Food and Drink International

New opportunities New opportunities INTERNATIONAL Foodservice Depositing and filling Import and export1($5,1)5$5('02,6785( 2,/'(7(&7,21 z|~Ѹrq~Ѹq҄nҋyv Ѹ{vѸ~v{ҕ {҄~rҋrqyҋ{ssv҄vr{҄§~Ѹq҄ nҋyv Ѹr~{r~ҕѸ§rҋrq ~Ѹq҄ ~r҄vr~v{ҕѸ{~Ѹy ąąąɟÑÙ¸ìôô£µɟÙÑ zrҋ~rzr{ҋ{q҄Ѹ{~ѸyѸyvѸ{¯ yvsvrv{{ѸҋvѸ{~ryvҋpvyvҋ{q 1,51RQ&RQWDFW'HVLJQLV8QEHDWDEOH 7rҋ~®v{s~ҋ~rq©7 ªr҄u{ѸyѸҕuҋrzr~ҕrqҋҋ|Ѹr~syѸѸysѸ~zѸv~r zrҋ~rzr{¯{yvxrzҋ{ҋyѸ~qr~҄vrrv{ҕzruѸq7 r{Ѹ~ҋ{ҋyr zѸv~ryrryv{~rҋyvzrv{ҕyvҕuҋpѸ~|vѸ{¯uv{Ѹ{®҄ ҋ||~Ѹҋ҄u|~rr~r|~Ѹq҄v{rҕ~vҋ{qryvzv{ҋrurҋrҋѸ҄vҋrqvu qҋ{҄rqr{Ѹ~qrvҕ{rqsѸ~sѸѸqr{v~Ѹ{zr{srҋ~r~Ѹp҄Ѹ{~҄vѸ{Ѹ vuҋ{q~vҕѸ~Ѹ҄Ѹ{qvvѸ{ҋyѸ{ҕvuҋyҕѸ~vuzuҋr{~r|~r҄vrzѸv~r ҄ҋyvp~ҋvѸ{¯urrv{{ѸҋvѸ{ҋyyѸzҋ{sҋ҄~r~ѸѸ~rzyv|yr|~Ѹq҄҄Ѹqr r{ҋpyv{ҕrҋzyrҋqwzr{q~v{ҕ|~Ѹq҄vѸ{ҋ{qr{~v{ҕ҄Ѹ{vr{҄ҋ҄~Ѹ ˚ǴǴǱǱǳǸɱǶǸǰǴǱǳ |~vѸ~vvrv{ursѸѸqzҋ{sҋ҄~v{ҕr҄Ѹ~¯҄҄~ҋry zѸ{vѸ~v{ҕҋ{q҄Ѹ{~Ѹyyv{ҕzѸv~ryrry҄ҋ{||Ѹ~pѸuҕѸҋy¯Ѹ~v{ҋ{҄r~rҋy®vzrzѸv~rqҋҋҋyyѸsѸ~ |~r҄vrҋqwzr{Ѹr}v|zr{҄uҋq~r~ҋ{qѸr{¯uv{ѸѸ{yr{~rѸ|vzҋy|~Ѹq҄}ҋyvpҋyѸ v|zr{~ҋv{Ѹ~|~Ѹq҄v{҄Ѹ{vr{҄vr¯ '(7(7(&7,21 ҄nҋyv Ѹ{vѸ~v{~v{ҕ ssv҄vr{҄§~Ѹq҄ Ѹ§rҋrq y r{ҋ{q҄Ѹ{Ѹ{~ѸyѸyvѸ{¯ {ѸҋvѸ{~ryvҋryvҋpvyvҋ{q 1($5,1)5$5('0 Ѹvr҄uѸ~|¯vurҕyѸpҋyyrҋqr~v{{ ur҄v{ҕ®rqҕr ̦±±±r~vrzѸv vҕ{vsv҄ҋ{҄Ѹ®ҋv{ҕpr{rsvsѸ~v{q 3URGXFWLRQ(IILFLHQF\DQG:DVWHHQF\DQG:DVWHDQG:DV 7 7 rҋqr~rҋqr~rҋq Ѹv~r rҋ~rzr{s~ѸzҋpѸv{r{r~r rҋ~rzr{s~Ѹzҋp Ѹv~ rҋ~rzr{s {r~ҕrssv҄vr{҄ҋ{qҋr~rq҄vѸ{ҋ~rv{҄~rҋҋ{r~rq҄vѸ{ҋ~rv{҄~rҋ 1RQ&RQWDFW,QVWDQW$FFXUDWH UDWHRQ&RQWDFWW,QVWDQW$FFXUDWH 5HOLDEOH0RLVWXUH/HYHOV'LUHFWO\RQHFWO\DEOH0RLVWXOH0RLVWXUH/HYHOV'LUHFWO\ WKH3URGXFWLRQ/LQHRQ/LQH3URGXFWLRQ zѸ ¯ LV8QEHDWDEOH8QEHDWDE zr~ҕrqҋҋ|Ѹr~syѸѸysѸ~zѸv~rѸѸysѸ~zѸҋ|Ѹr|Ѹҕrq ~҄vrrv{ҕzruѸq7 r{Ѹ~ҋ{ҋyr7 r{Ѹ~rv{ҕzrr ҋpѸ~|vѸ{¯uv{Ѹ{®҄Ѹ{ҋ҄{Ѹ{®v{ҋvr҄Ѹ{ҋ҄{ѸҋpѸ~|vѸ{¯uvuv ҋ{qryvzv{ҋrurҋrҋѸ҄vҋrqvuҋ{qryvzv{ҋrurҋ r{v~Ѹ{zr{srҋ~r~Ѹp҄Ѹ{~҄vѸ{ѸѸ{zr{srҋ~r~Ѹsrҋ~Ѹ{zr~Ѹp҄Ѹ{~҄ uҋr{~r|~r҄vrzѸv~ruҋr~rҋr zҋ{sҋ҄~r~ѸѸ~rzyv|yr|~Ѹq҄҄Ѹqrv|yr|~Ѹq҄҄Ѹ ҕ|~Ѹq҄vѸ{ҋ{qr{~v{ҕ҄Ѹ{vr{҄ҋ҄~Ѹq҄vѸ҄Ѹ{vr{҄ҋ҄q҄vѸ{ҋ{qr{~v{ҕ҄Ѹ {ursѸѸqzҋ{sҋ҄~v{ҕr҄Ѹ~¯҄҄~ҋry ҋ{҄r~rҋy®vzrzѸv~rqҋҋҋyyѸsѸ~ r{~rѸ|vzҋy|~Ѹq҄}ҋyvpҋyѸ r{~ҋv{Ѹ~|~Ѹq҄v{҄Ѹ{vr{҄vr¯ ҄Ѹ{~҄vѸѸ{~҄v |~r҄vrzѸv~r҄vrzѸ |yr|~Ѹq҄|yrr|~Ѹq҄ Ѹ{vr{҄ҋѸ{vr{ ˚ǴǴǱǱ 1,51RQ&R1 7rҋ~®v{s~ҋ~rq©7 zrҋ~rzr{¯{ zѸv~ryrryv{ ҋ||~Ѹҋ҄u|~rr~ ~ҋqvvѸ{ҋyrv{ҕ qҋ{҄rqr{Ѹ~ vuҋ{q~v ҄ҋyvp~ҋvѸ{¯urr r{ҋpyv{ҕrҋzyr pҋ҄ur¯ zѸ{vѸ~v{ҕҋ{q҄Ѹ{~Ѹyyv{ҕzѸv~ryrry҄ҋ{||Ѹq҄Ѹ{~Ѹyyv{ryv~r |~r҄vrҋqwzr{Ѹr}v|zr{҄uҋq~r~ҋ{qzr{Ѹr}҄u{҄ҋq~ zv{vzvrr{r~ҕ҄Ѹ{z|vѸ{ҋ{q~rq҄rqѸ{vzrҕ҄Ѹ{zҋ{q~҄r ҄Ѹ{qvvѸ{ҋyѸ{ҕ v{{ѸҋvѸ{ҋyyѸ vuҋyҕѸ~vuzҋyҕѸ~vuz zҋ{sҋ҄~r~Ѹsҋ҄~ ҕѸ~Ѹ urrContents November 2025 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Taj Foods Q&A12 Food & Drink International sits down with Jimal Solanki, International Sales Director at Taj Foods, to learn more about the UK & Europe’s leading ethnic frozen food brand and award-winning market leader. Import and export14 The “Kitchen of the World,” Thailand is a food industry powerhouse and major exporter, benefiting from its natural resources and diverse raw materials, rich culinary heritage, strategic location, and a local push to meet global demands and trends. Packaging spotlight18 From bio-films and dopaminergic graphics to agile machinery and smart labels, today’s packaging trends are rewriting how products appeal, perform, and persist in a discerning, eco-aware marketplace. • Kite Packaging Q&A Facilities management24 The age of connected facilities has arrived. Across factories, warehouses, and logistics hubs, data is becoming as vital as power — driving a quieter revolution in how workplaces run. Depositors and filling 28 Food manufacturing has never moved faster, but precision filling and depositing machines are learning to slow down in the Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305 Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. Main: stock.adobe.com/noirchocolate • Top: stock.adobe.com/ModernFiles • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ cgdeaw • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ Maryna right places, protecting the texture, taste and integrity of the products we trust most. Soups and sauces32 From fast-paced lifestyles to heritage-rich flavours, the modern soups and sauces sector blends automation with artistry, redefining comfort food for a global and environmentally conscious generation. Cold storage35 From frozen foods to life-saving medicines, the global cold chain works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep goods safe, fresh, and trustworthy. As technology, regulation, and sustainability demands reshape the industry, cold storage is now the heartbeat of modern logistics. Foodservice 38 From sustainable sourcing to smart kitchens, the UK’s foodservice industry is redefining what it means to feed a nation. Diners want more than a meal. They want meaning, transparency, and experience. Events42 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink diary 46Fyffes sells Sol melon business to Martori Fruit and fresh produce company Fyffes has agreed to sell its entire Sol melon business, including farms in Honduras and Guatemala and the distribution business in Miami, Florida, to Martori, a fourth generation, family- owned grower, packer, and shipper of premium melons. Martori Farms, with deep roots in Arizona and California, is known for its signature melons: Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Traditional Honeydew, Golden Honeydew, and the Kandy Lemon Drop Melon. With this acquisition, Martori Farms will offer a year-round supply of melons, strengthening its position across the USA and Canada, while Fyffes is able to sharpen its focus on core perennial categories—bananas and pineapples. “Our goal has always been to deliver melons that exceed consumer expectations—melons that delight with flavour, appearance, and reliability,” said Steve Martori III, CEO of Martori Farms. “The acquisition of SOL Group allows us to extend that promise across all 12 months of the year, while working with an extraordinary team of growers who share our dedication to quality and sustainability.” 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Cheese-making equipment re-launch to empower Britain’s artisan dairies Western Mechanical Handling UK Ltd (WMH) has relaunched its specialist range of cheese-making equipment, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Britain’s growing community of artisan and farmhouse dairies. Originally developed in collaboration with Cornish dairies in the 1980s, WMH’s cheese-making equipment has been refined to meet the evolving needs of today’s producers. The updated range includes pneumatically powered cheese presses (single to five-station models), mobile and VAT-mounted curd mills with electric drives and safety interlocks, stainless steel cheese moulds in top-hat style (available from 1kg to 20kg), and fully insulated waxing troughs with removable liners for easy cleaning. Each item is built from certified food-grade materials and high-quality stainless steel, ensuring durability and hygiene in demanding dairy environments. WMH’s equipment is engineered with the busy cheese-maker in mind — straightforward to operate, easy to clean, and robust enough to withstand daily use. Artisan cheese-makers are invited to explore the range and discover how thoughtful engineering can enhance traditional dairy practices by visiting: www.wmh-uk-ltd.com/core-areas-of- expertise/cheese-making-equipment/ Clean Food Group acquires one million litre fermentation facility Clean Food Group (CFG), a UK food tech business focusing on the manufacture of sustainable oils and fats through fermentation, has acquired the assets of Algal Omega 3 (AO3), following its fall into administration. The acquisition provides CFG with immediate access to one million litres of fermentation capacity, which the group says positions it as the world’s largest manufacturer of yeast fermentation-derived sustainable oils and fats. The 12-acre site in Knowsley, Liverpool city region, already recognised as a centre of biotech excellence, includes extensive R&D facilities and significant opportunity for future expansion. CFG has already validated commercial-scale production at the facility, manufacturing two tons of oil in a recent fermentation run. Food manufacturing veteran Bill Thurston, former managing director of Dawn Foods, CSM Bakery and CFG NED, has been appointed managing director of the Knowsley facility. Bill has extensive oils and fats experience, having led the acquisition of Unilever’s edible oils and fats business as CEO of CSM, and served as MD of Arkady CraigMillar. Bill will lead a senior manufacturing team on-site to oversee operations and integration with immediate effect. Alex Neves, CEO of CFG, said: “With this acquisition, we have fast-tracked our route to market, leapfrogging the traditional, capital-intensive path from pilot to demo to new build commercial plant, which can take years and cost upwards of US$100 million. “With commercial-scale validation already established at our new Knowsley facility, Clean Food Group is ready to capitalise on the US$20 billion market opportunity ahead, and to advance its planned Series A funding round, now expected for H1 2026. “This is not just the opening of a fermentation plant, it is the dawn of a new era in UK biotechnology, one that places the Liverpool city region at the beating heart of the new Bio Industrial Revolution.” Tech firm secures multi-site AI deal with Hovis Tech firm IntelliAM has secured a major expansion to its commercial partnership with bakery brand, Hovis. The expanded contract – which represents a ninefold increase on the original agreement – will see full deployment of the IntelliAM platform across multiple manufacturing sites. It will also include integration of IntelliAM smart sensor interfaces across production lines, alongside ongoing consultancy services to drive measurable gains in reliability, productivity, and asset availability. The anticipated productivity improvements are expected to deliver full return on investment within the first year, accelerating Hovis’ journey towards AI- powered, proactive manufacturing excellence. Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM, said: “This expanded contract represents a significant milestone for IntelliAM, validating the commercial value of our AI-driven solutions. We are proud to be deepening our relationship with Hovis and to be helping them lead the way in transforming UK manufacturing productivity.” Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM Image courtesy of Fyffes Bill Thurston at the facilityTrusted by professionals worldwide, Teknomek manufactures hygienic furniture and equipment tailored to the highest industry standards. •Uncompromising quality & service •Innovative, easy-to-clean designs •Competitive pricing •Bespoke and customised solutions Contact us today: teknomek.co.uk +44 (0)1603 381 177 Leading the way in hygienic designMajor expansion for The Original Baker with multi-million pound investment The Original Baker, an artisan producer of handcrafted sweet and savoury pastry products, has completed a major expansion project following substantial investment from the Olidor Group. The funding has doubled production capacity, enabled the launch of new product lines, and created a wave of skilled and entry-level job opportunities. The investment has included the construction of an additional 22,000 sq ft of production capacity at The Original Baker’s North Malton site, plus investment into new equipment and enhanced logistics capabilities to support expansion into e-commerce providing products to smaller independent cafes, retailers and delis. “This is a landmark moment for The Original Baker,” said Mike Walker, managing director. “The investment from the Olidor Group has enabled us to grow sustainably while staying true to our artisan roots. This expansion has strengthened our position as the leading producer of artisan premium pastry and created rewarding careers for talented people in our community.” 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Truffle specialist breaks into Southeast Asian markets TruffleHunter, a business from South Cerney in the Cotswold District, has expanded into new international markets thanks to UK Export Finance’s Small Export Builder (SEB) facility. The speciality food company, which produces truffle-based products and gourmet ingredients, has used the government-backed export insurance to secure contracts worth £22,500 in Malaysia and the Philippines – markets where commercial insurance wouldn’t offer cover for smaller value exports. Hugh Francis, Export Finance manager for Gloucestershire, said: “TruffleHunter’s success demonstrates exactly why we launched the Small Export Builder, which is to help smaller businesses access markets that commercial insurers won’t cover. The beauty of this facility is that it grows with the business, allowing them to build confidence and trading relationships incrementally.” Nigel Whitehouse, CEO of TruffleHunter, said: “The Small Export Builder has been a game- changer for our business. The inability to secure commercial insurance for smaller value orders was a real barrier to access new markets for us like Malaysia and the Philippines. “UKEF’s support has given us the confidence to diversify our export base, enter new territories and build relationships with buyers we simply couldn’t have worked with before.” Hilton Food Group sells catering butcher Fairfax Meadow in £54m deal Hilton Food Group, the international multi-protein food business, has sold Fairfax Meadow Europe Limited to food distributor Sysco GB Ltd. The deal will result in Hilton Foods receiving gross cash proceeds of £54m. The transaction includes a three-year supply agreement with Hilton Food Solutions, ensuring continuity of supply of the meat products that it provides to Fairfax Meadow. Fairfax Meadow is a major catering butcher employing 360 people with operations in Derby, Eastleigh, and Enfield. It will add additional meat manufacturing capability to Sysco GB and build on the recent acquisition of Campbell’s Prime Meat, which operates across Scotland and the north of England. Fairfax Meadow will continue to operate as a separate business, but will now have the added benefit of specialist foodservice support with Sysco’s operating companies offering new routes to market, while they will benefit from Fairfax Meadow’s expertise in meat processing. Amcor reusable solution wins RECOUP Award Amcor, a developer and producer of responsible packaging solutions, has been awarded the RECOUP Award for Best Plastic Product – Development for Recyclability and Re-Use, for its innovative range of reusable cups. The objective of the reusable cup and lid range is to optimise the design process with sustainability in mind, incorporating both reusability and recyclability while still offering businesses the opportunity to make their brand stand out with a high-quality packaging solution. “In the foodservice industry – particularly the events and takeaway sectors – there has been increasing demand for alternative solutions to single-use packaging,” said Uwe Zinnert, sales director reusables of Amcor. “We’re delighted that our range has been recognised by RECOUP, an organisation that understands the nuances of reusable packaging. Their recognition is a powerful statement about the benefits of our solution.” The cups are available in 250 ml, 350 ml and 450 ml sizes for hot drinks and soups and 300 ml, 400 ml and 500 ml sizes for cold drinks, to meet differing market and product requirements. Crafted from polypropylene, the cups are stackable, dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, and can be used repeatedly. Their innovative heat-insulating ribs ensure comfort and stability for both hot and cold drinks, and the availability of customizable In-Mold Labelling offers enhanced decoration capabilities. When they reach the end of life, the mono-material PP cups remain a valuable feedstock and can be recycled in a dedicated recycling stream in countries with the appropriate recycling infrastructure. A notable option for the range is the option of embedded RFID chips or unique QR codes, which make the cups easy to track, manage and reuse. In particular, the RFID chip can enable the setting up of streamlined automatic return deposit and refill systems, as well as efficient cup maintenance through wash cycle tracking and inventory management. Black winter truffles (TruffleHunter)Food & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net news Zeus Packaging Group acquires Simpac Zeus Packaging Group, the global packaging company, has acquired Simpac Limited, the paper sack and packaging manufacturer. Founded in 1903, Simpac has established itself as a market leader in fibre-based packaging, supplying bespoke paper sacks, branded food wraps, carrier bags, and sustainable e-commerce mailers to some of the UK’s largest retailers, food businesses, and agricultural producers. Operating from facilities in Hull and Glasgow with over 130 employees, Simpac generates revenues exceeding £30 million. By joining forces, Zeus customers gain access to Simpac’s specialised manufacturing expertise and next-generation sustainable products, while Simpac’s customers benefit from Zeus’ European supply chain infrastructure, global procurement strength, and advanced manufacturing capabilities across corrugated packaging, film extrusion, tapes and labels, and retail bag production. Damm opens first brewery outside the Iberian Peninsula Spanish brewing business, Damm has officially opened its first brewery outside the Iberian Peninsula – The Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford, England. Strategically located between London and Birmingham, the site ensures efficient logistics while aligning with the group’s sustainability goals. Since acquiring the historic brewery in 2022, Damm has invested more than £70m in a complete modernisation featuring a state-of-the-art canning line, an additional brewstream, almost doubling capacity to 1.8 million hectolitres per year, with a target of 2 million by 2027. Jorge Villavecchia, managing director of Damm, said: “Our commitment goes beyond capital investment. We are bringing skills, innovation and a vision of how industry must evolve to remain competitive: more digital, more sustainable, more resilient. “This country has shown, time and again, its ability to adapt and emerge stronger from adversity. That is why we believe that our decision to invest in Bedford will contribute not only to Damm’s growth, but also to the resilience of the UK’s wider economy.” Sandy Bole, managing director of Simpac, Brian O’Sullivan, owner & founder of Zeus Group, Luke Cobbett, operations & production director of Simpackrones.com Digital solutions for sustainable performance From user-friendly analytical tools and intelligent operator prompting right through to AI-based concepts: Our digital services help you keep on top of complex processes and optimise both costs and output while also saving valuable resources. 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Efficient labelling allows you to focus on food, not faults Brother UK’s trusted labelling solutions have long helped caterers take control of stock rotation — delivering consistency, compliance, and cost-savings through intuitive technology that’s quick to learn and makes a measurable impact. At the core is Brother’s TD-2D label printer range — compact, versatile, and designed to fit seamlessly into busy kitchen environments. Built for real-world conditions, it performs reliably even when used with wet hands, with optional battery packs for added flexibility. Partnering with leading food independent software vendors, the solution automates expiry tracking, reduces food waste, and eliminates handwritten errors — saving time and improving consistency. Brother also offers a range of food labelling solutions, such as ingredient and allergen labelling for PPDS items, helping operators meet legal obligations like Natasha’s Law. Simon Brennan, senior business manager for Specialist Print Solutions at Brother UK, said: “Kitchen teams work fast, under pressure and can’t afford mistakes – especially when it comes to food safety. That’s where our labelling solution comes in. By replacing handwritten day-dot stickers with a Brother TD-2D device, kitchens can print clear, consistent labels in seconds. It’s labelling that chefs can trust.” For further information visit: brother.co.uk/stock-rotation AgDevCo expands portfolio in Zambia with new poultry sector investment Specialist agriculture investor AgDevCo has invested in Hybrid, an integrated poultry producer in Zambia. Hybrid operates a vertically integrated model that spans the entire value chain from breeder farms to processed poultry products. It is part of the African Poultry Development Group which has operations in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Hybrid has more than 1,200 employees and supplies over 2,000 farmers across the country with day-old chicks, contributing to the poultry sector’s development. The company sells processed poultry to major retailers and restaurants across Zambia. AgDevCo’s investment, a USD10 million senior debt loan, will enable Hybrid to increase its processing capacity by building a modern abattoir which will create another 270 jobs and support the company’s growth. Jim Henderson, managing director at AgDevCo, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Hybrid to make this major investment in the Zambian poultry industry. The expansion will drive local job creation and skills development while strengthening regional food security.” © stock.adobe.com/Dusan PetkovicFood & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net MRPeasy Why is traceability important? Traceability involves tracking every item and action in the supply chain to ensure a verifiable trail. This sets an essential foundation for functions ranging from inventory and supply chain management to regulatory compliance. In the case of compliance, traceability is a crucial prerequisite for operating in certain highly regulated markets, such as food and agriculture. In these markets, manufacturers need to adhere to stringent requirements in order to conduct business, with traceability often taking the top spot on the list. As products may pass through the hands of dozens of people and intermediaries on their journey from raw materials to finished goods, things sometimes inevitably go wrong. Traceability enables companies to pinpoint where things went wrong if they discover quality issues, and organise targeted product callbacks for the affected items. Food traceability best practices Let’s take a look at five food traceability best practices that will help ensure your food manufacturing company stays compliant. Rigorous employee training While operating a work center might be relatively simple, all employees active in the food manufacturing process should also be fully trained on QA, product safety, and traceability practices. Being well-versed in traceability requirements ensures that critical procedures do not go overlooked. Transparent communication No matter the tracking systems and technologies in place to meet regulations, company policy on transparency and open communication can play a big role in displaying an image of trustworthiness to vendors and consumers. Promote clear, open communication with suppliers and consumers to build trust and improve traceability. Human-readable information Meeting traceability requirements inevitably complicates the manufacturing process due to added steps in the workflow. Identifying and taking appropriate action on faulty items needs to be swift and accurate. Ensure traceability information is easily understandable to streamline processes and quickly address issues. Prepare for callbacks and RMAs When a faulty batch is identified that has already left your facility or problems arise with a product, it is the responsibility of the producer to handle the situation. And it pays off to be prepared. Have plans in place for product recalls or other disruptions to minimise damage to reputation and operations. Use dedicated food traceability software Manual tracking methods are inadequate for modern traceability needs. Dedicated traceability software or ERP solutions with integrated traceability functions are much more efficient and cost-effective. Essential traceability functionality for food manufacturers In addition to material planning, inventory management, and cost tracking features, a food manufacturing ERP system should have robust tools for traceability. 1. Lot and batch tracking. Tracking raw materials and products by unique identifiers such as lot or batch numbers is foundational for traceability and inventory management. Tracking by these unique identification numbers allows logging information on all processes, movements, and operations an item or batch has passed. 2. Shop floor control and internal reporting. To ensure traceability, it is essential to record who performed an operation and when, allowing issues to be traced back to their causes. Manufacturing ERP software logs these events, enabling you to discover and eliminate discrepancies. 3. Labelling and barcodes. Although manufacturing companies are increasingly turning to fully digital tracking systems, inventory items still need physical identifiers. Labelling and barcode systems help link physical products to digital records, improving inventory organisation, traceability, and efficiency. 4. Expiry tracking and FEFO. Product expiration has a great impact on food supply chains and profitability. Tracking expiry dates ensures the timely processing of goods and identifies responsible parties if items go to waste. FEFO or First-Expired-First-Out inventory method ensures that the items that expire first are consumed first. 5. Quality inspections and control. Regardless of the efficiency of the adopted inventory management or tracking system, employee training rates, or the level of organisation of the shopfloor, mistakes still happen. Routine quality inspections are therefore the surest way to guarantee product quality. These should be logged and integrated into the traceability system to ensure consistent product safety. MRPeasy is a flexible and affordable manufacturing ERP system that boasts full end-to-end traceability, including lot and expiry date tracking, automated reporting, a barcode system, version and quality control, and returns management functionality. How to achieve traceability as a food manufacturer? Few manufacturing sectors are as dependent on good traceability practices as the food and beverage industry. This article explores the importance of traceability and essential features for food manufacturers. To learn more visit www.mrpeasy.com Next >