Science and Technology International Communications (CCASTIC) will see the inauguration of a 'Space Lab

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a new all-in-one quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based solution for rapid beverage quality testing, developed in collaboration with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). Now part of the Thermo Scientific SureTect PCR System, the new solution offers accurate detection of spoilage organisms earlier in the production process, with wide applicability across the beverage testing industry. Product recalls due to microbial spoilage continue to pose significant risks to beverage manufacturers, impacting quality, brand reputation and revenue. Thermo Fisher pointed out that traditional contamination testing methods can take days to deliver results, and may miss certain problematic microorganisms. This puts companies at risk of costly recalls and impacts consumer trust. The Thermo Scientific SureTect Beverage Spoilage Multiplex qPCR Assay detects over 100 strains of the most relevant spoilage microorganisms for beverages. These include preservative-resistant yeasts, moulds, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria in a single PCR reaction – something the technology provider claims is a market-first. According to Thermo Fisher, this high-throughput approach helps reduce testing time by up to 50% compared to traditional culture testing methods. This can provide greater confidence for manufacturers when releasing batches while improving efficiency within the quality control process. Chris Armstrong, president of microbiology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “Product recalls don’t just impact the consumer – brands face both financial and reputational harm, making the true cost of a recall much more expensive than the product lost”. “This qPCR-based assay is part of Thermo Fisher's commitment to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer, and helps brands avoid risk, protect their customers and keep their products on shelves by providing a faster and more accurate result on their batch tests.” Speed and confidence in quality testing is becoming more critical for both large beverage groups and smaller brands, particularly around limited-edition and seasonal offerings. Raul Mesa, senior manager QESH at CCEP, said: “Staying ahead of spoilage is key for us. Working with Thermo Fisher lets us use the best science to make sure every bottle that reaches a customer meets our high standards. High-throughput, reliable and secure testing solutions are essential as we look to always ensure the perfect product for our consumers.”

North American frozen seafood company High Liner Foods has committed to making a $5 million investment In exchange for the $5 million investment, High Liner Foods will receive a 10% share in Norcod. Paul Jewer, president and CEO at High Liner Foods, said: “Today's investment is a small but important step forward in our strategy to position High Liner Foods for the next chapter of leadership and growth

Eurofins Food & Water Testing UK, which is supported by the group's global network of laboratories and

Located in Campinas, Brazil, the Tropical Food Innovation Lab will be located at ITAL, occupying a refurbished Once completed, the hub will feature application labs and a demo kitchen, where professionals can work Eduard Fontcuberta, regional innovation head at Givaudan, said: "The Tropical Food Innovation Lab brings Damien Chapelier, head of Bühler South America, added: "This new innovation lab is a great achievement The Tropical Food Innovation Lab is planned to open in the first quarter of 2023.

Flavour manufacturer Symrise has opened an innovation lab at Colworth Science Park in the UK.  The fully-equipped lab will support UK customers with their bakery, beverage, dairy and flavour development “Our state-of-the art labs and offices will make our Colworth site the perfect location to strengthen

Smurfit Kappa has signed an agreement to acquire Spanish bag-in-box packaging facility, Pusa Pack. Located near Castellón in the Valencia region, the Pusa Pack facility manufactures large-capacity flexible bags ranging from 200 to 1500 litres. The bags are used for the storage and transport of bulk food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other liquid and semi-liquid products. Since 2002, Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box has supplied big-capacity bags and corrugated cardboard containers from its sales office in Liquiwell, Germany. The deal will see Pusa Pack become integrated into Smurfit Kappa’s bag-in-box operations in Spain. Thierry Minaud, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box, said: “Heavy-duty packaging is evolving towards more environmentally friendly solutions. We increasingly see the trend of companies moving away from plastic or stainless steel intermediate bulk containers (IBC) in favour of much more sustainable corrugated solutions, which have a considerably lower carbon footprint.” He continued: “It makes perfect sense – if we compare a Smurfit Kappa IBC made of fully recyclable, biodegradable and renewable corrugated with a rigid plastic container, we see an 87% reduction in plastic weight, significant supply chain optimisation, elimination of cleaning requirements and shelf life extension for the product when aseptic filling technology is applied”. Pascual Martinez, general manager of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box Ibi, added: “This acquisition will strengthen Smurfit Kappa’s Bag-in-Box portfolio and create strong supply chain and market synergies between the two companies. This acquisition will also be of great benefit for customers, especially those who have demand for bag-in-box solutions in different formats, for example, retail and industrial use.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

High Liner Foods has agreed to acquire the Mrs Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s frozen breaded and battered fish volume currently under a contract with Conagra that runs until 2027 and is expected to increase High Liner High Liner expects the deal to be slightly accretive to earnings starting in the second half of 2025. for High Liner Foods that will serve as a catalyst for further growth in the US retail market. He added: "This strategic transaction is one example of the steps we are taking to position High Liner

Lyons Magnus has announced its acquisition of Hormel Health Labs, Hormel Foods’ health foods business firm Paine Schwarz Partners, has purchased the operations and brands associated with Hormel Health Labs It has now established Lyons Health Labs, aiming to evolve and grow its nutrition and health business In a statement announcing the acquisition, Lyons Magnus said that Lyons Health Labs aims to be a leader We are pleased to welcome the Hormel Health Labs team and launch this exciting new venture.”

Los Angeles-based digital bakery Sugar Lab has launched a new line of 3D printed chocolate truffles and In collaboration with chef Melissa Walnock of the Culinary Institute of America, Sugar Lab has created Meanwhile, Sugar Lab’s bonbons are filled with chocolate ganache with s’mores and peanut butter and jelly design team, using 3D printing technology,” said Kyle von Hasseln, CEO and co-founder of Sugar Lab. Sugar Lab was founded in 2020, however the concept has been years in the making.

meat company Vow Food has secured $6 million in a seed funding round to further develop its exotic lab-grown Vow has recently completed a new food design studio and laboratory in Sydney and has grown its team from

in the food supply chain, enhancing income stability and introducing stricter rules on meat-related labelling to provide greater consistency across the EU market and improve consumer confidence in food product labelling One of the most closely watched aspects of the reform concerns product naming and labelling. The restriction also explicitly applies to lab-grown and cell-cultivated products, which will be prohibited from an earlier vote in October 2025, where members of the European Parliament voted to restrict the labelling