Page 184 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

HAVE YOUR SAY ON FOOD LABELLING LEGISLATION

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Sarah Collison

Would you or a colleague like to be interviewed on the effect of changes to food labelling legislation in the food and drink industry?

WRAP is conducting research on behalf of Defra with large and small food and drink manufacturers and large retailers on how businesses have adapted to changes, the impact these have had on businesses, and broader views on food labelling.

Results from the overall project will help inform food policy and will be published, although your business will not be identifiable.

Interviews will take between 45-60 minutes to complete in January and February 2024. Interview guides will be provided prior to interviews to help you prepare. A declaration of interest may not guarantee an interview. Participation is completely voluntary. If you or a colleague would like to be interviewed, or if you would like more information, please contact Polly Davies, Analyst at WRAP, polly.davies@wrap.org.uk.

DEFRA UPDATE RISK CATEGORY GUIDANCE

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Sarah Collison

Defra have updated their guidance for traders relating to the risk categorisation of EU animal products under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). This update does not change the risk categorisation in any way, rather it expands the existing guidance and provides additional detail.

The EU risk categorisation under the BTOM sets out the risk categories in a tabular format covering all animal and animal types and includes a look-up tool to help find the risk category by CN code.

This most recent update now includes additional commodity code information for an additional 130 codes, mainly animal by products (ABP’s) and corrects minor errors relating to fish oils and apiculture. The BTOM risk categories summary tables can be found here along with the look-up tool here.

FILL YOUR STOCKING WITH FARMYARD FOOD GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Posted on November 15, 2023November 15, 2023 by

After an unseasonably warm Autumn, we’re diving into Winter mode, embracing cosy vibes, and exploring delectable menus and food gifts for Christmas. Cue snuggly jumpers, dark nights, and twinkling lights.

As visions of feasts dance in our heads, we’ve been dreaming up a Christmas food menu of culinary festive treats to wow you and your loved ones, doubling as magnificent food gifts for Christmas that are bound to impress.

Christmas sorted from the comfort of your sofa

Imagine yourself, weeks from now, feeling smug as you watch your family delving into a Christmas feast of delectable restaurant-quality food that you’ve had stored in the freezer for weeks.

Or, instead of endless trips to the High Street, schlepping around the shops for the perfect gift, you can sit back and bask in the glory of the perfect Christmas food gift you purchased for the foodie in your life. Start your gift shopping by choosing from our range of chef-curated meal delivery gift boxes or a Farmyard Frozen gift voucher.

Introducing: Gourmet Christmas food gifts delivered to you

This year, our legendary Handcrafted Beef Wellington for 2 has a fancy relation in town for Christmas – the NEW Wagyu Wellington for £110.

Handcrafted by our team of talented chefs, this delectable dish features the highest-graded Wagyu beef fillet from Kagoshima Prefecture. With exquisite tenderness and an indulgent buttery flavour that has to be tasted to be believed. Make our Wagyu Welly the show-stopping centrepiece of your festive feast or choose it as the ultimate luxury food gift for Christmas for the foodie in your life.

However, we couldn’t let the main course steal all the limelight! That’s why we’ve been working on a decadent dessert to ensure your festive feast finishes on a high note – meet our NEW Praline Profiteroles for £7.50. A divine rendezvous of crisp choux pastry, heavenly

Hazelnut crème pâtissier, coated into the glossiest, dark chocolate sauce and sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts.

Get Christmas wrapped up with our Festive Feasts

Become the King or Queen of your kitchen this Christmas, with minimal time or effort. Packed with everything you need for a decadent Christmas dinner, our Festive Feasts feature a show-stopping main of your choice. Choose from the succulent Norfolk Turkey Ballotine, our legendary Beef Wellington or the crowd-pleasing Veggie Wellington. Or for ultimate luxury, upgrade to our Wagyu Welly.

These gastronomic centrepieces are all completed with our specially selected starters, sides, and desserts.

Get all the flavours of a fine-dining Christmas, starting at an unbelievable £25pp.

PLUS, we’ve got these other frozen festive dishes to fill your Christmas table with food joy:

Farmyard Pick’n’Mix – The perfect selection of restaurant-quality small bites to add to your Boxing Day or New Year buffet.
Twice-Baked Cheese Soufflé for 2 – Dazzle your guests without fear of a soufflé disaster (we’ll even let you take the credit for it!).
Farmyard’s Red Wine Jus – No need to spend hours perfecting the gravy when you can order Farmyard’s rich and unctuous red wine sauce, with a plant-based version available too.

Treat yourself to the gift of time

This Christmas, let Farmyard Frozen gift you back time, freeing you from the clutches of meticulous prep and long hours over a hot stove, without sacrificing an ounce of quality or luxury in your festive feast. The only extra you’ll need is a copy of the Radio Times to decide which Christmas movies to watch with all that extra time!

Here’s to a hassle-free season of merriment – now that’s worth raising a glass to! Shop now or Buy a gift

PETIT FORESTIER SUPPORTS LONG-TERM CUSTOMER WITH GREEN GOALS

Posted on November 15, 2023November 15, 2023 by Andrew Morley

The transport and distribution team at Greencore, a leading UK convenience food producer, has taken the next steps on its journey to becoming more sustainable, with its first electric vehicle forming part of a 300-unit order from the largest provider of cold storage solutions.

Refrigerated specialists, Petit Forestier, further strengthened a 20-year working partnership with Greencore Group following the sizeable fleet order which comprises a mix of LCV and HGV vehicles.

Significantly, the investment kickstarts a new era for Greencore Direct to Store as it explores alternative fuel sources for its fleet of vehicles, purchasing its first electric 3.5t Renault Master ZE.

Petit Forestier instigated ‘GoGreen’ workshops to guide Greencore through a potential transition to alternative fuelled vehicles. The workshops are part of an ongoing drive by Petit Forestier to lead conversations around sustainability throughout the cold storage industry.

The partners will now work in collaboration to monitor performance of the new electric vehicle as they continue future fleet planning.

Craig Welborn, Head of National Accounts for Petit Forestier UK & Ireland, said: “We are working with the Greencore’s Direct to Store operations team to help them on their journey to transition to alternative fuels. Greencore has a combined light and heavy commercial vehicle fleet of 600 plus vehicles and this latest order sees them kickstart their journey to greener solutions.

“We will be supporting the roll out of electric vehicles with driver training and adopting best practice for their loading and delivery operation, which is a crucial element of saving energy. All of this will be supported by their telematics solution, which will include data analysis to provide ongoing guidance.”

Commercial agreements include innovation clauses, with the aim of further helping the alternative fuel energy transition for Greencore. Full fleet management includes complete service repair and maintenance, driver training and access to a new online incident system for reporting and fleet management. QR codes are the latest initiative to be trialled which drivers can scan and report issues to get an instant response. The facility allows the driver to upload photos and videos of any problems identified to enable early diagnosis by Petit Forestier engineers.

Jeremy Fitton, Head of Logistics, Network and Transport for Greencore, added: “Petit Forestier is a trusted partner who we have been delighted to work with for over two decades. They truly understand the alternative fuelled vehicles landscape, including the additional requirements of BEV, CNG and Hydrogen vehicles, both fiscally and operationally.”

Petit Forestier specialises in full-service fleet management contract hire solutions for temperature control vehicles for all fleet sizes.

Greencore Group was established in 1991 and has strong market positions across sandwiches and other food-to-go products as well as complementary positions in other convenience food categories.

TESCO ‘CHRISTMAS RANGE OF THE YEAR’ WINNER IN FREE FROM CHRISTMAS AWARDS

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Sarah Collison

Tesco retain crown as category winners of the ‘Christmas Range of the Year’ award in the 2023 Free From Christmas Awards.

The Free From Christmas Awards champion Christmas or seasonally relevant free from food and drink products and are part of the annual Free From Food Awards, with free from companies large and small returning to compete in the Free From Christmas Awards 2023, with NOMO and Mindful Brands taking the top honours, securing Free From Christmas Food of the Year and Free From Christmas Drink of the Year respectively.

Tesco retained the coveted Christmas Range of the Year for the third year running with awards CEO Cressida Langlands commenting: “The results of the Christmas Range 2023, one of our additional awards, sponsored for us again by Oakland International goes to Tesco, exhibiting a range that addresses needs both in and outside of its Free From range ensuring a broad and delicious offer, addressing a wide range of festive occasions and free from requirements.

“They haven’t simply delivered a ‘rinse and repeat’ but instead curated an offer that includes traditional favourites alongside new and improved products. At Tesco, you can do your whole Christmas family shop, and cater extremely well for those with food allergies, be they vegans, vegetarians or omnivores!”

NOMO who won Best Independent Brand for the third year running, as well as taking the top prize for their Mint Sharing Box, Cressida added: “A real contender for the classic after dinner mint that dominates the market!”

‘Christmas Range of the Year’ category sponsor Oakland International has been supporting the Free From Food Awards for a decade, and as a business which provides consolidation, contract packing, and distribution, have witnessed significant retail growth in the free from food sector across all service platforms, with major supermarkets recognising the need for innovation and the Free From Food Awards reflecting the mounting appetite for free from foods.

Category sponsor Oakland International Co-Founder, Sallie Attwell, said: “Our congratulations to Tesco, NOMO, Mindful Brands, and to all Free From Christmas Awards 2023 category winners.”

A leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution, Oakland International is BRCGS AA rated and operates 24-hours/7 days a week and a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain. The company has also taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified, joining the fast-growing movement of using business as a force for good, and working towards becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero.

Free From Award judges include chefs, developers, manufacturers, health professionals, bloggers and influencers, many of whom are coeliac or managing complex food allergies.

“Not only were entry numbers up 50% on last year,” said Free From Awards’ CEO, Cressida Langlands. “We also saw a great deal of innovation across free from, and not all of it mimicking what’s available in the main category offer.”

All Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in all categories, which included ‘Christmas Dinner’, ‘Party Foods’, ‘Drinks’ and others, can be found on their website www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk

Entry to the Free From Christmas Awards will re-open in July 2024. Meanwhile entry to the Free From Food Awards 2024 (for non-seasonal food and drink), and their much-loved Easter Award, will open on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

REVOLUTIONISE YOUR FROZEN FOOD LOGISTICS WITH EXCELAIR PERFORATED PALLET WRAP

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by guy@excelerateltd.com

Frozen food companies, it’s time to rethink your logistics game! Excelerate, an industry leader in innovative packaging solutions, has a product that will transform the way you handle and transport frozen goods.

Say hello to ExcelAir Perforated Pallet Wrap, your secret weapon for frozen food preservation and operational efficiency.

The ExcelAir Advantage:

1. Retains Freshness: Our perforated pallet wrap allows air to flow freely around your frozen products. Say goodbye to moisture build-up and hello to better quality products!

2. Faster Freezing: With ExcelAir, your frozen goods cool down faster, saving you valuable time and up to 50% on energy costs. It’s time to supercharge your freezing process.

3. Enhanced Quality: Maintain the quality and integrity of your frozen food, ensuring that it arrives at its destination in perfect condition, preserving flavour, texture, appearance, and your packaging!

4. Eco-Friendly: ExcelAir is committed to sustainability. Our perforated pallet wrap is 100% recyclable, available with recycled content and can potentially reduce your plastic usage.

5. Cost-Efficient: ExcelAir perforated wrap is a cost-effective solution that offers a significant return on investment. It’s super strong, which means you can reduce your plastic usage, not to mention the savings on damaged or wasted products and packaging!

Why ExcelAir?

At Excelerate, we understand the unique challenges faced by the frozen food industry. Our cutting-edge perforated pallet wrap is the result of extensive research and development, aimed at providing a solution that aligns perfectly with your needs. Whether you’re shipping ice cream, frozen vegetables, or gourmet entrees, ExcelAir has you covered.

Join the Frozen Food Revolution

The frozen food industry is evolving, and it’s time to embrace the change. ExcelAir Perforated Pallet Wrap is your passport to a new era of frozen food logistics. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to upgrade your operations, improve quality, and save costs.

To learn more about ExcelAir Perforated Pallet Wrap and how it can benefit your frozen food business, contact our team at info@excelerateltd.com, or call +44 (0)1604 644100 and let’s discuss your requirements and how our innovative solutions can make a big impact to your operation.

A few reasons to become a member of BFFF

To find out more about becoming a member call 01400 283 095 or email the team

Join BFFF

Member profile on BFFF website

Free BFFF Member List

Free listing in the annual Member Directory

Access to latest industry news and information

Weekly newsletter, press and media opportunities

Press and media opportunities

Marketing, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities

Networking via opportunities at BFFF events

Free market data provided by Circana and World Panel

Access to industry specialists

Expert guidance from Technical and Health & Safety teams

Access to Primary Authority schemes and assured advice

H&S Audit Service/Advice

Free access to HR and legal guidance and advice line

Training and Education

Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

BFFF energy deals and rates
Vypr member deals and introduction
Defib Plus deals
Company Shop – membership
Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
Annual Lunch
Awards Night

Become a member

Sponsorship Packages

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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what our members say...

Helen Atkinson

Wakefield Council

“What an amazing piece of work and indicative of how BFFF respond to the concerns of their members and make an impact on the whole industry sector.”

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Paul Duncalf

Sysco

“You guys really ‘Do The Right Thing’ for the good of the industry”

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Co-CEO Dries Talpe

Darta

“The BFFF awards night is becoming an “appointment not to miss” on our calendar and we again enjoyed it immensely together with lots of well-known people from our industry. The…

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Lewis Kain

Kantar Worldpanel

“The Business Conference was an excellent day that was very well organised and allowed so many likeminded individuals in the room to learn so much more around the Frozen industry….

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Gail Hodson - Technical Director

Lakeside Food Group Ltd

“This Not For EU labelling situation alarmed us and quickly became a major worry to our business. These are times when you really rely on some support and from previous…

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Domenic Granelli - Financial Controller

Meadow Vale Foods Limited

“We had a few questions with respect to the new EPR waste packaging legislative changes. I know some of my colleagues have been assisted by BFFF in the past so…

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Dave Griffiths, General Manager

Newberry International Produce Ltd

“I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding event you organised. I have only worked in this sector for the past nineteen months coming from twenty-five years…

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Liam, Commerical Director

Place UK Ltd

“The BFFF 2024 Conference was compelling and thought provoking, with a many relevant and interesting topics covered at great pace and some depth by excellent speakers – will certainly attend…

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Peter Bambury

Roswel Spedition GMBH

“Thank you and the team for rushing around so brilliantly before, during and after the conference. It was pleasure to be part of the conference.”

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Alexandre Alves De Mattos

Seara

“The event was great, in my opinion. Not only it was very well organised, but the venue and the catering were excellent too. Furthermore, the content of the presentations was…

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