Food & Drink Matters Issue 179

Barfoots

Company of the Month Page 9

National Flexible

Print & Packaging Matters Page 13

End of Year Recommendations – issue 179

SERVE PERFECT COFFEE, EVERY TIME

Meet CAFELIER, the world’s first device that simplifies the cleaning process of your espresso machine. With just a touch of a button, the CAFELIER completes a quick and thorough cleaning routine. Say goodbye to tedious manual cleaning and hello to effortless automation with CAFELIER.

Discover the range Page 7

TAMPER EVIDENT PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

We are a leading UK manufacturer of tamper evident solutions and distributor of caps. We serve a wide range of sectors such as food, drink, pharmaceutical and gas.

We manufacture tamper evident bands and shrink sleeves designed to protect your product from contamination and counterfeiting ensuring brand integrity.

Sustainability is at the core of what we do. We are the worlds’ only producer of the Plastic-Free Shrink Sleeves. A self- shrinking tamper evident band that is biodegradable, compostable and completely plasticfree. Additionally our heat shrink bands come in a variety of eco-conscious materials such as in PET, rPET and PLA. With over 125 years’ experience, an excellent service record and partnership approach you can trust Viscose to deliver a high quality, reliable and consistent product.

Visit viscoseclosures.com Call us: 01792 796393 Email us: sales@viscose.co.uk

Our Sectors Drinks food health & vitamins beauty & cosmetics industrial medical gas pharmaceutical

CONTENTS

December 2024 – issue 179

7

Inside this issue

Cordless Wizardry for all coffee lovers!

Featured as our Barista Tools Company of the Year, House of Espresso is a newcomer to the UK coffee scene with a breakout year in 2024, making a substantial impact on the market.

5 LK Distillery Premium Craft Spirits Company of the Month

19 The College of Naturopathic Medicine Training Provider of the Month

11 The Engine Room Commercially Driven Consultancy Service Company of the Year

20 Christeyns Food Hygiene Cleaning Matters

16 NCCO Food Safety Matters

27 FLIR Food Processing Matters

8

9

Follow us on X

13

or follow us on Linked In

Download our iOS app and Android app

Bluewater unveils game changing Restaurant Station at London Excel Hotel and Innovation Expo

Bluewater Restaurant Station launches in the UK to enhance restaurant operational efficiency and profitability – and end the need for single-use plastic bottles.

www.foodanddrinkmatters.co.uk The entire content of this publication is advertorial based. To place an advertorial or an advert, please call 01562 756960.

EDITOR RECOMMENDS

Pub group giving a warm Revolutionising waste Welsh ‘Croeso’ management for every A kitchen growing independent hospitality business, based in south east Wales, is reaping the rewards after successfully introducing a range of Welsh food and drink to its menus for the first time.

L

Cardiff-based Croeso Pubs operates 8 businesses within the city and the surrounding areas.

These are the Philharmonic, The Dock, Retro, Brewhouse, The Blue Bell, Daffodil, The Discovery and the Bear’s Head.

Having decided to place a greater emphasis on Welsh produce at their establishments, they sought the support of the Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales Foodservice Programme.

As a result, there has been an increase in the availability of Welsh products across their outlets, along with introducing ‘Proud to Serve Welsh’ marketing materials to further help illustrate their provenance.

This includes The Bear’s Head in Penarth, which they recently took over from JD Wetherspoon. Further underlying the value of Welsh produce to consumers, despite the business model being different to JD Wetherspoon’s in terms of pricing, the 11 Welsh producers and 21 different

products that are available has resulted in sales being ahead of forecast, and the produce being well received by customers.

The Food & Drink Wales Foodservice Programme has been working with a range of pub chains, as it seeks to grow the industry and create jobs by securing contracts into Welsh and UK markets.

This includes working with large scale national operators such as Marston’s, Greene King, Punch Pubs, Valiant pubs, Compass Group and Bidfood, as well as Wales-based operators such as Croeso Pubs, The Welsh House, Blas ar Fwyd, Castell Howell and Harlech Foodservice.

Further information on Food & Drink Wales, and their Foodservice Programme, can be found at: gov.wales/foodanddrink

omi is transforming kitchens worldwide with its innovative countertop food recycler. Say goodbye to rotting food waste – Lomi effortlessly converts organic scraps into nutrient-rich fertiliser overnight.

With just the push of a button, it turns fruits, vegetables, dairy, and even meat into ‘Lomi Earth’ and within 24 hours it is ready for garden bins, or fertiliser for gardens and plants.

Compact and easy to use, Lomi fits any kitchen and operates quietly, eliminating pests, odours, and the hassle of traditional composting.

It can reduce household waste by 50% and food scraps by 80%, making composting accessible regardless of space or weather.

Lomi’s impact is eco-friendly: every 100 cycles, it diverts 100kg

of waste from landfills and avoids 8kg of methane emissions. It is also energy efficient, using just 60kWh per 100 cycles, and is carbon neutral upon delivery. Already in over 200,000 homes, Lomi even handles compostable packaging.

Join Lomi’s mission to eliminate 4.5 million tonnes of waste by 2028 and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Available for £395 from eu.lomi.com, Lomi makes an impactful difference in reducing your carbon footprint. https://eu.lomi.com

Did you know Euroby has been supplying equipment to a broad range of food and drink applications for over 15 Years?

E Our centrifuges are specially designed for each application and are economical and efficient.

uroby is the exclusive UK supplier of Polat separation equipment for the Food and Beverage markets.

We also supply centrifuges which also provide separation solutions for both plant and animal proteins with 2 and 3 phase solutions operating in meat and fish applications.

The foodstuffs industry offers many applications for mechanical separation and the Polat centrifuges that Euroby offer are in manufactured accordance with international quality standards and expectations of the UK market.

Euroby centrifuges are also used to process food product waste streams, recovering product, reducing environmental impact and generate savings in overall effluent costs.

Euroby centrifuges are established at the heart of many process lines worldwide. They are used in dairy processes and are efficient and economical for the separation of milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, quark, fresh cheese together with bacterial removal and butter making.

We offer: ● High-performance separation ● High-value products ● Reduced waste management costs ● Low energy consumption and carbon footprints ● Low maintenance costs, ● Low capital cost.

Euroby centrifuges work well in wine and beer clarification achieving products with consistent taste.

Interested? Email Lee Blake at Euroby on: lblake@euroby.com or call: 01903 694400.

4

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

PREMIUM CRAFT SPIRITS COMPANY OF THE MONTH

Premium Craft Spirits from the heart of Western Ukraine its innovative eco-friendly practices. By leveraging renewable energy and repurposing waste materials, the company significantly reduces its environmental impact while maintaining top-tier production standards.

I

n this issue of Food & Drink Matters, we are delighted to feature LUNIN™ as our Premium Craft Spirits Company of the Month.

LUNIN™ was originally established in Ukraine in 1991. Since May 19th, 2023, LUNIN™ has been operating in the UK, serving as a key hub for European and international operations, driven by Serg Lunin and his ambitious team.

Serg, born and raised in Kyiv, began his professional journey as a heat and power engineer. Despite his success in this field, he felt drawn to his true passion – crafting authentic Ukrainian cuisine and traditional drinks. Inspired by cooking alongside his grandfather, Serg mastered the art of blending flavours, a skill that would later define his career in distilling.

LUNIN™ is deeply rooted in family tradition and craftsmanship. The distillery has earned a reputation for pushing industry boundaries, creating exceptional spirits from rare and unconventional raw materials never before used in spirit production.

“We’re proud to be the only distillery in the world producing gin from wild plum spirit and 21 botanicals, horilka from acacia, and brandy from elderberry and honey. These exclusive recipes and ingredients set us apart in the market,” said Olga Patiuta, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

“Our production operates on a fully sustainable cycle, using only natural fruits and berries, some of which we grow ourselves or source from local farms.

We produce our own spirits and infusions from these ingredients,” Olga explained. “One of our standout techniques involves using gravity-fed water from a natural mountain spring near our distillery to cool condensers during distillation. This water then flows back into the river, ensuring a minimal ecological footprint. We also repurpose fruit remnants as animal feed and use fruit wood offcuts and pits to heat our boilers, making our processes even more environmentally friendly.”

Direct supply and partnerships LUNIN™ isn’t just a producer; it also acts as a direct supplier to bars and restaurants, ensuring a seamless connection between the producer and the customer, without intermediaries. This direct approach is integral to its business model, and the company continually seeks new partnership opportunities.

“Collaborating with us is straightforward. Interested companies can contact us directly to explore partnership opportunities,” Olga noted. “They’ll benefit from working closely with a producer, gaining access to exclusive craft spirits and personalised service. Our products cater to a broad audience, offering something for everyone, regardless of age or gender.”

The distillery’s diverse range includes brandy, horilka, gin, and liqueurs, with popular offerings such as YAGODANKA Sour Cherry Liqueur, Acaccia Horilka, LUNIN Apple Brandy, Elderberry & Honey Brandy, and its signature drink, The First Ukrainian Dry Gin. Additionally, LUNIN™ offers bespoke alcohol creation, crafting spirits tailored to individual preferences, including the development of exclusive private alcohol brands.

Exciting future plans The future looks bright for LUNIN™, with several exciting innovations and expansions on the horizon.

Olga shared some of these upcoming developments, “We have plenty of surprises in store for our customers and fans. Our recently launched trading company aims to expand into multiple countries, and to meet growing demand, we’re scaling up our production capacity. In the near future, enthusiasts will also have the chance to visit our very own branded bars, offering a unique experience that embodies the essence of LUNIN™.”

Leading in sustainability Sustainability is a core focus for LUNIN™, and the distillery is setting an industry standard with

For more information, please see below: info@lkdistillery.com https://lunindistillery.com/en

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

5

FOOD & DRINK PRODUCTS MATTERS

Albany Products introduces A true heritage brand Bramble & Hedge nougat with origins in the UK and peanut brittle W

A

lbany Products are delighted to introduce Bramble & Hedge nougat and peanut brittle.

A truly artisan range, offering taste even more amazing than it looks and helping make for a happier world. The range is now available in the UK.

Bramble & Hedge nougat is made in small batches using traditional recipes and methods. The team only source the highest quality ingredients and decorate by hand with the finest dried fruits and flowers.

Hayley Crompton started Bramble & Hedge in 2009 after a long time in the fine food industry around the world.

Unfortunately, Hayley passed in 2022 aged just 50. Bramble & Hedge remains her legacy and is carried on by those closest to her. It is renowned for its beautiful presentation and taste profile.

The team of passionate and highly talented artisans make show that each product is produced to the highest standard and

their innovation continues to ensure the ranges evolution.

As well as their traditional range they offer an alcohol infused range in bars and cakes and two delightful peanut brittles. With gift packs and catering formats available Bramble & Hedge offers something for everyone.

Whether gifting or simply indulging Bramble & Hedge is a perfect choice.

To find out more contact Albany Products Ltd at: enquiries@albanyproductsltd.co.uk or call us on: 01706 632233.

Dive into Summer Bliss with The Delicious Dessert new Pot ‘O’licious range

ith a family heritage dating back over 150 years, the Bickfords brand stands to test of time. Bickfords commitment to the principles of passion and quality, started

by William and Anne Bickford, has seen their reputation extend beyond prize-winning cordials to a wide range of beverages seen on shelf in over 46 countries worldwide.

Bickfords cordials contain up to 35% real fruit juice and their flavour profiles are largely differentiated versus the competitive set. With flavours like Pink Grapefruit and Peach Iced Tea Bickfords offer something extra. Their Ginger Beer, made with cold pressed ginger, is a real hit.

Whether simply mixed with still or sparkling water or used in cocktails and mocktails, Bickfords

recipes add value to consumers through simplicity, authenticity and versatility.

Their belief in quality and consistency is evident across all the Bickfords brands.

Albany Products are delighted to offer Bickfords cordial which are available for immediate supply. Plans are in place to add Bickfords iced coffee syrup to the Albany range along with other brands from the Bickfords group.

Look out for VOK Cocktails, Beenleigh Rum and Beresford Wines just to highlight a few.

To find out more contact Albany Products Ltd at: enquiries@albanyproducts.co.uk or call: 01706 632233.

NO MORE BLOCKAGES – WITH COMMERCIAL COFFEE MACHINES FED UP WITH YOUR DRAINS GETTING BLOCKED WITH COFFEE GRINDS? HAVE A LOOK AT OUR SOLUTION: COMPACT, SPACE SAVING FILTER AND AFFORDABLE

W

ith the summer season upon us, The Delicious Dessert Company's new Pot ‘O'licious pots are the perfect treat for picnics and BBQs. The Pot ‘O’Licious range comes in two mouth-watering flavours: Chocolate and Caramel, and Zesty Lemon. The Chocolate and Caramel pots feature rich layers of decadent caramel sauce and chocolate mousse, topped with chunky chocolate pieces. The Zesty Lemon pots are layered with zesty citrus lemon curd, soft lemon cream, and topped with white chocolate chunks. Both varieties are available at Asda and Tesco stores.

Claire Smith. Head of Insight at The Delicious Dessert Company

6

commented, “We are thrilled to introduce our Pot ‘O'licious range just in time for summer. These refreshing desserts are perfect for warm days and are the latest creations by our chefs, who love conjuring up some new delights for people’s taste buds. The result is yet more delicious creations in an ever-growing range, from the fastest growing brand in the fresh desserts category. And as with all products in its range, the Delicious Dessert Company remains committed to reinventing dessert classics for the more adventurous tastebuds of a younger generation.”

Contact info@thedeliciousdessertcompany.com www.thedeliciousdessertcompany.com

The Compact Coffee Grounds Catcher is made from stainless steel and is a gamechanger for the wider coffee industry. It is the world’s only counter-mounted coffee grounds catcher, preventing drainage blockages. It is easy to install too- simply attach to your kitchen counter and empty when full, which removes all maintenance costs.

This design ingenuity was recognised by Innovate NI, on behalf of the Department for the Economy and awarded the coveted Gold Innovator.

Here at Food & Drink Matters, we have awarded Raldek as one of our Top Exhibitors at the recent iFEX 2024. The biennial event was housed at the impressive Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast from the 5th-7th March.

It is Northern Ireland’s premier food, drink, retail and hospitality trade event.

Why not invest in a Compact Coffee Grounds Catcher today? Collect your coffee grounds and compost them – be part of the circular economy!

Make sure and mention this article to get 10% off on your first order!

Please visit raldek.com for email info@raldek.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

INNOVATIVE BARISTA TOOLS COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Cordless wizardry for all coffee lovers!

House of Espresso was previously named our Coffee Machine Cleaning Company of the Month. We are pleased to feature it as our Innovative Barista Tools Company of the Year

Perky Blenders. Without their help we wouldn’t have been where we are now,” said Erwin.

2025 looks very exciting for House of Espresso with lots of ideas in the pipeline. Erwin let us in on some of the company’s short and long-term goals.

A

s a newcomer to the UK coffee scene, House of Espresso enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, making a substantial impact on the market.

Naturally, every fresh start comes with its own set of challenges. We spoke with Erwin Bos, the Founder of House of Espresso, to gain insights into the company’s journey and their experiences over the past year.

“Challenging! Opening up a new market with an innovative product like Cafelier takes time. Building the brand, educating the audience, selling the product and scaling up is a long-term project and we see our efforts slowly coming off. In an economic climate that isn't favourable, we need to bring something that makes a big difference, and we feel that our audience is only starting to recognise this now.”

House of Espresso is the UK distributor for Cafelier, the latest innovation in coffee tech that facilitates the cleaning of coffee machines in under 10 seconds.

Cafelier – an award-winning world’s first in automated devices that cleans espresso machines automatically

has been described as a piece of ‘cordless wizardry’ for its ability to clean machines in a fast and costefficient way.

“It took time to convey that cleaning is essential for quality coffee, but once customers saw how much Cafelier saves them in time and money, the response has been fantastic. We offer both a professional and a home version, with home barista sales exceeding expectations and professional sales hitting our goal,” added Erwin.

More recently, the company has launched subscription models, making it much easier for companies and professionals to purchase the product. “For less than 50p a day, customers will have their own Cafelier, 12 brushes (one per month) and a blind filter. We are also currently discussing adding a cleaning powder to the package to complete it all,” said Erwin.

Another recent development for the company sees the opening of its European Hub in the Netherlands. The Hub will help support the demand from European customers as well as facilitate business, that because of Brexit regulations, have become slightly more complex.

Challenges in business are inevitable, but as a company that is new to the industry, House of Espresso has built reputable and solid connections and partnerships helping them to grow organically and consistently.

“Short-term we are looking at opening new markets within the Netherlands as the EU Hub. More package deals with well-known coffee machine manufacturers in the mid-term and in the long-term, we have an innovative tech roadmap that will see the product becoming more and more of a ‘must have’ for the industry which is very exciting!

Coffee culture will always remain, it is such a great social connector and gives us some often-small moments of enjoyment! The industry will continue to evolve with consolidations and movements up and down and we will remain present to support the industry in ensuring the end product – a good cup of coffee – is as pure as possible!

Being an entrepreneur is hard work with sometimes little recognition, but when your peers acknowledge your efforts, we can only feel humble and appreciative of being selected as your Company of the Year! It’s definitely a big boost for us to keep going!”

It is evident that House of Espresso is driven by innovation, creativity and a pure passion for coffee!

What started out as a side hustle and a love for coffee, is now a successful brand that is making waves in the coffee industry, influencing a new cleaning religion.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Cafelier, you can reach out to House of Espresso directly below.

For more information on the HOME and PROFESSIONAL models, please see the website below: http://www.houseofespresso.co.uk https://pro.cafelier.eu https://www.instagram.com/house_of_espresso

“As an innovative company that is new to the industry with a product that is unique, we obviously need to educate the industry and make the right connections. We made some errors along the way, spending too much or not enough on marketing and always hoping for a better ROI. However, the key has been finding the right partners that help us – from La Marzocco to Victoria Arduino and

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

7

HOTELS MATTERS

Bluewater unveils game changing Restaurant Station at London Excel Hotel and Innovation Expo

B

luewater, a global leader in innovative water purification and beverage solutions, showcased its groundbreaking Restaurant Station for the Horeca (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) industry at the 2024 Hotel and Innovation Expo. Held at London’s iconic Excel venue in mid-October, the show supports the evolving needs of the modern hotelier. Attendees were able to witness live demonstrations of the game-changing Bluewater Restaurant Station, launching in the UK to enhance restaurant operational efficiency and profitability – and end the need for singleuse plastic bottles.

As the hospitality industry grapples with the mounting pressure to reduce costs, enhance customer experience, and adopt sustainable practices, the Bluewater Restaurant Station emerges as a timely and effective solution. By offering a convenient alternative to still or sparkling bottled water, the system significantly reduces the costs associated with water procurement and waste management, allowing businesses to redirect their resources to more critical areas.

The award-winning compact, under-sink Bluewater Spirit purifier, recognised for its exceptional performance and quality, purifies tap water of up to 99.7% of toxic chemicals such as PFAS. Bluewater’s Bluewater Restaurant Station serves both still and sparkling water, available chilled or ambient, making it a versatile addition to any dining establishment.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. At the heart of this remarkable system is Bluewater’s proprietary Liquid Rock® system, a unique blend of Swedish minerals meticulously crafted to ensure balanced hydration and an exceptionally refreshing taste.

Liquid Rock® is a pioneering product in the market, expertly formulated to maintain an ideal mineral ratio – twice as much calcium to magnesium – optimised for maximum absorption by the body. This thoughtful design not only enhances the water’s taste but also provides vital nutrients that promote health and well-being, ensuring that your guests receive the best quality water.

In addition to its health benefits, Liquid Rock helps combat one of the common challenges restaurants face in the UK: hard water. By eradicating scaling on utensils and glassware, the Bluewater Restaurant Station allows establishments to maintain a pristine appearance without harsh chemical cleaners.

This improves the overall dining experience

8

for guests and reduces maintenance costs for operators. It will enable a restaurant or bar to adjust their mineral intake precisely, offering complete control over water’s taste and health benefits. With three mineralisation levels, you can choose the taste that suits you best: light, medium, or bold.

“At Bluewater, we believe that access to clean, great-tasting water is essential for both guests and restaurants alike,” said Bengt Rittri, founder and CEO of Bluewater. A renowned Swedish ecopreneur who sold his previous company, Blueair, to Unilever in 2016, Bengt added, “The Bluewater Restaurant Station is a game-changer, enabling restaurants to provide high-quality hydration while simultaneously lowering operational costs. We’re excited to demonstrate how our innovative technology can transform how hospitality businesses approach water service.”

Key benefits of the Bluewater Restaurant Station ● Hyper efficient, quiet running compact under-sink Bluewater Spirit purifier, removing up to 99.7% of toxic PFAS chemicals and other contaminants from lead to bacteria… ● The system uses a customer’s existing taps, delivering a robust clean water delivery rate of around 3 litres per minute… ● Unique intuitive sink-mounted visual ata-glance water quality monitor that shifts from orange showing unclean water to blue confirming purified water… ● Ground-breaking smart mineralisation solution automatically adding a perfect mix of essential minerals…

● Smartphone App providing personalised water mineralisation choices ● Low energy usage and service requirements Visitors to the Independent Hotel Show had opportunity to engage with Bluewater’s team of experts, who will explain the features and benefits of the Restaurant Station. Attendees can also learn about the significant environmental advantages of transitioning from bottled water to an in-house water purification and beverage system. This shift not only contributes to sustainability goals but also meets the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices, allowing restaurant managers to take pride in their establishment’s environmental responsibility.

The Independent Hotel Show supports the modern hotelier, offering insights into the latest trends, technologies, and products that enhance guest experience and operational efficiency. With Bluewater’s Restaurant Station, restaurants can redefine their water service, leading to a more sustainable and profitable future.

For more information, reach out to Antonio Tedeschi at: antonio.tedeschi@bluewatergroup.com or call him on: 07947 938016, to explain how the Restaurant Station can elevate your establishment’s dining experience, streamline operations, and enhance profitability. https://www.bluewatergroup.com/en-gb

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

SUSTAINABLE, FRESH PRODUCE COMPANY OF THE MONTH

Credit: James King. Photographer

Cultivating excellence In this issue of Food & Drink Matters, we are pleased to feature Barfoots as our Sustainable, Fresh Produce Company of the Month

I

n 1976, fifth-generation farmer Peter Barfoot began cultivating a single crop in the distinctive microclimate of the Hampshire Basin, marking the humble beginnings of what would become an industry-leading fresh produce company. Today, Barfoots remains a family-owned enterprise, dedicated to sustainably growing, preparing, and distributing premium fresh sweetcorn and specialty vegetables from farms and facilities across the globe.

Peter Barfoot’s guiding principle – ‘look after the land like you are going to farm forever’ continues to be at the heart of the company. This philosophy influences every aspect of Barfoots’ operations, from its commitment to sustainable farming practices and community stability, to the development of its team and the meticulous preparation and delivery of its products to customers.

the environment, and investing in technology that converts vegetable waste to electricity waste water to irrigation, and potable water.

“We’ve pioneered the supply of many semi-exotic vegetables to the UK. Our customers include the major supermarkets and leading national restaurant chains.

We strive to deliver new and exciting ways for consumers to enjoy vegetables that are produced as sustainably as possible,” said Kim Barfoot-Brace, Brand & Marketing Manager.

Asparagus, chillies, courgettes, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, and tenderstem are some of the fresh vegetables that Barfoots grow, and as a company, it is always looking for new and exciting ways for consumers to enjoy vegetables as sustainably as possible.

“Our Freshlock product is an exciting innovation that extends the life of sweetcorn whilst retaining the taste, texture and vibrancy of fresh. Pre-cut with just a few minutes to prepare, the product is very convenient whilst also helping reduce waste. We’re currently providing it to food service where it has been received incredibly well, and we also have plans to introduce it to convenience retail,” added Kim.

Barfoots is dedicated to building a sustainable vegetable business that promotes the health and well-being of future generations. This commitment to sustainability was recognised when Peter Barfoot received a CBE for Services to Sustainable Farming in the 2020 New Year Honours.

Every aspect of Barfoots is interrogated and improved with a view to being more sustainable. From improving soil health and biodiversity to growing delicious nutritious crops that contribute positively to

Barfoots is continually looking to make gains in efficiency to essentially be more sustainable as a business, from the varieties they grow, to how the produce is produced and processed. Kim expanded on this, “Since 2010, we’ve been energy self-sufficient thanks to our anaerobic digestion plant, which turns vegetable waste into energy and organic fertiliser. Recently, we expanded our sustainability efforts with 5,464 solar panels, generating 2,240MWh annually and saving 399 tonnes of carbon - the equivalent of planting 20,563 trees. We’re

Founder Peter Barfoot, Farm Director Neil Cairns and Group CEO Julian Marks, and Kim Barfoot-Brace

constantly refining processes to reduce our carbon footprint, from refrigeration upgrades to optimising transport.”

One of the biggest challenges that the fresh produce industry faces is the unpredictability of the weather where climate change, plays a huge part. We asked Kim how does Barfoots address such challenges.

“As growers, Barfoots are at the mercy of the weather…and one could say the coal face of climate change. Barfoots continues to strategically think about navigating future risk, such as working with seed partners on developing more robust crops and growing locations that enable more efficient natural resource management whilst continuing to invest in soil health and biodiversity initiatives.”

“The impact of climate change on growing is an ongoing challenge that we are continually adapting to.

Navigating it is complex and multifaceted…from the development of the varieties of vegetables we grow, to location, timing and techniques of managing severe weather and managing resources efficiently.”

“As the business grows year on year, every major decision is based off one question: Will this make us a more sustainable vegetable business? Barfoots will continue to invest in improving the sustainability of the business whilst putting the provision of delicious nutritious vegetables at the forefront of our responsibility in helping people to eat good and feel good.”

For more information, please see below: T 01243 268811 info@barfoots.co.uk https://www.barfoots.com https://www.freshlockbybarfoots.com Instagram: @barfootsuk Linkedin: Barfoots of Botley Ltd

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

9

CASUAL DINING 2024 REVIEW

Casual Dining 2024: Review T

he 10th edition of Casual Dining returned to ExCeL London from the 18th–19th September.

Co-located with lunch! this hotly anticipated show is a firm favourite across the sector, attracting buyers and specifiers from pubs and restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, supermarkets, caterers, hotels, wholesalers, distributors, delivery and food-to-go operators. Household names this year included: Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Tesco, PizzaExpress, McDonald’s, Nando’s, J D Wetherspoon, Greggs, BrewDog and many more.

With over 500 leading exhibitors, the two-day event was packed as visitors attended the six keynote theatres and found out about the latest innovations across the sector. Casual Dining attracted returning brands such as Uber Eats, Peppadew and MOTH, as well as a host of new attendees like Bute Island Foods, Sweet Street Deserts and Little Moons. The colocated lunch! was dedicated to the cafe, coffee shop

& food-to-go sector and featured brands such as: Yeo Valley, Capri Sun, Vegware, and GRIND Coffee Roasters.

The Innovation Challenge Gallery gave visitors a chance to learn about new innovations and exclusive product launches and the Start Up Zone was the perfect opportunity for new brands that had been on the market for 18 months or less to showcase their wares.

Trusted by the industry and appreciated for the networking opportunities, alongside brand awareness and potential sales leads, visitors and exhibitors praised this year’s show: “Casual Dining is the date in the calendar you can’t miss, full of innovation and keynote theatres full of inspirational speakers.” Seamus O’Donnell, Culinary Director, The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant. “lunch! is a brilliant show to meet current partners, network with peers and discover up and coming products and brands.” Will Kenney, Commercial Director, 200 Degrees Coffee.

Exhibitors came from a wide range of areas including: interior design, IT applications, beverages: soft & hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, commercial kitchen equipment and appliances, foodservice distribution & wholesale, table top/crockery, desserts/confectionery & cakes, restaurant/brand consultancies, signage, furniture and food service products & ingredients.

Our Top Exhibitor was Peppadew: The team showcased its multi-award-winning Peppadew® Bites, alongside Mac n’cheese, Mozzarella & Pizza Herb. These mouth-watering snacks are ideal for bistro, bar or restaurant menus.

With 98% of visitors looking for new products/ services and 58% looking to open a new site over the next 12 months, it was the ideal opportunity to showcase new product ranges.

To find out about exhibiting next year: Please see the link below: **Please note: Casual dining will be renamed as ‘The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show’ for 2025** Save the date: The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 2025 24th–25th September 2025 ExCeL London https://www.nrpbs.co.uk

Drink the rainbow of rum

C

ongratulations, you’ve found your pot of gold, and it’s filled with rum!

Infusing vibes and tropical swagger with every drop, BluRum is the rebel of the rum world! Transform your tastebuds and enter a kingdom of flavour and fun.

Created by BluRum Entertainment, its mission is simple – to colour your world with laughter, unforgettable parties, and some questionable dance moves with flavours to make you wonder if you’ve been sipping on sunshine!

10

BluRum is perfect for restaurants, nightclubs, bars, pubs, and shops, offering a rum that truly flips the script on flavour! BluRum started with the gamechanging Blue Raspberry Lemonade Blue Rum, and quickly grew into a full rainbow of bold flavours: Fruit Punch Pink Rum, Grape Purple Rum, and Cherry Red Rum. Their fun and bright colours, make them a standout bottle on any shelf. BluRum has proved extremely popular amongst young adults, and as we head towards the Christmas Party season, there is no better

time to ensure your shelves are stocked up with one of the fastest growing rum brands in the UK. For more information, please see below: T 07748 148679 bluerument@gmail.com Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ blurum_ent/?hl=en Linkedin: Blurum Entertainment

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

COMMERCIALLY DRIVEN CONSULTANCY SERVICE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Resilience and adaptability in hospitality: Driving SME profit We are delighted to welcome back The Engine Room as our Commercially Driven Consultancy Service Company of the Year

H

ow does the SME sector, especially with no affordability for a financial officer or commercial manager navigate volatile trading conditions and rising overheads?

The Engine Room is more than plugging the financial entity gap, they are offering affordable,

sustainable solutions with a person-led strategy, “We have a passion and zest for the hospitality sector and during the last twelve months, have successfully secured retainers with many of our SME customers. The Engine Room differs from most consultancy firms in that we offer financial and consultancy services. Many restaurants or

cafes feel so pressurised with running daily operations, plugging staffing gaps, optimising social media visibility, meeting sustainability targets and moving consumer trends, completing accounts and just keeping businesses afloat – that they are too timepoor to consider long term strategic business growth.

But wouldn’t it be great if restaurateurs or cafe owners could rediscover their love for their business?” explains Jenny Hunt: Business Development Manager.

Andrew Lovell, Managing Partner

This is the modus operandi for The Engine Room: streamlining that boutique French restaurant on the High Street, that is empty on week nights or the vegan cafe that dreams of full bookings on Saturday evenings. There is a myth that businesses, especially smaller ones need to ‘get leaner’ to get ahead.

The Engine Room is here for the long-haul, the nitty-gritty and stays to help implement those ideas with an old-school approach, “We visit our customers on a weekly routine basis, rather than hiding behind computer screens. We know the pain points for the hospitality trade, such as: 26.2% increase in food ingredients, impact of National Living Wage increases earlier this each year, supply chain disruption, through to the new UK Food Waste Law from March 2025. We offer a holistic service that looks at everything from bookings, opening hours, menu choices, to daily invoicing and cash flows, business models, growth plans, acquisitions, and investments. We look at the long-term strategy: what needs to be achieved and on what timescale – which frees

Jenny Hunt, Business Development Partner

Maria Manzo, Commercial Operations Partner

up capacity for owners to be looking at menu variation or expanding low/no-alcohol wine options, which is a huge area of growth.”

The Engine Room offers a one-off Business Hygiene Check for a snip at £750 £950, which stress-tests business models and provides expert analysis. Invariably what happens is that SMEs will turn round and say, “We know what we need to do but we don’t have the time.” Rather than running for the hills, The Engine Room stays to help. “We muck in: staying on-site and get the nuts and bolts running: from accounts, menu engineering to brand exposure.” admits Jenny. This often leads to a long-term retainer partnership, helping steer businesses to more sustainable growth.

The Engine Room Team was established in December 2022, from a collaborative group of experts working in the Hospitality Hub: a traditional consultant company that saw the untapped benefit of specialising in commercial management. With a joint desire to support the recovery of an industry they all knew and loved, the team got to work helping businesses thrive.

Andrew Lovell is the Managing Partner and has an expert background in commercial, financial and operational roles across hospitality. Jenny brings years of experience from operational roles, such as Head of Hospitality at Sadlers Well Theatre and senior event management. Mario Manzo: Commercial Operations Partner brings a wealth of experience from the commercial performance of bars, restaurants and cafes and holding a central position on the commercial management team at The Royal Opera House. The trio has a collective professional experience of sixty years across the hospitality industry, bringing expert skillsets to clients, in a truly people-led manner.

For more information and to grow your business during 2025, please see the website below: https://www.the-engineroom.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

11

PPMA SHOW 2024 REVIEW

PPMA Show 2024 With a focus on uniting suppliers and endusers under one roof, PPMA 2024 helped attendees find the best solutions on the market.

This year’s event was bigger and better, leaving exhibitors and visitors delighted:

P

PMA Show is the leading processing & packaging machinery exhibition across the country and PPMA 2024 was back at the NEC from the 24th-26th September. With the latest cutting-edge innovations across robotics, industrial vision systems, materials, containers and packaging design, it attracted thousands of visitors from the food & drink sector.

The three-day event featured live demonstrations, industry-leading seminar programme and direct faceto-face contact with innovative exhibitors. Since the first show back in 1988, PPMA has grown in size and quality footfall over the decades and now regularly attracts 300 exhibitors and over 8,000 visitors. The high calibre of visitors now includes household names like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Nestlé.

“It is a one-stop-shop for our customers. Every solution in the world is here.” Paul Webster: National Sales Manager, Yamato Scale Dataweigh.

“Another fantastic show - with a record number of leads, brilliant organisation and a pleasure to be involved with.” Brian Bannister: Managing Director, Lafert Electric Motors.

96% of exhibitors stated that PPMA 2024 footfall as ‘excellent’ with many saying this was the best in the show’s history. Imagine taking orders during the first morning? This is what happened this year!

The high mix of manufacturing and engineering companies was also appreciated by exhibitors and visitors.

Here is our round-up of the Top Exhibitors from PPMA 2024: ● Clegg Food Products: Industry-leaders in the design and construction of capital projects for the food & drink, manufacturing and distribution industries. The Nottingham-based company have more than 40 years’ experience in providing facilities across the UK and further afield. From new builds, extensions, expansions, to full refurbishments and relocations, this company provides tailored solutions for each customer. ● Evolution Bottling & Packaging Solutions: Renowned experts in capital machinery to the food & drink sector. From single-machines to whole turnkey solutions, the product range includes: MBF rinser, filler, cappers: PE labellers, R&G Capsuling, wirehooding and pouch filling machines, TMG for end of line and secondary packaging equipment, inspection systems from logics & controls and serac weight & volumetric filling machines.

Over 70% of PPMA Show’s 2024 exhibitors have already booked a stand for 2025, to secure a stand today, please see the details below: Save the date: PPMA Show 2025 23rd-25th September Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham https://www.ppmashow.co.uk

The canning, bottling & packaging specialist

T

he 100 cartons per minute wraparound cartonner can handle both corrugated and kraft board in less than 8 metres. Typically used in the beverage industry it also has application in the food industry for cans. The high speed machine is just one of the solutions that Enterprise supply from Baumer of Modena.

The range includes equipment to pack bottles, cans, jars, soft packs, and single serve cartons into tray and film or wrapround cartons from 20-100 packs per minute and every size in between! The optional unique continuous motion 90 degree infeed system also solves many container handling issues as does a top tray applicator. With more than 50 patents Baumer is one of the leaders in this sector so we are sure to have a solution for you.

12

Other new products are can filling for both carbonated and hot filling of juices on the same machine as well as a range of container drying equipment that rotate the containers for maximum effect. We also have a new range of compact depalletiser and robotic mini palletisers for small spaces and lower outputs that save you labour as increasing line efficiency.

Another new product is an electrically heated mobile CIP set that allows even small producers to have an effective cleaning operation for product integrity.

In addition, we have all types of labelling and conveying for a complete line supply.

Visit our website at: www.enterprisetondelli.co.uk or call: 01525 718288 and see how we can help you.

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

PRINT & PACKAGING MATTERS

Crafting the perfect pouch W

hen it comes to innovative packaging solutions, the relationship between Myco and National Flexible is a prime example of what can be achieved through trust, collaboration, and expertise. Myco has always been at the forefront of the plant-based revolution, delivering products that are not only delicious but also sustainable. With the rising demand for their Hooba mince, Myco needed a packaging solution that would reflect the quality and innovation of their product.

Naturally, they turned to National Flexible, a partner they have trusted for years.

A pioneering company, dedicated to revolutionising plant-based nutrition through an emphasis on taste, texture, and environmental sustainability, Myco’s ethos centres on creating delicious, satisfying food that mirrors the flavours and textures of traditional meat products while prioritizing the health of our planet. By leveraging innovative food science and sustainable practices, Myco Foods aims to provide high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives that delight the palate and support a more sustainable future.

Our relationship with Myco has been built on a foundation of reliability, creativity, and a deep understanding of their brand ethos. When Myco approached us for a solution to showcase their Hooba mince, we were super excited to take on the challenge.

Hooba mince, like all Myco’s products, is a symbol of the future of food – sustainable, plant-based, and full of flavour. The packaging needed to not only protect the product but also convey its premium quality and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Myco was looking for a unique and eye-catching

pouch that would stand out on the shelves, effectively communicate the brand’s message, and maintain the freshness of the mince.

Our team of experts immediately got to work, bringing our wealth of experience in flexible packaging to the table. The goal was to create a patterned lacquer pouch that was not only functional but also showed off the visually striking design.

Our solution was a custom-designed patterned lacquer pouch that perfectly aligned with Myco’s brand identity. The pouch features a distinctive colourful pattern that really catches the eye, making it easy for consumers to spot Hooba mince among the many products on the shelf.

The lacquer finish adds a touch of elegance, while also providing additional protection to ensure the product’s freshness.

The process of creating this pouch was a collaborative effort. Myco’s team provided insights into their brand and customer base, while National Flexible’s experts focused on the technical aspects of the design and production. We worked closely with Myco to ensure that every detail was perfect, from the material selection to the final print.

The result is a packaging solution that not only meets but exceeds Myco’s expectations. The patterned lacquer pouch is not just a protective container; it’s a reflection of Myco’s commitment to quality and sustainability. The pouch’s unique design helps the Hooba mince stand

out, making it easier for consumers to choose a product that aligns with their values.

The success of this project is a testament to the strong relationship between Myco and National Flexible. Our ability to understand Myco’s needs and deliver a solution that perfectly aligns with their brand is why they continue to trust us with their packaging requirements.

At National Flexible, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide bespoke packaging solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. The project with Myco is just one example of how we bring our expertise to the table, ensuring that our clients can showcase their products in the best possible light.

As Myco continues to grow and innovate in the plant-based food sector, we look forward to many more years of collaboration, providing them with packaging solutions that help them succeed in a competitive market.

The patterned lacquer pouch for Hooba mince is more than just packaging – it’s a symbol of the partnership between Myco and National Flexible.

Together, we have created a product that not only protects and preserves but also elevates the brand, helping Myco to continue its mission of providing sustainable, plant-based food to the world.

National Flexible is proud to be a trusted partner of Myco, and we are excited to see what the future holds for our collaboration.

T 01274 685566 marketing@nationalflexible.net https://www.nationalflexible.co.uk https://www.mycofoods.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

13

PACKAGING MATTERS

Versatile Packaging

Environmentally-friendly tamper evident packaging made in the UK V

iscose Closures is the leading UK manufacturer of tamper evident bands and shrink sleeves designed to protect your products from contamination and counterfeiting.

R

esearch suggests that as much as 931 million tonnes of food is wasted globally and much of this can happen before products even hit the shelves. Food waste has at least ten times the environmental impact of packaging waste so as a sustainable packaging provider, it is important for Versatile Packaging to offer truly sustainable packaging solutions.

Versatile Packaging, are the only packaging supplier in Ireland offering the complete Packaging Solution – packaging materials, machinery, lidding films, RRP etc – that has both: Storage & Distribution and Packaging & Packaging Materials accreditations, ensuring that their products are of the highest quality.

Sustainability and Quality verification through thirdparty assessments is essential for companies aligning to green development, providing a benchmark and guidance on how to improve performance even further.

Richard Mulligan, Managing Director of Versatile Packaging, said, “It is increasingly important for us to assist processors and retailers with ways they can strengthen food systems by improving food safety, extending shelf-life and ultimately reducing food waste.”

In the food industry, to include low-carbon packages, supplied by producers with sustainability and quality high on the agenda, has grown to become one of the most significant factors of adopting sustainable development practices, during recent years.

T +353 47 85177 sales@versatilepackaging.ie www.versatilepackaging.ie

With over 125 years of experience in the industry, Viscose Closures hold an excellent partnership record of working with industry professionals from artisan producers to contract packers of leading brands, supermarkets that use their own branded labels, as well as those involved in the life science industry.

Plastic-Free Shrink Sleeves are the latest eco-friendly packaging solution when it comes to securely sealing your containers and bottles. Made from wood pulp, these sleeves are home compostable, and can decompose in soil within four months. The sleeves are ideal for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, and ensure the highest-level of product safety and integrity.

They are available in diameters of 18mm-100mm, a

variety of colours, and can also be printed with your own logo.

You may also be interested in Viscose’s Heat Shrink product range consisting of sleeves, capsules and transparent open top capsules.

This range is secure and reliable and can be used across various industries. Each product meets industry standards and provides efficient packaging solutions.

Since the company was founded in 1892, their customers have always been at the core of everything they do. Operating out of its Swansea based factory for over 70 years, Viscose is a trusted name in the industry serving a diverse range of customers around the world.

For more information, please see below: T 01792 796393 hello@viscose.co.uk https://www.viscoseclosures.com

Vikings and Goddesses adopts compostable packaging V

ikings and Goddesses is a Minnesota-based, wholesale bakery that supplies over 30 restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores with a variety of baked goods and desserts. During the pandemic, they developed a line of frozen products to bring homemade bakery quality and perfection to home ovens.

Since their opening in 2019, the company’s number one priority has been growing a sustainable business, with meaningful employment and liveable wages, while making a high-quality product for consumers.

Over the last year, 80% of the waste produced by the bakery has been diverted from the landfill, and either recycled or commercially composted. Vikings and Goddesses also pride themselves on sourcing

products locally to support other small-business owners, and in turn, minimise their carbon footprint.

In line with their sustainability values and consumer demand, Vikings and Goddesses has now chosen a new compostable packaging sourced from Elk Packaging. The high-performance structure includes a high barrier cellulose film layer, NatureFlex™ film sourced from Futamura, laminated to a biofilm ensuring a hermetic seal. This final structure is independently certified compostable by BPI, proving that it will compost in a commercial compost setting. www.futamuragroup.com

Specialist manufacturers of bespoke packaging and paper converters A

s specialist manufacturers of bespoke packaging and paper converters, Bartec Paper & Packaging Ltd provide bespoke packaging solutions to a range of sectors including Confectionery, Dairy, Delicatessen, Non-Food and Retail.

With an eye on the future, 2024 has seen investment made in the form of a platen press and new high speed sheeter being added to the machinery repertoire in recent months to enable them to increase production capacities and efficiency going forward.

Whether Greaseproof paper, Waxed paper, Glassine, Cushion Pads or Die cut shapes, Customers from all over the UK and indeed around the world Trust Bartec with their packaging needs.

Bartec exhibited at both the Farm Shop and Deli and Responsible Packaging Expo in 2024 both of which they will return to as exhibitors in 2025.

14

If you have any bespoke packaging needs, Bartec

are your go to company – Rated ‘AA’ BRCGS and fully FSC accredited, they work to the highest standards in both product and service whether you are a small business or multi-national company your needs will be catered for by their expert team!

For more information, please see below: T 01606 354664 sales@bartecpackaging.co.uk https://bartecpackaging.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

ORGANIC CERTIFIED MEDICINAL MUSHROOM COMPANY OF THE MONTH

Mighty Mushrooms: Get winter ready

We are delighted to welcome back Bristol Fungarium as our Organic Certified Medicinal Mushroom Company of the Month

T

he popular Doctor’s Kitchen podcast, hosted by Dr. Rupy Aujla has a large number of monthly listeners and covers food, medicine and other health-related topics. He is joined by regular expert guests, often working on cutting-edge research to discuss the hottest health topics.

Back on the 6th November, the topic was: ‘Mighty Mushrooms: The culinary and medicinal world of Fungi.’ The panel of experts included Prof. Tim Spencer: Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, Dr Ester. Gaya: Senior Researcher in Comparative Fungal Biology at Kew Gardens and Tom Baxter: founder of Bristol Fungarium. The event was recorded at the iconic Fortum and Mason’s Food and Drink Studio.

The esteemed panel discussed the compelling evidence for the nootropic effects of mushrooms and how certain varieties can help mental health conditions, notably trauma. The podcast was fascinating, giving listeners an informed insight into the ‘shroom boom’ across the alternative health world.

However, there’s nothing new about the health benefits of fungi: it has been used as part of a systemic approach to human health, especially in Eastern cultures for well over thousand years. Mushrooms have existed on Earth for over 800 million years and remain integral to pharmaceutical research and products. Lifesaving medicine like penicillin and statin are derived from fungi and leading scientists are looking at how isolated fungi compounds can help treat a wide range of ailments and diseases.

Bristol Fungarium produces and distributes the UK’s first organic certified medicinal mushrooms, with a predicted 2024 turnover of £1.5 million. Rooted in science-led research & development, Bristol Fungarium is working with UWE Bristol to conduct research into the long-term benefits of mushrooms. Established in 2019 by Tom: an organic vegetable farmer and self-confessed mushroom forager, the company grows and clones UK-native mushrooms and turns them into tinctures for health food shops and private online orders.

“Our mushroom tinctures can support with a wide range of conditions, from acute cancer care, menopausal relief, thyroid stabilisation, insulin regulation, to possibly helping early onset dementia.

With anti-viral properties, many young women treat herpes and type II diabetes sufferers have noticed an improvement in their condition.”

“With the festive season starting earlier and earlier, many Brits are looking to support their mind, body and spirit with alternative health. Though a time of joy and blessing to many, Christmas can also be a time of friction in many families. Reishi can support with anxiety and stress over Christmas, whereas Maitake balances food intake. For hangover treatment, reach for Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps is our top recommendation for renewed energy in January next year.”

“Of course, mushrooms are for life, not just for Christmas. Reishi is renowned for boosting the immune system, gut health and improving sleep, with possible antioxidant compounds that protect against cell damage in cancer.” explains Tom. Bristol Fungarium supplies a wide range of organic mushroom tinctures and bundles for one-off and subscription-based online payments, in addition to health food shops. The products include: ● Lion’s Mane ● Reishi ● Turkey Tail ● Chaga ● Cordyceps ● Maitake ● Shiitake ● Menopause support (bundle) ● Festival recovery (bundle) ● Everything (bundle) ● Lion’s Mane (bundle) ● Father’s Day (bundle)

The products are all sustainably foraged or grown, with some wild-harvested or cultivated in the purposebuilt laboratory and with an ethical and short supply chain, they offer customers and retailers a greener choice for fungi tinctures.

“We have recently completed the first fungi survey on Barbados since 1940 and discovered two potentially new species, which is exciting for the world of mycologists. Research and development are at the heart of our operations and we are currently in talks with a former leading GlaxoSmithKline Chemist to collaborate on research in his purpose-built lab.”

“In January, Bristol Fungarium will have an installation in Fortum and Mason and after the success of the November podcast, we have been re-booked to appear on another episode of The Doctor’s Kitchen: watch this space!”

Bristol Fungarium products are available in high-street UK health food shops and are also available from the website.

To find out more about Bristol Fungarium’s mission, philosophy, science-led research and whole product range, please see the website below: https://bristolfungarium.com Listen to the Doctor’s Kitchen November podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/272mighty-mushrooms-the-culinary-and-medicinal/ id1316938642?i=1000675847910

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

15

FOOD SAFETY MATTERS

Improve food safety management with digital checklists

F

ood safety management is crucial to the success of foodservice kitchens and non-commercial kitchens of all types. Keeping customers safe from poor hygiene practices, mishandled food, cross-contamination and more is the key to keeping your operation running smoothly.

How do you ensure high standards of food safety? And how do you ensure staff are following food safety protocols?

The answer is simple: The easiest way to ensure high standards of food safety is through digital food safety checklists.

Why digital, you ask? What is the problem with traditional paper checklists?

Let’s discuss.

Benefits of digital forms & checklists Traditional, paper checklists have been the standard in kitchens for decades.

However, there is always the potential for damage and spills to compromise the process, as well as the clumsiness of printing or handwriting lists, and carrying a clipboard can take up space in already busy prep spaces.

With digital food safety checklists, you eliminate the hassle of manual recordkeeping, avoid the errors that come of hasty, handwritten checklists, and lets you build food safety compliance forms quickly and easily from a separate, clean dashboard. This allows you to create and schedule easy-to-use cleaning task checklists to guide staff through daily hygiene management.

Not only do digital hygiene checklists guide employees through daily tasks,

16

but they also allow managers to review and approve forms and set weekly approvals for recurring task checklists, and standardise task approvals, automate scheduling, and customise and deploy forms instantly across single and multivenue operations. This ensures consistent, quality standards for franchise and chain foodservice operations.

Choosing the right food safety software How do you choose the right software or app for digitising forms and checklists? It is important to consider all you will have access to when investing in digital food safety management.

There are several features to consider.

Task Manager from NCCO, for example, allows you to achieve the following: ● Access library of standard HACCP compliance forms and digitise existing forms with custom form builder ● Enhance managerial oversight and quality control of HACCP food safety procedures with task approval feature ● Streamline critical food safety tasks, easily schedule checklists and forms, and ensure food safety compliance in the kitchen with an automated scheduler ● Eliminate the burden of manual documentation and lost/error-ridden forms

Plus, you will be able to hold staff and managers accountable with analytics on demand. Digital food safety management gives management the ability to receive daily reports and instances of non-compliance. The Task Manager centralised management portal allows for quick access to all reports and proof of compliance for EHOs. ● On demand, multi venue report management ● Intuitive search, filter, and export functionality ● Historical views for over 5+ years ● Checklist grading system Digital food safety checklists help prioritise hygiene and food safety in the kitchen, and they also ensure allergen awareness and limit cross-contamination to keep customers – and foodservice reputations – safe from error and illness.

Without organisation, hygiene management in commercial and noncommercial kitchens alike can become chaotic. Digital tools can improve accuracy, accessibility, and organisation of food safety documentation.

Contact us to learn more about Task Manager today!

T +44 (0)128 352 7977 https://www.ncco.eu

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

CPD Certified Food Hygiene & Food Safety Training Courses

Flexible & convenient E-Learning courses Gain UK & EU compliant accreditation in level 2 & 3 Food Safety, Haccp, Allergen Awareness COSHH & more

Avoid the Food Safety Risks Your Company Can’t Afford to Take Food safety and hygiene are serious matters in your industry. The smallest mistake, no matter how innocent, can have expensive consequences.

That’s why you need to ensure everyone on your team has adequate training and is certified to handle and prepare food the correct way.

Safety Bug Training works in harmony with your company goals by providing a multilingual Food Safety Level 2 online training programme.

Key Features 4 Flexible and convenient e-learning programme for employees to complete at their own pace 4 Developed by qualified and experienced Environmental Health Officers and Food Inspectors 4 Compliant with UK and EU legal standards 4 Pricing options for individuals and businesses of all sizes 4 Instant certification upon completion of the course 4 Available in 35 languages

Visit www.safetybugtraining.com 01223 258156 |

info@safetybugtraining.com

FOOD SAFETY MATTERS

Flexible & Convenient (multilingual) Food Safety E-Learning – Now with a 20% Corporate Concession!

A

t Safety Bug Training, we’re here to make food safety training easier, smarter, and more accessible than ever.

With our 20% corporate concession on your first order (minimum 5 eLearning codes), you can elevate your team’s expertise without breaking the budget.

Here’s why you’ll love Safety Bug Training: ● Free LMS Access: Manage training for your team with a personalised database to track progress and retrieve certificates effortlessly. ● Expert-Crafted Courses: Developed by professional Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and Food Safety Inspectors to meet all UK/EU food safety standards. ● Multilingual Learning: Deliver Food Safety Level 2 courses in 36 international languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Polish, French, and Chinese, perfect for a diverse workforce. ● Flexibility at its best: Accessible remotely, even for night shifts, with offline and team training options for low-connectivity areas.

Comprehensive course range We offer industry-leading training on: ● Food Safety & Hygiene (Levels 2 & 3) ● Allergen Awareness ● COSHH ● HACCP ● Health & Safety

Microwave enhanced ashing of food samples – application report T

● Manual Handling Need something unique? We also design bespoke training solutions tailored to your business needs.

Allergen Awareness & Allergy Training Our Level 2 Food Allergen Awareness and Allergy Training Online course is a must for food handlers, hospitality workers, and healthcare staff. Praised

by EHOs for its clarity and attention to detail, this course ensures you're meeting the highest standards in allergen safety.

Act Now! Use the code SBT20 in your email header to claim your 20% discount and start your team’s journey to safer, smarter service today.

Call: 01223 258156 Visit: www.safetybugtraining.com Invest in your team’s skills. Protect every plate. Reach out now!

Food Care Solutions

he ashing test on food samples is commonly used for evaluation of mineral content because this content plays an important role from a physicochemical and nutritional point of view. Ash content analysis is also an accepted index of refinement of foods, such as wheat flour or sugar production since the ash test is a reliable indicator of efficiency of which the separation of bran and germ from the rest of the wheat kernel.

Mineral constituents include potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium that are often present in larger amounts as well as smaller quantities of aluminium, iron, copper, manganese, arsenic, zinc, arsenic, iodine, and fluorine.

Traditional ashing methods for food samples have used electrical muffle furnaces that have disadvantages such as long ashing times, extended cooling, and high power consumption. An alternative and rapid ashing method for determination of mineral content in

food samples using an enhanced microwave system is available from Analytix. The Milestone PYRO system incorporates all the benefits of using microwaves and working with specially developed fast heating/ cooling crucibles makes the ashing application fast, easy, and efficient, coupled with complete safety with all fumes produced during the process diverted away from the user.

An application report highlighting the advantages of a microwave enhanced ashing system is available that demonstrates the recoveries of a certified food standard material being in compliance with the certificate value plus the reproducibility of the method due to temperature homogeneity across the muffle.

For a copy of the application report or for further information, please visit: www.analytix.co.uk/contact or call: +44 (0)191 519 4504.

P S Analytical: Experience, performance, reliability and support P

S Analytical (PSA) provides niche analytical instruments for the trace and ultra-trace determination of mercury, arsenic, selenium, antimony and bismuth in food and beverage samples.

F

ood Care Solutions has been helping food businesses achieve their aims since 2003. The influence of our consultants stretches the length and breadth of the United Kingdom – from providing help setting up your food safety and quality systems, or support in maintaining them, we are the team of choice, providing practical advice backed up by years of experience and knowledge.

Our core service combines inspection and audit with consultancy. We start by identifying what you need, help you develop the policies and procedures that form the foundation of a robust food safety and quality management system, and then help you implement

18

and maintain them. When you have food safety or quality problems, we are there to trouble shoot and get things back on an even keel.

We take things further by helping with your food hygiene training, inspections and audits, and reviewing, improving and monitoring your documentation and record keeping. Your success means we have done the job well, whether it be local authority approval, BRCGS or other standards. We take a pride in helping you improve and increase your standing and profits.

Call: 07811 192545 or email: victor@foodsafeconsult.co.uk for the best help you can get.

These toxic metals in their various forms are of real concern to those administrating food safety programs and to all food processors and manufacturers of food and feed products. Increasingly the determination of both total and speciated chemical forms is required to assess product quality and this requirement generates further analytical challenges of sensitivity, selectivity and freedom for interferences.

Coupling Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy (AFS) with either cold vapour generation or hydride generation has been PSA’s core competency for over 30 years providing this detection capability.

With the addition of analyte separation that allows for speciation studies, PSA offers some powerful tools to help with these endeavours.

Some examples include the separation

of methyl mercury from inorganic mercury in water, shellfish, seaweed, dairy products, vegetables and grains & the determination inorganic arsenic from less toxic organo-arsenic species in water, rice, seaweed are examples of routine applications developed by PSA. With literally thousands of systems in the field today, and support networks in Europe, USA and SE Asia, PSA offers the ideal package of performance, reliability and support.

Paul Stockwell – Managing Director: pms@psanalytical.com Tim Williams – South East Asia (SEA) Sales Manager: tpw@psanalytical.com Joanna Wells – Website and Online Marketing co-ordinator: jlw@psanalytical.com Contact T +44 (0)1689 891211 psa@psanalytical.com www.psanalytical.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

TRAINING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM): Europe’s leading training provider in natural therapies We are delighted to welcome back The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) as our Food & Drink Matters Training Provider of the Year for its groundbreaking Natural Chef course

T

he Multi-Award-Winning College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) was founded in 1998 by Naturopath Hermann Keppler and has grown at an exponential rate over the last 26 years.

reinforce what they’ve learned outside of class.

Additionally, we introduced a state-of-the-art learning hub where students can gather to attend tutorials, join webinars, and share ideas.

In this issue, we are focusing on the CNM Natural Chef Diploma Course. The course runs for 9-12 months, incorporating over 840 hours of cuttingedge education, including 100 hours internship in an external kitchen. Throughout the course, students study modules like: how the body works, nutrition for everyday living and have the option to study online or in-person in London.

These advancements have paved the way for us to offer a fully online version of the CNM Natural Chef course, enhancing accessibility. Students from around the world can now experience high-quality culinary education without the need for travel. The online course provides interactive virtual lectures, cooking demos, and hands-on assignments, offering a complete education in natural cooking that accommodates students’ personal and professional lives. This flexibility has been a significant benefit for aspiring chefs, allowing them to develop healthy cooking skills from home.”

We caught up with the Natural Chef Course Director: Sam Hamrebtan to find out how the course has fared over the last twelve months, “The past year has been exciting and transformative for the CNM Natural Chef course, driven by a significant increase in interest in natural and sustainable cooking as more people recognise the impact of nutrition on health.

The CNM Natural Chef course has been a magnet for students seeking meaningful career changes. Many come from diverse fields and view this course as a practical way to begin a more fulfilling career aligned with values in health and wellness.

This past academic year saw comprehensive updates to the course materials, including the recording of all lectures and food preparation demonstrations.

This added resource allows students to review and

CNM’s Natural Chef training stands out as the only naturopathic chef training in the UK and Ireland, with an option to complete the course in a vegan format.

Alongside the enhanced online learning platforms, CNM has partnered with new local health food shops, wellness centres, and cafes to provide students with real-world experience and networking opportunities.

These partnerships have greatly benefit students and strengthened CNM’s community connections, promoting the value of natural health.

The food industry is furthermore rapidly embracing sustainability best practice across food packaging, ingredients and cooking techniques. CNM is committed to sourcing local ingredients in demos and teaching

zero-waste cooking techniques, reflecting this growing interest in sustainable practices.

“The CNM Natural Chef course stands as a unique and essential training for chefs who aspire to redefine the role of food in health. Unlike conventional culinary programs, CNM’s approach prepares chefs not only to create visually appealing and delicious meals but also to ensure that the food genuinely nourishes, is well absorbed, and is tailored to individual needs based on age, environment, and health conditions.”

Guided by the timeless wisdom of Hippocrates, “‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,’ the course emphasises food’s incredible potential to heal or harm. Many chronic diseases are linked to the consumption of processed foods, excess sugar, and overeating.”

“Students are taught the principles of nutrition and learn what foods best support health, how to combine ingredients for maximum nourishment, the healthiest fats and oils to use, and why certain cooking methods should be avoided for long-term well-being. CNM’s philosophy is that much of the modern chronic disease epidemic has its roots in the kitchen, and its curriculum empowers chefs with the knowledge to make a positive difference.”

The CNM Natural Chef course is more than culinary training; it’s a transformative journey into the powerful, health-giving potential of food.

“We take immense pride in fostering a learning environment that emphasises holistic nutrition, practical skills, and personal growth. This award reinforces our Commitment to Excellence in training and highlights the achievements of our talented instructors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, as well as the enthusiasm and dedication of our students who inspire us every day.” Hermann Keppler, Founder of CNM To find out more, please see the links below: http://www.naturalchef.com https://www.naturopathy-uk.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

19

CLEANING MATTERS

Prepare for Black Friday with phs Teacrate

Unprecedented deal for business owners

B

K

lack Friday sales increased to an estimated £13.3 billion in 2023, and with another increase predicted for this year, retailers are preparing for bumper sales.

84%* of customers agree that a positive experience with a retailer during Black Friday would encourage them to shop there again, so the importance of a smooth-running promotion shouldn’t be underestimated – and storage and distribution are key.

As the market leader in recycled plastic crate hire, phs Teacrate works with supply chain and stock managers across the whole of the UK, helping them to prepare for seasonal peaks like Black Friday and Christmas, where customer demand is high and stock movement needs to be fast paced.

The nationwide team offers an extensive range of returnable transit packaging (RTP) solutions for hire and purchase, including attached lid containers (ALCs,) bale arm containers, pallets, folding lid containers (FLCs) and roll cages. Security tags can also be provided for extra peace-of-mind.

Always available,

all Teacrate RTP hire containers can be promptly delivered and collected according to retailers’ exact requirements, allowing stores to quickly adapt to fluctuations in demand without losing valuable storage space or time.

As well as uplifting any existing RTP pool without the need for capital expenditure requests, phs Teacrate can also repair customer crates and offers a nationwide crate wash service. phs Teacrate moves over 9 million crates a year and has the capacity to wash over 400,000 crates every week, prolonging their life so that they can be safely used time and time again. The team’s unrivalled expertise and knowledge ensures that their customers always have exactly what they need, exactly when they need it, making phs Teacrate the partner of choice for so many retailers across the UK all year round. https://teacrate.co.uk *Mintel Black Friday Report UK 2024

ärcher UK, a leading provider of cleaning solutions, is thrilled to unveil an extraordinary offer designed to elevate both work and home environments.

From now until August 4th, businesses investing in one of Kärcher’s electric hot water pressure washers, specifically from the innovative HD, HDS or HDSE ranges, can claim a FREE K4 or K5 pressure washer for their home.

Kärcher, the world’s number one pressure washer brand, delivers unbeatable versatility with hot or cold water professional pressure washers to suit your needs, providing the solution for whatever your cleaning challenge may be.

The HD range of cold water pressure washers provide maximum mobility for cleaning jobs where easy transportation

is essential. Kärcher even offer battery powered professional cold water machines for when there is no water or power supply, offering total independent use. Meanwhile Kärcher’s HDS range of hot water pressure washers are ideal for those requiring faster results and shorter drying times – providing a time saving of up to 35%.

Don’t miss out on this limitedtime opportunity to elevate your cleaning experience.

Visit here to learn more about this offer and how you can claim your FREE K4 or K5 pressure washer today: https:// karchersalespromotions.com/ platform/buyonegetone/en-GB Visit here to find what machines are eligible for the offer: https://karchersalespromotions. com/platform/buyonegetone/ en-GB/qualifying

Christeyns Food Hygiene acquires cleaning and disinfection partner Specialist hygiene solution provider Christeyns Food Hygiene has today announced the purchase of hygiene equipment application specialists H&M Disinfection Systems Ltd The acquisition will see the H&M facility continue to operate with all staff in place, the three-year site lease having been transferred to CFH.

W

arrington based Christeyns Food Hygiene (CFH) has acquired H&M Disinfection Systems Ltd, who design, manufacture and install cleaning and disinfection systems for the Food, Dairy and Beverage industries.

In operation since 1989, H&M’s modern manufacturing site near Northwich manufactures high quality pump sets, control panels and hygiene systems as well as bespoke units built to individual requirements. With over 30 years of experience in their respective fields the two firms have been partners for many years, providing a turn-key solution for effective cleaning and disinfection operations.

20

Christeyns Food Hygiene is highly regarded in the industry for its effective formulations of detergents and disinfectants for all applications in the food, dairy and beverage industries with customers from across a range of household consumer brands and suppliers to the UK’s food retailers. It is part of Belgium parent company, Christeyns NV. “As we continue our growth strategy, we are delighted to confirm that H&M has become part of the Christeyns family. This acquisition will increase CFH’s engineering team and significantly bolster our service offering to clients across the UK and Eire,” commented CFH Operations Director & Managing Director, Andy Bethel.

“We regard H&M as an expert in its field, with a reputation for providing high quality, bespoke hygiene application equipment, the cornerstone of many customer’s food safety management systems.

Already working with us as a partner, this was a natural move forward and will ensure a broader, highly enhanced service and health and safety offering for all our customers.”

The current CFH engineering offering for the optimisation of water, energy consumption, dosing, time and labour will be further strengthened, combining both chemical and engineering expertise including an expanded equipment portfolio, CIP sets, Washdown Systems, Bulk tanks and bespoke engineering.

“We hope this will be a pivotal move for CFH with new opportunities for the original H&M team and a further blending of skills and experience creating a stronger engineering division overall,” concludes Bethel.

T +44 (0)1274 393286 enquiry.uk@christeyns.com https://www.christeyns.com/uk-en https://www.hmdis.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS MATTERS

Climate Change and the JS Davidson expands offering to include freight solutions high-speed T

amid growing demand T

Can industry help asks Doug Hart, chairman, Hart Door Systems. Clearly industry, from manufacturing to storage across the globe, can assess the efficiency of the premises they occupy with the ever open door being the most obvious area of wastefulness. In busy and intense warehouse or production facilities, leaving doors open is generally seen as acceptable.

Providing services that span air, sea, road, and rail freight in addition to the company’s frozen, chilled and ambient offering, JS Davidson is now equipped to co-ordinate shipments to ensure timely arrivals and product integrity while also taking care of customs clearance and documentation requirements.

he symptoms of Climate Change are now very apparent with increases in global temperatures, more frequent storms and flooding where they are not expected and overall changing weather patterns being some of the noticeable warning signs.

The result is costly heated air escapes, the temperature within the building drops and heating struggles to get back to an acceptable level. More often than not when the door is opened again it is possibly left open because operatives find it much more convenient.

For temperature control and energy management, the automatic door such as Hart’s Speedor is the solution. Speedor’s fast-action is the perfect answer.

With quality engineering and durability, Speedor high-speed doors will maintain temperatures within a

emperature-controlled and supply chain solutions specialist JS Davidson has expanded its offering to include a comprehensive range of freight services.

building while keeping energy costs at an acceptable level.

No matter the industrial classification, Hart can manufacture industrial door systems customised to meet specific needs.

Whether it’s access for deliveries, forklifts or people, there are far too many businesses that leave major entrances open for an unnecessary amount of time. The knock-on effect is wasted heating, higher costs and a less than optimal working environment. www.hartdoors.com

Traditionally focused on temperaturecontrolled storage and distribution, JS Davidson has also recently expanded its services to include distribution, co-packing, and storage in response to customer demand.

Its recent addition of freight services has now further extended the company’s offering to include shipping, storage through to final delivery.

This latest addition to its suite of services comes at a time where customers are actively seeking integrated cold chain logistics solutions

in order to reduce the complexity of managing multiple providers and ensure the integrity of their goods across the entire supply chain.

With demand for frozen products increasing year on year, largely driven by the cost-of-living crisis and consumers becoming more attuned to the effect of food wastage, the requirement for cold chain logistics services has equally grown exponentially.

Over the past decade alone the retail sales value of frozen food has spiked by 50%, with much of this growth occurring within the past five years.

T +44 (0)1733 731300 supplychain@jsdavidson.co.uk https://jsdavidson.co.uk

DP Doors & Shutters Ltd: Hart’s Speedors meet Over 300 collective years requirements of industry experience F our Speedor Cleanroom high-speed doors have been installed by Hart Door Systems at a major frozen and cooked meat manufacturing in northern England. The doors, at just 1.5m wide and 1.95m high, are the second smallest Speedors ever manufactured by Hart.

B

ased in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Founded in 1997.

DP Doors & Shutters Ltd have over 300 years collective experience in the Manufacturing, Installation and Repairs and Maintenance of roller shutters and doors for Industrial, Food Processing and Commercial UK applications, either for new build, or refurbishment.

“The contract demonstrates two things,” says Hart regional sales manager, Gordon Kipling. “Not only is our Speedor range available in distinctly different types of doors but where applicable the doors can be available in reduced sizes for precise requirements.”

DP Doors & Shutters Ltd is an ISO 9001: 2015 registered company which began trading in 1997 with 2 people.

It now operates from a 15,000sq. ft. factory unit employing 46 people.

We supply, install and maintain a wide range of industrial doors, shutters and grilles to a variety of sectors across the whole of the UK. What we do DP Doors & Shutters Ltd supplies, installs, maintains and repairs a range of industrial doors, security shutters

22

and grilles. Its collection of doors includes insulated sectional overhead, single-skin, fire and insulated roller shutters, steel hinged personnel doors, fire doors and high speed action doors.

Before work begins, a full site survey is carried out at no extra cost.

“In this case there was a need to protect the production environment against drafts, humidity, dust and dirt by installing our Speedor Cleanroom with its fast opening and closing speed. Our pharmaceutical standard Cleanroom Speedors control airflow thus reducing contaminants.”

Based in Sheffield, DP Doors & Shutters operates from a 15,000ft2 factory and supplies and installs a wide range of industrial doors, shutters and grilles across the UK. Clients range from high street shops to international airports and blue chip manufacturing companies.

Designed specifically for manufacturing and research facilities, Speedor Cleanroom works in strictly controlled environments where hygiene standards are high, such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, electronics and micromechanics industries.

T 0114 2889464 www.dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk

The main features of Speedor Cleanroom include maintaining strict

air leakage requirements over specified pressure differentials. Complete with an intelligent control panel with digital display each Cleanroom has a reliable and clean in-line drive system complete with an integral safety brake and a non-touch safety light curtain ensures maximum protection to personnel.

Seals minimise pressure drops and protect the manufacturing environment against drafts, humidity, dust and dirt. www.hartdoors.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

HANDLING & STORAGE MATTERS

Weetabix opts for best of British with high-speed door installations by Union Industries spaces and sloping floors, ensuring a perfect seal and optimal functionality.

Alan Hirst, Sales Director at Union Industries

U

nion Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke high-speed doors, is helping one of Britain’s most iconic cereal brands maintain its high standard of hygiene with the installation of more Bulldoors and Matadoors.

Weetabix initially approached Union Industries in 2023 to maintain and elevate hygiene standards at its site at Burton Latimer near Kettering. Recognising the superior quality and reliability of Union’s Bulldoors, it expanded its partnership by installing a further six doors around its facilities, including Burton Latimer and Corby, making eleven Union doors across the two sites in total to date.

The bespoke doors, tailored to fit each individual opening, address specific challenges such as tight

In addition to maintaining hygiene standards, some entries and exits in Weetabix’s production and warehouse areas utilise a two-door solution of airlocks. This system interlinks the doors electronically to allow only one door at a time to be open, effectively prevents the ingress of insects, dust, and other foreign bodies, further safeguarding product integrity.

Union’s Bulldoors are regarded as the ‘reliable workhorse’ of rapid roll doors and are known to perform more than 1.4 million cycles per year, making it a popular choice across multiple sectors. They feature specialist ‘Crash-Out’ and ‘Auto-Reset’ damage protection facilities, and offer control outputs for options such as airlocks, traffic control systems and remote monitoring, whilst aiding temperature control for ambient and chilled environments.

The market-leading, bespoke, high-speed roller doors help to prevent the severe drop of ambient temperature in buildings, especially evident in the winter months, eliminating any potential impact on production environments.

Alan Hirst, Sales Director at Union Industries, said, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with

Weetabix in enhancing their operational efficiency and hygiene control. Our rapid roll doors are renowned for their reliability and performance, making them the ideal choice for Weetabix’s production environments.”

Anthony Brawn, Facilities Contracts Manager at Weetabix, said, “We are proud to partner with Union Industries in maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and operational efficiency across our facilities. The installation of Union’s high-speed doors ensures a seamless flow of operations” “With Union Industries, we are confident in achieving our long-term goals of reduced downtime, enhanced productivity, and minimised costs.”

T +44 (0)113 244 8393 enquiries@unionindustries.co.uk https://unionindustries.co.uk

Union Industries blows away competition with use of virtual reality configurator U

nion Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke industrial doors, has utilised virtual reality (VR) to help Leeds-based Met Fab Solutions maintain comfortable working conditions with the installation of a Bulldoor.

years to become the reliable workhorse that it is today. Its robust design ensures minimal maintenance and can withstand constant high-volume operations.”

Union Industries has successfully deployed its innovative new VR software to assist Met Fab Solutions, a leading UK manufacturer of aluminium panels and aluminium pressings, specify and configure the correct door suited to its needs.

“We are also thrilled with the success of our new virtual reality configuration tool. This software enables us to immerse prospective customers into our world, providing a first-hand experience of the advanced features and capabilities of our rapid roll doors.”

This innovative tool allows Union to immerse prospective clients in a 3D showroom where they can experience their high-speed door offerings and interact with the products in a virtual environment.

The software, comprising a VR headset and handheld units representing the customer’s hands, showcases the extensive features, specifications and benefits of Union Industries’ products.

Met Fab’s powder coating facility contains an extraction unit, which draws the temperature outside of the building to keep the area cool during hotter periods. However, when windy, the extraction unit causes a wind-chill resulting in employee discomfort, hence the company’s need for a fast acting and reliable door.

The Bulldoor not only ensures the integrity of Met Fab’s facility but also significantly reduces the impact of adverse weather conditions. Operated conveniently via remote control, the door incorporates a ‘Crash-Out & Auto-Reset’ feature as a standard safety measure, minimising costs associated with door impacts.

Steve Cockerham, managing director at Met Fab Solutions, said, “The collaboration with Union Industries has proven invaluable in addressing our specific needs.”

Renowned for their reliability and efficiency, Union Industries’ doors, including the Bulldoor, have become the preferred choice for manufacturers dealing with heat loss and escalating energy prices. With a robust design requiring minimal maintenance, these doors can withstand constant high-volume operations, making them an ideal solution for industrial settings.

Rob Howe, Union Industries’ Technical Sales Engineer, said, “Once again, the Bulldoor is the first choice for those in the manufacturing industry who aim to address heat loss and wind chill through open doorways.”

“The Bulldoor is one of our best-selling doors and has been developed by our own R&D team over the

“In utilising the VR software, Union was able to demonstrate to us in detail how the Bulldoor was best placed to serve our specific needs and address the challenges we faced.”

“The Bulldoor has not only enhanced the integrity of our facility but has also significantly improved working conditions for our employees.”

Please see video ‘The BEST way to choose a High Speed Door – VR technology’ T +44 (0)113 244 8393 enquiries@unionindustries.co.uk https://unionindustries.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

25

FOOD & DRINK PROCESSING MATTERS

Solving efficiency problems during the thermal processing of food and beverage T

hermal processing is critical to the success and safety of food and beverage manufacturing. Yet often, thermal control is not up to scratch, causing inefficiency, loss of profit and detriment to products. In this article, David Sarhok, Account Manager Europe for food and beverage processing and equipment at industrial temperature controller manufacturer Watlow (pictured), unpacks how modern temperature controllers can overcome seven of the most common efficiency problems in food and beverage thermal processing. In 2022, Watlow acquired Eurotherm, which manufactures industrial temperature controllers, power controllers and data management systems used heavily in the food and beverage industry.

Temperature instability Managing temperature control is critical in the manufacturing of food and beverage applications. For example, oil temperature in fryers can be difficult to control. With poor control, the temperature can oscillate from too hot to too cold, wasting time and energy in the process. Temperature variation can also lead to irreversible damage to the product creating waste and consequential loss of profit.

One solution is to use a precision proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. To control other setpoints at the same time, like humidity and pressure, this type of controller can typically be purchased with multiloop options and dedicated algorithms that aid the application.

Autotune functions are available that will automatically set a range of parameters to optimise the process when enabled on specific equipment.

Product inconsistency Poorly controlled processes can waste time and energy through non-uniform mixing, cooking and cooling. One of the common problems arises from human intervention in the process where operators tweak the control manually, causing unnecessary and often negative changes to the product.

Automating the process is better at achieving consistent results. A modern PID control system ensures all zones in the oven are controlled to the right temperature for that product. Look for models with recipe functions that allow the whole setup to be saved and recalled when you need to manufacture the same product repeatedly.

26

Energy usage According to the Food & Drink Federation, the UK’s food and drink industry is the nation’s largest manufacturing sector, generating a huge energy output as a result. Suppliers provide energy on a tariff and in poorly managed plants that draw more energy at certain times than the tariff allows, they can suffer from hefty fines.

The simple answer is better power control and modern thyristor controllers. These new smart devices are available with a large variety of industrial communications, which allows them to communicate with each other across the plant.

Special algorithms for managing and spreading loads across the plant help make the best use of your energy and keep your finance managers happy by operating within your specified tariff.

Temperature overshoot During cooking and cooling processes, whenever the temperature of a product overshoots or undershoots, energy is wasted. Some products can also be damaged by overheating or overcooling and then require a quality assessment.

When operating temperatures are outside the desired setpoint, this leads to wasted time and energy, under or over cooked products, as well as possible non-conformance to critical temperature limits leading to scrap product.

For processes where energy is being wasted in this way, one solution is to replace the simple temperature controller with a precision PID temperature controller. Intelligent models have specific algorithms embedded in the control strategy that automatically take care of common heating and cooling problems. Useful features in this case are inbuilt algorithms that stop the temperature overshooting whilst heating up.

Compliance to critical temperature limits In food and beverage processes that follow Good Manufacturing Practicing (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines, you could be wasting energy simply by using standard controllers. The problem with these controllers is the wide variation in accuracy levels.

Investing in a precision PID controller with accurate inputs and outputs, and better rejection to noise, means manufacturers can be sure that the temperature you set is the temperature you

get. It also ensures that manufacturers meet limits while getting ROI by reducing energy bills over the lifetime of the controller.

Packaging problems Some types of packaging are difficult to bond together. The time, temperature and pressure are crucial to the heat-sealing process to ensure a quality seal that retains its integrity. Basic controllers are not up to this job, which can lead to wastage of time, product and packaging.

The temperature at the point of the seal needs to be accurate in combination with the mechanical pressure and time of contact. A precision PID controller, such as the PM PLUS™ from Watlow, along with the temperature controller, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is used to provide precise control of the machine.

Boiler efficiency The energy used to supply hot water and steam is one of the biggest costs in food and beverage manufacturing. As the UK moves towards carbonfree energy generation, some manufacturers have already made the decision to move to electrically heated boilers to reduce their carbon footprint. Used in combination with modern power controllers that provide firing modes to suit different types of heaters and algorithms to better manage boiler loads, they are ideal for companies who are committed to green initiatives and directives like Energy Savings Opportunity Schemes (ESOS).

In the manufacturing of food and drink products, temperature control is the fundamental process that holds the key to the functioning of the industry. Inconsistency in temperature can be detrimental to products and the manufacturer.

Modern power controllers offer greater control and reliability needed to ensure accurate and safe products.

To discover Watlow’s range of power controllers, please visit the website: https://www.watlow.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

FOOD PROCESSING MATTERS

Proactive maintenance: The key to reducing unscheduled downtime Unscheduled downtime can have a significant impact on manufacturing companies informed decision-making and better planning of maintenance activities. Overall, thermography is an essential component of a robust preventative maintenance strategy, ensuring operational continuity and safety.

W

hen production halts unexpectedly, it disrupts the entire supply chain, leading to delays in product delivery and potential loss of customer trust. Financially, the costs can be substantial, including lost revenue, overtime pay for workers, and expenses for emergency repairs. Additionally, frequent downtime can damage equipment, reducing its potential lifespan and increasing maintenance costs.

Thermal imaging, also known as Thermography is a powerful tool for preventative maintenance in manufacturing. It involves using infrared cameras to detect heat patterns and anomalies in equipment.

By identifying areas of excessive heat, which often indicate potential failures, thermography allows maintenance teams to address issues before they lead to costly unscheduled downtime.

One of the key benefits of thermography is its non-invasive nature. Thermal imaging is performed while equipment is operating, minimising disruptions to production. This proactive approach helps in identifying problems such as electrical faults, mechanical wear, and insulation failures at an early stage. Consequently, it enhances the reliability and efficiency of machinery, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Moreover, thermography provides valuable data that can be used to track the condition of equipment over time. This data-driven approach enables more

Teledyne FLIR is a leading company specializing in the design and production of thermal imaging cameras and sensors. Renowned for their innovative technology, FLIR’s products are used across various industries, including manufacturing, security, and environmental monitoring.

FLIRs cameras are sophisticated instruments that can appear daunting to the untrained user, with specialist applications requiring a deep knowledge of thermography to provide valuable insights. On the other hand, FLIRs thermal imaging cameras can simply be viewed as tools to do a job, and that job is to inform maintenance teams about the condition of critical assets. The information can provide information to predict the maintenance required, prevent failure, and avoid unscheduled downtime.

While training can be provided by organisations such as the Infrared Training Centre, or online via the FLIR Academy; FLIR offer multiple features to support both experienced and inexperienced thermographers to monitor their equipment. For example: FLIR Exx-series, and Txxx-series of cameras can be set-up by an experienced user to follow an ‘inspection route,’ then less experienced or even beginners can follow the same route, with the camera guiding its operator to take accurate and usable images, pre-selecting the settings and parameters as required. At the end of the inspection, the thermal images can be sync’d wirelessly to a pre-prepared report, allowing easy analysis and interpretation.

This might all sound complicated, but it is just a process that once set-up, supports inexperienced thermographers to capture data in a meaningful way. All designed to provide insights into the condition of equipment around a factory, production plant or manufacturing facility.

If your maintenance teams are forever ‘firefighting,’ on high-alert, or waiting to react urgently to equipment failures, then it’s time to invest some more time and energy to get ahead of unplanned downtime, and monitor the condition of equipment.

One of the best ways to do this is through thermal imaging which can be as affordable as companies need it to be, with training, or guided inspection tools readily available to meet the requirements of the technicians and engineers responsible for maintaining equipment uptime. www.FLIR.com has more information, especially in the ‘Condition Monitoring’ section where you can request a call from one of the team of experts, who will be happy to talk through the solutions and features, or organise an on-site demo to see how FLIR cameras can support your organisation.

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

27

HOSPITALITY MATTERS

Square Kiosk launches in the UK

Delamere’s award winning flavoured milks

D

elamere has launched its 97ml bottles of semi-skimmed milk and, most recently, oat drink specifically designed for the hospitality industry.

T

his month, Square unveiled Square Kiosk, a fully integrated software, hardware, and payments solution, designed to cut wait times, make service faster and free up staff. Aimed at fast-moving and fast-growing restaurants, this brand new selfservice ordering system offers a complete solution to empower diners and streamline ordertaking. With staffing issues and labour shortages continuing to be major concerns for those in the hospitality industry, Square Kiosk offers an extra pair of hands. For the cost of £1 a day, Kiosk is fast at the job and helps increase order value. With orders taken care of, restaurants can staff up other areas of their

business, freeing team members from the counter so that they can focus on other tasks.

For the customer, Square Kiosk is a sleek and simple experience that lets them bypass queues and choose upgrades to bolster their orders. Payment couldn’t be easier with Kiosk’s contactless and chip payment technology.

Customers also benefit from the integrated Square Loyalty programme, rewarding diners with loyalty points and encouraging return visits.

Offering a free trial until 31st December, get in touch here.

Contact www.square.com

The perfect size for hotel rooms and in-room hospitality, both are heat treated to ensure a shelf life of up to six months unopened. Once opened, they should be treated as fresh milk with a fridge life of 3 days.

Both deliver a full flavour and can be used in hot drinks or poured over cereal. One 97ml bottle provides the equivalent of over 8 plastic milk jiggers traditionally used in hotel rooms, saving on plastic waste, as well as saving the time and waste associated with delivering fresh milk to rooms. The re-closeable lid means the bottle can be used for 3-4 cups of tea or coffee. While providing a premium appearance, both the glass bottle and aluminium lid are fully recyclable.

240ml glass bottles of Delamere's award winning Flavoured milks

have recently launched following the success of their 500ml 'big brothers', specifically with the hospitality and catering industries in mind. Available in strawberry, chocolate, banana and iced coffee flavours, the range is ambient, but best served chilled.

Deliciously smooth, the drinks have all the goodness of milk and will appeal to adults and children alike.

The glass bottle is on trend and along with the aluminium lids is fully recyclable.

T 01565 632422 www.delameredairy.co.uk www.delamereflavouredmilk.co.uk www.toplifeformula.com www.delameredairyfoundation.org.uk

Leading the way in Table Numbers & QR Code Labels for the Hospitality Industry

B

runel Engraving leads the UK hospitality industry with its premium table numbers and QR code labels, meeting the evolving needs of the hospitality sector through excellence and innovation.

Our cutting-edge solutions seamlessly integrate technology, enhancing dining experiences for both establishments and patrons. Businesses benefit from streamlined operations and increased customer satisfaction, as guests access menus and promotions effortlessly. Quality is paramount, evident in our ISO9001 accreditation and stellar Trustpilot ratings.

We offer a comprehensive range of printing and engraving techniques, including laser

28

engraving, chemical etching, and various printing methods to meet every client’s unique needs. From large chains to local businesses, our products are installed across the UK. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can transform your establishment's operations and elevate your guest experience.

T 01275 871720 info@brunelengraving.co.uk www.brunelengraving.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN MATTERS

Rival foods: Delicious 100% plant-based whole-cuts A

ccording to vegan charity Viva! – There are an estimated 2.5 million vegans in the UK, which accounts for 4.7% of the adult population. The BBC Good Food website also points to a growing rise in flexitarians, now thought to be 23% of Brits, which leaves the door wide open for innovative plant-based dishes.

Rival Foods is a hot new contender, with its unique high-quality, plant-based whole-cuts range available to chefs and food professionals.

The Dutch-based innovators use a cutting-edge technology called Shear Cell® to create meatlike textures from plant-based proteins, as CCO Willem Spigt explains, “This unique production method enables the creation of whole muscle cut products from plants using mild processing.

Compared to the current extrusion technology, used by almost all plant-based food companies, Rival Foods creates very thick fibrous textures that mimic the sensation of eating the animal-

oriental sauce to the chunks of marinated Chicken Satay, with optional black-eyed beans or tofu.

In 2014, co-founder and CEO Birgit Dekkers firstly initiated research in the technological opportunities of plant-based proteins and secondly, how to form textures with them.

After completing her Ph.D. project at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, Dr Dekkers joined forces with physicist and engineer CTO Ernst Breel to found the company in 2019.

Five years later, Rival Foods now has its headquarters in Amersfoort and production facility in the south of The Netherlands, allowing the Dutch company to scale-up distribution across the Netherlands, Germany, UK and France in foodservice and from 2025 in retail.

“Rival Foods is a B2B company, so we focus on producing for private or white label. Our technology allows our clients to bring back innovation to their product portfolios.”

based counterpart on all levels of the sensory spectrum, while using only a minimum amount of ingredients at a price competitive level compared to standard quality animal proteins.”

With no compromise on taste or texture, the result is a delicious, tender, succulent alternative to animal proteins, with the additional benefits of being highly sustainable and healthy. The result is a well-crafted range of plant-based products suitable for any fine dining or bistro establishment: chicken filet, pulled chicken and chicken satay and coming soon: tenderloin and fish steak.

30

One of the main reasons UK consumers are switching to plant-based meals is for a healthier lifestyle, which includes lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels amongst many other reasons.

With this in mind, Rival foods uses only natural, non-GMO ingredients such as plant proteins, water, natural flavouring and a small bit of salt. What is more, the plant-based range from Rival Foods is quick and easy to cook, with the minimum of fuss and are delicious grilled, oven or pan-cooked.

If you love the taste of the Far East, try adding steamed, fluffy rice with a signature

Pulled meat normally requires hours of slow cooking and isn’t the most practical method for a busy food service environment. That’s where the plantbased Pulled Chicken product from Rival Foods comes in. Perfect in a casserole, stew or as a mid-week treat with leafy vegetables and mash.

The last product is a hugely versatile option: plant-based Chicken Filet, equally delicious in a Caesar salad, burger bun or as part of a nutritious main course. The sky’s the limit!

With such delicious plant-based options, we wondered where Rival Foods is going next and put the question to Willem, “Currently Rival Foods is selling a range of chicken-like products to selected restaurants in The Netherlands and Germany, offering products like our marinated chicken filet, chicken blocks for skewers and pulled chicken. Rival Foods is developing products in other categories like Red Meat and Fish, such as our Fish Filet and Tenderloin and will be launching those later in the year.”

“Rival Foods believes that just as in animal-based proteins the whole cut segment will eventually make up around 50% of the plant-based meat category. To get there, consumers want delicious tasting, affordable and healthy products and that’s exactly what Rival Foods is offering their clients.”

To find out more about these delicious plant-based options for your food service sector, please see the website below: www.rival-foods.com

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

CLASSIFIEDS Beverages

Printing

Tools

Food Hygiene

Ingredients

Contract Drying

Catering Consultancy

Measurement Solutions

Foodservice Consultants

Ingredients

Trade Marks

Halal Foods

We help to make sure food is safe to eat.

That's our passion.

Safe food hygiene solutions for your food company. www.christeyns.com

MACKLE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Bulk supplies for Food Manufacturers BRITISH MADE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR USING BRITISH APPLES No sulphur or additives used with acidity levels to suit your requirements

Ingredients

Brewed in our own BRC approved factory PACKED IN 25 AND 1000 LITRE CONTAINERS or Full Road Tankers Buy Direct from manufacturer Deliver anywhere in the UK Tel 02887 784345 or email anthony.conroy@mackleapple.com

32

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

Packaging

Ingredients

Water Filters

Cannabis Tea

Plastics

Logistics

Packaging Machinery

Packaging

Discover our range of cannabis products grown on certified organic farms

Balance the Body, Calm the Mind Purchase online or find a stockist near you www.bodyandmindbotanicals.com

Food Packaging

Personalised bespoke packaging solutions for a range of speciality food sectors: Confectionery, Dairy, Bakery, Delicatessen & Fish Get in touch 01606 354664 sales@bartecpackaging.co.uk www.bartecpackaging.co.uk

Machines for Food

UK MANUFACTURED PACKAGING MACHINERY EXCELLENCE

Turnkey Solutions | Filling, Capping Labelling Automation | Bespoke, Special Purpose Design Pharmaceutical | Food & Beverage | Chemical Aromatherapy | Medical | Diagnostics Industrial | Ecig | Adhesives To discover more, please visit

www.capcoder.com • Tel 01865 891466

Water Treatment

Uniball Tumbler Mixer Ideal for flapjack mixes and fragile products Capacity 225 litres, 316 stainless steel drum, variable speed

The machines have been sold to clients using a range of different products as coating vegetables in oil, mixing medical powders, Bakery recipes, flapjack mix, mixing different nut types, marinating meat with sauces, mixing coffee beans, food ingredients, coating olives in flavours, flavours on nuts, pasta & mayo. Sold worldwide to USA, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Iceland and Europe.

01761 410345 | 01761 410332 sales@machines4food.co.uk www.machines4food.co.uk

FDM is sponsored by LK Distillery – see them on page 5

33