Grant Thornton UK LLP has found that deal activity in the UK food sector remained steady in the first quarter of the year despite rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruption.

Research by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has found a substantial number of businesses are still selling recalled Kinder products linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Matt Tebbutt, the presenter of the popular Saturday Kitchen on BBC1, will host the annual FMT Food Industry Awards ceremony and black-tie dinner later this month, taking place at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, on Wednesday 25th May.

Morrisons has completed a deal for McColl’s Retail Group, the convenience store and newsagents chain, with more than 1,100 stores included as part of the takeover.

According to the FDF, food and drink exports across the UK are recovering from the challenges of the pandemic with manufacturers taking advantage of new trading relationships across the world.

The Bank of England has warned that the UK economy will shrink this year as it raises interest rates in a bid to tackle rising prices, including record grocery inflation.