Food & Drink News March/April 2024

PREMIER ANALYTICAL SERVICES – CONTAMINANTS EDI

BCH – BACK WITH A BANG AS ORDERS TAKE OFF LIKE NEVER BEFORE EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

Planet Media & Design Ltd

Brooke’s Mill Huddersfield HD4 7NR

MANAGING DIRECTOR Jillian Evans

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Shazia Hussain

Spring is finally here, which means good news for many in the food and drink sector

People are starting to get out more, which can help with the hospitality and retail sectors, especially those who have seasonal peaks and troughs

It’s also starting to be exhibition season which after the long years of the pandemic which saw shows not taking place, is a welcome opportunity to show off the wares for many companies

Consumers are still finding their finances stretched but there finally seems to be some optimism in the air, and a hope that things in the sector might at least start to be beginning an upward cycle PUBLISHER

YORKSHIRE ENTREPRENEUR WITH THIRST FOR SUCCESS LAUNCHES NEW INDEPENDENT DRINKS BRAND AS PASSION DRIVES NEW PROJECT

VAIS founder, 31-year-old serial entrepreneur, Nicky Story has declared that: the first supermarket to stock VAIS I will tattoo on my leg!”

Any hard seltzers in the UK are in canswith his glass-printing factory, Nicky was determined to differentiate and his premium product VAIS comes in a luxury glass bottle, that is screen-printed in gold

A 31-year-old serial entrepreneur from South Yorkshire is celebrating this month having seen an idea he had whilst on a tour of the United States, come to life - Nicky Story, CEO of Nicky Story Holdings and founder of Supplies for Candles which also incorporates The Soap Kitchen, Ava May Aromas and Glassprint Ltd, has branched out into a new market with his latest venture – as he brings a new drinks brand to market

A low calorie, alcoholic hard seltzer VAIS (pronounced Vice), was born out of his own desire to replicate a drink he loved in the States which he had struggled to find in the UK After deciding to embark on a health kick and make more ‘health-conscious decisions’, Nicky was attracted to hard seltzer drinks but found it near impossible to find a low calorie drink that also tasted good After trying several other seltzers on the market and not being impressed Nicky decided to create a drink that filled this gap

A refreshing premium fruit seltzer at 96 calories per bottle, with 100% natural flavours, VAIS comprises of alcohol (4 5% alc/vol) fruit and soda water The initial products are Lemon & Lime/Black Cherry & Raspberry/Mango & Passionfruit Since the start of his product development more hard seltzers have hit the marketplace - but are all in cans – Nicky, with his glass-printing factory, was determined to differentiate and create a premium product in a glass bottle – and this is the only one on the market

Nicky said: “VAIS Drinks differentiates itself from other hard seltzer brands through its unique packaging While many competitors use regular aluminium cans that may look similar, VAIS Drinks sets itself apart by using glass bottles that are screen-printed in gold This premium packaging creates a visually appealing and eye-catching display on retail

shelves, attracting attention from consumers ”

Nicky added of its USP: “When it comes to great-tasting drinks there s often a compromise to be made Do you want something full of flavour, but also full of calories? Or do you choose to ‘be good’ and go for less calories but end up sipping on something that tastes like water? Our fruit seltzers not only pack a punch with flavour, but they’re also under 100 calories This emphasis on natural flavours and ingredients resonates with the increasing consumer demand for healthier and more wellnessoriented beverage options ”

Testing the market out in Ibiza with the likes of Eden Nightclub, Nicky found the drink was well received and is now excited to be launching it in the UK Initially launching direct to consumers via www vaisdrinks com the plan is to then roll out via distributors to pubs and clubs, and Nicky is drawing upon his DJ network to provide Ibiza-themed launch parties to all who become stockists

“I am super passionate about this product –so much so, that I have said, the first supermarket to stock VAIS, I will tattoo on my leg!

This is definitely a passion project for Nicky, who believes it’s important to invest time into doing things that you love, he continues:; VAIS is definitely a new direction for me but it’s really exciting to work on something that

really fits with my own interests I believe we are all more than our businesses, and it’s important to ensure we make time to do what we enjoy socially too You won t find me chained to my desk every night Being an entrepreneur and business leader is just one aspect of who I am not the whole picture I love the Ibiza lifestyle, I love music, travel and socialising so this feels like a really fun business to develop”

Nicky graduated from Leeds University with a degree in Business and Management, and started his business in his dad’s garage He spent four long years working hard to build the business a one-man band juggling all of the roles: packing, buying, e-commerce, marketing, design and production He says of those early days: “I had no idea what I was doing but I desperately wanted to succeed In 2021 Nicky was honoured with a Great British Entrepreneur Award for Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year Nicky’s existing businesses are booming having experienced rapid growth over the past three years, with the group more than tripling in size, serving over half a million+ customers, employing over 50 members of staff and with a predicted turnover of £20m in the near future

To find out more about VAIS, please visit: www.vaisdrinks.com

FREEDOM BREWERY LAUNCHES

CONTRACT BREWING SERVICE AFTER £2M INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

The pioneer of British premium lager, Freedom Brewery, has announced a new contract brewing service enabling growing producers to meet any increase in demand through a trusted resource

Having recently invested more than £2m into its production facilities, Freedom Brewery is offering its industry expertise to other brewers to brew, bottle, can and keg beers in multiple volumes, utilising state-ofthe-art infrastructure

The multi-award-winning brewer which has been operating for nearly 30 years, has installed a brand-new CFT canning line The machine can operate at a rate of 15 000 cans per hour with printing or labelling into

trays or multi-packs and then palletised all part of the offering

A market-leading keg-washing and filling machine can also support with filling 30L and 50L kegs for brewers specifically needing an on-trade support function

As an independent business, Freedom Brewery ’ s agility means it can quickly and expertly create all manner of beer styles, from crisp refreshing lagers to juicy IPAs at minimum 5,000 litre brews The business is also offering an option to combine experiences and develop new recipes, if that s where the interested parties are seeking support

For more information please contact Matt Willson, Managing Director at Freedom Brewery, on 01283 840721.

NESPRESSO PROFESSIONAL LAUNCHES NEW BRAZIL ORGANIC COFFEE TO EXPAND ITS ORIGINS RANGE

Allowing consumers to experience the flavours of the globe from their office, hotel or favourite cafe is something that Nespresso Professional is always looking to

develop by expanding its coffee ranges to provide an array of taste experiences available

Nespresso Professional has announced

the launch of a Brazil Organic capsule a new pure Arabica blend developed exclusively to complement the existing Origins Organic range available from 4 March 2024

The Brazilian Organic coffee is an elegant, delicate and pure Arabic blend with sweet notes echoing its origin

The new Brazil capsule will join flavours from Peru, Congo and Colombia as an addition to the collection All four professional Origins Organic coffees are Made with Care and sourced from carefully selected regions within their respective countries

Nick Stevens B2B Commercial Director UK & ROI, said: “ We re excited to announce the latest addition of Brazil Organic to the Origins Organics collection This allows our customers to continue to add another taste profile to the range of flavours and experiences”

Nespresso Professional customers can add the new Brazil Organic capsule to their orders now: Brazil Organic Coffee Capsule Box | Origins | Nespresso Pro™

LORYMA INGREDIENTS PROMISE ENHANCED BREADINGS

Ingredients specialist Loryma has a wide range of ingredients for all types of coated products The Lory® Crumb portfolio includes a number of extrudates in various shapes and colours for breadings With a unique appearance and crunch they are perfect for plant-based meat alternatives, vegetable sticks, meat and fish products, and desserts A selection of native and modified starches ensures optimum adhesion and crispness in batters, tempura coatings and dustings

Eye-catching breadings

Alongside granulated Lory® crumb variations based on maize, rice, potato and wheat, the portfolio also includes innovative shapes such as triangles crescents discs and balls in an array of different colours The functional ingredients optimise the breading texture and are characterised by high temperature and colour stability As a result visual appeal is guaranteed even under demanding conditions, thus allowing for the

creation of superior, added-value breaded products

Optimal crunch and adhesion

Loryma also produces a selection of native and modified wheat starches with different technological properties Lory® Starch Saphire pure is a wheat starch with high adhesion and processing stability, which makes it the perfect functional ingredient for batters tempura and a pre-dust for added crunch It also has no E numbers, making it ideal for clean label

products Modified wheat starch Lory® Starch Solaris meanwhile is ideal for viscosity control in batter and tempura coatings due to its cold swelling capacity and process stability In addition, Lory® Starch Achat retains low viscosity even at very high temperatures thus optimising the crispness and adhesion of tempura coatings

Norbert Klein, Head of Research and Development at Loryma says: Our ingredients offer manufacturers creative scope for innovative solutions because they are perfectly matched with each other With our remarkable Lory® Crumb range extravagant creations are possible, as they turn breadings into trendy, crunchy, eye-catching creations Our Lory® Starch portfolio provides the perfect technological properties for all types of coatings”

For further information, please visit: http://www.loryma.de/en/ or LinkedIn

THE VERSATILE NEW PEPPADEW® PRODUCTS CREATING A SWEET HEAT THIS SPRING/SUMMER

While more home cooks experiment with spice for quick and easy flavour hits*, the UK s number one pepper brand PEPPADEW® is launching three delicious new antipasti products to effortlessly dial up any dish PEPPADEW®’s Spicy Chipotle Crunch, Spicy Onion Crunch and Sweet Jalapeño Peppers – Mild Halves (RRP £2 50 each) help any home cook effortlessly experiment with sweet and spicy flavours in seconds A fun finishing touch they add a pop of colour and heat to breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners and snacks

For a bold, flavourful taste and deep red colour just add The Spicy Chipotle Crunch to hummus, noodle dishes, pizzas, pastas and much more

For spice, crispiness and a tangy kick, try the Spicy Onion Crunch on anything from burgers and bruschetta to sandwiches and salads

And bringing a bold flavour to all kinds of sandwiches and snacks (like sensational bacon-wrapped jalapeño halves), the Sweet Jalapeño Peppers – Mild Halves (hand cut and pickled in PEPPADEW® s signature brine) add a sweet flavour and a mild heat Packing a punch in every jar, these

versatile all-rounders are competitively priced, have a long shelf life and only a small amount is needed So, it’s easy to play around with weekly staples on a budget or invent colourful new creations for every season

Home cooks can also get creative with other products in the range –including PEPPADEW®’s Sweet Peppadrops, Sweet Piquanté Peppers Whole (Mild and Hot) Red Roasted Peppers, and Yellow Piquanté Peppers For more inspiration and recipes using the full range, visit: https://www peppadew co uk/recipes/

*Waitrose Food & Drink Report 2023-24

High door f or yellow tubers

Friweika eG ensures the quality of its potato products with doors from EFAFLEX.

Isodia, Gala, Belana and Melody: t hey are stored in huge wooden crat es lit onl y wit h green light in cooled halls The coloured light prevents t he pot atoes from tur ning green and forming solanine, because they are destined for consumption and will be automatically pac ked and delivered to supermarkets and the wholesale trade af ter cleaning At the Friweika eG factor y, ever ything revolves around the Solanum tuberosum with its f ine var ie ty names. 140,000 tonnes of pot atoes and onions are produced here ever y year, with convenience products like potato bakes, gratins or baked potatoes also produced alongside t he raw pac kaged tubers. All products make t heir way into deepfreeze storage or t he halls t hrough high-speed doors from EFAFLEX

Once the old logistics centre was bursting at the seams, the cooperative built a new logistics centre in 2017/2018 and fitted it out with state - ofthe-art technology and a new deep-freeze storage Among other things, two high- speed doors from EFAFLEx; EFA- SST® TK 100, which ensures that the products remain frozen. Entry to and exit from the -20 degrees Celsius area is controlled as a one -way street "That is important because it allows us to avoid accidents and thus damage to the door," explains Lutz Reichenbach The qualified engineer heads up the technology department at Friweika "Ice can form very rapidly in damaged areas, which would then affect the functioning of the doors

If temperatures in the warehouse were to climb to above -18 degrees Celsius, it would also no longer be possible to ensure product safety "

In the rare event of damage, EFAFLEx in-house customer service is on site immediately "We have no problems with EFAFLEx , " says Lutz Reichenbach "If something happens, we don’t have to wait long It works so well that we only install these doors now "

"EFAFLEX offers us t he best solutions to our problems"

In total, Friweika eG has installed 22 EFAFLEx high- speed doors in the factory Two more are to come The requirements for the doors depend on the application in each case, the Head of Technology explains They fit their respective requirements "The sales representative knows the challenges we have and offers us the best solutions for them And that ’s money well spent " He points out a very high door to a warehouse The EFA- STR® S is 5 25 metres wide and 5 metres tall He describes the situation: this door must be very quick The forklift drivers have a rather restricted view behind the huge potato crates and would transport the potatoes from cool area to cool area very quickly The EFA- STR®S is half a metre higher than necessary for this reason As a result, the braking area for the door is above the entrance height that is required and the space for driving through is clear in a few seconds

The fastest in t he factor y

Thanks to its spiral technology, the high- speed turbo roll-up door EFASTR® opens at an incredible speed of up to 4 m/s, making it the fastest industrial door in the factory With the EFA- STR®, logistic processes become faster and more efficient The combination of a spiral door leaf support and a flexible curtain, ensures an optimal traffic flow

The door leaf of the EFA- STR® consists of several segments that can be replaced individually in the event of damage. This minimises repair costs and downtime. The door leaf itself is made of PVC - coated polyester fabric Aluminium profiles reinforce the individual segments at a distance of 225 millimetres and thus ensure the appropriate stability Even doors with standard sizes of 7 metres in width and 6 metres in height are still extraordinarily robust as a result

Weidensdor f pot at o exper ts: Fri weika eG com pany information

Reliable doors are essential in the Friweika factory. The company works 365 days a year There is a rush of activity before the holidays in particular "Everyone wants to eat potato dumplings then," Lutz Reichenbach says A total of 350 employees ensure that the fresh potatoes and products made from the delicious tubers leave the factory on schedule

Founded in 1970, today Friweika eG covers the full range of fresh potato products as a potato expert. Farmers in the region are shareholders in the cooperative. The company stands for use of the entire potato in production as a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and modern company in the food production sector

The name FRIWEIKA itself stands for Frische Weidensdorfer Kartoffelprodukte (fresh Weidensdorf potato products) and has been living up to this with its high quality throughout the production process for more than 50 years

Company information EFALEX

EFAFLEx produces high- speed doors for industrial applications The company, which was founded in 1974, works for clients from industry, trade, food production, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, among others As the only manufacturer in the field of highspeed industrial doors, EFAFLEx is listed in the world market leader index and is therefore one of the top 461 companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland The family company employs more than 1,200 people worldwide With its headquarters in Bruckberg, Bavaria, EFAFLEx is firmly anchored as the largest employer in the region In addition, the company opens up international markets with 10 subsidiaries on five continents EFAFLEx generates over 40% of sales abroad

EFAFLEX Press Contact :

Ms Jasmin Jobst

Tel.: +49 8765 82-525

E-mail: Jasmin.Jobst@efaflex.com

Web: www.efaflex.com

RECKITT PRO SOLUTIONS ARE PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL HYGIENE PARTNER FOR THE 2024 MANCHESTER CLEANING SHOW, OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL CLEANING AND HYGIENE SOLUTIONS FOR STRONGER BUSINESSES

Reckitt Pro Solutions are proud to announce they are the official hygiene partner for the 2024 Manchester Cleaning Show (13-14 March) and will be bringing their portfolio of internationally recognised cleaning and hygiene brands to stand D15 at the Manchester Central Exhibition Venue

Reckitt Pro Solutions will be delivering a keynote presentation on the first day of the show (13 March), bringing the latest research results, information and best practices for cleaning and hygiene in commercial spaces

Alongside this they will be demonstrating the role efficient and effective products have in helping create cleaning and hygiene protocols that support stronger businesses

We are thrilled to have Reckitt Pro Solutions as our Official Hygiene Partner for 2024 Across the show we are looking forward to seeing how businesses can benefit from better hygiene results that lead to stronger businesses,” said Paul Sweeney from the Manchester Cleaning Show

Jonathan Weiss Commercial Director for Global Business Solutions EUANZ at Reckitt Pro Solutions, shared his excitement for the event and the opportunities that it presents:

The Manchester Cleaning Show is organised by the industry, for the industry, and it presents an opportunity for us to deliver the latest research and information as well as talk to businesses about the cleaning needs of their spaces along with the hygiene needs of their staff and customers ”

“Apart from our keynote presentation and a VIP lunch workshop we will be at stand D15 consulting with attendees and discussing how to strengthen businesses through efficient and effective hygiene and cleaning protocols At the stand Reckitt Pro Solutions will be demonstrating how their exceptional hygiene solutions help create stronger businesses ”

Dettol, the globally trusted liquid soap brand will have a range of products at the Show, including their first ever hand wash formulated specifically for professional use: Dettol Pro Cleanse Liquid Hand Wash

Key features and benefits of Dettol Pro Cleanse Liquid Hand Wash include:

• Antibacterial formula boosting hygiene

standards

• Available in 5L refill units and 500ml hand pumps for facility-wide use

• Compatible with manual and automatic dispensers

• Saves plastic waste when using 5L liquid hand wash

• Suitable for frequent use and helps protect against dryness due to the presence of moisturising liquid

• User-friendly with a light, pleasant fragrance Pro Cleanse currently have great ongoing offers available via certain UK distributors:

• Pro Cleanse 5L refills: Buy 2 and get a free Dettol dispenser

• Pro Cleanse 500ml hand pumps: Buy 2 and get a third free

Offers are available while stocks last, and all pricing and promotions remain at the sole discretion of the distributor For all enquiries and further information, please contact us at prosolutions@reckitt com

Alongside Dettol, the Finish Professional range will also be a key focus at the Manchester Cleaning Show Specifically formulated for professional dishwashers, Office and HoReCa businesses can improve the experiences of staff and customers alike strengthening the business with efficacious machine cleaning

Finish Professional liquid detergents, tablets and glass wash deliver efficient effective and powerful washing, creating hygienically clean tableware that, combined with rinse aid, has a streak-free finish

Positive customer experiences and some repeat business, depends on high standards:

• 52% of diners rank dirty glasses as a turn-off

• 45% of office workers cite unclean dishes as their top kitchen complaint

• 56% of patrons do not return to a bar that has dirty glassware

Alongside Finish Professional the latest Air Wick range will also be on the stand at the Manchester Cleaning Show Products on show will include newer additions such as Air Wick 24/7 Active Fresh which is the brand s first aerosol-free, automatic air freshener and has a 95% naturally derived formula free from dyes and propellants

Last but not least, the following Reckitt Pro Solutions brands will also be present at the Show, demonstrating their value in strengthening businesses through efficient and effective cleaning:

• Vanish creates cleaner carpets, combatting dirt build-up and neutralising trapped odour which in turns helps to improve customers perception of cleanliness within the facility

• Harpic provides germ control in bathrooms, helping to enhance hygiene standards

• Cillit Bang unclogs drains breaks up limescale and clears grease in professional settings, keeping them clear of soilage

• Mr Sheen works with wood, glass, metal or plastic and is renowned for creating clean surfaces and tables that shine, creating a visibly clean environment for patrons and protecting an establishment’s brand image

Reckitt Pro Solutions continues to innovate with science-backed products that help protect workspaces and businesses, through exceptional cleaning and hygiene protocols that are efficacious and efficient getting results that contribute to the development of stronger businesses

FOOD ALERT LAUNCHES TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD TO KEEP HOSPITALITY SECTOR AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Food health and safety consultant, Food Alert, has launched a new independent Technical Advisory Board, established to provide the sector with the most up-to-date information on legislation, best practice and future challenges This team of subject matter experts will convene every month to share the latest insights from their respective fields and feed into the information that Food Alert provides to its clients

The Board s scope includes food safety and nutrition health and safety but also carbon capture and sustainability, with a dedicated sub-committee for each area The subcommittees will identify key issues upcoming legislation and new research in each sector contributing to Food Alert policies and templates to ensure that they best reflect and assist clients with the latest challenges facing their business Board members will also author articles, whitepapers and run webinars, lending their expertise to unpack new developments in policy and best practice

Health and safety concerns for both customers and employees were the main subjects of discussion at the Board’s first meeting held on 8 January, with members offering unique perspectives on the practical experience of implementing allergen regulations, such as Owen’s law, and how to display nutritional and allergen information correctly Enforcement quality and pest control were also discussed as huge challenges for the hospitality sector –particularly due to cuts in enforcement budgets and increased restrictions meaning there is less resource available to combat infestations

David Bashford Managing Director at Food

Alert, said: “Food safety regulations are increasing in number and complexity, making compliance a serious challenge for our largescale clients at Food Alert The Technical Advisory Board ensures that the advice they receive from us is cognisant of the latest developments in a digestible and actionable format

Lisa Ackerley, Chair of the Technical Advisory Board, added: “The purpose of the Board is to bridge the gap between those shaping legislation and best practice in the food safety and sustainability industries, and the businesses implementing it in their daily operations This independent group will contribute decades of experience as well as current knowledge, leading the drive towards a safer food industry that works in practice, not just on paper

To find out more about the Technical Advisory Board and Food Alert, visit: www foodalert com/technical-advisoryboard/

JS DAVIDSON PROVES TO BE VITAL COMPONENT IN GO KOMBUCHA’S SUCCESS

JS Davidson provides an unrivalled cold storage and distribution service taking the stresses and strains of everyday challenges, allowing them to focus on their primary role – running a successful business

Established in 2003 GO Kombucha is Europe s longest-established producer of kombucha tea Situated in East Sussex, the company brews raw kombucha by hand in small batches using organic teas and spring water purified 50ft to 60ft below the ground and pumped from its well, situated just yards from its microbrewery

JS Davidson has worked with GO Kombucha since September 2022 From the company ’ s initial enquiry about JS Davidson’s storage services to which they received a much-welcomed swift and helpful response, they have never looked back Following a series of bad experiences and issues with previous suppliers, GO Kombucha immediately noticed the ease of

dealing with JS Davidson and so made the switch

A key factor in the production of GO Kombucha’s range is ensuring the temperature of the live product is regulated If not the product can become unstable especially in an ambient temperature, so ensuring consistent regulation of temperature is vital

JS Davidson is responsible for the chilled storage and packing of all the orders ready for collection by the company ’ s haulier

An added advantage of the JS Davidson service is its ethos of providing an unrivalled

professional service while adhering to its core values This way of conducting business is completely in synergy with GO Kombucha which believes in treating people well, including contractors and suppliers

Gary Leigh Founder of GO Kombucha said: Our initial call to enquire about storage was so swift and simple compared to previous experiences None of the conditions attached that we d experienced before JS Davidson welcomed us warmly

“

We are a micro-business with anything between only 15-30 pallets of stock held at JS Davidson at any one time yet they treat us courteously and respectfully and no differently, I’m sure, than if we were a megacorporation with thousands of pallets

We have previously used four such facilities, but JS Davidson made it the easiest and friendliest experience possible by comparison They are a vital component to our business excelling

TRIPLEBAR ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH FRIESLANDCAMPINA INGREDIENTS ON LACTOFERRIN

Triplebar Bio Inc , a global biotech partner in driving sustainable food production, and its strategic partner, FrieslandCampina Ingredients a global leader in proteins and prebiotics, have announced a breakthrough in lactoferrin production By harnessing innovative precision fermentation technology they aim to enhance supply capacities to meet the increasing global demand

This is big news in the alternative protein space as we begin to create bioactive proteins that support and enhance human health and nutrition,” said Triplebar CEO Maria Cho Our partnership with FrieslandCampina Ingredients a global leader in lactoferrin supply, will enable us to bring more of this incredibly valuable protein to market than ever

Lactoferrin a market that could double to over $1 2bn by 2030 driven by increased demand, is typically used for premium infant formulas for gut maturation and immunity because of its antimicrobial effects

Cho added: “ The challenge has been the protein’s availability It is typically isolated from dairy limiting its broader application and incorporation beyond early-life nutrition Lactoferrin’s benefits extend beyond infants, serving as a valuable supplement for adults

Precision fermentation in lactoferrin production

Precision fermentation is at the forefront of this innovation, offering a solution to produce these vital proteins in quantities previously unattainable through traditional methods This makes the previously mentioned benefits to humans available to more consumers than ever

Also, unconstrained by the low amounts of these high-quality proteins in cow s milk precision fermentation can produce these in larger quantities with less impact on the milk supply, water supply and land use

Cho explained that precision fermentation is a technology that employs microorganisms to produce specific functional ingredients It can be used to produce ingredients with properties similar

to those found in bovine and human milk

Anne Peter Lindeboom, Managing Director of Innovation at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global leader in proteins and prebiotics with over 100 years of experience in proteins and over 60 years in prebiotics, says precision fermentation is a fastdeveloping technology that will shape the future of the food and nutrition industry

“Dairy ingredients will continue to be vital in the future of nutrition as a source of highquality proteins and prebiotics, and these remain our core offering

“FrieslandCampina Ingredients and Triplebar will accelerate the use of precision fermentation as a nutritious and sustainable source of protein By offering a full range of dairy and alternative proteins, we aim to give people access to nutritional solutions, helping them get the most out of life, now and for future generations said Lindeboom

Cho and Lindeboom agree that dairy ingredients will continue to play an increasing and more significant role in the future of nutrition as a source of highquality proteins and prebiotics They also agreed that their ongoing collaboration confirms their commitment to bolster human health through their expertise in developing innovative and future-proof protein solutions

“Biotechnology can reduce pressure on traditional food production systems while making the food system more robust and boosting nutrition for everyone, from babies to adults,” said Cho

“ We must continue leveraging science and technology to nourish future generations in balance with nature This multi-year, multiproduct and multi-country agreement with FrieslandCampina Ingredients will help make this ambition a reality

STICKER GIZMO CHOOSES NATUREFLEX™ RENEWABLE AND COMPOSTABLE FACESTOCK FOR THEIR LABELS

British labels producer, Sticker Gizmo, is committed to providing the highest quality labels and stickers with first class customer service Founded in 2018 the company has invested in the latest digital printers and lasercutting technologies to produce in-house all their high-quality labels To achieve the perfect label every time they only use the highest quality materials

In addition to their standard paper and vinyl labels, Gizmo now offers a range of sustainable solutions based on Futamura s NatureFlex™ facestock materials and a compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive This new range of labels offers a great solution for many applications: perfect for luxury products product labels, big or small size stickers when a sustainable alternative is required

The new labels are available in clear white or metallised to fit all client requirements These can be printed any colour and achieve a highly decorative finish They offer all the benefits of traditional labels and much more on a sustainability front The NatureFlex™ facestock is made from renewable wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed plantations It also meets all the relevant standards for industrial composting, including EN13432, and certified for home composting

according to the OK Compost Home protocol or by Din Certco/ABA to the French and Australian home composting standards

Sticker Gizmo chose labels made from NatureFlex for their versatility printability and sustainability Alistair Tillen founder of Sticker Gizmo, confirms : ‘the new NatureFlexbased labels are an excellent addition to our portfolio : they are a high-quality product and offer a valid end of life option after use We are seeing more brands switch to sustainable labelling as long as they don’t have to compromise on quality and being able to offer a high-quality sustainable alternative to our customers is essential for future growth ’

Andy Sweetman, Sales and Marketing Director EMEA at Futamura, adds: ‘the labels produced by Sticker Gizmo with our NatureFlex films have the same appeal as conventional plastic ones with the benefit of having a valid end of life We are delighted that our NatureFlex films are used in this application in combination with a compostable adhesive These labels show what is possible today in the self-adhesive label market As legislation evolves, we are likely to require more compostable labels: the most current example is the French AGEC law defining the requirements for fruit and vegetable labels in France

Premier Coating & Converters Ltd is the British company that brings the label structure together for Sticker Gizmo According to Bruce Paddy the Technical and Operations Director: It is a pleasure to be part of the chain bringing the NatureFlex facestock together with a compostable adhesive and a release liner for Sticker Gizmo The close collaboration with our customer and our supply chain partners has been key to bring these new labels to the market place We look forward to bringing new developments into this market segment in the near future

NOBLE GREEN ENERGY – THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ARM OF THE NOBLE FOODS GROUP

Noble Green Energy has been delivering solar PV solutions for over a decade, with nationwide projects across a variety of sectors including; food & drink agriculture manufacturing, logistics, plastics and printing We are part of the Noble Foods Group and align with its mission to better nourish people animals and the planet

With decades of experience, Noble Green Energy specialises in the design and installation of high-quality commercial, industrial and agricultural solar PV systems

Our focus spans both Roof Mount and ground mount configurations, ensuring tailored solutions for diverse needs

From first contact we work closely with our clients to fully understand their onsite

operations and energy usage profile along with any sustainability and environmental targets Once complete understanding has been achieved we design the optimum solar PV system with the appropriate technologies to deliver the required results ’ We only ever install the highest quality products from tier 1 manufacturers fitted to exceptionally high standards, with incredibly competitive pricing

Our Noble Green Energy team includes highly experienced electrical engineers dedicated project managers, designers and build teams, who will deliver a professional service from the initial site survey through to our comprehensive monitoring and maintenance packages Our expertise and

experience mean our clients have complete peace of mind

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in: our choice of suppliers and products, our processes and design concept, right through to ongoing support This guarantees the highest quality installations, meeting and exceeding industry standards

A solar PV system is, essentially, an electrical energy system, which is why it makes sense for businesses to work with a solar PV company which employs electrical engineers and energy experts to design and install these systems for them That solar PV company is Noble Green Energy!

Reliable and f ast to save lives

Czech Television fire station in Prague gets high-speed doors from EFAFLEX

Broadcasting syst ems, storage media, a wealt h of t ec hnical equipment and plenty of acoustic insulation: for firefighters, eac h one of these objects constitutes a significant challenge in the event of f ire That ’ s why the Czec h Television (ČT) f ire rescue ser vice was established in 1971 Among other things, they are trained to save lives and extinguish f ires in this unique environment The fire station near the ČT site is located in a separate building. Nine EFAFLEX high-speed doors were recently added to the station’s equipment.

The firefighters’ professionalism and the challenges they face are very demanding for their equipment The doors had to meet an array of specific criteria, with their speed and reliability being the most important. The installation of high-speed doors with transparent laths also lets more daylight into the interior of the fire station

Fast and reliable doors to save lives and buildings

A total of nine EFAFLEx doors were installed in this order Eight EFASST® Essential were installed in the exterior wall of the fire station. An EFA- SRT®-L Premium can be found in the Czech Television main building The high opening and closing speed proved impressive in comparison to the old roll-up doors If there is a power outage, the doors can be opened very quickly with the help of an emergency operation system

Doors open in seconds

The entire order had turnkey implementation in accordance with the specifications in the tendering process and the needs of the firefighters

Delivery included not only installation of the high- speed doors, but also removal of the existing doors and an array of further modifications in collaboration with the customer These included a conversion of the support structures, reduction of the clearance height through a cover on the head assembly with insulated laths and laying of new distribution lines including overhaul All the work was completed in less than three weeks and the station employees now have the certainty that their doors will open within seconds in the event of an alarm

EFA -SST® Essential product information

An attractive purchase price and the consistently high- quality standards that are customary to EFAFLEx make the EFA-SST® Essential high-speed spiral door the price-performance champion The homogeneous design of the spiral guarantees a smooth-running performance while also maintaining high speed

The fast opening and closing speed of the EFA- SST® Essential ensures that little energy is lost to the outside or between two rooms In addition, EFAFLEx is the first manufacturer of industrial high- speed doors to offer the EFA- SST® with thermally separated EFA-THERM® insulation laths

as a standard These considerably improve thermal insulation and thus ensure lower energy consumption

Ensuring fire protection for television production

The Czech Television fire service was established on the instructions of the city council There were several reasons for this One important aspect was ensuring fire protection in the Kavči Hory area The station is part of the Czech Republic Integrated Rescue System (IRS) and ensures fulfilment of the IRS’ responsibilities in the district of the capital, Prague, in accordance with the applicable fire alarm plan The firefighters have an average of 240 operations per year and also provided assistance during the catastrophic flooding in 1997 and 2002.

Company information EFALEX

EFAFLEx produces high- speed doors for industrial applications The company, which was founded in 1974, works for clients from industry, trade, food production, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, among others. As the only manufacturer in the field of highspeed industrial doors, EFAFLEx is listed in the world market leader index and is therefore one of the top 461 companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland The family company employs more than 1,200 people worldwide With its headquarters in Bruckberg, Bavaria, EFAFLEx is firmly anchored as the largest employer in the region In addition, the company opens up international markets with 10 subsidiaries on five continents EFAFLEx generates over 40% of sales abroad

EFAFLEX Press Contact :

Ms Jasmin Jobst

Tel.: +49 8765 82-525

E-mail: Jasmin.Jobst@efaflex.com

Web: www.efaflex.com

UCC LAUNCHES THERMOPLAN’S GROUND-BREAKING BLACK&WHITE4 CTS TWOSTEP AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT IN THE UK & IRELAND

UCC the UK s exclusive distributor of Thermoplan, has launched the innovative and ground-breaking BLACK&WHITE4 CTS twostep automatic coffee machine into the UK and Irish market

The world-class fully automatic espresso machine is now available nationwide, bringing its unrivalled speed, consistent quality and ultimate versatility to operators looking to grow their coffee category, drive cost efficiencies and avoid waste

Perfect for any hospitality or retail outlet with a served coffee offer of medium and or high daily demand, the BLACK&WHITE4 CTS allows operators to make consistently outstanding coffee up to 20% faster than a traditional coffee machine thanks to its ground-breaking technology and innovation, saving labour and waste with every cup

As part of its pioneering design the BLACK&WHITE4 CTS introduces the revolutionary fully automated steam wand with AirSteam® function, allowing automatic and precise milk texturing whatever the size of the jug or the type of milk being used This cutting-edge feature is what has positioned the BLACK&WHITE4 CTS as the first-ever fully automatic coffee machine to qualify and be chosen for the SCA s World Latte Art

Championship 2024–2027 (SCA Statement)

The AutoSteam function enables baristas to effortlessly craft velvety textured milk for lattes and cappuccinos by automatically detecting the optimum milk temperature for each serve, delivering an unparalleled experience for both operators and customers

The BLACK&WHITE4 CTS is designed with sustainability in mind Like all Thermoplan equipment the majority of the components are sourced within a 272km radius of Thermoplan’s Swiss Factory (Sustainability Report) The intelligent shot quality system (ISQ) ensures that the coffee tastes perfect as well as enhancing efficiency and waste

reduction This supports the eco-conscious goals of operators and aligns with the increasing demand from consumers for environmentally responsible products

Elaine Swift OOH Director UCC Europe says: “We are incredibly excited to bring the BLACK&WHITE4 CTS to market on behalf of our long-term partner Thermoplan Designed with the operator s needs in mind this machine offers exceptional espresso quality, endorsed by baristas and the SCA This advancement is heightened by its state-ofthe-art steam wand that ensures flawless milk every time, regardless of volume, temperature or type The CTS is an absolute game-changer for any venue selling served coffee – quality consistency reductions in waste and labour are the critical success factors that every operator is crying out for in today’s trading environment making the CTS an invaluable asset for enhancing their coffee offer and improving the overall consumer experience ”

To find out more about how you can transform your coffee offering with the BLACK&WHITE4 CTS, contact elaine.swift@ucccoffee.co.uk

THE COCOA CRISIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATION

From my vantage point at a highly agile chocolate company, the crisis now raging through the cocoa market looks like it could spell good news for innovative businesses

Cocoa’s value on London’s financial markets has experienced an extreme rise with values practically quadrupling within a 12-month period What s driving this? A year of poor harvests and low crop yields in African Cocoa belts, particularly Ghana and Ivory Coast has pushed prices above $10,000 per tonne

This is against a background where demand remains stable, but supply is catastrophically falling When confectionary manufacturers’ hedging strategies become ineffective, they will either have to hike retail prices, find ways to save money or do both

Interestingly as a highly agile flexible and innovative leader in chocolate, creams and high-quality ingredients, IRCA Group sees a

unique opportunity in this situation Our manufacturing lines are configured to be flexible; with shorter production cycles, quick changeovers and lower minimum order quantities This agility is the essence of the IRCA Group Manufacturers might decide to replace traditional chocolate ingredients with fillings such as creams, cereals & biscuit pieces, fruit pieces caramel pieces or compound chocolates made from vegetable fats

A trend in the marketplace for

multitexture, multisensory experiences within our category is also becoming well developed This could be a perfect opportunity where the consumer is asking for something, the manufacturer needs to do it, and we ’ re ready to supply it

We are big suppliers within extruded cereals, biscuit pieces, creams and fillings These products are up to 60% cheaper than chocolate in today ’ s market, so the more you use the more affordable you make your proposition, at the same time generating more consumer appeal This is a unique opportunity for those that recognise it to pivot on cost drive innovation and satisfy the new multisensorial trend That’s a unique hat-trick!

Andy Fleming, IRCA’s Chief Commercial Officer

G row your business ... naturally

Taking place between 12-14 April at London’s ExCeL centre, the Natural & Organic Products Expo is billed as the most important face-to-face business event of the year. It is designed to enable brands to secure listings with retailers and buyers within the UK , Europe.

The organisers of the event which they say is the best place to find natural & organic food & drink, say: " Your customers are demanding brands and products who make the people in their supply chain and the planet s needs above all

"Sustainable businesses aren’t just better for the planet, they have better bottom lines too

With an array of delicious products you just cannot find anywhere else there is no better place to visit "Climb to the top of the food chain with nutritious and delicious products as they should be Natural and organic No matter your business you re certain to find your next best-seller

Among the hundreds of exhibitors there will be businesses showing their wares in categories including: Fresh Produce; Functional Foods; Locally Sourced Food & Drink; Pet Food; Raw / Living Foods; Special Diet; Plant Based; Vegetarian; Baby & Children’s Foods Biodynamic Confectionery/Sweets & Snacks; Deli & Speciality Foods; Ethnic Foods; Fair Trade Products; Food Ingredients; Free From

There will also be a packed seminar programme: Join the conversation with live product pitches, interactive sessions and more Watch industry icons discuss topics that actually matter to business, and be part of the discussion

Among the talks are: Where science meets nature -With over 100 years of botanical and pharmaceutical knowledge, Weleda s formulations continue to innovate and push beauty performance boundaries So, what can we learn from nature’s most powerful healing plants

Vegan food: what do consumers really want? Join the panel as they reveal consumer preferences when navigating a confusing marketplace

Whether you are appealing to flexitarians GEN Z s vegans or just want some pointers on how to stand

Brand promotion: What have the Tupperware parties of the 1950’s & TikTok Shop got in common? They both use the power of community to drive direct sales Word of mouth and authentic recommendations

Testimonials from both customers and exhibitors should be enough to convince you that it’s the place to

be

Thierry Noeson, found of Belvas, says: "It provides super clear market research combined with practical leads I learnt which products the market needs by speaking with many store owners It also set the base for a wider distribution, as a lot of new customers will now start supplying our products The whole industry is present - I have already booked for next year!

Carlo Buckley, managinc director of CBDFX adds: It’s a show that covers all bases So, you get exposed to international business if you want to expand overseas, and you meet some great distributors in other countries too For the UK , you meet everyone from your independent retailer to your Holland and Barrett’s and everything in between They come here just because they are purely focused on natural products If there s one show to increase your B2B footprint, it’s definitely this one ”

Dave Christie, founder of Take on Goliath, says: "“ We had so many positive upbeat conversations from buyer and suppliers alike at Natural & Organic Products Europe In a world of worry, the vibe and engagement at the show proves things are changing ”

And Subo Gill of Pure Plant Foods adds: Thank you for giving us this guaranteed opportunity to present our products to Whole Foods Market UK This is a very exciting opportunity for us, especially as a startup

company interested in promoting natural and sustainable vegan products ”

Add to those these testimonials from attendees including Boots: “It was another fantastic, valuable day getting to connect with so many new passionate innovative brands in the health and wellness space, as well as catch up with many of our current partners

The show always has such a positive energy to it, and this year was no exception – already looking forward to the next one!”

Whole Foods: "It’s amazing to make connections with people that we ’ ve known for a long time, but to also build new relationships with new players markets

and participants in the industry

Holland & Barrett: " The biggest showcase for retail professionals bringing together new business and thousands of pioneering natural, organic, sustainable, free-from and healthy products from across the industry ”

For more information, go to www.naturalproducts.co.uk

BCH back with a bang as orders take off like never before

It was a busy 2023 for BCH Ltd … and 2024 is already shaping up to be off the scale.

“ We’ve had an unprecedented number of orders since the last week in December,” says Stuart Grogan, Operations Director of the company based in Whitworth, nr Rochdale in Lancashire One of the market leaders in the supply of food and confectionery process systems

It means we are knocking on the door of what is shaping up to be our best year for orders, in terms of not only the size of the projects but also the prestige of them and we have several international clients many of them are very well-recognised names in both food and confectionery ”

The company specialises in turnkey systems for the manufacture of a large range of products including advanced cook and cool technology for the production of chilled and frozen meals, sauces, fillings and fruit toppings Their equipment range also extends to starch gel-based liquorice 100% fruit products caramel syrups jams and preserves

Their extensive range of skills, machinery and workshops, enable BCH to undertake bespoke and tailor-made equipment to be built within strict completion deadlines

The success of the order book comes after a period of the company striving to future-proof itself in the wake of a number of crises that have affected the food and drink sectors

Stuart told us last year: “Because of all the troubles for various reasons in the supply chain, we have made great efforts to improve our in-house capabilities This has included establishing four new fully automated systems that allow us to control much more of what happens in the factory ”

One of the outside influences has been the war in

Ukraine, where many steel mills are located At one point trading in nickel was suspended because of the volatile prices That meant for companies such as BCH sudden changes in supply or pricing of just one component in their products could make production suddenly an almost impossible task

Stuart said: The systems we put in place mean we have far more protection because we are doing more in-house, and that means both we and our clients have the confidence that we are going to be able to deliver our projects

There has also been a renewed focus on marketing, which has been a key investment area for BCH over the last year From never having their own in-house marketing team, BCH has recruited two dedicated specialists, and is raising the company ’ s profile on social media especially

The business has also thrown itself back into attending trade exhibitions, many of which were cancelled or seriously curtailed during Covid, and that is also paying dividends

Last year brought the return of Interpack – after a six-year hiatus The BCH team met with customers over the course of seven days, to discuss food and confectionery processing systems and how BCH machinery can make a huge difference

At the end of January this year, the company had a presence at ProSweets 2024 in Cologne, the first of many shows this year where the company plans to push forward its profile

Stuart said such trade shows are vital for getting the message across that BCH offers comprehensive services, from consultation, design, manufacturing, installation all the way through to after-sales support

He explained that this approach allows for the entire project to be completed in-house, ensuring consistent support throughout, even after the project has been commissioned, allowing the project to be managed effectively

One message BCH hopes to drive home to prospective new customers is how their Innovation Centre is the driving force behind their technological advancements Since opening in 2000 BCH has assisted customers worldwide in meeting the demands of today ’ s food industry

The Centre houses a wide range of equipment, services and facilities all of which are backed by an inhouse team with a wealth of knowledge in process design, food science, engineering and software support

This success is all a far cry from the origins of the company in the 19th century Founded in 1835, William Brierley, Luke Collier and Thomas Hartley amalgamated their interests to form BCH

During the past 180 years BCH and their founding companies have probably filed more patents for confectionery and jam-making machines than any other company becoming pioneers in the design and

manufacture of confectionery food and nuclear equipment

While the world has changed, and technology has advanced far beyond what those three men could ever dream of the guiding principles of the companies they founded remain in place at BCH today The emphasis remains strongly on both staff retention and training up the next-generation workforce

Stuart says: We take on three or four apprentices a year It’s something the senior team are especially interested in because that’s exactly how a number of us started off on this site

Staff training is essential to our business to ensure

we are at pace with the latest developments in technology Furthermore, due to the diversity of our portfolio, staff can in some instances take a number of years to become fully trained this consumes a lot of effort and cost for the business which further supports the importance in retaining staff ”

The company currently has 90 employees but is actively recruiting especially as the order book is so full and there are many international projects on the horizon, including in North America, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East and Hong Kong, as well as building on work already done and connections already made in Australia

To cope with this expanded order book, the company is also looking at physically expanding their operations on the home front

They have acquired a new site that is of equal size to their existing premises, and this gives them a unique opportunity to re-organise their operations to make them work better for the company and their staff

www.bchltd.com

Stuart says: The new site gives us something of a blank canvas In a way it’s like industrial Tetris we are growing at a steady rate and we now have to work out how best to house all our operations to make them as efficient as possible for the business and our employees”

BonCulina UK charts a course for innovation with £2.2 million investment in fleet upgrade

In an ambitious step towards redefining its logistics capabilities, BonCulina UK has embarked on a significant expansion with a £2.2m investment into a new commercial vehicle fleet.

This development is a cornerstone in the company ’s strategic plan to deliver exemplary food service to a broad spectrum of sectors, including business, industry, defence, hospitality and healthcare This investment signifies a crucial milestone in the firm s ongoing efforts to enhance customer satisfaction and meet stringent delivery targets within the healthcare sector

Established in 2016, BonCulina has rapidly evolved, embracing the rich legacy of a 30-year history through its acquisition of Anglia Crown in 2023 This merger has enabled BonCulina to integrate the best of both worlds, linking back to its core values of simplicity, consistency, flexibility efficiency and responsibility and underscoring the importance of change and innovation within the catering industry BonCulina stands out for its passionate commitment to food quality, an ethos that permeates its operations across the public sector catering space, driven by an international perspective and a keen focus on consumer dignity facilitated by the innovative Torus Pak® technology

Acquired in 2021 BonCulina also have an office in Crawley, which is home to the BonCulina Anytime solution, specialising in vending for 24/7 hot meal options This allows the organisation to offer many different catering solutions to their foodservice clients embodying their vision of being a one stop shop provider and living true to their brand of Simply Different Foodservice

BonCulina UK s current clientele include over 150 NHS healthcare sites across the length and breadth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ranging from very small community units to very large teaching hospitals Many NHS Trusts are directly supplied while some are indirectly supplied through Facilities Management companies, with all requiring bespoke delivery arrangements Clients also include a number of care homes in the aged care sector; in-flight meals for the RAF in the defence sector; and a number of private organisations in the Business & Industry (B&I) sector, including Siemens and HMRC Furthermore, they

export to Sweden to supply a new restaurant chain and a number of public sector contracts

Sanjay Nayar, BonCulina UK’s Head of Supply Chain, offered deep insights into the company ’s transformational journey and strategic investments

Since our inception, our ambition has been to revolutionise the foodservice landscape Initially met with resistance, our focus on minimising food waste and enhancing the wellbeing of patients is now gaining widespread acceptance This fleet investment is a clear indication of our dedication to pushing the boundaries of logistical excellence and operational efficiency," Nayar explained

The new fleet, comprising 13 state-of-the-art vehicles equipped for both chilled and frozen transport, is set to become operational in the autumn, with a temporary fleet in place to ensure a smooth transition This initiative is part of BonCulina s comprehensive strategy to refine its supply chain, aiming to achieve environmental and social responsibility without compromising on the quality of service

Nayar also highlighted the collaboration with Prohire for fleet management, aligning with BonCulina’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals The new vehicles comply with Euro 6 emission standards reflecting the company ’ s commitment to reducing environmental impact

Reflecting on BonCulina s market position and operational ethos, Nayar emphasised the company ’s unique approach to foodservice, characterised by a concerted effort to reduce food waste and an innovative plating solution that aligns with the firm’s core values These strategies, coupled with the recent infrastructural upgrades and a focus on kitchen equipment modernisation, distinguish BonCulina in the competitive landscape along with their ability to offer meals in both chilled and frozen temperatures

New investment in the culinary team to enhance the skillsets and bring in a sophisticated flair are really paying dividends in the new flavours and dishes being created, in their soon to be launched new product ranges BonCulina UK offers an extensive chilled and frozen multi-portion range, BonCulina Multi-Portion, covering starters mains desserts and sides to allow clients to put together comprehensive three-course meals for their patrons and menus can even be dietetically analysed and approved BonCulina UK also offers their hallmark plated range BonCulina Plated, offering over 40 frozen individual main meals which can be easily served directly on to a hot plate from their revolutionary Torus Pak® packaging in seconds complemented by a range of individual hot desserts

In line with global efforts to be an inclusive meal

provider and offer lower carbon meal options

BonCulina has a strong plant-based offer and has over 70 dishes registered with the Vegan Society This feat has been achieved through a commitment to challenge the industry standard and a belief that all consumers have a right to tasty nutritious food

BonCulina’s strategic approach to business development, marked by a significant rebranding effort and the strengthening of its commercial team has facilitated its remarkable growth trajectory This has been particularly evident in the healthcare sector, where BonCulina has secured multiple new contracts, demonstrating the effective integration and strategic foresight of the new leadership team The healthcare division itself saw a growth of over 50% in the period from May to September 2023 following the acquisition of Anglia Crown highlighting the success of this strategic merger In addition, their shareholders are reinvesting all profits back into the business to support their commitment to the growth of the business

Nayar added BonCulina UK employs around 200 staff and at the time of acquisition we were on track to turn over £16m, however, we actually closed the year at just over £20m We expect further growth this year and are currently on a run rate of around £24m

Looking to the future, Nayar shared his vision for BonCulina, focusing on organic growth within the UK

and a global expansion strategy all while maintaining a laser focus on food quality and sustainability “In the next five years, I envision BonCulina not only as a leader in the foodservice industry but also as a pivotal force in reducing food waste within the public sector We aim to ensure the delivery of high-quality food on time and to significantly enhance the dining experience for clients,” Nayar stated

BonCulina also has a global presence in Sweden and Australia, in the healthcare and aged care sectors, with other countries also emerging As part of it’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, it offers it’s unique A Meal for A Meal initiative Backed by research from the University of Heidelberg, each meal served from it’s Torus Pak range saves operators an average of 180g in food waste Therefore, for every Torus Pak meal sold BonCulina donates an equivalent meal to a schoolchild in Uganda The programme is proving very successful and is growing to include new schools to reach more children

BonCulina s dedication to innovation is also reflected in its diverse product offerings, which include highquality chilled and frozen meals designed to meet a wide range of dietary needs while minimising environmental impact through the use of recyclable packaging and a strategic approach to reducing food

waste This commitment to excellence and sustainability is central to BonCulina’s operations, as the company aims to establish new standards in the foodservice industry

In conclusion Nayar expressed optimism about BonCulina’s future prospects, stating, “Our direction is clear By attentively listening to our customers and consistently innovating, we are set to redefine the standards of foodservice prioritising efficiency quality and responsibility Our journey is just beginning, and the future is bright for BonCulina and our valued partners ” This ambitious path forward for BonCulina UK underscores its commitment to leading the way in foodservice innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainable practices

Business booming for Sue’s Gluten Free Kitchen

Sue’s Gluten Free Kitchen is celebrating 20 years in business in the best possible way – a move to a new home because business is booming.

And two decades on they had to move into bigger premises to cope with demand for their products

The idea for the company came simply because Sue spotted a gap in the market for the widest possible range of gluten-free products to be made available for those living with coeliac disease and other restricted diets

They were ahead of the curve – more and more outlets are offering gluten-free products as awareness grows both of coeliac disease and allergies

But Sue wanted to offer a much wider range of products, and also to guarantee that there could never be any cross-contamination as every single product in the business is made gluten free

And it isn’t just people who need such products on medical grounds who are helping the kitchen grow -many people are choosing to go gluten free as a healthier lifestyle choice

The range of dishes created by Sue set a high standard for taste, appearance, texture and shelf life

This innovation has continued and been recognised by a flurry of national awards for her free from cakes, puddings and savoury pies

The ‘free from’ ethos opens up this delicious range of foods to those wishing to remove wheat dairy soya and egg from their diet, whilst not compromising on flavour

Products can now be sourced throughout the UK , with a selection of products in a number of Waitrose stores, online at Ocado, as well as independent outlets throughout the UK They offer an online shop delivering direct to customers

Sue said: Our new premises which is just next door to our old place, has the potential to treble our capacity and puts us in a great position for further growth "

www.theglutenfreekitchen.co.uk

Chef Sue Fleming and her husband and business partner David Fleming started the enterprise in Aysgarth, North Yorkshire, in 2004

Social media keeps cookie company TikTok-ing over

More than a decade ago, best friends Barbara-Anne McMullan and Ruth Armstrong decided to create a brand-new baker y business near their native Belfast.

In 2011, the bakery business was on the up, and diversifying and the pair after exploring new and emerging trends in the US and Australia, decided to bring these to Northern Ireland

They initially concentrated on cupcakes, with other products such as cookies and their main outlets were farmers markets and events

Although business was booming, the cupcake market was getting saturated pretty quickly, and both of them getting married gave them pause to rethink the business In 2015 they relaunched as Ooh & Aah Cookies, concentrating on a mainly online business, that went almost immediately stratospheric

They introduced a 7 postable chocolate chip cookie card’ that was an instant hit, and their cookies started flying out of the door as fast as they could make them As the business was expanding, so were their families, with both of them having babies – which helped to crystalise their business ethos, in a way

Ooh & Aah are now shipping thousands of cookies every week, and they put their success down to a ‘ kick

ass ethos of strong working mums ’

Ruth and Barbara-Anne say: We believe anything is possible with hard work, determination, wine, milk, muslin cloths and a good solid four hours of sleep a night!"

But perhaps the most unexpected success which they couldn t have anticipated when they first set up in business in 2011, was how social media would drive their growth

In 2022 they started putting videos on the TikTok platform – We were doing dances, and all this mad stuff," says Ruth – and their products captured the imaginations of TikTok users, driving a huge sales spike

Barbara-Anne adds: We could never have anticipated the revenue from TikTok would take over website revenue, but that’s where we ’ re at now We work really hard on it, we have employed more staff members as a direct result of the growth due to selling on TikTok

www.oohandaah.co.uk

Premier Analytical Ser vices

Ensuring public health and consumer safety is paramount, making thorough testing for food contaminants essential.

Premier Analytical Services (PAS) provides a comprehensive solution a one-stop shop for all your food contamination testing needs Leveraging our extensive expertise and cutting-edge capabilities PAS can apply its multi-disciplinary scientific team to identify contaminants in food, as well as support with root cause analysis investigations

Food contamination compromises the safety and quality of food products, posing health risks to consumers and potentially damaging the reputation of food companies

A food contaminant can typically manifest in four main forms: biological, chemical allergenic, or physical in nature

Biological contaminants

Microbiological contaminants encompass a vast array of organisms, each possessing unique characteristics and potential impacts Bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E coli) and Salmonella are among the most common culprits of foodborne illnesses, causing symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe life-threatening conditions

Viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A can spread rapidly through contaminated food, water or surfaces, leading to widespread outbreaks

In food production and processing poor hygiene practices, inadequate sanitation and improper storage conditions can facilitate the growth and spread of harmful microorganisms

Chemical contaminants

Contamination can enter the food supply chain at various points agricultural practices industrial activities packaging and food processing It may also be present in the supply chain via accidental release or malicious intent

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi (moulds) that can contaminate food and feed crops These fungi commonly grow on agricultural commodities such as grains, nuts, spices and dried fruits especially under conditions of high humidity temperature and poor storage practices

Heavy metals are found naturally in the environment and their abundance may be concentrated due to industrial activity such as mining or discharges from

factories They are often found in the environment associated with waste disposal and can be distributed widely as the elements leach into the water supply Crops will pick up these elements if they are present in the soil or water and the elements may be

Swiftly catch all 11 it’s rarely just one mycotoxin!

11+Myco-MS-PREP®

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concentrated during food harvesting and processing

Toxic process contaminants are formed during heating, drying or fermenting They can be formed in manufacturing facilities as well as home cooking, and in some cases low levels may be unavoidable

Food contact materials can contain an array of chemicals that may migrate into the food, such as plasticisers, antioxidants, colourants and adhesives

The increase in recycled packaging can potentially lead to higher levels of migration contamination, although it depends on various factors such as the type of packaging material, the recycling process and the presence of contaminants in the recycling stream

Allergens

UK law requires food to be clearly labelled when allergens are known to be present There are 14 major allergens that must be declared

Cross-contamination is a significant concern in the food supply chain, as even trace amounts of allergens can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals Food manufacturers must implement strict measures to prevent cross-contact between allergenic and nonallergenic foods, including thorough cleaning of equipment segregation of ingredients and clear labelling of allergenic ingredients on food packaging

Physical contamination

In the context of food safety foreign bodies can include physical contaminants like metal fragments, plastic pieces, glass shards, stones, insects or any other

• info@r-biopharmrhone.com

• www.r-biopharm.com

• 0141 945 2924

material that could potentially contaminate the food product These foreign bodies pose risks to consumer safety and product quality, and must be prevented from entering or remaining in food during production, processing packaging and distribution

Finding foreign bodies in food can pose serious health risks to consumers, including choking hazards, gastrointestinal injuries, or the ingestion of harmful substances Additionally the presence of foreign bodies can lead to product recalls, damage to reputation and potential legal liabilities

Food manufacturers typically implement quality control measures to prevent foreign bodies from contaminating their products But while metal detectors on production lines effectively detect significant contaminants like ferrous metals, other prevalent foreign bodies such as plastic evade detection due to the lack of available technology in this regard

What measures can manufacturers take to reduce the likelihood of contamination entering their food products?

A starting point is the adoption of an integrated Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) programme alongside a Threat Assessment Critical Control Points (TACCP) plan HACCP entails recognising potential hazards throughout the food production process and establishing measures to mitigate or eradicate these risks TACCP on the other hand is instrumental in evaluating threats like deliberate contamination and tampering

Assessment of suppliers is necessary to verify that the raw materials and ingredients supplied meet stringent quality and safety criteria Inquire about potential inadvertent hazards and seek details on the measures they have in place to mitigate these risks, backed by evidence showcasing prevention elimination or reduction to acceptable levels Typically, this entails suppliers implementing rigorous testing and verification protocols for compliance or manufacturers instituting surveillance testing for materials with elevated risk

Certain food contamination testing is targeted, and the substance being tested is known beforehand, as is often the case with many chemical contaminants

More often than not, a food contaminant is unknown, and this is where a multi-faceted investigation approach is often required

Microbiological contamination

Where microbiological contamination is suspected, PAS can employ broader screening methods to identify

a range of microorganisms Once microorganisms have been isolated, PAS can utilise specialist techniques to reintroduce micro-organisms into product to recreate contamination events, to further investigate the impact of the micro-organism on product with respect to visual growth, taints etc and to validate control strategies to inhibit the growth of the microorganism/s of concern

Chemical contamination

PAS can test for process contaminants including acrylamide, furans, PAHs and 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters, as well as a range of natural toxin tests: mycotoxins, plant and bacterial toxins

PAS boasts extensive experience in investigating taints and off-flavours, employing root cause analysis to determine their source Investigations typically commence with informal sensory to guide subsequent analytical testing

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is commonly used to compare complaint samples against controls and identify the offending compounds

Allergen management

PAS offers a comprehensive allergen management service including:

• UKAS-accredited allergen testing

• Allergen risk assessment

• Advice and interpretation of results

• Advice on allergen cleaning

• Validation and verification of allergen cleaning procedures

• Site allergen management

Physical contaminants

PAS is one of the leading food testing centres in Europe and can place at your disposal a dedicated microscopy team to solve your foreign body problems with decades of experience in foreign body identification

Utilising high-tech facilities and non-destructive testing we offer a rapid and confidential service Additional chemical and microbiological characterisation can also be carried out on foreign

bodies, if required, using the additional facilities of the PAS laboratories We can also arrange further independent expert identification and opinion from specialist consultants

The results and expert interpretation are presented in a fully illustrated report with colour images and spectra, as appropriate

Conclusion

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Noble Foods cracking on with next phase of expansion and diversification

With more than a centur y of histor y behind them, Noble Foods is looking to the future with a new facility that will see them diversify and expand their business.

Noble Foods is perhaps best known as the UK’s leading egg producer, packing brands including happy egg co and Purely Organic which are a familiar sight on the nation s shop shelves

And while that remains the core of their business, they are planning to vastly increase their offer, with the new culinary facility coming online in summer to manufacture more egg-based products

The new value-added manufacturing site, in addition to recent acquisitions in animal feed and agriculture, is a strategic move set to begin production in the summer in Leicestershire and signifies Noble Foods decision to diversify its offerings, bring more value and innovation to the humble egg, and expand its Consumer Foods business beyond traditional shell egg

As the leader in the egg industry, Noble Foods aims to build on its legacy at the new 10,000m2 manufacturing site by introducing a range of preprepared foods using eggs At its peak the site has the potential to use over 1 6 million eggs per week

Aimed at the retail, quick service restaurant (QSR) and wholesale market, foods such as omelettes, egg bites and frittatas will be made at the site with a pipeline of innovative, new egg products already in development The significant growth aligns with the Noble Foods’ mission to make eggs more accessible on a broader scale catering to all meal occasions and consumer preferences

Will Cadbury, Added Value Business Lead at Noble Foods, said, "I’m excited that our new investment will

help us in our ambition to create more egg-based foods in different formats so that more people can enjoy eggs throughout the day We already know that eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious whole foods, with the lowest carbon output of any animal protein This aligns brilliantly with our purpose To better nourish people, animals and planet and our investment will really help to accelerate that, by providing more eggs, for more people, on more occasions

The Leicestershire manufacturing site, formerly dedicated to producing high-quality desserts, will offer up to 150 jobs in its phased opening and adds a new dimension to Noble Foods diverse portfolio which already includes shell and liquid egg, animal feed, poultry, green energy and agriculture businesses Importantly, this expansion reflects Noble Foods’

commitment to future-proofing egg usage for both British farmers and consumers

Will added: “Opening a new facility is a big moment for all of us at Noble Foods and I can’t wait to see the products coming off the line in the coming months It’s fantastic that our investment will create new jobs in Leicestershire too, and opportunities for colleagues to develop their careers We will be bringing nutritious and convenient products to our customers several of whom already share our excitement Combining our deep understanding of farm to fork, along with food and manufacturing experience, gives our customers the confidence they ll be benefiting from qualities synonymous with Noble Foods "

One example of the diversification comes with new Egg Bites Driven by the growing demand for highquality lower-carbon protein options this added-value venture marks an exciting, and tasty, new route for Noble Foods The company, renowned for its dedication to quality service and sustainability anticipates that the new facility will play a pivotal role in meeting evolving consumer preferences

David Parker, who joined Noble Foods in September 2022 as Commercial Development Chef will play a strategic role in steering the added-value venture forwards

He said: The investment is an incredible addition to our capabilities and will open more opportunities for cooked egg products across the retail and OOH markets We are lucky to supply one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods which can work across all meal occasions By combining food trends, along with category and marketing expertise with Noble Foods’ new investment, we are gearing up to launch exciting new meal and snack solutions for the UK consumer market”

Crucially, the site has the capability for anticipated expansion An exciting factor which Noble Foods is readying itself for to offer customers the scale and variety expected of the UK’s leading egg producer In addition to manufacturing capability, the site’s opening and long-term expansion plans will offer career opportunities for the local area

Noble Foods is family-owned and was founded in 1920 It is the UK’s leading egg producer and the company encompasses milling poultry agriculture and consumer foods business units Within this the company owns several successful brands including the happy egg co , Freshlay Farms Golden Yolkers and Purely Organic The company has received global recognition for its animal welfare standards through the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW)

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In 1920 armed with nothing more than a straw-lined wicker basket and a horse and cart, William Dean started collecting eggs from smallholders and selling them door-todoor in and around Tring in Hertfordshire

The business prospered under the tenure of Peter Dean, as Deans Farms, with a clear vision, seeing themselves as much more than simple egg packers they expanded and began to acquire other companies

The Deans had a thirst for acquisition and innovation; in 1988 they bought Goldenlay, followed by Dell and Hardie in 1997 forming the business Deans Foods The new millennium saw further acquisition with Daylay, then Freshlay joining the group

In 2006 Deans Foods became Noble Foods and the portfolio expanded further In November 2015 Noble Foods acquired Bowler Energy to form Noble Green Energy The passion for innovation continued too with Noble Foods launching the happy egg co in 2009, which fast became the UK’s leading egg brand

free-range farmers

It s the first time since 2018 that the UK s number one egg brand has seen a complete design overhaul, which also includes packaging, POS, website and social media

With Sarah Dean now owning and chairing the business the ambition remains investing to grow and expand the business, through a purpose-driven culture and doing business in a better way

Will said Noble Foods is the leading supplier of farm fresh eggs to the major retailers and we pride ourselves on an excellent nationwide service from our modern, well-invested packing centres We are also the market leaders in the UK for egg products and have a wide range of products that can meet the needs of small and large food businesses alike

" We also believe it’s really important to innovate That s why in 2009 we launched the happy egg co which is now Britain s leading egg brand We haven’t stopped there though; our family now includes Big & Fresh, Heritage Breeds and Purely Organic Together, we like to think they offer outstanding choice and value

Brand building is key to Noble’s success Noble has extensive experience in building brands, from creating the first ever eggs brand Big and Fresh and successful brand the happy egg co In 2018 Noble Foods launched the first organic egg brand, Purely Organic

Perhaps the best example of this is how they have built and promoted the happy egg co brand which recently launched a brand new TV, radio and digital campaign following a design overhaul

The latest advertising campaign spans primetime TV, radio and digital channels plus social media and OOH to reach an impressive 96% of families in the UK with the brand’s iconic brand promise –‘ happy hens lay tasty eggs ’ With a particular focus on the welfare of its hens the campaign features four of the brand s real

New packs are already in stores across the UK including Tesco Co-op Sainsbury s and ASDA

Driving the refreshed design is a desire by Noble Foods to bring welfare back to the core of the brand, by creating greater transparency highlighting the many benefits of the happy egg co and creating greater interest in the free-range sector altogether The happy egg co already leads the category as the No 1 most recognised egg brand – with 85% awareness and £89m RSV

Commenting on the new advertising campaign, Sarah Alexander, Senior Brand Manager at Noble Foods said: We want to give consumers better understanding of the benefits of buying from the happy egg co , and how our farmers care for our girls

“

Working with four of our farmers for the campaign was great fun The truth is they are passionate on or off-screen, so we knew they would be great champions of the brand We hope the campaign creates more awareness of the British farming community and how important great welfare is for the best produce

That sustainability and welfare is at the heart of the Noble Foods ethos, and exemplified no better than the fact that one of their producers, Joe Orgee, a freerange egg producer in Herefordshire last year won the coveted Sustainable Farming Award at the 2023 National Egg and Poultry Awards in recognition of his breakthrough environmental work

With the diversification that the new plant will allow this summer, Noble Foods can only go from strength to strength

www.noblefoods.co.uk