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FROZEN FOOD BUSINESS CONFERENCE EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT: WAGNER UK

WAGNER are confirmed to exhibit at this year’s Frozen Food Business Conference at the Stratford Manor Hotel.

“WAGNER is a global technology leader in the field of fire detection and fire prevention and covers the complete service portfolio for its customers from planning and design to system construction and service. Wagner’s Fire Detection (TITANUS®) and Fire Prevention (OxyReduct®)systems are effectively used in combination within cold chain facilities to eliminate the risk of fire.

WAGNER are looking forward to the opportunity to network with members of the BFFF. The stand will have information on specialist fire prevention and detection solutions engineered to protect cold environments.”

You can buy your tickets for the Frozen Food Business Conference and talk to the WAGNER team at their exhibition stand here.

THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE T&L UPDATE IS NOW OUT

The latest issue of the T&L Update, BFFF’s monthly member newsletter is now out. This newsletter, produced by the Technical team,…

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FSA CONFIRMS THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER EXTENSION TO LABELLING DEROGATION FOR SUNFLOWER OIL SUBSTITUTION

Further to our article of August 10th calling for an extension to the labelling compliance deadline on sunflower oil substitution, the FSA have confirmed verbally this week that no further extension will be granted.

This means that the FSA’s expectation that businesses return to labelling compliance by 31st October 2022 still stands. However, their advice continues to be that should circumstances mean this deadline will be missed businesses should talk to their local authority, who have been advised to take a pragmatic approach whilst to ensuring mitigations continue, on a case-to-case basis.

As yet this latest update has not been formally publicised through the usual FSA channels but as soon as it is, we will update members accordingly.

GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS APPOINTMENT OF SEASONAL WORKER VISA OPERATORS

Via the Food Resilience Industry Forum attended by the BFFF, Government have now confirmed the appointment of the two new seasonal worker visa route operators specifically for the poultry sector.

ProForce Ltd and ReRecruitment Ltd have been successful and have been notified.

Once the National Mourning Period for the Queen has ended, Government will publicise this information formally through their usual communications channels.

In the meantime, contact details for the 2 operators are:

Further information on the recruitment of operators for the horticulture sector into 2023 will be announced in due course.

WMS AND ERP EXPERT REPORTS 300+% HEADCOUNT GROWTH DESPITE BREXIT AND COVID CHALLENGES

Warehouse management software (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software expert Principal Logistics Technologies (Chess Logistics Technology) reports significant growth across all divisions following strategic business acquisitions and related hirings. The company entered the Brexit and Covid period with a headcount of 16 and now has over 70 highly experienced staff. The latest round of hirings includes specialist software developers, project managers, business analysts and technical consultants.

Founder and managing director, Peter Flanagan commented: “With growth brought about by increased customer orders across all industry sectors, two strategic business acquisitions, bringing with them new product lines and an increased headcount, we’ve now the additional capacity we need to deliver more customer projects. To help support this growth, I’m delighted to welcome Lance Ayerst as our Group Operations Director to help keep available resources and customer requirements in sync.”

Highlights:

  • Headcount grows from 16 to 70+ (337% increase) during Covid lockdown
  • Sales order processing and cloud-based WMS technology added
  • Enterprise-level WMS capabilities increased
  • Pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors footprint enhanced
  • New Chief Product Officer and Group Operations Director hired
  • New Manchester, UK office supporting growing customer base

The company’s technology portfolio now includes on-premise and SaaS based enterprise-level warehouse management software (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. These technologies optimise warehouse operations and support purchase and sales ordering processing, reducing OpEx and increasing revenue. Current customer engagements span 3PL, manufacturing, foodservices, wholesale, retail and packaging operations and involve technologies including warehouse automation, artificial intelligence, business intelligence and analytics, robotics and route optimisation integration. The company’s expertise has also been increased across the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors.

In addition to its Dublin, Ireland headquarters, customers are now supported from the company’s Manchester, UK offices. A number of strategic business acquisitions are currently under review.

About Principal Logistics Technologies
Since 1990, Principal Logistics Technologies (Chess Logistics Technology) has delivered innovative, functionally-rich, Warehouse Management Software (WMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to 3PL, distribution, wholesale, manufacturing and retail supply businesses. Our technology is in-house developed and is designed to optimise operational performance, introduce new value-added services, reduce operating expense and increase revenue. The company continues to support its customers across the 3PL, chemicals & hazardous goods, chill picking, cold storage, commodities, cross docking, eCommerce & eFulfilment, FMCG, grocery, food & beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, retail, wholesale and distribution sectors.

FSA update on mustard contamination of wheat

The BFFF Technical team recently attended an FSA meeting where an update on mustard contamination in wheat was provided. Below is a summary issued by the FSA following that meeting:

  • Italy have confirmed their position is precautionary: based on anecdotal evidence from Ireland and concerns around the accuracy of existing tests for identifying the presence of mustard within foodstuffs.
  • We will not be producing any guidance on this specific issue: our understanding is that it is based solely on anecdotal evidence; there have been no RASSF or INFOSAN reports of European consumers experiencing adverse reactions; no compelling explanation has been provided as to why the 2021/2022 harvest would be significantly contaminated; ELISA tests for mustard cross-react and there is concern that certain confirmatory PCR tests may also cross-react. (However, our scientific methods colleagues have assessed validation reports from Eurofins for their mustard PCR test and have confirmed it does not cross-react with oil seed rape),
  • It is the responsibility of food businesses to risk assess allergen cross-contact within their supply chains.
  • The FSA does not set thresholds for deterministic risk assessments and food businesses can apply other forms of risk assessment (e.g., probabilistic) – as long as the food they sell is safe.
  • We are commissioning a literature review of analytical methodologies available for allergen testing (for the 14 regulated allergens), including limitations of the methods, cost effectiveness, reporting units and analytical threshold levels for different matrices, which will be completed this financial year.
  • We are conducting a review of the Codex Expert Committee’s full report of recommendations for threshold levels for the Codex priority allergens that is due to be published this autumn, which will help inform a consultation on a workable system for applying PAL to prepacked foods planned for 2024/25.

Should you have any comments or queries in relation to the above please do not hesitate to contact Deniserion@bfff.co.uk

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
Upcoming Events More Events
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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