News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from Europe

November 09, 2012

Interpom | Primeurs 2012 sold out

The 16th edition of INTERPOM PRIMEURS will be held from Sunday 25 to Tuesday 27 November 2012 in Kortrijk Xpo (Belgium). With the new record number of 255 exhibitors and the entire filling of the exhibition complex at Kortrijk Xpo, INTERPOM PRIMEURS ...

November 06, 2012

The chilled potato industry: not always easy

In between ordinary ware potatoes and the ready-to-eat potato there is another segment: that of the chilled potato slices. The relatively smaller companies inhabiting this sector don’t always have it easy. They have to adhere to the same stern regulati...

McCain Foods agrees to buy potato division of PinguinLutosa

October 24, 2012

How McCain Foods became the preferred buyer of Lutosa

Last week McCain Foods and PinguinLutosa announced an agreement on the sale of the PinguinLutosa potato division. The Belgian Newspaper 'De Standaard' reveals how McCain Foods ended up the preferred buyer instead of Conagra Foods Lamb Weston.

October 23, 2012

British potato firms' 'double whammy' weather woes

Manufacturers of potato products are being hit by a “double whammy” because of the most difficult crop in living memory. Heavy rain delayed planting and is now frustrating harvesting plans.

October 19, 2012

Successful start equipment manufacturer Florigo International BV

Machine manufacturer Florigo International BV, established after the bankruptcy of BMA Nederland BV, has had a very successful start according to a recent statement of the new company:

October 19, 2012

McCain Foods picks up PinguinLutosa potato division

Contrary to what many in the Belgian media had suggested, it is McCain Foods picking up the potato division of the Belgian Frozen Food manufacturer PinguinLutosa and not Conagra Foods Lamb Weston.

October 16, 2012

McCain Foods to axe 50 Hull factory production jobs

Up to 50 jobs are to be axed at a frozen foods factory in Hull in the United Kingdom. McCain Foods is proposing to change production shift patterns to "ensure long-term viability"of the site.

European potato field. Courtesy: European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA)

October 10, 2012

European Potato Processors Association (EUPPA) elects new board

The European Potato Processors Association (EUPPA) general assembly has approved yesterday new statutes and elected a new board at its meeting in Brussels earlier this week. The EUPPA member companies actively process potatoes in Austria, Belgium, Fra...

October 09, 2012

Marleen Vaesen appointed CEO PinguinLutosa

As from the 1st of November onwards Marleen Vaesen (1959) will be appointed as CEO of PinguinLutosa. She will take over the position of Hein Deprez, who was CEO of PinguinLutosa to date. Hein Deprez will subsequently, as president of the Strategic Com...

September 27, 2012

McCain Foods GB launches McCain Simply Potato for Mash for UK caterers

McCain Foods is set to revolutionise the use of mashed potato in UK foodservice with the launch of McCain Simply Potato for Mash from September 2012, enabling caterers to deliver a consistently delicious, creamy and fluffy mash, in just 15 minutes, wit...

September 25, 2012

European Potato Processors show how best to fry french fries

In April 2002, authorities, food industry, caterers and consumers were confronted by the unexpected finding that a number of heated foods contained significant levels of acrylamide, a substance known until then only as a highly reactive industrial chem...

September 23, 2012

Using sprouted potato seed brings benefits in the north of England

Physiological ageing of Markies potato seed can deliver benefits in terms of crop development, yield, quality and storage potential in the north of England. That was the message from McCain commercial agronomist Rob Blades to potato growers attending ...

September 10, 2012

Lamb Weston buyer of PinguinLutosa potato division

Although PinguinLutosa has not declared who the buyer is of their Lutosa potato processing division, the Belgian Media have made their mind up: Lamb Weston will buy Lutosa.

September 05, 2012

PinguinLutosa signs principle agreement on sales of Lutosa division

The Board of Directors of PinguinLutosa have reached a principle agreement on the proposed sale of the Lutosa division. A term sheet was signed in which the entreprise value has been fixed on 225 million euro and the transaction is subject to the fulf...

September 04, 2012

PinguinLutosa gains in Brussels trading on offers for potato unit

PinguinLutosa NV (PIN), the Belgian producer of frozen vegetables, rose the most in almost three years in Brussels trading after saying it received unsolicited non-binding offers for its potato division.

August 21, 2012

Fries from your phone: McDonald's testing mobile payment app

McDonald's customers in Paris can now pay for a Royale with Cheese using their smartphones or tablets - a concept that could spread to the company's 33,500 locations worldwide if the fast-food leader likes the results.

July 24, 2012

McCain Foods Holland B.V. plans to acquire CêlaVíta B. V. , a leading European chilled potato producer

McCain Foods announced July 24th that it intends to acquire 100% of the shares of CêlaVíta B.V., a subsidiary of Bieze Food Group BV, owned by the German Wernsing Group, located in Wezep (The Netherlands). CêlaVíta B.V. is a leading European chilled ...

July 06, 2012

Aviko introduces frozen sweet potato fries to foodservice range

otato processing company Aviko has launched a frozen sweet potato fry product for the foodservice trade based on research that suggests consumers perceive the product as a healthy and attractive option, especially for families.