Hygienic design of food factories Recently completed work will further assist companies to design and furbish their factories in such a way as to maximise hygiene aspects in food processing. Good hygiene is essential in preventing end-product contamination. It covers everything from good hygienic design of food production areas and processing equipment to understanding the benefits and limitations of specific hygienic practices before, during and after food production. CCFRA guidelines have existed for some years on preferred design aspects for floors, and for walls, ceilings and services. Recent work has updated these important guidelines, and has also addressed the fundamental aspects of the basic design and construction of the factory itself in a new guideline document. Written with the close involvement of food and construction industry specialists, Guidelines for the hygienic design, construction and layout of food processing factories (CCFRA Guideline No. 39) covers food hygiene related issues associated with building, adapting or refurbishing a food factory as a whole. It includes site location, estimating the size of the factory required, planning the flow of materials and people, hygienic segregation of processing areas and developing the construction brief. Contact: Contact: John Holah Ensuring the legality of your food labels 
Food labels are the primary source of product information for consumers, and as such must be both accurate and honest. However, legislation on the labelling of food products is both extensive and detailed, and can vary from one product to another. The pressures to develop and market new products quickly can make it difficult to ensure that the label is legal. Selina Clayton, of CCFRA´s Food Law Advisory Team, explains how they can help: As product development cycles get shorter, there is an increasing need for a timely, accurate, authoritative and interpretative service to help food companies ensure that their labels not only meet legal requirements, but also take full account of the considerable array of formal and informal guidance that covers the many aspects of food labelling and presentation. Our Label Review service helps companies ensure that they will not fall foul of the enforcement authorities. It is a flexible service which can be used at any stage of the product development process: from a development brief to finished artwork. As well as reviewing if the label reflects the foods contents, we can advise on product formulation, to ensure that names, claims and descriptions are supportable. We also draw attention to any planned changes to relevant legislation.
For more information on the service or for a quote for specific advice, please Thermal process establishment 
CCFRA provides a key service for the establishment of thermal processes for companies by acting as a thermal process authority. This includes the recording of temperature distribution measurements within a retort system, and heat penetration measurements within products. CCFRA is well equipped to undertake this work in a wide range of systems. Various methods of data analysis are used by CCFRA, including the General Method, Ball Method and CCFRA CTemp 5.0 software. These have the flexibility to make full allowance for changes to critical factors that may influence the effectiveness of the scheduled process and so ensure the safety of this process. Companies often need to provide data for customers or approved bodies. CCFRA can advise on approaches to data presentation for national and international bodies, e.g. filing for the US FDA. Contact: Geoff Shaw
(Tel: +44 (0)1386 842251) Nutritional analysis - survey In order to provide up-to-date and reliable information on the levels of salt, fat and sugar in processed foods, the Food Standards Agency has commissioned CCFRA to undertake a series of mini-surveys. These will cover the composition of various foods purchased from a variety of retail outlets. The FSA decides on the product to be surveyed and the data required. All products are analysed for water, protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibre, sodium, iron, energy, weight loss on cooking and other factors. Contact: Paul Drake Global partnerships initiative 
We will be participating in the showcase Global Partnerships pavilion at the Royal Show this year. Some 70 companies, chosen for their excellence and innovation, will feature in this opportunity for companies to explore the prospect of joint ventures, international partnerships and business solutions in agri-food technology. This major project is led by Trade Partners UK in partnership with DEFRA and is supported by the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands. The collective aim is to promote and build on the strengths of the UKs agri-food industry, to address the issues of global food production and to develop international business for UK leading-edge companies. The Royal Show is held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire (29 June-2 July). Contact: Martin Hall Insurance and risk management A seminar to bring the latest food related insurance and risk management advice to industry. The hard insurance market, issues surrounding combustible panels and the recent employer liability problems have contributed to a unique and challenging set of risk management needs. Case studies will be presented, and the results of Aon research into insurance costs in the food sector will provide a useful benchmarking tool. Risk management a business support tool: sharing best practice (4th July) is organised jointly with Aon Insurance Brokers. Contact: Training Department Investor in people The long-standing achievement of Investor in People Standard demonstrates our strong commitment to the training and development of all staff - our most important and highly valued resource. We first achieved the standard in 1994, with 3-yearly re-assessments. At the latest review in April 2003 the assessors commented that The commitment to the well-being and development of staff remains strong. CCFRA is a role model for IIP CCFRA website for members 
Members have privileged access to the following:
For further information on the website and for advice on your password please e-mail: webmaster@campden.co.uk New members Campden & Chorleywood is delighted to welcome the following new members who joined in April 2003:
Contact: Bertrand Emond or Sally Easton Please notify the Membership Department of any name or address changes with respect to our mailing list. Publications - order on-line at www.campden.co.uk CCFRA research and development reports The main findings from CCFRA´s extensive research programme are published in the form of R&D Reports. During the first three months of 2003 CCFRA has published 9 R&D Reports:
Copies of each report are available free on request to members (up to three copies per member company) and the majority those based on projects from the member-funded research programme - are available only to members. Full lists of R&D Reports published in previous years can be found in the Research section of the CCFRA website at www.campden.co.uk or are available in paper copy on request. (* Members only)
Contact: Mrs. Carol Newman, Publications Officer, CCFRA, |