The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
UK accused of opposing new EU recycling targets
The UK Government has allegedly opposed an EU-wide target of recycling 65% of all municipal waste by 2035, according to leaked notes. Unearthed, Greenpeace’s journalism project, claims to have seen notes stating that UK officials told their EU counterparts that the...
Tesco restructure to affect 1,700 jobs
Tesco has announced major changes to simplify operations, affecting 1,700 jobs, in a bid to improve efficiency and competitiveness. As part of the changes, the role of people manager and compliance manager will be removed from large stores and fulfilment centres in...
Associated British Foods reports growth despite sugar revenue reduction
Associated British Foods plc (ABF) has revealed a 4% increase in group revenue for the 16 weeks ended 6th January, despite a 12% drop in sugar revenue. ABF, whose brands include Jordans, Ryvita, Kingsmill, Patak’s and Silver Spoon, announced that, other than the...
MPs call on supermarkets to eliminate plastic packaging
A cross-party group of 200 MPs has signed a letter to the UK’s major supermarkets, urging them to scrap plastic packaging by 2023, “if not before”. The signatories have written to Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Asda and Marks & Spencer, on...
Nestlé partners with Company Shop to minimise food waste
Nestlé UK and Ireland has teamed up with Company Shop to develop a new approach to minimising food waste, supported by WRAP’s work. The integrated approach aims to make sure that significantly more surplus food is redistributed and available for both charitable and...
Book your place for the FMT Food Industry Awards 2018
With just a few weeks until the FMT Food Industry Awards 2018 lunch, and with tickets selling fast, organisers say there is no time like the present to book your table. The annual ceremony and prestigious luncheon will take place on 9th February at the five star Royal...
Food associations welcome Home Affairs report
A number of food associations have welcomed the Home Affairs Committee’s report on immigration, which calls for stronger co-ordination between immigration policy and the labour market, as well as open and honest debate on the issues. The British Sandwich and Food to...
Ferrero to acquire Nestlé’s US confectionery business
The Ferrero Group is to acquire Nestlé’s U.S. confectionery business in a $2.8 billion deal that will see it become the third largest confectionery company in the US market. Ferrero will acquire more than 20 American brands, including chocolate brands such as...
Iceland to eliminate plastic packaging from own range
Iceland has announced plans to eliminate plastic packaging from all of its own brand products by the end of 2023, reportedly becoming the first major retailer globally to do so. The process will start now, with Iceland noting that it will be looking for the latest...
Meat, fish and poultry enjoyed ‘biggest ever Christmas’
Fresh processed meat and poultry were described as the “real winner” for Christmas, with natural fish marking strong value growth, in what has already been a record festive period in shoppers’ spending. According to Kantar Worldpanel, natural fish remained the largest...