The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said it expects the Consumer Price Index to rise by 2 to 3 percent in 2011, ending a period of near-stagnant food price inflation over the past two years. (Foodnavigatorusa.com) he USDA said that higher food commodity and energy prices were behind the expected rise in prices, and the impact is likely to be even greater for meat and dairy prices, which were hit by higher feed costs in 2010. However, it is important... read more →
Several parties have expressed an interest in buying Buccleuch Foods site in Castle Douglas, after the firm announced plans to shut its meat processing facility in the town, FoodManufacture.co.uk understands. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Following a merger deal with former rival Campbell Brothers, 35 staff at Buccleuch are set to lose their jobs when the factory doors close on February 19, with specialist meat and game production then relocating to Campbell... read more →
Burton’s Foods has challenged claims made by Labour MP Angela Eagle that it has reneged on promises made to staff at its Moreton biscuits factory in the Wirral and failed to give them access to the data they need to challenge its plans to close the site. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Eagle – who is Labour MP for Wallasey – is leading an adjournment debate in the House of Commons tonight (Jan 26) about Burton’s Foods’ plans to close... read more →
Burton’s Foods’ proposals to close its biscuit factory in Moreton would significantly increase costs for Manor Bakeries and Typhoo Tea, which share the same site, Labour MP for Wallasey Angela Eagle has warned. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Speaking during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons last night, Eagle (pictured, right) said closing the site could cause a ‘domino’ effect in the region. She added: “Any potential closure of the site... read more →
69 staff at Robert Wiseman Dairies’ Okehampton dairy and 68 staff at its Cupar distribution centre face an uncertain future as the firm initiated 30-day consultations on the future of both sites. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Wiseman, which released a trading statement today warning that sustained increases in the price of diesel and HDPE* (used in plastic milk bottles), could “materially impact costs going forward”, said Okehampton would require significant... read more →
Five fire engines and a foam unit attended a fire at ethnic snackfood maker Imperial Snack Foods at the Culwell Trading Estate in Wolverhampton yesterday. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The firm declined to comment on the nature of the blaze or its impact on production, but a spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service told FoodManufacture.co.uk that the fire appeared to have been started in a cooking vat filled with oil. He added: “The units were called at... read more →
Health food group NBTY Europe has opened a new £14m factory in Burton on Trent to support its UK retail chains Holland & Barrett, Julian Graves and GNC. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The 12,077m2 plant is next door to the site’s existing warehouse and distribution depot and can process 75m bags of dried fruit, nuts, snacks and seeds annually for the firm’s 1,000 European stores. New features include a bespoke chocolate coating machine, which the... read more →
Northern Irish firm Willowbrook Foods will open a new £5.5m factory site this summer that includes a cutting-edge food innovation centre. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Active in the retail and foodservice sectors, Willowbrook produces fresh pre-packed vegetables, salads and mash products and employs around 200 staff across two sites in Newtownards and Killinchy in County Down. New product development kitchen Colin Ferguson, sales and new product development... read more →
