Greencore Group, the Irish and UK convenience food business, has agreed to sell its entire US business to an affiliate of Hearthside Food Solutions for US$1.075 billion (£817 million) on a cash and debt-free basis. Hearthside is a major US contract food manufacturer with a heritage in US food industry outsourcing. The disposal will leave…

UK shoppers have returned to seasonal favourites as supermarket spending cools off, according to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12 weeks to 7 October 2018. Overall sales grew 3.2% compared to the same 12 weeks last year. Though this is a slight slowdown from the highs reached…

Brian Watson has been appointed as Chief Finance Officer at Müller Milk & Ingredients (MMI). He joins the business from Marmon, a $7.7 billion Berkshire Hathaway company operating in the supermarket and food service sector. The appointment comes as MMI confirms completion of the biggest integration the UK dairy industry has ever seen - merging…

Irish Distillers has announced investment of over €150 million in its sites in Cork and Dublin to meet demand for its products as the Irish whiskey renaissance continues apace. This is accelerated by the continued growth of the company’s flagship Jameson brand, which is now in double or triple-digit growth in more than 80 markets…

102,500 more water coolers were installed across West Europe in 2017, marking a 3.4% increase and taking the total to 3.1 million, according to a new report from the sector’s leading specialist consultancy Zenith Global. The number of mains water, point of use coolers rose by 6.2% to reach 46.9% of the total,…

The independent craft brewing associations of nine European countries have announced successful discussions towards the formation of a new body, the Independent Brewers of Europe (IBE), whose aim is to work together to promote and advance the mutual interests of their members with the European institutions and media. The Bodies from France, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden,…

As a manufacturer of speciality cheeses, Swiss dairy group Emmi is now setting an example for environmental protection by investing in a high-performance photovoltaic system at its Platteville site in the state of Wisconsin in the US. With 1,600 panels installed on the roof, the system can cover…

Irish meat processor Kepak Group has picked up seven awards at this year’s prestigious Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, including a Gold award for its newly launched Centra Irish Angus Sirloin Steaks with Pink Peppercorn Butter. As one of Europe’s leading food innovators, Kepak was up against the top Irish producers in a range of distinct…

Kerry Group has extended its partnership with Concern Worldwide through a 4-year project to improve food security and nutrition in Niger. The Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition (RAIN) programme will make lasting improvements to food security, nutrition and the overall livelihoods in the Tahoua Region of Niger. This second phase of the RAIN programme will…

Over 200 experts from across the food contact industry will come together in Vienna, Austria from 3–6 December 2018 to attend Smithers Pira’s P&P (Plastics & Paper in Contact with Foodstuffs) - http://www.foodcontact.com/plastics-paper.

P&P will provide an in-depth and timely overview of the latest EU legislation as well as a small focus on global regulations. Described…

Europe’s leading health, natural and nutrition show, Hi Europe & Ni, is celebrating its 10th edition with a move to a larger hall at Messe Frankfurt this year. From 27-29 November 2018, visitors will be able to access all of the show’s many features and live events under one roof. In addition, the Healthy…

Through the acquisition of Austrian-based ingredient supplier Österreichische Laberzeugung Hundsbichler, Chr. Hansen will further expand its enzyme production and presence into the traditional segments of specialty cheeses. Hundsbichler products are widely recognized for high quality, and this acquisition will enable Chr. Hansen to offer cheesemakers a second-to-none product portfolio in the animal rennet space.

Celebrating its 21st year, The International Food & Drink Event (IFE) – the UK’s leading and largest food & drink event – is returning to ExCeL London 17–20 March 2019. A must-attend event, IFE 2019 will provide buyers with the chance to discover emerging trends; meet with thousands of international, future-focused producers and brands; and hear inspiring and…

Omega-3 Pork® from Finnish family-owned farms will soon be sold to highly demanding Chinese consumers in packages portraying the Nordic Arctic and the magical northern lights. The new premium packages continue to build Finland’s rising image in Chinese markets.

The Chinese people are interested in Finland. The purity of nature and the opportunity to see the…

Mondelēz International has announced a new commitment to make all packaging recyclable and provide recycling information by 2025. The company will work in partnerships so that packaging can be collected and recycled in markets around the world.This new commitment is part of the company’s strategy for a circular packaging economy and will help deliver its…

Leading glass packaging company, Croxsons, recently came to the aid of start-up artisan gin distiller, the HMS Spirits Company, to fulfil an urgent packaging requirement. The distiller had found itself without a closure for its latest release, Mary Rose Gin, a small batch London Dry Gin produced to celebrate Henry VIII’s famous warship.

The distiller, who…

Tetra Pak has launched Tetra Pak® Plant Secure, a game-changing plant management service that delivers profitability improvements for customers. The new service starts with a detailed audit of all the equipment and systems across the customer’s value chain.

This analysis, combined with Tetra Pak’s deep knowledge of the industry and benchmark data on food manufacturing,…

AB InBev is opening a new automated warehouse with space to store 23 million pints of beer at its largest UK brewery in Magor, South Wales. The world’s largest brewer plans a global roll-out of the warehouse technology, making Wales the starting point for the technology expected to cut its carbon impact.

The 80,000 cubic metre…

With the increased customer focus on postable items such as confectionery, drinks and gifts, UK plastic bottle manufacturers Measom Freer have developed their very own Post Bottle (Ref 6143). With a flat rectangular shape, the bottle can easily be boxed and posted through standard letterboxes, fitting the UK large letter dimensions.

Made from clear PVC, which…

Britvic has announced that from October 2018, every Britvic manufacturing site in Great Britain, from its offices to warehouses and factories, will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. The move forms part of a new four-year deal with energy provider E.ON, which will provide power needs for the whole of Britvic’s business operations in Great…

Single use glove specialist Unigloves has launched the brand new 15-glove Pearl Colour System nitrile gloves range, helping organisations across the food sector more effectively manage cross contamination risks. The expanded range, combines high quality food handling approved, AQL 1.5 medical grade, powder-free nitrile gloves available in a range of colour finishes -…