Potato News from United Kingdom

November 20, 2008

Major restaurant chains in UK commit to healthier foods

Six leading high street restaurant chains – Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, Nando's, Subway and Wimpy – have today announced a commitment to make changes in their restaurants, which support Agency activity to help people eat more healthily outside the ...

November 20, 2008

University of Bath research will seal the future of green packaging

Researchers at the University of Bath and the food &drinks research centre at Campden BRI are leading a project to create a new high speed environmentally-friendly packaging process that will use recycled materials and reduce the amount of plastic...

One of the three windturbines at McCain Foods Whittlesey (courtesy: Michael Trolove)

November 18, 2008

McCain Foods (GB) winner of the Green Business Award 2008 in the category Best Consumer Goods

In 2007, McCain launched major investments in renewable energy at one of its manufacturing plants, resulting in a reduction of 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide in six months. The company is continuing to explore further opportunities for eco-innovation a...

November 18, 2008

Higher Yields boost UK potato crop

Total GB potato production for the 2008 harvest was up significantly on last year to 5.8m tonnes, according to the first provisional estimate by the Potato Council.The figure, based on a survey of 339 crops, was 7% higher than last season's flood-hit h...

November 17, 2008

United Biscuits 'in secret bid for Premier Foods' Mr Kipling'

United Biscuits - owner of Manchester-based McVitie's and other brands including Penguin, Jacob's crackers, Twiglets, KP and Hula Hoops - has made a secret bid to buy Mr Kipling from its rival Premier Foods, according to reports.Premier Foods, which bo...

November 13, 2008

William Chase: the Willy Wonka of British potatoe vodka

Chase vodka, the only potato vodka distilled in England, is the creation of William Chase, better known as the bloke who made a mint as the founder of Tyrrells crisps.It all starts in the potato grading shed, a giant structure, like an aircraft hanger....

November 12, 2008

Tayto shows how to beat the crunch

Dynamic companies that exploit opportunities and maximise efficiencies will survive the downturn and emerge stronger. That’s the message from Seamus McGuckin, a corporate banking director at Ulster Bank, who says that “waiting for the business environm...

November 12, 2008

Tyrrells reveals new flavours exclusively for independent retailers

Potato chip producer Tyrrells has partnered with the Federation of City Farms &Community Gardens charity to launch two scrumptious new flavours, available exclusively to UK Independent Retailers;Roast Lamb &Shrewsbury Sauce Potato Chips and Par...

November 06, 2008

Potato Peeling plant North Antrim Foods shut down.

Glens of Antrim Potatoes has shut down subsidiary North Antrim Foods at Castlecatt and 15 people are affected. Glens of Antrim Potatoes Managing Director Michael McKillop told the Times the Castlecatt work has been "relocated"to the Cushenda...

November 05, 2008

Nestlé Wellness Award for McCain Foods' 'Purely Potato'

The Nestlé Wellness Award, awarded to the company that has made a real impact in terms of making healthier eating and drinking choices for consumers, was won by McCain Foods. McCain developed Purely Potato, a range developed to be cooked without oil, w...

November 04, 2008

United Biscuits revamps websites with Inbox

United Biscuits has re-designed its corporate website through its digital agency Inbox. Functionality has been enhanced with a new web contact form for customer service enquiries, on the homepage an area has been added to promote the latest TV ads;...

November 04, 2008

Kettle Chips (UK) launches single serve crisp packet range

Pub-goers will soon be able to buy smaller bags of Kettle's Mature Cheddar and Red Onion crisps.The company has decided to launch the flavour in 40 gram bags following recent research.Figures from the manufacturer show that sales of smaller packets of...

November 01, 2008

Vending machines in Wales hospitals have to switch to baked crisps

Hospitals in Wales must empty their vending machines of crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks today. The ban will see junk food make way for healthier options, such as fruit and sugar-free drinks. Machines will instead have to contain food that is healthy,...

October 30, 2008

Rainfall makes potato harvesting in Yorkshire heavy going

The wet weather seen during the late summer is making for challenging harvesting conditions for potato farmers across Yorkshire.The heavy ground is taking its toll on farmers' pockets due to the added expense it has brought in terms of extra labour an...

October 30, 2008

British Union GMB calls on McCain Foods Halt Outsourcing Of Back Room Finance And Admin Jobs To India

GMB are today calling on McCain Foods not to proceed with a proposal which would see 32 backroom jobs in five locations in England being outsourced to India. Yesterday McCain Foods told the GMB that they were looking at a proposal to outsource the job...

October 29, 2008

Potato Council promotes use of potatoes in school meals

Potato Council is encouraging school caterers to serve up a delicious and nutritious portion of potatoes every day, while urging suppliers to spread the message that potatoes can be used to help maintain compliant menus and increase their use across ...

October 24, 2008

Jobs saved at Corby crisp factory

More than 200 jobs have been saved and a further 150 posts are being created at a Corby crisp factory which had been threatened with closure.Staff at the Golden Wonder factory in Princewood Road, were told the plant is staying open after bosses hammere...

October 24, 2008

Walkers 'Do us a Flavour' campaign attracts over one million entries

Walkers has had more than 1.1m entries and substantial web visits for its 'Do Us A Flavour' competition, asking the public to suggest a new crisp flavour for a £50,000 prize and 1% share of future royalties.Walkers expected 250,000 entries when the cam...