Vegetable processing specialist FreshFlow Food Solutions, part of the Oakland International group, is celebrating a major milestone after its new Midlands facility secured a coveted BRCGS ‘A’ accreditation at its very first audit.

 

Managing Director Richard Hall said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our team. Securing an ‘A’ grade straight out of the blocks reflects the dedication and hard work of every colleague involved. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

 

The BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standard) is internationally recognised as the benchmark certification for food storage and distribution.

 

Combining cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on sustainability, FreshFlow Food Solutions has made vegetable processing the core focus of its new site. With a capacity of up to 100 tonnes per week, the facility processes most root vegetables into sliced or diced, chilled or frozen, and in both retail and bulk formats. This highly flexible approach establishes a new benchmark in UK vegetable processing and was initially launched as an initiative to directly support the partnership between Oakland and FareShare, and it now also caters to recipe box providers, restaurants, cafés, convenience outlets.

 

Richard explained: “We can repack surplus produce into consumer-sized portions and provide rapid turnaround for chilled stock nearing expiration. Partnering with organisations such as FareShare and food bank charities, we’re also helping ensure surplus food is redistributed to those who need it most, while directly tackling food waste. Our aim is always to go beyond the everyday standard, prioritising customised solutions over mass-market strategies.”

 

Alongside its primary vegetable processing operation, the FreshFlow facility has also been designed to deliver a full spectrum of food packing services:

 

•              High-risk facility: A purpose-built environment designed for high-risk food packing and processing. Ideal for concept testing, sample production and delivering bespoke solutions.

•              Low-risk lines: Versatile, multi format packing capabilities catering to retail and foodservice customers.

 

This unique combination of high- and low-risk capability allows FreshFlow to offer tailored solutions across diverse product types while maintaining the highest food safety standards.

 

With no minimum order requirements and the agility to run bespoke batches, FreshFlow Food Solutions has positioned itself as an ideal partner for both small producers and the broader food service sector. By combining innovation with sustainability, the business enables partners to reduce waste, remain agile in a volatile supply chain, and develop bespoke product ranges quickly and securely.

 

Richard added: “We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. From vegetable processing at scale to specialist high-care product development, our flexible model means we can deliver tailored solutions for everyone, whether that’s recipe box providers, foodservice operators, or food distribution charities. By combining innovation with purpose, we aim to transform food processing into a sustainable and customer-focused service that benefits businesses and communities alike.”

At Costa Brava Mediterranean Foods, we understand sustainability as a responsibility that we embrace with determination and ambition. Every day, we work to reduce our environmental impact and build a more efficient and respectful model that places both the planet and people at the centre. The trust of our clients and partners drives us to keep improving, innovating, and leading the transition towards more conscious food.

 

We have achieved significant reductions in our consumption of natural resources: -13% in electricity, -42% in gas, and -23% in water across the Group. In addition, 100% of the energy supplied to all our facilities comes from renewable sources, enabling us to cut our own carbon footprint emissions by 47%. We have also made great progress in materials management: 54% of the plastic we use in packaging is already recycled, and we have significantly reduced the amount of plastic used in our products — a firm commitment to a truly responsible circular economy.

This effort has been recognised with the Lean & Green Award, which highlights our Improvement Plan in logistics and energy efficiency, as well as with the Zero Waste certification, reinforcing our commitment to avoid any type of waste and make the most of every by-product in the production chain.

But sustainability is not only environmental; it is also social and ethical. That’s why we work under SMETA certification, which audits our best practices in labour conditions, health and safety, business ethics, and environmental care. This reflects our commitment to guaranteeing a safe, fair, and respectful working environment, in line with the values we share with all of you.

 

Every step we take towards sustainability is carried out with the same responsibility with which we care for the quality of our products and the trust you place in us every day. Because progress only makes sense if we do it well — and we do it together.
https://www.costabravafoods.com/en/sustainability-2/

Drawing on over five decades of materials handling expertise, Powys-based BFFF member Contact Attachments Ltd is supporting those across the sector to make the movement of bulk ingredients safer, cleaner and more efficient through its specialist forklift attachments.

Handling dry bulk ingredients such as sugar, flour, and grains presents unique challenges for manufacturers.  Purpose-designed attachments help maintain hygiene, optimise workflow, and ensure compliance with food safety legislation – all while reducing material loss and downtime.

Mark Jones, Technical Sales Advisor at Contact Attachments, explains:

“Precision, reliability, and hygiene are essential when managing bulk ingredients.  Standard equipment can struggle with powders and grains, leading to spillages, contamination, or operational delays. Our range of bulk handling attachments is designed to make the transportation of ingredients safer, faster, and cleaner across all types of food production facilities.”

• Grain Shovels – High-Capacity Handling for Loose Ingredients

Contact Attachments’ grain shovels are engineered for the efficient movement of lightweight, free-flowing materials such as cereals, sugar, and flour.

Manufactured from high-grade steel and available in stainless steel options for hygiene-critical zones, these attachments feature a contoured bucket design that enables quick loading and smooth discharge – reducing residue build-up and simplifying clean-down.  Reinforced wear edges provide durability even under intensive use, while optional custom capacities ensure suitability for a variety of ingredient-handling tasks.

 

• Tipping Skips – Safe and Efficient Bulk Waste Management

Where large quantities of waste or by-product need to be handled, tipping skips provide a safe, controlled solution.

Contact Attachments’ range of self-tipping skips features automatic release mechanisms for smooth and reliable emptying, while safety chains and locking systems protect operators during use.  Ideal for collecting spilled ingredients, packaging waste, or rejected materials, they help maintain tidy production areas and improve overall site safety.

Available in galvanized or powder-coated finishes – and with optional castor wheels for enhanced mobility – these skips are well-suited to busy production and storage environments where efficiency and hygiene go hand in hand.

 

• Bulk Handling Solutions – Tailored for Every Operation

In addition to its standard product range, Contact Attachments also supplies bespoke bulk handling solutions for the food and drink sector.  From bulk bag lifters and high-capacity buckets to stainless-steel attachments for allergen-controlled zones, each solution is engineered to enhance operational efficiency and maintain compliance with hygiene and safety standards.

Hydraulic and corrosion-resistant options can be specified to meet the unique demands of washdown or moisture-prone environments, ensuring reliability and long service life even under intensive conditions.

 

• Protecting People, Product & Performance

Investing in the right attachment not only improves efficiency but also helps reduce manual handling – still one of the leading causes of workplace injury in the UK food and drink industry.  Purpose-built solutions minimise lifting, enhance load stability, and ensure that ingredients are moved safely and cleanly across the production process.

“We’ve worked closely with businesses across the sector for decades,” Mark adds. “Whether it’s a grain mill, bakery, or ingredient blending facility, our goal is to help every customer find the right attachment to keep operations running efficiently, safely, and fully compliant.”

Contact Attachments Ltd has been supporting UK manufacturers for over 50 years and offers a wide range of standard and bespoke material handling solutions to the food and drink sector. Whether you’re handling dairy, beverages, or bulk ingredients, their team is on hand to help find the right solution for your specific needs. For more information, visit: www.forklift-attachments.co.uk or call 01686 611200.

From beverage fridges to SmartMonitoring, see the full Liebherr hospitality range in Milan.

 

See Liebherr at HOST Milano

Heading to HOST Milano? Join us on the Liebherr stand from 17-21 October to explore our latest hospitality refrigeration solutions and discover how we can support your business.

Why Liebherr?
As a precision manufacturer trusted worldwide, Liebherr brings together performance, efficiency, and design to support professionals in the hotel, catering, and foodservice industries. Our appliances are built to deliver reliability, lower running costs, and long-term value.

On the stand, you’ll find:

• Beverage fridges — including our MyStyle Professional configurator for customised branding
• Merchandising chest freezers for impactful sales presentation
• SmartMonitoring — digital condition monitoring for peace of mind
• Self-service fridges designed to maximise convenience
• Commercial wine fridges for premium presentation and storage
• A wide selection of appliances for hotel and catering storage
• Solutions tailored to back-of-house efficiency and front-of-house appeal

Explore ahead of time:

• Hospitality ranges
• HOST event page

Book a meeting at HOST
To make the most of your visit, arrange a dedicated time with Stephen Ongley:

Stephen.Ongley@liebherr.com
+44 (0) 7713 270167

We look forward to welcoming you in Milan.

Best regards,
Liebherr UK – Refrigeration

Booker has relaunched its frozen desserts portfolio with a streamlined selection of on-trend, easy-to-serve desserts tailored to the needs of the foodservice and catering sector. 

Featuring 15 new SKUs, the portfolio is now supported by new colourful branding and a refreshed look and feel. The desserts are designed for a wide range of hospitality outlets including cafés and dessert parlours, restaurants, pubs and bars, hotels and garden centres.

The desserts will be positioned under Booker’s new catering brands – Chef’s Essentials, Chef’s Menu and Chef’s Premium – giving three clear pricing tiers and a good, better, best option.

Easy to store, prepare and serve within fast-paced kitchens, the new desserts range has been carefully curated to balance classic favourites with on-trend flavour combinations, ensuring there’s something to suit every menu, venue, dining occasion and price point.

With pistachio continuing to trend, the Salted Pistachio Semifreddo and Pistachio, Raspberry & White Chocolate Roulade, both under the Chef’s Menu brand, have been added to the range. These time-saving, stylish desserts can be served as a standalone indulgence, paired with coffee or a cocktail, and garnished with fresh fruit or crushed pistachios.

Chocolate is always a crowd pleaser and the new range includes the Chef’s Essentials Chocolate Fudge Traycake, plus White Chocolate & Raspberry Tartlets and an indulgent Chocolate Fondant – both within the Chef’s Menu brand. All three offer rich flavours and come in versatile formats that can be served as standard individual dessert options or as sundaes, featured on sweet grazing boards, or enjoyed as a takeaway option for the home or workplace.

Fruit-led desserts bring lighter options to the desserts menu and Booker’s new Chef’s Menu Tartelette Au Citron and Chef’s Premium Tartelette Tatin tap into the trend for zesty, fresh flavours. These freezer to plate tarts offer a home-made look, feel and flavour and are impressive on the plate – ideal for the social media generation.

The new range also features a selection of classic, comforting desserts to give caterers and chefs popular staples they know diners enjoy time after time, including Chef’s Menu Bakewell Frangipane, Sticky Toffee Pudding Squares, Tiramisu, and more. Each delivers on taste, quality and stability and can be presented in multiple ways, making them perfect for elevating dessert menus and ensuring a successful dining occasion for guests.

The desserts are convenient to store in the freezer, with flexible preparation options – some can be heated directly from frozen while others require one to eight hours defrosting time (whole desserts approximately eight hours, portions one to two hours under refrigeration at 8°C or colder). The products come in a range of formats such as pre-sliced, trays, bars and individual portions to offer busy kitchens a versatile selection, and are easy to prepare and plate up.

They come in Booker’s new eye-catching branding with checkerboard elements on the front of the pack and dietary and allergen information clearly signposted, with SKU numbers positioned conveniently in the same place on each pack – in the top left hand corner.

Karen Poole, Head of Own Brand and Product at Booker, says:

“Desserts are a hugely popular category and our new range offers chefs and caterers versatile and convenient frozen options that reflect both modern lifestyles and current flavour trends. The tartelettes, tortes, traybakes and puddings give chefs the confidence that they are offering premium quality, on-trend, showstopping desserts that diners will love, enjoy and come back for.

“The range has been refreshed with our customers in mind. For example, Our Chef’s Essentials range comes in uncut bar formats, so that operators can cater to the specific needs of their diners and maximise their profits by cutting the dessert into any shape and portion size they want. 

“We’ve timed the launch to land in the run up to Christmas – the ultimate time for indulgence and sweet treats  – and our new range is sure to be a hit across the hospitality sector all year round, whether served in a pub, restaurant, hotel, casual diner, dessert parlour or for takeaway.    

“We’re confident our frozen desserts will hit the mark – and we’re working on the next phase of our own brand relaunch with more category refreshes to come.”

Customers will see the new frozen dessert lines in branches and online now.

Booker’s wider frozen desserts range include cheesecakes, crumbles, brownies and fudge cakes, profiteroles and handmade sponge cakes.

Booker relaunched its digital platforms earlier this year with eye-catching new corporate branding, delivering a faster, smarter digital experience for its customers, suppliers and colleagues.

Website: https://www.booker.co.uk/

UK businesses are facing a new challenge – the arrival of their first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) invoices. For many, the costs are higher than expected, and with EPR holding businesses accountable for the collection, sorting, and disposal of household packaging waste, the financial impact is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Plus, as well as costly EPR fees, non-compliance can lead to fines, enforcement notices, sales bans, and even criminal prosecution.

But it’s not only legislation driving the change. Consumer expectations around packaging are also rising, with 3 in 4 UK consumers demanding action on plastic waste, and 32% valuing responsible supply chains (Deloitte). That means reducing packaging costs isn’t just about compliance – it’s also about meeting customer demand and protecting brand reputation.

The good news is that by making smart choices about packaging materials and reporting, businesses can meet consumer expectations while significantly reducing EPR costs.

Which packaging materials attract the lowest EPR charges?

When it comes to reducing EPR fees, not all packaging is equal. Some packaging materials incur higher fees, while others are considered far more sustainable and, in turn, more cost-effective. For example, corrugated cardboard and paper are highly recyclable and widely collected, which attracts lower EPR fees. Though plastic is lightweight, lower recycling rates can mean higher EPR fees.

• Material modulation – EPR fees are influenced by the recyclability of packaging, and materials that are highly recyclable attract lower fees.

 

• High recovery rates – Under EPR, packaging with higher recycling recovery rates is often subject to lower fees. Some materials perform better than others, as widely collected and easily recycled formats reduce costs while supporting strong environmental outcomes.

 

• Eco-modulation ready – EPR regulations are likely to change over time, and some packaging, like corrugated cardboard, is poised to benefit from reduced fees under future eco-modulation rules. By using these materials now, you can future-proof your packaging strategy.

How does changing my packaging help reduce EPR fees?

Switching packaging material can lower your environmental footprint, but it also has a direct impact on your EPR bill. By choosing the right packaging materials and prioritising smart sourcing, you can significantly reduce EPR costs while meeting the demands of eco-conscious consumers. This is important, as 78% of consumers say that sustainability is an important factor when shopping (USwitch).

• Swap plastic for corrugated – Plastic packaging, such as trays, wraps, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and void fill, tends to attract higher EPR fees due to its lower recycling rates. By replacing plastic packaging with corrugated alternatives, EPR costs can be reduced. A good example is Sutherlands of Portsoy, who replaced their EPS fish boxes with a corrugated solution – improving recyclability, cutting compliance costs, and maintaining the protection needed for seafood exports.

 

• Choose mono-material solutions – Packaging made from a single material, makes recycling easier compared to packaging that uses a combination of different materials. Opting for packaging that’s easy to sort and recycle can reduce EPR costs. Take Marshall-Tufflex, the UK’s leading cable management manufacturer – they removed plastic tape from their packs to create a fully recyclable corrugated solution that aligns with their Net Zero mission.

 

• Optimise design for weight and size – Because EPR fees are linked to packaging weight, cutting down on heavy or high-cost materials is essential. Strong, durable, yet lightweight designs not only reduce material use but also lower transport emissions and shipping costs. For example, Iron Mountain, a global leader in storage and information management services, streamlined their packaging to cover a wide range of equipment sizes – reducing four box formats down to one, resulting in fewer materials used.

Which packaging materials reduce EPR fees the most?

Each packaging material carries different costs depending on its recyclability, weight and future modulation rules. For example, according to base costs from July 2025, paper and board incur fees of £196 per tonne, whereas EPR fees for plastic waste are £423 per tonne. This means that a business using one tonne of mixed plastic may pay significantly more in fees than one tonne of corrugated cardboard, due to recyclability.

Will some packaging materials be penalised more than others?

Some packaging materials will be penalised more from 2026. Under the new Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) framework, the differences between packaging materials and relevant EPR fees will be even more apparent. Materials will fall into three categories that directly affect fees, with materials that are difficult to recycle incurring higher fees. This means businesses that act now to switch to widely recyclable materials can reduce EPR fees and avoid penalties going forward.

How can packaging reporting errors increase EPR fees?

Alongside packaging materials, inaccurate reporting can have a significant impact on EPR costs, regardless of the packaging you use. Even small mistakes in packaging weights can quickly add up to hefty, unnecessary costs. It’s essential that packaging weights are accurately reported, and that the data is precise, but different materials bring different reporting challenges.

Although plastic is relatively lightweight, it has diverse formats, making weights harder to track. Glass is heavy, so even minor reporting errors can cause significant overpayment. As it’s easier to track, audit and standardise, corrugated packaging is easier to report, but precision is still key. By working closely with suppliers to gather accurate packaging weights, you can reduce the risk of over-reporting and avoid paying more than necessary.

Why is a packaging partner key to EPR compliance success?

By working with experienced packaging providers like Smurfit Westrock and trusted environmental compliance specialists such as Valpak LTD, you can stay ahead of DEFRA’s EPR regulations with confidence.

Choosing a sustainable packaging partner in the UK means your packaging can be redesigned with recyclability, efficiency, and EPR cost savings in mind. From replacing plastics with fibre-based alternatives to optimising weight and size, the right collaboration ensures your packaging is fully future-ready.

We offer packaging audits, lifecycle assessments, and ‘What If’ modelling – practical tools that help you:

• Spot areas where costs can be reduced
• Understand the full environmental impact of your packaging
• See how different packaging changes could affect your future fees

With expert support on both the packaging and compliance sides, you can be confident your strategy is reducing costs now – and is ready for whatever changes EPR brings next. Speak to our experts to discover how the right packaging choice can cut your EPR fees and future-proof your business today.