Page 277 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

LATEST HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERT GROUP MEETING WITH DEFIB PLUS AND PARTNERS&

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Simon Brentnall

The BFFF Health & Safety Expert Group recently met for its first face-to-face meeting since 2019, it was great to see everyone in person again.

New members to the group were Sue Capper from Americold and Luke Collins from Unilever (Walls Ice Cream).

In this meeting, the expert group discussed the common strategy for improving health & safety outcomes in the food and drink manufacturing industry in 2021-2026, the new strategy has been put together by the Food and Drink Manufacture Forum (FDMF) which the BFFF attends. Other topics covered were local exhaust ventilation, work at height, Ammonia and digital communications.

The guest speaker was Ross Severn from Defib Plus who stressed the importance of scheduled maintenance and inspection of defibrillators for them to function effectively in the event of a cardiac arrest. The group was also joined by Gary Clifton from Partners& who spoke to the group about a mental health survey that the BFFF would like members to take part in, with an aim to help members navigate this very important area.

The Health & Safety Expert Group is the cornerstone of what makes the Health & Services provided by BFFF so successful, the contributions from the group provide members with an industry view of a particular topic. Currently, the group benefits from the knowledge of 21 industry Health & Safety professionals from 18 member companies, all working together to tackle industry topics.

The BFFF health and safety team would like to thank all those in attendance for their contributions.
If you are thinking of joining the Health & Safety Expert Group contact; simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk

NEW FMCG DEMAND SIGNALS OCTOBER 2022

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Chloe Humphreys

Emerging from a global pandemic and facing an unpredictable and challenging economic climate, consumers today are struggling with huge financial pressures, and in many cases are adopting behaviours similar to their parents and grandparents from the 1970s and 80s.

FMCG Demand Signals® looks at the impact of changing consumer demand on 230 FMCG categories, 2000+ product segments and over 10 million SKUs across 14 major markets in Europe, the US and Asia Pacific. The report, which analyses in-store purchases for the year ending July 2022, combined with a consumer survey of 3000 global shoppers, shows that deteriorating disposable income is affecting middle- and low-income consumers across the developed world.

Delivering forensic analysis of value and volume sales trends across food and non-food categories and identifying key category trends, FMCG Demand Signals highlights pockets of growth for FMCG manufacturers and retailers during one of the most challenging times in the last 50 years.

View Report

STARFROST ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF JAMIE BUCHANAN TO THE ROLE OF HEAD OF CONTRACTS WITHIN THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

Posted on November 3, 2022November 3, 2022 by

Jamie Buchanan will lead the planning, management and delivery function of all engineering installations for Starfrost’s global customer base. This position within the business aims to support further growth and continuous improvement, which is fundamental to Starfrost’s strategy and essential to maintaining the position as a market leader in supplying high performance freezing and chilling equipment to food processors around the world.

Jamie Buchanan, newly appointed Head of Contracts: “I am delighted to join Starfrost as Head of Contracts. It was a great opportunity to join a thriving and successful business in an exciting industry. There is a culture of enthusiasm at Starfrost and I am looking forward to playing an integral role in the development of the business, leading the team to implement and improve processes as the company continues to progress.”

Robert Long, Managing Director at Starfrost: “We are pleased to welcome Jamie to the Head of Contracts role within the business. Jamie is a motivated leader with a proven record of delivering a wide portfolio of engineering projects and has a real passion for development”

“Jamie’s knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for developing teams and implementing best practice engineering solutions will be of huge value to Starfrost as we continue to drive our business forward. We are thrilled Jamie is joining the team on this journey.”

This position within the business aims to support further growth and continuous improvement, which is fundamental to Starfrost’s strategy and essential to maintaining the position as a market leader in supplying high performance freezing and chilling equipment to food processors around the world.

ANNUAL LUNCHEON GUEST SPEAKER ANNOUNCED

Posted on November 3, 2022November 3, 2022 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

The BFFF Frozen Food Annual Luncheon takes place on Tuesday 22^nd November 2022 at the London Hilton on Park Lane and at this year’s event, we are delighted to have former England international test cricketer and selector, Geoff Miller, OBE as our guest speaker.

Geoff Miller, affectionately known as “Dusty” spent twenty years as a professional cricket player, representing Derbyshire, Essex, Natal and England, travelling to all the major test playing countries and playing with or against all of the present day greats.

Following his success as an England Test Selector for almost eight years, Geoff was appointed Head of the England Selectors in 2008 and retired after the England’s victorious Ashes tour in the UK in 2013. He subsequently became President of Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Geoff was appointed OBE in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to cricket.

Apart from cricket, Geoff’s greatest attribute was the ability to keep his team mates amused with his hilarious dry northern humour which he now brings to the after dinner speaking stage.

Geoff is now in popular demand up and down the county and overseas and has found his speaking career just as stimulating as facing Michael Holding and Dennis Lillee, or bowling at Viv Richards and Ian Botham (who he roomed with on tour for five years!). There must be a story or two somewhere from that … and indeed there is!!

Join us for the biggest industry networking event in the frozen food calendar. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.

SIGN UP TO THE BFFF HEALTH & SAFETY PLEDGE

Posted on November 2, 2022November 7, 2025 by Simon Brentnall

BFFF members are committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all involved across the various sectors of the frozen food industry.

BFFF encourages all members to improve their standards of health and safety, benchmark their business and share best practice case studies as a means of improving the performance. This also aligns BFFF member companies with the government’s strategy for reducing incidents, accidents and ill health.

Members signing the BFFF Health & Safety pledge are encouraged to commit to the outlined values to:

Demonstrate leadership and effective workforce engagement.
Comply with all current health and safety legislation, codes of practice and industry standards.
Provide a safe and healthy environment for their employees and all persons affected by their undertaking via co-operation, consultation, training and review.

Compile an action plan for key industry objectives to:

Reduce accidents and incidents of ill health,
Effectively manage Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) risks,
Effectively manage Slip and Trip risks,
Deploy an effective Occupational Health management system which includes mental health & wellbeing,
To develop links between workers at the different levels to collaborate on issues relating to occupation health and safety,
Benchmark their company’s health and safety performance with set targets and confidentially share their annual statistics with BFFF,
Collaborate and share best practice case studies as a means of improving the health and safety performance of the industry.

If you would like a certificate to display, pledging your commitment please email carlabrown@bfff.co.uk

ADDITIVES LIMIT SET FOR TUNA TO COMBAT FRAUD

Posted on November 2, 2022November 7, 2025 by Sarah Collison

The European Commission has implemented maximum levels on three additives – ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate – in tuna to tackle food fraud.

Excessive levels of these additives can expose consumers to the risk of histamine, also known as scombroid, poisoning.

There was no maximum level previously listed and the additives were used as part of good manufacturing practice, at a level no higher than needed to achieve the intended purpose and providing the consumer was not misled. However, following food fraud investigations, the national authorities have reported cases where tuna loins sold as fresh contained the additives in higher amounts that what was considered necessary to achieve the typical antioxidant effect on fresh tuna. Officials are suspicious of the additives being used on tuna for canning to restore the colour that is lost during the process as well as fish places on the market as fresh.

Using the additive in high amounts artificially restores the colour of the fish, making it look fresh and therefore providing the opportunity to market the tuna for canning as fresh, offering it at a higher price point, misleading the consumer and exposing them to the risk of the histamine.

Counties, led by Spain, asked the commission to set a maximum limit for the food additives as antioxidants in thawed tuna sold as fresh (unprocessed) or marinated tuna (processed).

A maximum level of 300 milligrams per kilogram was put forward, which is the highest amount reported by industry in a previous European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion.

The new level aims to ensure that there will still be room for legitimate use, when following good manufacturing practices.

To read more, click here.

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

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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

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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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