As the BRC starts work on version six of its Global Food Safety Standard, leading UK own-label manufacturers have continued to question its relevance as the supermarkets have carried on – and in many cases stepped up – their own auditing activities with suppliers. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The BRC standard, which was designed to avoid unnecessary duplication by enabling suppliers to be audited by third parties against a single, consistent standard... read more →
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has tabled a proposal to introduce CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras into slaughterhouses in a bid to tackle animal welfare abuse. (Foodproductiondaily.com) FSA director of operations Andrew Rhodes is calling for the voluntary introduction of surveillance cameras after undercover filming by animal rights group Animal Aid in the last year had highlighted abuses in UK slaughterhouses. The proposal is due to go before... read more →
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has expressed concern over the effects on the food industry of a interim cap on the number of skilled non-EU workers allowed to enter the UK. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Introduced by Home Secretary Theresa May in June, the temporary measure limits the number of skilled non-EU workers granted working visas until April 2011 to 24,100, under Tiers 1 and 2 of the existing points-based immigration system. The interim arrangement... read more →
Cooper Crouse-Hinds have launched a new range of NVMV Ex pendant light fittings for HID lamps for use in hazardous gas and hazardous dust environments in food processing plants. (Foodproductiondaily.com) The company, which specialises in the field of explosion protection, claims that the light, compact design and easy installation of the fittings are the products’ unique features. The explosion protected light fittings were manufactured in Spain and... read more →
Northern Foods is streamlining group operations into branded and chilled divisions. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The branded division will comprise Goodfella’s Pizza, McDougalls, Holland’s Pies, Fox’s Biscuits and Matthew Walker Puddings, while the chilled division will combine sandwiches and salads with ready meals and the British Airways supply business. The restructuring, which will cost up to £6m, will “further streamline the business, focus management... read more →
Morrisons has invested £1.5m in introducing wireless infrastructure to support real time working in five factories in Yorkshire, Northampton and Cheshire. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The retailer, which already uses wireless technology to support voice directed picking in its regional distribution centres, is also using wireless in its factories to select products via forklift at the ‘goods out’ stage for delivery to warehouses. The move means... read more →
A federal court has ruled that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has again acted illegally by allowing limited planting of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets despite a court-ordered ban. (Foodnavigator-usa.com) Judge Jeffrey White, federal district judge for the Northern District of California, ruled in August that the planting of GM sugar beets should be halted until the USDA completes an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), expected to take... read more →
Frutarom-owned Gewurzmuller is introducing new organic starter cultures for raw sausage and raw cured meats, and has announced that all the food cultures made by its Blessing Biotech arm are now certified Halal. (Meatprocess.com) Meat flavour and seasoning producer Gewurzmuller was one of seven companies acquired by Israeli firm Frutarom in 2007, and the deal included Blessing Biotech which produces starter cultures used in fermentation of micro organisms... read more →
