As companies plan for the future and assess the regulatory climate in which they will operate, understanding the extent to which the UK has diverged and may diverge from the EU in the future is a key consideration, influencing costs and efficiencies.

 

To help understand and anticipate regulatory direction, BFFF in partnership with the British Brands Group is organising an online meeting with ‘UK in a Changing Europe’ (UKICE), an academic think tank with close links to King’s College London. This is free to members and will be held on the MS Teams platform on Tuesday 10 December between 14:00 – 15:00. To register, complete this link and you will be sent a calendar placeholder.

 

The event will focus on the think tank’s Divergence Tracker and will comprise a 30-minute presentation followed by discussion. The content will be tailored to the FMCG agenda and will include such areas at the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, Deforestation, On-pack recycling labels, Vehicle emissions and safety and Not for EU labelling. Before the close, we will explore the ideal frequency of such updates and discussions in the future.

 

The meeting is open to everyone in your organisation with an interest in this area and will be of particular value to those in Regulatory, Legal and Corporate Affairs roles.

 

Details

When is it?

Tuesday 10 December, 14:00 – 15:00

Where is it?

The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams.

 

To register, complete this link

The purpose of the Virtual Trade Mission is fourfold:

1. To help promote Ukrainian exports – Ukraine is open for business notwithstanding the war with Russia.
2. To publicise and explain how the reconstruction program will be implemented once the fighting has stopped and the opportunities that there will then be for exporters.
3. There will be short, pragmatic presentations by: the ICC Ukraine, the ICC UK, DHL, DHL GoTrade, IncoDocs, IC&Partners, The British Chambers of Commerce’s ChamberCustoms …. and others. All explaining the opportunities that are on offer and how to benefit from them.
4. Their presence will show much needed solidarity with Ukraine.

The benefits to British companies are:

1. Diversification of your supply chain. (and the UK government signed the two free trade agreements mentioned above to facilitate bilateral trade).
2. By understanding the export opportunities that will definitely come, they can better prepare for the scramble for contracts that will inevitably come – get ahead of the queue.

As part of the sponsorship agreements that ICC has obtained, they are able to offer:

1. Free registration as delegates to representatives of British companies and organisations.
2. Free allocation of virtual stands to members of the BFFF. (There would normally be a charge of £249+VAT.)

How to Participate?

1. To participate as a delegate, you simply have to register.
2. To take the offer of having a virtual stand, choose that option, then when you get to the payment page, just use the coupon VTMUAUKFREE and the cost will be reduced to zero.

For more information, please visit ICC Ukraine’s website – or register today – 

 

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has announced a package of activity to support care home caterers to deliver a Christmas to remember.

 

The company has developed a section on its award-winning website to include a range of downloadable recipe cards and menu planners, delivering inspiration for care home caterers looking for innovative Christmas recipes. It has also added themed quizzes that can be downloaded to provide residents with some festive fun.

 

As part of the campaign, Brakes’ development chef, Olli Smith, has developed a new video that shows care caterers how to adapt the traditional Christmas dinner into an IDDSI Level 4 meal.

 

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive Officer for Sysco GB, said: “Christmas is a really important time for care home residents and making sure that Christmas food meets their needs and expectations is crucial for a successful festive season.

 

“It’s vital that, even when a person can no longer eat a meal with the regular texture, caterers have the knowledge and confidence to adapt a meal so that all residents can enjoy the Christmas meal together. Our Christmas package will help care homes to not only create great dishes, but also provide some fun while they eat it!”

 

The BFFF have been notified of an intermittent issue that continues to impact some IPAFFS Common Health Entry Document (CHED) submissions for Products of Animal Origin (POAO). Some traders are reporting that they are not able to complete their CHED P because they cannot select an ‘approved establishment of origin’. Whilst the issue is ongoing, Defra are temporarily instructing traders of POAO (those completing a CHED P) who are not able to select an ‘approved establishment of origin’ in the Approved Establishment section, to complete and submit their CHED without selecting an ‘approved establishment of origin’. You must continue to create and submit CHED-Ps during this period. If you are not able to select an ‘approved establishment of origin’ in the Approved Establishment section of the CHED, take the following action: If you see the message ‘Internal server error’ (example A), do not click ‘Go to dashboard’, this will avoid you having to re-enter your CHED information. Click the ‘Back’ button just below the gov.uk logo in the top left (see example A below), to return to the approved establishment section (as seen in example B below). You must click the green ‘Save and continue’ button (as seen in example B below) to progress without selecting an approved establishment of origin. Defra are working to identify the cause of the issue and will seek to resolve this as soon as possible. They will be in contact with further communication very soon and appreciate your patience and cooperation whilst they work through this.

 

 

Food ingredients specialist, Brusco, has appointed Mark Armstrong as its new Managing Director replacing Andrew Ashby who has been Managing Director since acquiring the business in 2015.

Mark took up the helm at Brusco on 18^th November and builds on a career of successful management positions, including most recently Managing Director of Nutrisure the UK’s leading superfood brand and ingredients company.

As well as holding the positions of Sales Director of Orchard Pig Cider, quadrupling revenue in 2 years leading to its sale to C&C and Head of Sales at Nelsons, making Teetha the No1 teething brand in the UK, Mark spearheaded the launch of sugar free Red Bull into the UK. His appointment represents a significant milestone in Brusco’s growth and development.

Mark will lead the Brusco team in their mission to be the preferred food ingredients partner for customers seeking collaborative supplier relationships that deliver value, insight and great service.

Mark Armstrong, Managing Director of Brusco, said: “I am delighted to be joining Brusco as the new Managing Director. For many years I’ve driven customer focused growth strategies for various brands within the food industry. I look forward to bringing new ideas to Brusco and working together with our valued customers.”

“I’m excited for what the future holds and look forward to leading our talented team to success.”

Mark’s appointment sees Andrew Ashby take on the role of CEO for Olidor Group Ltd, where he will lead the continued growth of the group. In addition to Brusco, Olidor Group includes Karimix UK Ltd, The Original Baker Ltd, Porter Foods and The Artful Baker.

Andrew Ashby, CEO of Olidor Group, commented: “We’re delighted to have appointed a talent like Mark to lead Brusco through its next phase of growth. Mark brings a wealth of industry expertise which we believe will add significant value to our customers.”

For further information, visit the Brusco website: www.brusco.co.uk

Karen McQuade, the newly elected president of the British Frozen Food Federation, called in her maiden speech for members to engage in the debate around raising the standard temperature for frozen food.

Addressing the Federation’s annual lunch on November 19, McQuade said that there is a compelling environmental case for raising the standard – which has been set at -18 degrees since the frozen food industry was born 100 years ago.

Karen McQuade said: “Our freezers have been set to -18 for a century, is now the time to consider turning the temperature up? We can reduce emissions and save energy by moving to a higher temperature, but it’s not a simple switch.

“Raising the temperature for frozen food storage to -15 could reduce energy consumption and cut global emissions by 17.7 million metric tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing 3.8 million cars from the road.”

The BFFF has been involved with research into the question of increasing the standard temperature since 2009, and earlier this year it joined the international coalition The Move to -15°C.

Karen McQuade said that it’s now time for the industry to engage in a frank discussion about whether the standard is still fit for purpose and what potential changes could be made to improve sustainability.

“The first step is to fill in the gaps in scientific research supporting the temperature shift. Research is already underway. Earlier this year Nomad Foods conducted an 18 month study which found no significant changes in food quality or safety within the categories tested at -15”, she said. “However more research is needed to understand the impact on delicate food categories.

“I hope more than anything that next year I can stand here with news that we have moved closer to a safe and stable new standard temperature globally.”

The new president also highlighted the challenges the industry faces in terms of changing consumer attitudes and addressing a widespread lack of freezer space in homes, and the role the sector can play in helping reduce food waste.

UK Foodhall Ltd founder McQuade was elected president at the BFFF AGM on November 13, succeeding Ian Stone, who had been in post since December 2020.

Pacific West Foods UK has recently unveiled its new website, marking a significant step in enhancing its digital presence and improving customer engagement. The launch of this sleek, user-friendly platform is designed to showcase Pacific West Foods’ diverse range of high-quality frozen seafood products. This new online hub reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability while providing essential information to both existing and potential customers.

 

One of the standout features of the new website is its modern design and engaging photography, which is both visually appealing and intuitive. Visitors will find navigating through the various categories of Prawns, Squid , Fish, Plant Based and the new Fully Cooked range easy.

Each product is listed and highlights Pacific West Foods’ offerings, including detailed product descriptions, serving suggestions, and cooking methods.

 

This focus on user experience makes it easier for customers to find what they are looking for quicly and allows them to explore new culinary possibilities using Pacific West’s products.

 

The website, written and created by the team at Umami Design for Food, (www.umamidesignforfood.co.uk) is optimised for mobile devices, ensuring that customers can access information on the go. The launch is more than just an upgrade in appearance; it signifies Pacific West Foods’ dedication to environmental responsibility and transparency. The site also provides information about the company’s commitment to sustainability.

 

The launch of the new Pacific West Foods UK website strengthens its position in the fish and seafood market and enhances the overall customer experience.

 

To find out more about how Pacific West can support your business, visit the new website and get in touch. https://pacificwestfoods.co.uk/get-in-touch/

Bidcorp UK, the parent company which includes Bidfood, Bidfresh, Bidcorp Manufacturing and Caterfood Buying Group, is this month celebrating 25 years of trading since being acquired by its South African parent company, Bidcorp.

To mark the occasion, all depots across Bidcorp UK will be hosting a party to celebrate a quarter century of successes. The festivities will stretch across two weeks, starting on Monday the 11^th November, and concluding on Saturday the 23^rd. In addition to specific site activities, all employees will receive an anniversary card containing details around a big prize giveaway, covering a range of spectacular prizes!

The celebrations in place are in aid of Bidcorp UK’s formation in 1999, originally emerging as 3663 and then Bidvest, Bidvest Foodservice, until eventually renaming to become Bidcorp UK and Bidfood UK as it’s known today.

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK commented: “When I look over the past 25 years, I am delighted to see how far we’ve come to become the thriving, prosperous and inclusive business we are today. While each of our companies has its own individual story, it’s our shared journey that brings us all together.

“To be where we are today couldn’t have happened without the dedication and hard work of the brilliant teams and individuals we have here. So to colleagues past and present, I would like to say a big thank you!

“I’m looking forward to hearing how each depot marks the occasion and to watch each of the businesses continue to go from strength to strength, so here’s to the next 25 years!”