n A Czech bread has joined the EU’s list of 800 protected local brands alongside delicacies such as Greek feta cheese. The Czech bread "Karlovarsky suchar" has been awarded status as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) by the European Commission. The bread is baked using water and salt from thermal springs in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary. The designation means that only manufacturers based in the specific area and using the specific techniques will be allowed to give their product the protected title.

n Charity Coeliac UK will hold a conference Gluten-Free The Way Forward, at The Park Inn Hotel, Heathrow, on 6 December. Topics will include the provision of gluten-free foods, guidance on current standards, associated legislation, best practice, and market forces. More than one in every 100 people in the UK is believed to have coeliac disease - intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

n Finnish designer and manufacturer of spiral systems Vulganus is set raise its profile in Britain and Ireland through equipment supplier European Process Plant, which will be the company’s UK partner. There are five product lines in the Vulganus range: the Arcticline for rapid cooling and freezing; Tropicline for controlled proofing; Cleanline for clean air cooling; Softline for ambient cooling and the Steriline washing system.

n Hallett’s the bakers held an official reopening of its shop in Torquay this month. Owners Helen and Mel Hallett explained that this was the culmination of changes that took place following a fire that completely destroyed the bakery two years ago.