Top business tycoon Ranjit Boparan has confirmed he is considering a hostile cash takeover bid for Northern Foods. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) A stock exchange announcement released today by his firm Boparan Holdings said: “Boparan confirms that it is at a preliminary stage in evaluating a possible cash offer for Northern Foods and has requested information under … the Takeover Code. However, there can be no certainty at this stage as to whether... read more →
Technology to allow the recycling of any plastic has taken a major step forward thanks to the development of a breakthrough process, researchers from the UK have claimed. (Foodproductiondaily.co.uk) The process, which involves subjecting plastics to a ‘thermal shock’, means that any polymer can be broken down into its constituent monomers, said the group of scientists from the University of Warwick Engineering. The system could signal a significant... read more →
Bakkavör says staff have the right to demonstrate against proposed redundancies and contractual changes at its Bourne salad site, but is “disappointed” by trade union Unite’s understanding of the situation. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Unite members held a demonstration in Spalding town centre at noon today (Friday), to protest against the loss of up to 170 jobs at Bakkavör Bourne, which employs over 1,000 staff and makes prepared vegetables,... read more →
Fears are growing over the future of Longbenton Foods’ Amble factory, after the local council confirmed it has been locked since December 6, while the firm is now embroiled in a court case with the site’s former administrator. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) In early November we reported that production had restarted at the former Northumberland Foods frozen vegetable factory in Amble, Northumberland; 250 jobs were lost at the factory in August... read more →
Arson is the suspected cause of a serious fire at one of Europe’s largest halal-certified poultry processing facilities. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) A spokesman or Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service told FoodManufacture.co.uk that crews attended Gafoor Halal Products on Fletcher Road, Preston in the early hours of Monday morning when the premises were locked up with no staff onsite. “A couple of fire engines attended the site at 12.15am on Monday morning,... read more →
Angry workers are planning a further 24-hour strike at Heinz Kitt Green from next Tuesday, while a further stoppage is planned over Christmas. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Jennie Formby, national officer for food and drink at the Unite union told FoodManufacture.co.uk that – following this week’s 24-hour stoppage – around 900 staff at the canning plant would stage further action next week from 6am on Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday, as they continue... read more →
An extension of the Panamore enzyme blend product range improves the freshness of breads and is particularly suited to low sugar and low fat recipes, claims developer DSM Food Specialties. (Foodnavigatorusa.com) The ingredient supplier maintains that today’s consumers shop less frequently than ever before, stimulating demand for bread that has extended shelf life, with softness a key factor in breads’ perceived freshness. Rossana Rodriguez, product... read more →
Soy ingredients company Solae has introduced a new hydrolyzed soy protein product to increase the yield of whole muscle meat products such as hams, roast beef, corned beef, turkey breast, and bone-in poultry. (Foodnavigatorusa.com) The new ingredient is a hydrolyzed vegetable flavor (HVF) called HVF 56, and adds to the company’s range of products intended to increase cooking yield, reduce formula costs, and improve juiciness. Solae said that the new,... read more →
