The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
John McMullen promoted to European CEO of Baxters Food Group
Baxters Food Group has promoted John McMullen to the role of CEO for its European Strategic Business Unit following his appointment as interim CEO in November 2017. With 25 years’ experience in the food and drink sector, John is said to bring a wealth of knowledge to...
Britain’s grocery sector sees two years of growth
According to the latest grocery market share figures from Kantar Worldpanel, Britain’s grocery sector has now witnessed two years of continuous growth. Published for the 12 weeks to 17 June 2018, the data shows that supermarket sales have risen for 25 consecutive...
New measures announced to halve childhood obesity by 2030
Part two of the Government’s childhood obesity plan has been announced, which hopes to halve the number of obese children by 2030. The details have been unveiled by Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Building on the first chapter of the childhood obesity...
GMB calls on Government to intervene in CO2 shortage
GMB, the energy union, is calling on the Government to intervene in the CO2 supply chain concern to protect UK interests. A shortage in food-grade carbon dioxide is currently causing issues for the UK food and drink industry. GMB has said that the CO2 supply news is...
Supermarkets reducing product lines to compete with discounters
Research suggests supermarkets are removing some product lines in order to compete with “more streamlined, efficient” discount retailers. According to Supply Chain and Logistics Consultancy (SCALA), many large retailers are attempting, in part, to adopt a simpler and...
BMPA and FDF voice concern over CO2 shortage
Major industry bodies the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) and Food & Drink Federation (FDF), have voiced their concerns following the news that carbon dioxide gas shortages may affect the supply of food products to UK consumers. The shortages are said...
CIPS director hits out at Sainsbury’s/Asda merger
Following the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on 19th June, which is questioning both Sainsbury’s and Asda on their proposed merger, Duncan Brock, group director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) has raised...
Carbon dioxide shortage impacts on food sector
A serious shortage of food grade carbon dioxide (CO2) is set to have a major impact on the UK food processing sector. The supply situation affecting the European carbon dioxide market is reported to be the worst for decades. Many users of CO2 especially UK food...
First retailers join productDNA service
GS1 UK has announced that Tesco and Ocado have become the first retailers to sign commercial contracts for using productDNA, a new grocery product data-sharing service. productDNA, which launched last month, is said to be the result of the retail industry getting...
Trade deals must account for public health
The Soil Association has claimed that unhealthy eating and obesity in the UK could increase if post-Brexit trade deals do not account for public health. The association’s report, Brexit: Trade, Healthy Eating and Obesity, identifies three risks if the UK is unable to...