Food & Food Equipment News

Food & Beverage Processing Machinery Market Reports Package Published

What is the size of the food and beverage processing machinery market in different countries? How is the market divided into different types of products? Which products are growing fast? How the market has been developing? How does the future look like? What is the potential for the market? How do the indicators of doing business look like? How easily are the contracts being enforced, or what is the inflation rate and how is it developing? Answers to all these key questions and many more can be found in a new report package.

New research report package “Food and Beverage Processing Machinery–Global” prepared by Global Research & Data Services incorporates 63 food and beverage processing machinery market analyses from a wide range of countries across the globe. Each analysis gives a deep overview of the current situation, developments and future outlook of the food and beverage processing machinery market in the respective country. Each review covers total market value and volume for food and beverage processing machinery, market value and volume for food and beverage processing machinery by type, product prices. Furthermore, overall country overview, macroeconomic and key doing business indicators in each pertinent country are also provided.

Food and beverage processing machinery types covered include: brewery, chocolate, cocoa and confectionery, fruit, vegetable and nut, meat and poultry, pasta and bakery, sugar, other, and parts for food and beverage processing machinery.

Report Package Details:

Title: Food and Beverage Processing Machinery – Global

Published: March 1, 2012

Pages: 3087

Price: US$ 26,237

http://marketpublishers.com/report/industry/machinery_equipment/food_n_beverage_processing_machinery_global_globalresearch.html

Select 55 From Anheuser-Busch Introduces 35- and 32-Calorie Packages

Already the brand of choice for beer drinkers who want to enjoy a crisp, refreshing beer with few calories, Select 55 is now introducing smaller-sized cans and bottles. Now available at retailers nationwide, Select 55 "Little Lights" include sleek 8-ounce, 35-calorie cans, available in 12-packs; and 7-ounce, 32-calorie clear glass bottles, available in six-packs.

Select 55 offers a clean, crisp taste with fewer calories for adult beer drinkers. The new smaller-size cans and bottles make it ideal for enjoying a great tasting beer while limiting calorie intake, whether people are seeking light refreshment at the end of the day or celebrating the weekend with friends.

Each 8-ounce aluminum can of Select 55 has 35 calories, 1.9 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fat and less than one gram of protein per serving. Seven-ounce clear glass bottles of Select 55 contain 32 calories, 0.8 grams of carbohydrates and less than one gram of protein per bottle.

"These new sizes for Select 55 provide more options for adults who want to enjoy a great beer with few calories," said Ryan Moore, Senior Director, Select 55. "We first introduced Select 55 to provide beer drinkers a premium lighter light beer option.  As our drinkers have evolved, we saw an opportunity in the marketplace and developed 'Little Lights' to meet it. We think Select 55 drinkers will find them to be a great option for times when a smaller size is ideal."

Select 55 is made with caramel malts and a blend of imported and domestic hopping. Select 55 features a unique recipe that gives the beer its crisp finish with aroma notes of toasted malt and subtle hopping. All Select 55 beers are brewed at Anheuser-Busch's Los Angeles, St. Louis and Williamsburg breweries. Select 55 in 12-ounce containers (both clear glass and aluminum cans) has 55 calories and 1.9 carbs. For more information, visit www.Select55.com or www.Facebook.com/Select55.

Indian Cuisine Leader Deep Foods Halal Certified for All Chicken, Lamb Dishes

Deep Foods, the leading producer of restaurant quality, all natural frozen Indian cuisine, announces halal certification for all chicken and lamb dishes through the Islamic Society of North America. The halal products are currently distributed in Indian and Pakistani grocery stores across the country.

Deep Foods obtained the halal certification to make its unique brand of traditional, authentic Indian food available to a wider range of consumers. The ISNA logo will be clearly displayed on all Deep Foods lamb and chicken dishes.

"Deep Foods is a company that respects the preferences of all consumers, including those that follow a halal, vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free diet," said Mike Ryan, VP Marketing, Deep Foods. "We mark each product so that the consumer has all information and control over which Indian food products they buy, including our ISNA halal and American Vegetarian Association (AVA) dishes.  

Halal is a widely accepted method of animal agriculture determined by the Qu'ran in Islamic religion. Halal is one of the most humane methods of animal agriculture for the consumption of meat, according to reputable sources including the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Humane Society International.

Kinnikinnick Foods Receives OU Kosher Certification

Kinnikinnick Foods, North America’s leading manufacturer of gluten-free baked goods and snacks, today announced that its company, facilities, and all of its current products, are certified OU kosher pareve by the Orthodox Union.

Kinnikinnick runs the largest, dedicated gluten-, dairy- and nut-free facilities in North America and both plants in Edmonton are under the supervision of the Kashruth Division of the Orthodox Union. By making all of its products in house, Kinnikinnick can ensure its baked goods and snacks are safe from cross contamination.

OU Kosher is the largest and most respected kosher certification agency in the world. The OU symbol will begin rolling out on Kinnikinnick’s packaging beginning this December, just in time for Chanukah. All of Kinnikinnick’s current product offerings are now certified Kosher, including Kinnikinnick’s Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, Chocolate Dipped Donuts, All Purpose Flour Blend, Angel Food Cake Mix, Blueberry Muffins, White Sandwich Bread, Pizza Crusts, S’moreables Graham Style Crackers, and KinniKritters Animal Cookies, to name a few. For a complete list, click here.

Kosher foods have sustained a growth rate of 15 percent annually and are the fastest growing ethnic cuisine over the past five years, according to Canadian Agri-Food Trade Service. In total, more than 13 percent of Americans have reported specifically purchasing kosher-certified foods.

“Making our products certified kosher was a natural choice for us,” shared Kinnikinnick Foods’ President and CEO Jerry Bigam. “Since our products were already free of dairy, we received many calls asking if our lineup was kosher as well. The demand was there, our products met the requirements; we just needed to go through the certification procedure to make it official.”

Kinnikinnick’s products are available for purchase online at www.kinnikinnick.com and at select natural and mainstream grocery stores throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Guidelines Encourage Wineries to Take Cork Forests Into Consideration When Calculating Carbon Footprint

Cork Provides Net Reduction in CO2 Emissions

Winemakers who want to lighten their carbon footprint have yet another reason to seal their wine with natural cork, 100% Cork announced today.

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is now encouraging wineries to consider the carbon offset value of cork forests when calculating the Greenhouse Gas Score of cork closures. The OIV recently announced the new protocol, once again making carbon sequestration a relevant environmental issue that continues to distinguish natural cork from artificial stoppers.

"Cork closures (have) ... an important impact in the sustainable conservation of forest," the General Assembly of the OIV wrote in its resolution. "Because of this important role, carbon balance of corks may be taken into account when applying the Product Protocol."

OIV's new International Guidelines mean wineries should take the 6.6 million acres of cork oak forests in the Mediterranean Basin into consideration when aspiring to reduce their carbon footprint. 

"When accounting the GHG emissions related to natural cork closures, the cork production system should be considered from a holistic approach. The final figures of the GHG emissions due to the cork production should consider the managed forest it comes from and its carbon sink effect," according to the OIV resolution.

Cork Closures Produce Net Reduction in CO2 emissions

Throughout its life cycle, natural cork creates a net decrease in CO2 emissions, whereas synthetic and aluminum stoppers are net contributors to CO2 pollution, according to the peer-reviewed comparative Life Cycle Assessment conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers/Ecpbilan.

A CO2 calculator at www.corkqc.com/CO2 can be used to calculate the carbon footprint of closure types and convert them into auto mileage.  For example, using natural cork on 5,000 cases of wine reduces approximately 7.4 tons of CO2 -- the equivalent of eliminating about four average car trips from Anchorage to Miami.

By contrast, using metal screw-caps or synthetic stoppers on 5,000 cases increases CO2 emissions by 2.5 tons and 1 ton, respectively, according to the calculator.  If U.S. wineries switched all of their synthetic closures alone to natural cork, there would be a savings of approximately 7,000 tons of carbon emissions, the equivalent of nearly 12 million miles of automobile travel.

The cork oak forests offset the carbon dioxide emissions from 2.5 million vehicles every year, prevent desertification, provide habitat for 25,000 plant and animal species and sustain generations of family farmers. The forests are found in portions of North Africa, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, which is the world's largest cork producer.

OIV's full report can be viewed here.

Jimmy Dean Changes Name of Popular Line of Frozen Breakfast Products

Jimmy Dean announced today a name change for the brand’s Jimmy Dean D-Lights frozen breakfast items. The breakfast products will be called Jimmy Dean Delights.

The name change was in response to internal marketing strategies and no changes will be made to the product formulations.

SoupMan Inc. Announces Shelf Stable Packaging for Heat-and-Serve Soups

SoupMan Inc. announced today that its Original SoupMan soups, the long-adored and best tasting soup brand in the world, will be available in shelf-stable, Tetra Recart packaging in January for national distribution. Previously available only in the frozen section, these legendary soups—Zagat Rated No. 1 and hailed by critics—will be sold in the main grocery soup aisle, where over $6 billion a year in soup purchases are made.

“Our retail partners and our consumers have been asking us for shelf-stable packaging for years” said Arnold Casale, CEO. “But we had to find a process that enabled us to maintain the impeccable quality of our product, so that the unique flavors and individual textures of our ingredients were maintained.”

The new Tetra Recart carton packaging enables the soups to be handled like traditional canned soups, but with the Original SoupMan quality and taste, allowing soup aficionados nationwide to enjoy the same spectacular ingredients and innovative flavors that have made the New York City flagship storefront a soup mecca since 1984.

Shaquille O’Neal, who recently became a partner in SoupMan, Inc. says, “I became involved in SoupMan for two reasons; the soup is great and the soup market category is huge. This new shelf-stable package puts us in grocery soup section and allows us a share of the $6 billion soup category.”

"Tetra Recart packages are also easier to ship, easier to stock and easier on the environment," added Casale. The packaging is imported from Sweden and is certified by FSC, an international organization dedicated to balancing environmental, social and economic aspects of forestry. In addition, this packaging requires 22 percent less shelf space than traditional cans.

The Original SoupMan Heat-and-Serve soups in shelf-stable packaging will feature the same obsessive perfectionism and eclectic varieties for which the brand is famous, including Lobster Bisque, Chicken Noodle, Italian Wedding, Lentil, Tomato Basil and NY Strip Steak & Veggies. The product will be available at fine grocers nationwide starting January. The suggested retail price is $3.79 to $3.99 for a 17.3 oz package, which is two servings.

T.G.I. FRiDAY’S® Frozen Foods Solves Freezer Aisle Frustration with New ‘Entrées for One’

Survey Reveals Americans Caught in Mundane World of Everyday Frozen Food; T.G.I. FRiDAY’S Brand Infuses Fun of FRiDAY’s into Freezers Across America with Nine New Flavorful Meals

Although frozen meals have come a long way since the first TV dinners and pot pies of the 1950s, a recent survey indicates that Americans are still hungering for more from their convenient cuisine. In an effort to end frozen meal mediocrity, T.G.I. FRiDAY’S^® Frozen Foods has launched an anything-but-boring line of flavorful “Entrées for One” that combine restaurant quality with the convenience of a ready-made, individual frozen meal.

According to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research, 69 percent of Americans agree that today’s frozen entrées are far from restaurant quality. And only 11 percent describe their frozen meal as flavorful, yet they admit to eating about 100 frozen meals each year.¹ The new line of T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One” solves frozen food boredom with nine new entrées inspired by the bold and fun flavors of the famed T.G.I. FRiDAY’S restaurants. From Sizzling Steak Fajitas to Cajun-Style Chicken Alfredo, the new varieties infuse a fresh new flavor into the frozen meal category.

“It’s time to shake things up in the frozen food aisle and rethink the possibilities. Although frozen meals are designed to be quick and convenient solutions, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for the same old boring, bland meal every time,” said Michelle Fuscaldo, associate director for T.G.I. FRiDAY’S Frozen Foods. “With T.G.I. FRiDAY’S new line of frozen ‘Entrées for One,’ you can enjoy convenience, quality and exciting new flavors all at once – whether you need a quick weeknight meal or a jolt of unexpected flavor to get into that FRiDAY’S fun mood.”

The new entrées include nine varieties in a host of standout flavors:

• Sizzling Chicken Fajitas – Grilled white meat chicken, seasoned strips of bell peppers and onions paired with a side of cheesy rice. Includes three flour tortillas.
• Sizzling Steak Fajitas – Seared beef steak, seasoned strips of bell peppers and onions paired with a side of cheesy rice. Includes three flour tortillas.
• Grilled Chicken Mac & Cheese – White meat chicken and cavatappi pasta in a classic American cheese sauce topped with Cheddar, Romano, Parmesan and Monterey Jack cheeses.
• Prime Rib Stroganoff – Prime Rib beef, whole grain curly pasta, mushrooms and onions tossed in a creamy rich brown sauce with black pepper.
• Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo – Grilled white meat chicken, broccoli florets and cavatappi pasta tossed in a Parmesan Alfredo sauce.
• Loaded Chicken & Cheese – Grilled white meat chicken, roasted potatoes, broccoli florets and red peppers tossed in a rich cheddar cheese sauce.
• Cajun-Style Chicken Alfredo – Blackened white meat chicken, ciufetti pasta, red peppers and green onions tossed in a creamy Cajun-style Alfredo sauce.
• Sesame Orange Chicken – Sesame-breaded white meat chicken, Asian-style vegetables and white rice tossed in a sweet orange sauce.
• Creamy Chicken Pasta Carbonara – Grilled white meat chicken, penne pasta, vegetables and crumbled bacon tossed in a creamy Carbonara sauce.

Packaging for the Future

The flavorful new FRiDAY’S frozen entrées are available in two formats – trays and bag meals – that are both ready in less than seven minutes. The bag meals feature a dual-prep function and can be conveniently steamed directly in the microwaveable bag or cooked in a skillet for some extra sizzle. Plus, the Sizzling Fajitas come with flour tortillas packaged separately, allowing you to fill the tortillas with meat, veggies and cheesy rice – just like in the restaurant.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the entrées are efficiently packaged in either bags or trays that use minimal material and freezer space. Plus, the eco-friendly trays are composed of a hybrid material that uses 40 percent less plastic than traditional frozen tray meal formats.

How Fun is Your Freezer?

To show how the new FRiDAY’S flavors can transform any kitchen freezer into a hub of exciting, crave-able restaurant flavors, the brand is launching the FRiDAY’s “Fun Freezer” Contest at www.facebook.com/TGIFridaysFreezer. The new Facebook contest challenges consumers to make their home freezers a bit more fun by decorating them with their own unique flair, uploading a photo, and entering to win a variety of fun prizes, including the grand prize of an ultimate home theatre makeover and a year’s worth of “Entrées for One.” Consumers can enter now through September 25, 2011. The top ten finalists will be selected and consumers will then vote for their favorite fun freezer.

Finding the New FRiDAY’S Frozen Flavors

The new frozen entrées complement a wide range of other flavorful entrée and snack options from T.G.I. FRiDAY’S brand and are available now at most major grocery and chain retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99. For more information about T.G.I. FRiDAY’S ^“Entrées for One,” visit www.FridaysInYourFreezer.com or www.facebook.com/TGIFridaysFreezer.

¹ The T.G.I. Friday’s Frozen Foods Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.WakefieldResearch.com) among 1,000 American adults, ages 18 and older, between June 6th and June 13th, 2011, using telephone omnibus interviews. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older.

Ninety Percent of Preschoolers’ Sack Lunches Reach Unsafe Temperatures

More than 90 percent of sack lunches prepared at home and sent with kids to preschool were kept at unsafe temperatures, a new study by nutritional scientists at The University of Texas at Austin found.

The study will be published in the September 2011 issue of Pediatrics and was published online Aug. 8.

"Parents need to be aware of how important the storage temperature is for foods they pack for their young children," said Fawaz Almansour, a graduate student in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and lead author of the research.

The best storage temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for cold foods and above 140 degrees for hot foods. Between 40 and 140 degrees is the "danger zone."

Study authors suggest that parents and the public need to be educated on safe food packing practices in order to prevent bacteria from growing and potentially causing illness.

Almansour and his colleagues, including Professor Margaret Briley and postdoctoral researcher Sara Sweitzer, collected data on sack lunches from more than 700 preschoolers at nine Texas child care centers. The lunches were measured with noncontact temperature guns one and one-half hours before the food was served.

They found that while 45 percent of the lunches studied had at least one ice pack, 39 percent had no supplemental ice packs. Even including lunches with ice packs, 88 percent were at room temperature. Less than 2 percent of lunches with perishable items were found to be in a safe temperature zone, while more than 90 percent (even with multiple ice packs) were kept at unsafe temperatures.

Perishable items studied included meats, cheeses and vegetables. Prepackaged foods produced by manufacturers were not included in the study.

“The simple addition of one extra icepack could have prevented many of the perishable items in lunches from reaching the danger zone,” wrote the researchers in their study.

They go on to say that the addition of two or more icepacks in lunches could help prevent food-borne illness in children.

Repurpose® Compostables Insulated Hot Cup Wins 1st Prize at SCAA, Coffee Fest Chicago

Repurpose® Compostables, a manufacturer of premium, high quality food service products, based in Los Angeles, is pleased to announce today that its new insulated hot cup took top prize at both The Specialty Coffee Association of America annual show in Houston and at the Coffee Fest show in Chicago. The cup won First Prize for most Innovative New Product at Coffee Fest in February, and won First Prize for Best New Product in the Sustainability category at SCAA in May.

The insulated technology behind the Repurpose insulated hot cup keeps hot beverages warmer longer, and prevents heat from escaping the cup, protecting the user and creating a more comfortable feel with only one product. No more double cupping. No more sleeves. The revolutionary new cup uses 65% less CO2 than a traditional cup to produce, and can be composted in 90 days. Traditional insulated cups are made by adding additional layers of paper; however, the Repurpose insulated hot cup does the same with our patented insulation material on a single wall cup. This high quality food service product finally offers the greenest possible alternative to Styrofoam and non-compostable insulated cups.

“We are thrilled to continue to be recognized by the coffee industry for our new cup,” said Lauren Gropper, Chief Executive Officer of Repurpose Compostables. “This product is not only green and has a sleek design and feel but also performs amazingly well and it is exciting to continue to show that to our community.”

Repurpose products are made from plants, not petroleum, using Ingeo™ resin and meet ASTM 6400 compostability standards. Founded in 2009, Repurpose® Compostables offers a line of high quality, compostable food service products for businesses and consumers with a focus on premium and innovative products that reinvent the way people look at food service. Repurpose also offers custom products solutions in every category. Our mission is to educate the public about the problems of continuing to use petroleum based plastic products and offer renewable, plant based, compostable alternatives. Additionally, Repurpose works with businesses, municipalities, and individuals to retrofit any traditionally plastic based product with a bioplastic alternative at competitive prices. Find out more at www.repurposecompostables.com.