The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Industry responds to government tariff review
The recent government tariff review has met with a negative response from many parts of the food and farming sectors. NFU President Minette Batters said the government has severely undermined the British farming industry by confirming it will remove the tariff...
NFU Scotland highlights damaging tariff schedule affecting Scottish food and farming
NFU Scotland has written to Scottish Secretary of State Alister Jack after repeated warnings to the UK Government over what it claims is a damaging Brexit ‘no deal’ tariff schedule. Since March, NFU Scotland confirms that it has persistently raised deep concerns over...
BFREPA launches contract guidance to restore supply chain balance
The British Free Range Egg Producers Association has launched free, professional guidance to help restore balance in the supply contracts held between farmers and egg packers. Earlier this year the organisation vowed to help reform outdated agreements which a...
Supermarket sales growth accelerates
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar show year-on-year supermarket sales grew by 1.3% during the past 12 weeks as Sainsbury’s returns to growth and Brexit deadline day approaches. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar,...
Welsh firm fined £93,000 following allergic reaction to tzatziki
Zorba Delicacies, a multi-million-pound manufacturer of dips, deli fillers and soups, has pleaded guilty to three food safety charges at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court after a woman suffered what was described as a ‘potentially fatal’ allergic reaction. During the...
Chief Medical Officer wants snacking ban on public transport
A ban to stop people snacking on public transport has been suggested by England's outgoing chief medical officer, which she claims could help tackle childhood obesity. According to government figures six out of every 30 children are obese and Professor Dame Sally...
KellyDeli and Asda collaboration continues
KellyDeli, which owns the fast-growing international sushi counter brand Sushi Daily, has opened two new counters in Asda Ashford and Asda Kings Hill. The premises in Ashford and Kings Hill are the sixth and seventh Sushi Daily counters to open in Asda stores....
Partnership boosts food safety and hygiene services
Control Union has joined forces with hygiene support company Christeyns Food Hygiene to offer food manufacturers fully accredited food safety and hygiene training. Franco Costantini, managing director at Control Union UK, explained that the training will be fully...
Bureau Veritas urges food industry to go full circle on sustainability
While welcoming the UK’s Net Zero pledge, the sustainability authority, Bureau Veritas has asserted that a transition to the circular economy business model will be a key initiative if the UK is to truly realise a low carbon future. In continuing to lead the march on...
Many UK consumers not sure what Red Tractor assurance scheme is
New research has revealed that despite media efforts, almost two-thirds (64%) of UK consumers are unsure of what the Red Tractor assurance scheme is, and around half of these people have never heard of it. The news comes from a survey commissioned by online...