Multi-purpose non-chemical cleaning solution used by Alex Bond
Toucan Eco, a multipurpose non-chemical solution, has become one of the first cleaning products of its kind in the UK to receive both EN 14476 and EN 16777 certification, proving its 'virucidal efficacy' against coronaviruses. Following independent accredited laboratory testing, Toucan Eco has been validated for use to EN standards and is certified to kill more than 99.99% (or >4-log) of viruses.
Both certifications are virucidal tests targeted at a broad spectrum of enveloped viruses including coronavirus, against which many chemical disinfectants have not been certified. EN 14476 – the more widely known certification – is a suspension test where the efficacy of the solution is tested in vitro.
EN 16777, which is a certified surface test, proves that this efficacy can be applied in the real world of surface disinfecting and other cleaning processes. The solution comprises tap water and salt which is electrolysed to break up and recombine the naturally occurring elements of water (H20) and salt (NaCl) to produce hypochlorous acid (HOCI), an effective disinfectant, and sodium hypochlorite (NAOCI) at a concentration and pH that acts as a gentle cleaner. The product is used at a number of restaurant including Alex Bond’s Alchemilla.
Bord Bia’s Grass Fed Standard for Beef
Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has launched a Grass Fed Standard for Beef, the world’s first on a national scale, that allows it to track and verify the percentage of grass consumed in the diet of Irish beef herds. Irish processors will now be able to provide verifiable proof, in the form of a Grass Fed Standard, to support a grass fed claim that beef from Ireland comes from grass fed cows.
Bord Bia says that grass fed has always been Ireland’s production system with ‘lush green fields, clean air and plentiful rain creating the perfect environment for beef farming, which converts grass into nutrient-rich, premium quality products’. For herds to qualify for the Grass Fed Standard, grass must constitute at least 90% of feed intake throughout each animal’s lifetime.
“Almost half of consumers globally associate Ireland with grass fed, so we have developed this standard in direct response to the growing international consumer and customer demand for premium, healthy and naturally produced products,” says Bord Bia’s meat, food and beverage director Padraig Brennan.
Research 'highlights importance of premium biscuits'
New consumer insight from Border Biscuits highlights the opportunity for hard hit accommodation providers to improve profitability and ‘craft a long lasting first impression by not neglecting important little details’. The research, commissioned by the Lanarkshire-based business, is said to demonstrate that in a post Covid-19 world, potential customers are more discerning and in need of reassurance than ever.
Concerns over hygiene rank as highly as location and comfort in the consumer mindset – in short, making a great first impression has never been more vital. Border Biscuits says that businesses shouldn’t look to trade down on ‘key’ elements like premium complimentary biscuits, the importance of which is highlighted by the fact that 88% of British consumers say they directly link the quality of the biscuit offer to the quality of the establishment.
Cementing this notion, good biscuits come a close third behind free WiFi and toiletries (ranked first and second respectively) in adding the most value to a stay. In light of the new research, and to help 'operators swiftly navigate the road to recovery', Border Biscuits is offering deals on cases of 100 of its Classic Recipes range of biscuits. Varieties include Light & Buttery Viennese Whirls, Divinely Chocolatey Cookies and Golden Oat Crumbles.
www.borderbiscuits.co.uk
Olam Cocoa's premium cocoa powder range
Olam Cocoa has launched a range of six deZaan cocoa powders with different colours and flavour profiles to ‘help professionals take their creations to the next level’. The selection includes Crimson Red, True Dark and Carbon Black and has been designed to help chefs, bakers and pâtissiers to ‘go beyond the limits of working with their current cocoa ingredients for the very first time and to really get creative with how cocoa can be used’.
Suitable to use in a wide range of applications including bakery, desserts, confections, patisserie, ice cream and sauces, as well as hot and cold drinks, the range is available now in 1kg and 5Kg formats. The products are all sourced 'responsibly' through Cocoa Compass, Olam Cocoa’s sustainability ambition for the future of the cocoa sector. Cocoa Compass aims to support smallholder farmers, their families and communities, and the environment and makes a commitment to help farmers achieve a living income, eliminate child labour and protect forests through a net increase in tree carbon stock by 2030.
Two new coffees from Douwe Egberts
Douwe Egberts has added two new products to its out of home espresso bean portfolio. Signature Espresso and Rich Espresso are both part of the company’s Barista Editions range are made of 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Arabica beans, ‘expertly blended and roasted to meet the needs of every barista and consumer’ and to ‘produce incredible full-bodied flavour coffee drinks’.
“Responding to a pandemic-recovering market where there’s been a shift in the importance of ethical sourcing and the use of trusted brands, Douwe Egberts Barista Editions hits the mark,” says a spokesperson. “People want to know where their products come from and their environmental impact. The Douwe Egberts seal comes with quality assurance, including how they source their beans. 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified, each bean is grown and picked from farms supported by sustainable farming practices that help to protect forests, improve farmers’ livelihoods, the human rights of farm workers and help farmers mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.”
www.jacobsdouweegbertsprofessional.co.uk
