Page 274 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

Health and safety for gig economy, agency and temporary workers

Posted on November 15, 2022November 7, 2025 by Sarah Collison

With many seasonal jobs being filled at this time of year, it is important that employers protect the health and safety of gig economy, agency and temporary workers.

Workers are as likely to have an accident in their first 6 months at work as during the whole of the rest of their working life.

We have further advice around protecting those who are new to the job, including 6 ways to protect new starters.

Our website has guidance to help users and suppliers of agency and temporary workers understand their health and safety responsibilities.

If you are an agency or temporary worker your health and safety is protected by law and employment businesses (agencies) have a duty to make sure they follow it.

AN EXCITING NEW CATEGORY ADDED TO THIS YEAR’S BRITISH FROZEN FOOD AWARDS

Posted on November 15, 2022January 9, 2026 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

For the first time this year, BFFF members will be able to enter the Best New Frozen Specialist Meals. There has been a lot of exciting growth in NPD from the companies involved in producing specialist meals, and this category will be a celebration of their development work.

If you or your suppliers produce a product for hospitals, care homes, nurseries/schools, prisons, armed forces or emergency services then you can enter into this year’s Best New Frozen Specialist Meals category. For the first year of this category, members can enter products which have been launched after January 2020* and must be factory-lined produced (not kitchen samples).

You can purchase your award category entry ticket here, and the closing date for entries is the 16th of December!

Who will be the very first Best New Frozen Specialist Meal winner?

*This only applies to this category. All other categories must have products launched during 2022.

Safety in Logistics Digital Conference

Posted on November 15, 2022November 7, 2025 by Sarah Collison

The Safety in Logistics is a brand new, free-to-attend digital conference brought to you by Handling and Storage Solutions Magazine, which will include a seminar delivered by the Health and Safety Executive on Making the best use of the HSE’s MAC tool in logistics.

The digitial conference takes place on 23 November 2023 from 9:25am and you can register to attend for FREE at https://saferlogistics.co.uk/safetyinlogisticsdigitalconference2022/en/page/register

You will get unparalleled access to a line-up of leading figures including GXO UK & Ireland Director of Safety Lisa Spicer; Ocado Head of Fire Safety Risk Management Alison Phillips; and The Health & Safety Executive Principal Ergonomist Matt Birtles. Without doubt, the Safety in Logistics Digital Conference provides an unmissable learning opportunity for all serious health and safety practitioners.

CALLING ALL TOASTIE LOVERS: EXCLUSIVELY TO ICELAND, CATHEDRAL CITY LAUNCHES THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS TOASTIES

Posted on November 15, 2022 by mel.matson@iceland.co.uk

Say cheese to the brand-new duo exclusive to Iceland and The Food Warehouse as part of its exclusive Cathedral City partnership, introducing the Cathedral City Festive Toastie (£3.00, 217g) and Cathedral City Cheese & Truffle Toastie (£2.75, 180g), in-stores and online from 14^th November.

Get ready for a cheese pull shot heaven with Iceland’s Cathedral City Festive Toastie (£3.00, 217g). Two cheese covered pieces of bread, toasted and crunchy, with a deliciously Christmassy filling of turkey breast, cranberry sauce, smoked bacon, pork stuffing and cheddar cheese. What more could you ask for in a Christmas toastie?!

For those who fancy a taste of the gouda life, the Cathedral City Cheese & Truffle Toastie (£2.75, 180g) is just as delicious and the perfect festive alternative for vegetarians. With a cheddar cheese and truffle filling, the toastie is the perfect ode to Christmas and destined to leave customers in dis-brie-lief at how tasty it is!

Both festive treats can be cooked from frozen in just under four minutes in the microwave, or for just over 20 minutes in the air fryer meaning shoppers can have a truly magical cheesy experience without the faff, ideal for the Christmas lunch fix throughout all of December – it doesn’t get much cheddar than this.

The supermarket is also extending its Cathedral City Christmas 2022 menu to include perfect party sized bakes, with Cathedral City Cheese & Cranberry Bites (£3.50, 8pk), Cathedral City Branston Pickle Bites (£3.50, 8pk), and Cathedral City Cheese & Ham Parcels (£3.50, 300g).

The full Cathedral City range includes:

Cathedral City Festive Toastie (£3.00, 217g)
Cathedral City Cheese & Truffle Toastie (£2.75, 180g)
Cathedral City Cheese & Cranberry Bites (£3.50, 8pk)
Cathedral City Branston Pickle Bites (£3.50, 8pk)
Cathedral City Cheese & Ham Parcels (£3.50, 300g)
Cathedral City Cheesy Potato and Bacon Bake (£3.50, 500g)
Cathedral City Mature Cheddar and Creamy Mozzarella Breaded Cheese Bites (£3.25, 12pk)

For more information about Iceland’s Cathedral City range, please visit: https://www.iceland.co.uk/exclusive-brands/cathedral-city

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL

Posted on November 15, 2022 by hayley.smith@oakland-international.com

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has announced the appointment of Jas Sittre as Operations Director.

Previously General Manager for transport and warehouse operations at DHL, Jas brings with him a wealth of operational experience having held a number of senior roles within the logistics sector.

Oakland International Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting said: “I am delighted to welcome Jas as Operations Director.

“His sector knowledge and experience will be put to good use supporting our strategic long-term growth plans and I very much look forward to working with him.”

As a leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution, Oakland International has taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified, a fast-growing movement using business as a force for good, with the company also working to becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero. BRCGS AA accredited, and a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development, Oakland is 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.

Commenting on his appointment Jas said: “I am really pleased to join Oakland International, a well-established business who are driving their innovative agenda and providing their clients with sustainability solutions.

“I have always worked within operations, and I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with a great team of people. I am also looking forward to working with Lee Whiting COO along with the board to grow the business even further over the coming years.”

SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR BRAKES AT THE Q AWARDS

Posted on November 14, 2022 by clare.twiss@brake.co.uk

Brakes celebrated success at this week’s Q (Quality Food) awards, winning seven of the 14 product categories on offer.

Already with a reputation for innovation in the sector, having dominated food awards over the past few years, winning more major awards than its rivals combined, Brakes continued that streak, winning in the Bread and Morning Goods, Cakes & Desserts, Fish, Pasta and Pizza, Condiments, Cooking sauces and Vegan categories. In addition, the company was highly commended or commended in seven categories.

Stuart Smith, Merchandising Director for Sysco GB, said: “We have a singled-minded focus on driving innovation in our market and are pleased that our investment is being recognised.

“The next 12 months will be a challenge for our sector and it is vitally important that we identify products that make a demonstrable difference to our customers, whether that’s a time-saving ready-to-bake croissant, a centre of plate inspiration like our Scottish Loch Trout Fillet Suprêmes or a personalised dessert like our Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Truffle Brownie Torte.”

The category winning products are:

Brakes La Boulangerie Ready to Bake Large Croissant
Brakes Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Truffle Brownie Torte
M&J Seafood Scottish Loch Trout Fillet Suprêmes
Brakes Stonebaked Sourdough Pizza Base topped with Tomato Sauce 12″
Brakes Vegan Raspberry Jam Pudding Squares
Brakes Soy, Sesame and Ginger Dressing
Brakes Chimichurri Sauce

The products are available on brake.co.uk

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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