April 2012

Palm Oil - Peer Reviewed Technical Brief

To assist food industry professionals NT has produced a peer reviewed technical brief on the basic facts about palm oil and the new vegetable oil labelling requirements introduced by the Food Information Regulation. Please feel free to download this paper here.

Advanced Allergen Training - Northampton 25th April

Please see course details below

March 2012

NT Announce 'Internal Audit Training' - Various Dates in Northampton

Internal audits are designed to be a management tool to ensure that your systems are fully effective and continually improving, but if you are not 100% confident about the processes involved they can make life very challenging! This introduction into internal auditing is ideal for delegates with no previous audit experience or who have not completed any formal training. The session includes:

• An introduction to Auditing
• Requirements of BRC in relation to Internal Audits
• Preparing for an Audit
• Audit Techniques
• The Audit Process
• Identifying Non Conformity
• Audit Reporting
• Practical Exercise
• Post Audit Activities

Training workshops are held in Northampton and cost £250 + VAT per delegate, please contact us to discuss discounts for multiple bookings. Details of dates are available upon request. Training may also be completed onsite, for details please contact Tim on 01604 494 509 or via email info@ntfoodtechnical.co.uk

February 2012

BRC Issue 6 - Is factory GMP the secret to an A grade?

The introduction of BRC issue 6 could make an 'A grade' the gold standard for food manufacturers. With the pressure of so many retailer technical standards, the BRC Global Standard for Food has a point to prove!

Some experts predict that the number of sites that achieve an A grade might be as little as 10%, whilst only 40% of sites are expected to achieve grade B. This would leave many sites with grade C or no certification whatsoever!

To help sites prepare for their first issue 6, NT have developed two audits to independently check compliance.

1. 'The GMP' to thoroughly test site operating standards

2. 'The Gap' to check that the new requirements of issue 6 have been addressed

If you would like a health check of your systems prior to your audit or more information please contact Tim Betts via email info@ntfoodtechnical.co.uk or call 01604 494 509

January 2012

Allergen Awareness Training - Bookings now being taken for 2012

The BRC standard for Food Safety - Issue 6 now specifies that all relevant personnel shall recieve 'Allergen Awareness Training'.

Your compliance lies in the hands of your employees. With this in mind we have developed an allergen awareness training programme which includes; What are allergens and anaphylaxis?, Life with food allergy, Staying allergen compliant, Allergens and your business, Allergen alerts and product recall.

At the end of every training session participants will sit a quick test to verify their knowledge. Training sessions can be completed at your facility and last approximately one hour. For further details or to discuss your requirements call us on 01604 494 509 or contact penny@ntfoodtechnical.co.uk

Advanced Allergen Training - Northampton Various Dates 2012

NT's Advanced Allergen Training is designed for delegates with a technical background and includes:

• Prevalence of Food Allergy in the UK / Internationally
• Allergen Legislation
• Risk Assessment for Due Diligence
• Risk Assessment Methods
• Examples of Factory Allergen Management Systems
• Allergen Controls - Validation and Verification
• Allergen Risk Communication

Our advanced allergen training will equip delegates with the tools to begin to develop or review their own risk assessment and to prepare or review the company's allergen policy. Training workshops are held in Northampton and cost £250 + VAT per delegate. Details of dates are available upon request. Training may also be completed onsite, for details please contact Tim on 01604 494 509 or via email info@ntfoodtechnical.co.uk

Funding Available for Food Businesses

Looking to improve your customer exposure through certification!
You may be eligible for funding. Contact us for further information.  

2011

NT Support the Anaphylaxis Campaign

NT recognise the valued work of the Anaphylaxis Campaign and are proud to support the charity as a corporate member.

If you suffer from allergic reactions to particular foods or would like further information about allergens visit the campaign's website www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

Department of Health Warns on Risks of Red Meat

A recent report published by the department of health warned of the risks of consuming too much red meat.

The consumption of red and processed meats such as salami, ham and sausages have been linked to an increased incidence of bowel cancer, the third highest cancer in the UK, causing around 16,500 deaths per year.

The department of health have set new guidelines, recommending on average up to 70g of red meat per day to help reduce the risk of developing the disease. Interestingly the report noted that the consumption of poultry and fish did not present a similar risk.

GM Oil Causing Confusion

Two of the major UK processors of cooking oil have quietly started to use genetically modified soya in their vegetable oils. 

The packaging is labelled according to the minimum requirements of UK law but a number of manufacturers have not spotted this change and it has caused them serious problems.  Either they have been incorrectly labelling their finished products or have fallen foul of strict customer policies which ban the use of GM ingredients.

These oils are widely available via wholesalers, cash and carry outlets and food service delivery firms.

A lack of awareness of the true nature of ingredients and what suppliers are doing is now a major issue in the industry, causing many recalls due to incorrect labelling, such as allergens.

Health Claims Law Making Headlines

Regulation 1924/2006 has again been in the news.  The Sunday Times (http://tiny.CC/vCQRF) described the ongoing work being carried out by EFSA into health claims as an “expose”. 

Industry bodies have reacted furiously to the use of language by the media and some of the rulings that have been issued by EFSA.

They say that the ambiguous nature of the heavily amended legislation leaves the door open for the mainstream media to scream “scandal” when EFSA seeks to clarify health claims.

It all makes the task of communicating with consumers even harder for marketing departments.

Ethical Food Chain Concerns Still Abound In The UK

Hot on the heels of the Unite union’s motion at the Tesco AGM which aimed to force the chain to ensure that agency and permanent workers at its suppliers are paid equally, comes a story in The Independent alleging that Bulgarian and Russian students picking fruit for the supermarkets are left with next to nothing in their pockets at the end of the week.

These are complex issues and companies should look at their own activities and those of their suppliers to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.