The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Aldi funds 30 new fresh produce apprenticeships
Aldi, one of the UK’s fastest-growing supermarkets, says it will support 30 young people to undertake a fresh food produce apprenticeship this year. The project will work In partnership with Management Development Services Ltd (MDS), a fresh produce graduate...
UK food and drinks exports slow
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has published an analysis showing that compared to 2017 food and drink exports increased by only 2.5% in 2018. This is down from 9.7% growth over the previous year. Slower growth was recorded in both UK exports to EU markets, up by...
Food fraud businesses to face criminal prosecutions
Darren Davies, the new head of the National Food Crime Unit has said in a radio interview with the BBC that he wants to see firms that fraudulently use cheaper substitutes criminally prosecuted. Currently only a handful of companies are prosecuted each year. He said...
EU extends Brexit deadline with two options
Last night, Thursday 21st March, after around eight hours of talks, EU leaders offered to delay Brexit until 22nd May if British MPs approve the prime ministers exit deal next week. Theresa May will return to the UK today and once again try to convince MPs in the...
Jobs at risk say Fox’s Biscuits
Owners of Fox’s Biscuits at the 2 Sisters food group have confirmed that 250 of its 780 workers at its Uttoxeter site are at risk of redundancy, and in addition around 50 at both its Uttoxeter and Wakefield centres will enter consultation. Fox's Biscuits was...
Restrictions on food adverts: public asked for views
The Government is moving forward with its public consultation to ask the general public for their views on ways to reduce the number of adverts for foods that may be high in fat, sugar and salt, that children are exposed to. The consultation sets out proposals to...
Aldi trials plastic free veg in Scotland
Aldi, has confirmed that it is trialling the selling of vegetables without any plastic packaging in Scotland. The trial, which is now underway, focuses on five veg lines: savoy cabbage, red cabbage, white cabbage, pointed cabbage and cauliflower. Customers will now be...
Sainsbury’s and Asda respond formally to CMA ‘findings’
J Sainsbury plc and Asda Group Limited has submitted its responses to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Provisional Findings and Notice of Proposed Remedies document, stating it ‘strongly disagrees’ with the findings. Sainsbury's and Asda say that both...
Andover fire impacts Ocado results
Ocado Group plc has announced its trading statement for the 13 weeks to 3rd March 2019, highlighting that it has grown 11.2% in revenue, despite the impact of a major fire at Andover in February. Ocado explains the growth in revenue of 11.2% was impacted by the...
FDEA outlines Brexit impact on UK food exporters
The Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA), which works closely with companies of all sizes who trade internationally, has been impressing upon Government the huge frustration and concern felt by UK businesses in relation to the Brexit process. At the IFE show in...