Potato News from United Kingdom

Walkers Baked has been the most successful new product launch in the Crisps and Snacks category in the last 3 years. It is now the biggest better-for-you brand in the category and is central to Walkers plans to accelerate growth in the market. Now wor...

Neil Campbell, general manager of Walkers UK, has been promoted to president of Tropicana USA. He will be replaced in the UK by Richard Evans, who moves from PepsiCo Middle East and Africa. Evans, who takes over his new role in January, is currently c...

United Biscuit's UK is launching a number of additions to the McCoy's range going into 2008. Along with new pack sizes and limited editions, February 2008 will see the launch of an innovative new range, which was inspired by the nation’s favourite tak...

A home-made advert that cost just £300 is going to be shown in a prime slot on Christmas Day. Advertising bosses were so impressed with Nils Elders' video, they rejected hundreds of other more expensive works. The idea was to have a jingle composed...

United Biscuits UK (UBUK), one of the UK's leading snack manufacturers, is extending its go ahead! portfolio with two new exciting ranges, one sweet and one savoury.   Wholemeal Fruit Bakes and Baked Snaps are set to further grow the UK’s number one h...

A New York-style ban on trans fats in food is not needed in the UK because consumption rates are already very low, the official food watchdog has said. The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) Board ruled out mandatory restrictions after reviewing evidence ...

Pringles has always been one of the UK's most popular snacks but 2007 has been an even better than usual year. Not only has the last 12 months seen the exciting launch of new Pringles Rice Infusions, but the core range has gone from strength to strengt...

Stored potatoes are holding up well in spite of the (blight) pressures of the 2007 growing season, according to McCain Foods GB, agronomy manager, Andy Goodwin. Mr Goodwin added that McCain’s growers were, however, having to grade crops hard in order ...

Cancer Research UK moved to reassure women over a study suggesting that a common chemical caused by frying, roasting or grilling may be linked to ovarian and womb cancer. The charity said that women should not be overly concerned as the study is the ...

A buoyant and buzzing potato industry has gathered in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, for British Potato 2007 (BP2007), the key UK industry event of the year. Attendance over the two days (November 28 and 29) was up, according to event organisers the Briti...

The British Potato Industry Award Panel is pleased to confirm David Walker, founding chirman of the British Potato Council,  as this year's winner. Presenting the award at the British Potato Council's premier event, BP2007, in Harrogate, Janet Godfrey ...

Bosses of a Wombourne chip factory today spoke of the difficulty of the past months as more than 100 workers clock in for their last ever shifts. Around 120 workers at the McCain factory are now facing Christmas without a job following weeks of crisi...

Seabrook Crisps is sourcing local potatoes for its range of crisps. The Bradford-based company has asked the EFFP (English Farmers and Foods Partnerships) for assistance in setting up a supply chain with local producers. The EFFP has identified Wold...

The company behind Real Crisps, Newport-based Sirhowy Valley Foods, has been acquired by the Tayto Group. Northern Ireland-based Tayto is the third biggest crisp brand in the UK, having already acquired Golden Wonder, and the acquisition takes the gr...

McCain Foods' first viral ad has been viewed by more than 100,000 people in 124 countries in its first week.The viral, created by glue London and Aardman animations of Wallace &Gromit fame, invites users to create a personalised message. The viral ...

Growers could cut, on average, potato store energy bills by maybe £1000-2000 a year, according to Andrew Kneeshaw of energy consultants, FEC Services. Energy use didn’t have to be inevitable, he told growers at a British Potato 2007 seminar, and there ...

Residents are attempting to block plans by crisps producer Tyrrells to turn its Herefordshire farm into a vodka distillery. The company hopes to use a £5 million regional prize it won in the Bank of Scotland’s Corporate £25 million Challenge to use p...

Twenty years ago today, McDonald's made its arrival in Scotland. "When we first started, we were unique not only to Dundee, but to all of Scotland,"recalls Dave Jeffrey, the first manager of the branch, who was 26 at the time. "With our ...