The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Fishing industry calls for further Government support
The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) has written to MPs calling for further financial support as the seafood industry continues to struggle following the UK’s exit from the EU. Barrie Deas, chief executive of the NFFO, has written to Environment...
FDF survey hits out at proposed Government food promotions ban
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has called on Government to reconsider restriction on food promotions after its study found that a quarter of consumers use them to help save money on shopping. The survey, which commissioned by the FDF, found that 73% of in-store...
Growth for Avara Foods despite Covid-19 impact
Food manufacturer Avara Foods saw a strong increase in sales and pre-tax profits for the year ended 31st May 2020, despite spending £6 million on social distancing measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The company reported a year-on-year increase of 5% in turnover...
FSS highlights poor lockdown diets as obesity concerns grow
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has said Government and industry need to do more to tackle the obesity crisis following reports of an increase in sales for confectionary goods during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data from FSS revealed that while home cooking and meal...
Grocery sales up by £1 billion in January
January saw shoppers spend £1 billion more on supermarket food and drink items compared to the same four-week period last year, with take-home grocery sales also rising by 12.2% during the 12 weeks to 24th January 2021, according to Kantar. Sales growth accelerated to...
Food Manufacture magazine to close print edition
William Reed Business Publishing is to close its print magazine title Food Manufacture, and it is understood that the final stand-alone print edition is scheduled for the February / March period. Reed confirms that the title will still offer a website. In addition...
Efra announces inquiry into Brexit border delays
MPs have called on Environment Secretary, George Eustice, to provide more details on Government aid for seafood and meat businesses which have been impacted by Brexit border delays. Trade organisations had previously called on Government to support meat and seafood...
VR study highlights most effective on-pack claims for food products
A new virtual-reality study by food research institute, Campden BRI, found that sensory terms such as ‘sweet and smooth’ and nutritional information are the most effective on-pack claims for consumers. Scientists at Campden BRI recently ran a virtual supermarket...
Wrights Food Group appoints new managing director
UK food manufacturer, Wrights Food Group, has appointed Ian Dobbie as its new managing director. Dobbie previously held a 20-year role as UK managing director and then CEO of global bakery business the Delifrance group and has also held senior positions at Associated...
Seafood Scotland appoints exporting team to ease Brexit troubles
Following the impact of Brexit on the UK’s fishing sector, Seafood Scotland has assembled a new exporting team to help tackle administration issues which have damaged trade to Europe since the end of the transition period. Seafood Scotland had previously cited...