The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Groceries Code Adjudicator remit not to be extended
Defra has announced that there was “not enough evidence” to support extending the remit of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) to include primary producers. Instead, the Government has announced a ‘collaboration fund’ of up to £10 million, as part of a series of...
Meat enjoyed growth during ‘Veganuary’
Both fresh primary meat and poultry and fresh processed meat and poultry grew in volume over the 12 weeks to 28th January, with the latter growing faster than the wider grocery market and inflation. According to Kantar Worldpanel, despite the 'Veganuary' campaign...
Lidl UK creates more than 700 new jobs
Lidl UK has taken its total store count in Great Britain to 700 with the opening of five new stores, creating over 700 new jobs in January and February. The new stores in Edinburgh, Stockton, Hull, Polegate and Rosehill (South London), form part of Lidl’s £1.45...
‘Ultra-processed food’ study results require further research
A French study has suggested that ultra-processed food intake is “associated with higher overall cancer risk”, although the findings are yet to be confirmed by other large-scale studies. The NutriNet-Santé study, an ongoing web based cohort launched in 2009 in France,...
Iceland unveils new ranges as part of plastics-free pledge
Iceland has revealed the first ranges that are expected to save a total of 150 tonnes of plastic every year, following its vow to eliminate plastic packaging by the end of 2023. The new street food and children’s range – Mumbai Street Co and Hungry Heroes – will...
Increase in EU food recalls
Food manufacturers could face heightened Government scrutiny over their ability to safeguard consumers, after EU data revealed “significant increases” in product alerts in recent years. According to global law firm Clyde & Co, its analysis of EU data, including...
Tesco and Nestlé ‘best prepared’ for alternative proteins market
Tesco and Nestlé are said to be ‘best positioned’ to benefit from a transition to alternative plant-based proteins, according to an analysis of 16 multinational companies. The new report, entitled Plant-based Profits, backed by a $2.4 trillion coalition of 57 large...
UK food and farming sector highlights Brexit impact
Representatives of the UK’s food and farming industry have now set out what a successful Brexit means to them, to promote a unified voice to Government from across the food sector. This comes after representatives met at the NFU’s Brexit360 event at its headquarters...
Food sales boosted since EU referendum
Food and drink exports hit new record levels worth £22 billion in 2017, up by £2 billion since the UK voted to leave the EU, according to Defra. Overseas sales of UK food continued to soar last year, with the record exports demonstrating what the Ministry called a...
Fairfax Meadow voluntarily withdraws meat products
Fairfax Meadow has begun the voluntary withdrawal of some of its meat products from its customers in the foodservice sector. This follows unannounced inspections by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) which took place on Thursday 8th...