Page 461 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

THE BEST NEW MEAT MAIN COURSE FOODSERVICE PRODUCT SPONSORED BY SALES-I

Posted on January 21, 2021January 9, 2026 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Welcome to the announcement for the Best New Meat Main Course Foodservice Product in the 2020 – 2021 British Frozen Food Awards sponsored by sales-i.

The First Shortlisted Company

Congratulations to the Crown Advantage Steak and Mushroom Stroganoff from Anglia Crown. Our judging panels thought; it was a very tasty and tender chunks of beef, packaging very innovative and well presented.

Anglia Crown commented; “We are absolutely delighted our great tasting Crown Advantage Steak and Mushroom Stroganoff has been shortlisted for the BFFF Awards, best new main course. Our delicious creamy stroganoff, set on a bed of basmati rice, continues to be an extremely popular choice throughout the healthcare market.”

The Second Shortlisted Company

Congratulations to the Herb & Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Pancetta from KK Fine Foods. Our judging panels thought the product; was well seasoned, excellent flavour and a great appearance.

KK Fine Foods commented; “We are absolutely thrilled to have had our efforts noticed by the BFFF and to be shortlisted for a number of awards. This recognition is a reflection of our commitment as a business to continually deliver high quality, innovative and most importantly, great tasting products to our valued customers.”

The Third Shortlisted Company

Congratulations to the Buttermilk Chicken Fillet from the Homestyle range at Meadow Vale Foods. Our judging panels thought the product: was a very moist chicken, perfectly seasoned and an excellent breadcrumb coating.

Nigel O’Donnell, the Managing Director of Meadow Vale Foods comments; “We were delighted with the news that our new Homestyle Buttermilk Fillet was shortlisted for the best new meat product. Our Homestyle range was developed specifically for the fast food and delivery market, it’s innovative coating helps the products stay hotter for longer and each piece is hand-cut and coated. Our development team work tirelessly to bring great tasting chicken to the market and this hard word has been reflected in another product being shortlisted after our Salt & Pepper Shredded Chicken won gold at the 2019 awards.”

The Fourth Shortlisted Company

Congratulations to the Steak & Ale Pie from MUD Foods. Our judging panels thought the product; was a great looking pie, beautiful pastry with lots of filling and stunning flavour .

MUD Foods comments; “As Britain’s Top Awarded Artisan Pie Maker, at MUD we’re extremely proud to be shortlisted for the BFFF Frozen Food Awards where the standards are incredibly high and the competition is really challenging but we’re confident that our guiding principles and ethics of supreme quality ingredients with true provenance and lovingly crafted in the heart of the South Downs will put us in a good solid position to compete for this top prize.”

Congratulations to all our shortlisted companies and commiseration to the rest of the category product entries. The BFFF look forward to announcing more category shortlists, they will be released once a week until early march 2021.

Thank you to our Category Sponsor sales-i.

HSE Spot Checks to Continue during National Lockdown

Posted on January 21, 2021January 9, 2026 by Sarah Collison

With an increase in the number of coronavirus cases and the national lockdown restrictions now in place, all businesses that continue to operate must ensure their workplace is COVID-secure.
To protect workers, visitors and customers, employers must make sure that everyone is following the measures that have been put in place to manage the risks from coronavirus.

During lockdown, HSE have continued to carry out spot checks and inspections on businesses and will be increasing the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures have been implemented in accordance with government guidance.

During the calls and visits, HSE has provided advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers and visitors, but where businesses are not managing this, we will take immediate action.

In a recent update they have reported that the majority of sites were Covid-secure and the inspectors saw good practices being demonstrated. Notably, from a COVID-secure perspective, provision for access to toilets, handwashing facilities, and rest areas has been particularly good, with arrangements made for visiting drivers to safely access site facilities.

Other good examples of COVID-secure measures that were seen on a number of the sites include:
• Active monitoring (e.g. by COVID marshals) to ensure staff were following procedures.
• Limiting numbers of workers in canteens and break rooms to allow social distancing.
• Provision of COVID-kits to drivers including hand sanitiser and wipes.
• Grouping workers who typically work closely together.
• Providing delivery notes to drivers electronically in their cabs rather than requiring them to visit the
transport office.
• Staggering shift starts to reduce congestion at entry points.
• Rearranging desks and fitting screens in offices so that office workers could work safely.
These demonstrate some novel ways used by businesses to implement COVID-secure measures and manage the risk of transmission for workers, visitors and others.

There were also areas for improvements across some sites, such as poor ventilation in office spaces, lack of a site-specific risk assessment, and hand sanitiser being too far away from workstations to be used regularly. Inspectors also noted a number of workplace transport issues which included:
• Poor marking of pedestrian routes.
• Footpaths being blocked.
• Inadequate controls to prevent vehicle driveaway incidents.
Inspectors provided verbal advice or took enforcement action where there was a serious risk of harm to workers on site. In most cases, issues were quickly resolved during the inspection.

Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure. Further information on spot checks and inspections is available on our website.

ICELAND EXTENDS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH XPO LOGISTICS

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Hayley Mc Quade

XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of transport and logistics solutions, has renewed its contract with frozen food retail leader Iceland Foods for warehousing and distribution services. XPO will implement a phased strategy to increase growth capacity for the British supermarket chain, with scalable initiatives for technology, labour optimisation, fleet optimisation and cost savings. The renewal extends XPO’s partnership with Iceland to more than a decade.

XPO’s distribution solution combines six Iceland warehouses with supplemental capacity at XPO shared-user sites, and additional logistics and transport support as needed for peak demand. XPO manages approximately 3,000 colleagues at Iceland distribution centres in Warrington, Deeside, Enfield, Livingston and two in Swindon. The companies co-developed a behavioural safety programme for site colleagues, resulting in consecutive annual improvements in safety performance, including 2020, during COVID-19.

“We’re delighted to take the next steps with XPO in positioning our supply chain for ongoing growth,” said Steve Pennington, supply chain director, Iceland Foods. “Together, we’re achieving measurable improvements in safety and operational excellence, while continuing to give Iceland customers the outstanding service they expect from us.”

Malcolm Wilson, XPO Logistics chief executive officer for Europe, said, “The teams at Iceland and XPO collaborate daily to make the most of the synergies in our combined network. We’re excited to use our technology and expertise to deliver the next level of results for Iceland through our greatest asset, our people.”

PRINCIPAL LOGISTICS APPOINTS 8 SENIOR HIRES TO SUPPORT PLANNED BUSINESS EXPANSION

Posted on January 20, 2021January 20, 2021 by Rob Sherwin

3PL warehouse and supply chain management software specialist Principal Logistics Technologies continues to shun a defensive approach during the prevailing economic climate with the appointment of eight warehouse technology specialists to support its aggressive business growth plans.

The company has hired WMS specialists: Carol Andrew, Tim Blake, Chris Browne, Ketan Bulsara, Paul Hoskins, Lakshitha Mendis, Kate Mitchell and Scott Treacy.

These senior appointments, enhancing the company’s warehouse management systems, Progress software and Microsoft .NET expertise, span specialisations including systems development and configuration, project management, systems integration and testing, R&D, eCommerce implementations and quality assurance.

Peter Flanagan, Principal Logistics Technologies’ founder and managing director, commented “We extend a warm welcome to our new team members. They have hit the ground running and are already working with our customers enhancing and supporting customer systems. Despite current restrictions around operating practice and staff movement we continue to experience interest from warehouse operators looking for new ways to optimise their 3PL third-party logistics and supply chain businesses. I’m confident that, with these new hires, we now have the expertise in place to support our business plans.”

Joe O’Shea, Principal Logistics Technologies’ sales director commented, “I’m delighted to welcome our new team members. Demand remains strong for one of our key USPs: developing systems enabling customers to introduce new value-added revenue channels to address their operational issues and to grow revenue. These include, for example, innovative and more efficient ways to accept move and manage large inventories, reduce operator task time and improve stock accuracy and stock arrivals. These, in particular, are business critical in a post-Brexit world. And, many of our systems automate and report on warehouse operator movement, providing safety in line with Covid-19 regulations.”

KING OF THE HASH BROWNS! ICELAND LAUNCHES NEW HASH BROWN WAFFLES AND A WHOLE HOST OF NEW PRODUCTS

Posted on January 20, 2021 by mel.matson@iceland.co.uk

Iceland launches fun, new products such as Hash Brown Waffles (£1.00, 504g), Banoffee Pie (£1.75, 500g) and Cookies & Cream Cheesecake (£1.75, 450g)
Available in store and online from Monday 18^th January

Iceland is introducing trollies full of new products to its range, all of which will give its shoppers something to smile about this winter and will be available in store and online from Monday 18^th January onwards.

Iceland new Hash Brown Waffles (£1.00, 504g) are made with a delicious combination of potato and onion rosti then pre-fried to be used as a snack or a fantastic addition to a family meal, whether that’s breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The latest addition the Iceland Hash Browns range officially makes Iceland the ‘King of the Hash Brown’ thank to family favourite Hash Brown Fries and the irresistible Cheesy Hash Browns.

A brilliant fries alternative for families up and down the country, Iceland also offers Hash Brown Fries (£1.50, 1kg) with tasty shredded and seasoned potato and onion pre-fried in rapeseed oil that can be oven baked or fried.

Last but not least, Iceland’s Cheesy Hash Browns (£2.00, 600g) turns the traditional hash brown on its head with rectangular fried pockets of potato that have been stuffed with a soft, cream cheese and cheddar filling.

The launch of 4 Chip Shop Curry Chicken Breast Toppers (£2.00, 400g) is just what shoppers need this January, as breadcrumbed chicken breast filled with a lip-smacking curry sauce adds a bit of fruity, spice during our coldest season.

Iceland is also introducing the Big Mac-inspired Snacksters Big Stack Burgers (£1.50, 204g) to its range; a microwavable meal of familiar double-cut buns, double burgers, cheese slices and secret sauce that are less than half the price of the real deal.

With its banana cream mouse on a baked biscuit base, topped with layers of creamy mousse and toffee sauce, the new Banoffee Pie (£1.75, 500g) will offer a deliciously cheery pudding for the whole family.

Alternatively, families might want to opt for Cookies & Cream Cheesecake (£1.75, 450g). With a chocolate flavoured biscuit base that has been generously topped with cream mousse and chocolate cream mousse, then decorated with cookie chunks, it’s sure to bring a smile with each spoonful.

For further information on Iceland’s range please visit www.iceland.co.uk

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Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

BFFF energy deals and rates
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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

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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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Helen Atkinson

Wakefield Council

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Sysco

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Darta

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Kantar Worldpanel

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Lakeside Food Group Ltd

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Meadow Vale Foods Limited

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Newberry International Produce Ltd

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Place UK Ltd

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Seara

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