SGS delivers Qatar’s conformity assessment program for food

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is an approved body for Qatar’s conformity assessment program for food.

Implemented and monitored by the Food Safety Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH-FSD), this program requires food consignments to the country to be assessed and achieve a certificate of conformity (CoC). As a MoPH-FSD approved assessment body, SGS assesses restricted products, including meat and meat products, honey, seafood and genetically modified products, against Qatari technical standards and regional requirements.

Comprehensive expert advice is given to exporters throughout the certification process. This includes support with registration for the electronic safety system WATEQ, quality management systems, labeling, inspection reports and required product sample analysis documentation.

Made Smarter and tech institutes join forces to demystify digital transformation

New white paper aims to inspire and inform SME manufacturers in food and drink sector about technology adoption

Made Smarter and leading technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper. ‘Made Smarter technologies: powering the digital transformation of SME manufacturers’ is a practical guide from the government-backed and industryled technology adoption programme in the North West.

The free-to-download document aims to inform and inspire manufacturers exploring existing technologies such as software, industrial IoT, automation and robotics, 3D printing, and cyber security, while showcasing emerging digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.

The white paper is backed by industry-leading institutions who work with Made Smarter to demonstrate technology in action to SME manufacturers, including:

• the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC), the University of Salford’s state-of-the-art for automation and robotics;

• PrintCity, Manchester Metropolitan University’s 3D printing facility;

• The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Liverpool, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult;

• the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) North West, based in Samlesbury, Lancashire;

• The Hartree Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Cheshire.

The white paper also showcases Made Smarter-supported manufacturers already reaping the rewards of technology adoption, including: Fylde Fresh and Fabulous and First Play Dietary Foods.

For more information about Made Smarter and to download the white paper visit: https://www.madesmarter.uk/resources/made-smartertechnologies-how-made-smarter-inspires-digital-transformation

With decades of experience in managing conformity assessment programs around the world, SGS’s global network provides costeffective and tailored solutions for businesses to ensure the regulatory conformity of shipments and boost product quality.

Learn more about SGS and Exporting Food Products to Qatar visit https://www.sgs.com/en/news/2024/03/pca-2024-q1-exportingfood-to-qatar

Nation’s favourite pickle brand launches trio of fermented Kimchi

Mrs Elswood, the nation’s number #1 pickle brand which forms part of the Empire Bespoke Foods portfolio, is launching its first ever range of fermented Kimchi.

Utilising Mrs Elswood’s 75 year experience of preserving vegetables, the range of Kimchi has been carefully developed to retain the crunch of the vegetables with a chilli heat and a distinctive lactic tang from the fermentation.

The British appetite for Korean cuisine has been growing in popularity in recent years with Kimchi being the most iconic and recognisable dishes.

Kimchi has a complex flavour and texture profile which goes exceptionally well with fried or BBQ-style food like burgers and grilled fish, but it also boosts the flavour of classic dishes like toasties and omelettes.

Mrs Elswood follows an authentic method where the vegetables are slowly fermented in small batches for two weeks resulting in a product with crunchy vegetables, a distinctive lactic tang, and warming chilli kick. They feature 70% Napa cabbage and at least three different vegetables including kohlrabi, beetroot and white cabbage.

All three varieties are suitable for vegetarians and contain at least 3 different vegetable types.

1. Classic – Slowly fermented napa cabbage with kohlrabi and gochugaru chilli - giving a classic, traditional Kimchi.

2. Beetroot - Napa cabbage, beetroot and white radish combine to give a deep purple colour with a crunchy bite.

3. Turmeric - Napa cabbage, white radish, ginger and turmeric give a perfectly balanced, naturally yellow Kimchi

The trio of Mrs Elswood Kimchi will be available in Ocado from April 2024 for £3.79 per 300g jar.