Supply Side Report

UK consumers mostly blaming suppliers for horse-meat scandal
When it comes to the recent horse-meat scandal, UK shoppers are considerably more likely to blame the supplier of the contaminated beef products (88 per cent) as opposed to the supermarkets that sold the products (12 per cent), according to a new survey-based report from global market researcher Canadean Consumer. This reality undoubtedly has had an impact on shopper attitudes and behaviours, with 51 per cent saying they now are skeptical about the quality of the meat stocked in their main supermarket.

Despite the vast majority of consumers shifting blame towards the suppliers, more than a third (38 per cent) of shoppers said they now are less trusting of their supermarket as a result of the scandal, the report says. Perhaps more worrisome for supermarkets is that one in five (19 per cent) said they would be likely to switch their main supermarket if horse meat was found on retailer's shelves.

Italian processors, packagers create network to reinforce foreign business
Ipack-Ima SpA, an organizer of exhibitions for the processing and packaging technology industries, announced the formation of "Processing&Packaging: The High-Tech Italian Way," an industry network founded by five Italian companies in the processing and packaging technology space. Ipack-Ima will be in charge of the network's operations and management.

Italian companies active in the processing and packaging supply chain vie with their German counterparts for first place in exports (generating about 90 per cent of the total proceeds) and have built an excellent reputation in the international arena because of their technological abilities and manufacturing flexibility. Ipack-Ima said it established the network to reinforce Italian companies' business in foreign markets and increase the attractiveness of the "Italian system" in connection to new sales channels in rapidly growing economies.

Founding companies are Mario Ronchi SpA, Gessate, Milan; PFM Group (filling machinery for detergents, cosmetics, chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals), Torrebelvicino, Vicenza (nine companies specializing in flexible food and non-food packaging); P.E. Labellers SpA, Porto Mantovano, Mantua (high-tech rotary and linear labelers); Clevertech, Cadelbosco di Sotto, Reggio Emilia (automation systems for packaging and packing plants); and CAMA Group, Garbagnate Monastero, Lecco (full production lines and secondary packaging machinery), Ipack-Ima noted.

Leatherhead extends meat-speciation testing to include horse
In light of the recent Food Safety Authority of Ireland report revealing that a number of beef burger products contained horse meat and other non-declared meats, Leatherhead Food Research, Surrey, England, said it extended its meat-speciation testing to include horse. The firm's new service will provide the meat and retail industries with reassurance regarding the integrity of their existing products and supply chains, and the accuracy of product labeling.

For information about how to submit a product sample, e-mail [email protected].

NSF International acquires INASSA Group
NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich. – an independent global public health and safety organization that develops standards and tests and certifies products for the food, water and health-sciences industries – said it acquired the INASSA Group of Lima, Peru, which comprises three segments: technical analysis, laboratory and sanitation.

According to NSF International, INASSA Group's three divisions are International Analytical Services S.A.C. (INASSA), Environmental Laboratories Peru S.A.C. (Envirolab) and Servicios Integrales de Saneamiento S.A.C. (Servisanea). INASSA Group now will be known as NSF-INASSA, NSF-Envirolab and NSF-Servisanea. NSF-INASSA Group provides services across the seafood, fish meal, pharmaceutical products, drinking water and mining sectors, and also works closely with regulators and government agencies. It employs more than 220 scientists, auditors and environmental health professionals.

NSF International, which has existing offices in Peru, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica, said it will make NSF-INASSA Group its primary Latin American base for the full range of laboratory testing and technical services NSF provides for the food, water, pharma and seafood sectors. Carmen Catter and Luis Bueno, founders of INASSA Group, will continue in their leadership roles as general managers of NSF-INASSA Group.