recipe management enables automatic recipe synchronisation across all relevant parts of the filling line including the downstream. For manufacturers, this means a significantly faster change to the next lot or product, considerably more flexibility in the production process, and ultimately helps to ensure a smarter and more connected filling plant. SIG’s new built-in capability also means that the latest downstream equipment for SIG filling lines can now make automatic format and volume changes. This seamless integration ensures manufacturers can utilise the full flexibility potential of their filling machines and is yet another way in which the company is helping its customers achieve digital transformation. Kingsmoor Packaging continues investment plans Leading thermoformed packaging firm, Kingsmoor Packaging, has continued their workflow investment plans following interruptions created by the pandemic. Prior to 2020, the privately owned family business, which has been designing and manufacturing award-winning bespoke and off the shelf plastic packaging for the food industry since 1990, had been on track to take full advantage of their facility improvements. With capacity now back to pre-pandemic levels, the company is now realising the benefits of their previous investments and has since continued with its improvement plans. “Back in 2019, we extended the toolroom and revamped our design and pattern making facility. With this extension, we also invested in new machinery to allow us to increase efficiencies and offer our customers more support with NPD,” said James Hill, Kingsmoor’s managing director. “We’ve seen an amazing increase in NPD and new tooling since spring this year and now all hope that we can put COVID-19 behind us and continue on this much more exciting and fulfilling path in taking the business forward again.” 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 26 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Project launched to tackle ‘greenwashing’ in food and drink sector A project to establish standardised metrics to measure environmental performance of the food and drink sector has been launched by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency – working in partnership with the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Waste and Resources Action Programme and the British Standards Institute – is aiming to make it simpler for businesses and for the public to understand the environmental performance of companies in key areas such as greenhouse gas reduction and resource efficiency. The initiative will help manufacturers to more effectively communicate their environmental performance to the public, minimising the opportunity for ‘green washing’ in which companies claim their products are better for the environment, or more responsibly sourced and produced than they are. Finlays Europe to fuel cold brew coffee boom with new UK facility Finlays, an independent B2B supplier of tea, coffee and botanicals, has unveiled plans to fire up the UK cold brew coffee market with a multi-million-pound facility in the north of England. The coffee extraction plant is set to begin producing cold brew coffee for branded and own-label suppliers to the UK and European grocery and hospitality sectors in 2022. The site is located next to Finlays Europe’s tea decaffeination facility in Hull and will allow Finlays to supply bulk concentrate, RTD cans and bag in box through ambient and refrigerated supply chain networks. Packaging formats will be flexible to suit a variety of customer needs while also maintaining Finlays’ commitment to sustainable sourcing. DPO launches “National Milk” in SIG carton packs with SIGNATURE packaging material Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) has introduced a new “National Milk” product range in SIG’s on-the- go combiblocXSlim carton packs with SIGNATURE packaging material, where the small number of polymers used is linked to certified forest-based renewable materials – an innovation in Asia. The combination of pure fresh milk and ingredients from local farms offers consumers premium quality and natural healthy benefits as a “Snack Drink”. Value is added by selecting local tropical fruits and premium vegetables such as Rainbow or Mahachanok mango and taro, which contribute to new taste experiences. These market innovations are available in SIG’s combiblocXSlim 150ml on-the-go carton packs and are aimed primarily at the younger generation and office workers, who are increasingly purchasing products via online delivery services during the Covid 19 pandemic. The objective is to offer them new drinking occasions and equally convenient and sustainable packaging solutions. SIG works closely with DPO to help the company meet the rapidly changing demands of consumers. SIG supports DPO in developing new concepts and products that combine sustainability and differentiation. PPMA Show 2021 celebrates great success as it leads the way to build back business The UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery event returned to the NEC, Birmingham last month following the cancellation of the 2020 Show. Hailed as a great success by exhibitors and visitors, over 250 exhibitors and 1,250 brands showcased the latest innovations in smart manufacturing, processing equipment and packaging solutions. The event attracted a solid audience despite the fuel crisis that no doubt affected visitors plans. “Notwithstanding the impact of the pandemic on all live events, the PPMA Show has once again proved to be a successful event for both visitors and exhibitors. We’re thrilled to have delivered our first live show since 2019 and evidence is that buyers have visited our event with active projects in mind,” said Show Director Richard Little. “Improving line speeds, efficiency and automation of lines has been of primary interest with manufacturing companies having the joint challenge of labour restrictions and increased demand for packaged goods from retailers. It’s great that the PPMA Show will help make a contribution to building back business.” © Shutterstock.com/ wavebreakmedia Tyson Foods investing $61m to expand Vicksburg poultry plant Tyson Foods is investing $61 million in its Vicksburg poultry plant as part of the company’s commitment to meet increasing demand for protein and deliver on its strategy of accelerating long-term growth of its retail brand. The Vicksburg facility makes fully cooked chicken products for foodservice and retail customers. The expansion will increase production capacity of chicken products for foodservice customers such as restaurants and schools. “The demand for convenient, high-quality chicken products continues to grow and there is no brand more trusted than Tyson – we are pleased to invest in our business as we invest in the great state of Mississippi,” said David Bray, Group President of Poultry for Tyson Foods The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements. Warren County and Entergy Mississippi are also assisting with the project. © Tyson Foods 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 3Food and drink for future generations We’ve just seen the return of BlasCymru/TasteWales, Wales’ largest international food and drink event, which was held under strict Covid-19 guidelines. BlasCymru/TasteWales, staged for the third time by Food and Drink Wales, the Welsh Government’s food division, brought together buyers, food industry professionals and a broad range of Welsh producers – from large-scale companies to artisan brands to showcase world-class produce and help open new markets and trade relationships. One of the main draws of the event was the conference, ‘Food and Drink for Future Generations’ which primarily focused on sustainability and climate change and inspired delegated to take action in their organisations and their lives to address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. Key themes that were highlighted at this year’s conference included ‘how Wales is addressing the sustainability challenge’ and ‘making food manufacturing more sustainable’, with keynote addresses from Adam Henson, Countryfile presenter and farmer, and Professor Mike Berners-Lee, author and leading expert in sustainability and carbon footprinting. During the event, over 200 products were showcased that highlighted the best of the best from across the industry. Products ranged from plant-based desserts to the UK’s first carbon-neutral potatoes and alcohol-free botanic drinks. These products have been boosted by a wealth of support on offer including start-ups through Cywain, product and quality development through Food Innovation Wales and training and skills development through Food Skills Cymru. There was also a chance to meet with industry professionals who were able to advise businesses on how to grow and accelerate with on-hand expert advice and knowledge at bespoke zones which included Innovation, Skills and Business, Cluster Network, Tourism, International, Sustainability, Investor, and Advanced Manufacturing. The two-day event, with key sponsor being Princes Limited, took place at the ICC Wales conference centre, adjacent to the world renowned five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, south Wales on 27 and 28 October 2021. For information about Food and Drink Wales visit gov.wales/foodanddrinkwales Food & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net news The Food and Beverage Challenges solved by PC pumps The many challenges faced by the food and beverage industry can be divided into three major areas - raw materials handling, production, and waste removal. Pumps are integral to the majority of food and beverage operations, and the progressive cavity (PC) pump can deliver efficient solutions to help producers increase productivity and reduce operating costs. 1. Handling shear-sensitive media without compromising quality The low shear action of the PC pump preserves the integrity of shear-sensitive products such as yoghurt, cream, yeast, ice- cream and sauces, removing the need to add costly additives downstream to restore product texture and appearance. 2. Batch and continuous dosing with high precision and repeatable accuracy PC pumps are ideal for batch dosing applications where a specific quantity of product must be dosed with high accuracy. PC pumps are virtually pulsation free so they meter additives such as flavours or colours in a smooth and continuous action, optimising product quality. Output is directly proportional only to the rotational speed of the pump elements resulting in excellent linear accuracy. 3. Gentle handling of solid particles PC pumps can handle solid particles without damage. The cavities formed between rotor and stator are neither compressed nor contorted in operation, i.e. ingredients such as fruit or vegetable pieces can easily be transported. 4. Viscosity PC pumps have excellent suction characteristics and can handle highly viscous or sticky products. For non-flowable products, auger mechanisms have been developed to constantly feed viscous media into the pump elements. As a result, media with dry solids content up to 45 per cent and viscosity in excess of 1,000,000 cP can be successfully handled. 5. EHEDG certified pumps fulfill the stringent demands of cleanliness To fulfill the most stringent hygiene requirements, SEEPEX offers EHEDG certified pumps with enhanced internal design to ensure residue free cleaning. 6. Hygienic waste removal Production waste can be removed in enclosed systems using PC pumps. Open hopper pumps with a feed auger and macerating knives chop and pump food waste in a single operation, reducing waste volume by up to 60% with OPEX costs considerably lower than vacuum or compressed air systems. T: +44 (0) 1935 472376 E: sales.uk@seepex.com W: www.seepex.com SEEPEX EHEDG certified pumps have a low shear action, making them ideal for sensitive foodstuffs such as yoghurt 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 4Chile’s Hortifrut acquires berry business in €241m deal Chilean fresh and frozen berry firm Hortifrut, has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of Atlantic Blue, a leading company in variety development, growing and sales of berries in Europe and Northern Africa, in a €241 million deal. Hortifrut has maintained a partnership with Atlantic Blue, based in Huelva, Spain, since the year 2000. The acquisition will allow Hortifrut to increase its growing area by about 20%, adding roughly 850 hectares across the three countries where Atlantic Blue operates, including 400 hectares in Spain, 248 hectares in Morocco and 200 hectares in Peru. The purchase of the hectares in Morocco will allow the company to complete the supply of its own blueberries in Europe year-round. Together with the successful production of raspberries in this country and Portugal, the firm follows its path towards the supply of the full berry category all year-round for its European customers. Natasha’s Law comes into effect Millions of people living with food allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease in the UK will be able to make safer choices about the food they buy as a new allergen labelling law comes into effect today (1 October). The changes, also known as Natasha’s Law, require businesses to label all food that is prepacked for direct sale with a full list of ingredients, with the 14 major allergens emphasised in the list. They were introduced following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died after eating a pre-packaged baguette which at the time did not require ingredients labelling. Products that will now need to be labelled include pre-wrapped sandwiches, fast food that’s already in packaging before a customer places their order, and supermarket items such as cheeses and meat from the deli counter that are already wrapped and ready to be served. 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on line Diageo to expand tequila manufacturing capacity Diageo is investing more than $500 million to expand its tequila manufacturing capacity in Mexico. The investment will see the beverage giant create new facilities in the State of Jalisco to support its growth in the tequila category. Álvaro Cárdenas, President, Latin America and Caribbean, Diageo, said: “In fiscal 21, Diageo’s tequila organic net sales grew 79% with the category now representing 8% of the company’s organic net sales. Growth was primarily driven by North America, where tequila is benefitting from its broad appeal across consumer occasions. “This exciting investment in Mexico will support our future category growth to meet Mexican and international demand. It will also allow us to continue surprising and delighting consumers with our amazing tequila portfolio.” Irish dairy cooperative acquires US cheese business Irish dairy cooperative, Ornua, has completed the acquisition of US cheese ingredients business, Whitehall Specialties Inc (WSI) for an undisclosed sum from Mason Wells, a private equity firm based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This acquisition complements Ornua’s US Ingredients division, Ornua Ingredients North America (OINA), and is central to Ornua’s long- term growth strategy in the US cheese ingredients market. OINA is a provider of customised functional cheese solutions for US food manufacturing and foodservice customers. This acquisition significantly increases OINA’s current position in the US cheese ingredients market expanding its production footprint across six well-invested facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. It will be an important enabler of Ornua’s long-term growth strategy, unlocking significant growth capacity and flexibility to support its existing and new customers’ ambitious growth plans. © Shutterstock.com/ Yeko Photo Studio © Shutterstock.com/ Brian Minkoff © Shutterstock.com/ Julia Sudnitskaya © Shutterstock.com/ 2188712 Northern Monk expands brewery’s production capacity by 280% A UK brewery is expanding its production capacity and creating new jobs, after securing seven- figure support. Northern Monk, based in Holbeck, has used the funding from HSBC UK to acquire a BrauKon 60HL Brew House, increasing the brewery’s production capacity by 280 per cent, amounting to an extra two million gallons of beer per year. The expansion will provide Northern Monk with the capacity to create up to 14 new jobs, in roles operating the new brew kit, as well as within the expanding business operations. The brewery will use its increased brewing capacity to aim to grow its volume of exports by 50% per cent over the next 12 months. 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 5on the shelf NOVELTEA partners with Destilería Serrallés to launch new rum into UK drinks market Award-winning alcoholic tea brand, NOVELTEA is celebrating tradition and life’s special moments with the launch of its new limited edition spirit in collaboration with renowned rum producer, Destilería Serrallés – La Fusión. The premium 11% ABV spirit is produced with a blend of 3-8 year aged Don Q Añejo Rum and the finest loose-leaf oolong and green teas cold brewed for up to eight hours, celebrating Spanish rum making traditions that span 155 years and six generations. With the WTSA crowning rum as the drink of lockdown last year due to it enjoying the biggest growth across all spirit categories during this period?, NOVELTEA hopes to tap into the everyday drinking moments of modern rum lovers by offering a contemporary tea twist. New brand brings the carnival to Waitrose and Asda with street food range A new and exciting brand Carnival Kitchen is bringing a street food inspired range to consumers this autumn, with a selection of tantalising flatbreads, pies and bites that are bursting with flavours from around the world. The range, which is set to launch into selected UK Waitrose and Asda stores from 29 September and 18 October respectively, has been designed to provide shoppers with world street food adventures from across the globe featuring explosive flavours – from India to Thailand and Mexico to the East Coast, USA. The products have been made specifically to be eaten hot or cold and are ideal when heated in a microwave or oven. They can be consumed at home and on the go, making them perfect for snacking as well as a great light meal alternative. Nestlé unveils vegan egg and shrimp alternatives Nestlé is further expanding its plant-based food portfolio with the launch of plant-based alternatives to egg and shrimp. Launched under Garden Gourmet vEGGie, the plant-based alternative to eggs is vegan, contains soy protein and omega-3 fatty acids and achieves a Nutri-Score A in Europe. Nestlé said it can be scrambled like real eggs, used in a frittata and pancakes or even as an ingredient when baking cakes or cookies. Additionally, Nestlé expanded its plant-based seafood offerings with the Garden Gourmet Vrimp. It is made from a combination of seaweed, peas and konjac root. It is a source of fibre and comes with a Nutri-Score B in Europe. The Garden Gourmet Vrimp follows the successful launch of Garden Gourmet Vuna which is now available in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. One of world’s best bars to launch RTDs in UK Heads + Tails, the London bar recognised in both the ‘UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars’ and ‘The World’s Top 500 Bars’, will launch a collection of nine premium small batch cocktails on 20th October across three categories; ‘Fun & Fruity’, ‘Contemporary Classics’ and ‘Serious & Stirred’. The cocktails are designed for both commercial and consumer markets with availability in two formats a large single serve measure (10cl rrp £7.99) and a larger bottle serving six (50cl rrp £34.99) with each expression offering a striking individual design that captures the personality of the bar and the cocktail it contains. “We have always been proud of being recognised for making some of the world’s best drinks so making them available beyond our bar was the logical yet challenging next step,” said Chris Dennis, Director, Heads + Tails. With the help of our gifted and experienced bar team we’ve created an extensive and varied range of well- known classics and creative twists.” Food & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net Tel: 020 8446 7127 | Email: info@halalfoodauthority.com | www.halalfoodauthority.com | halalfoodauthorityUK | @HFA_UK Established in 1994, we specialise in the Halal Certification of Beverages, Dairy, Confectionery, Food Ingredients Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. We also certify Chicken, Lamb and Beef Slaughterhouses, Cutting Portioning/Further processing plants and Ready Meals manufacturers. We are accredited to certify in the Gulf region including UAE (ESMA), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and all other Middle Eastern countries. HFA's Certificate is recognised in Malaysia (JAKIM), Indonesia (MUI), Singapore (MUIS), Turkey (GIMDES), Thailand (CICOT), Pakistan, OIC (SMIIC) and the rest of the world. © Nestlé 04-09.qxp_Layout 1 26/10/2021 12:29 Page 6Next >