Commenting on the company’s interim results, chief executive Philip Heffer of Hilton Foods plc said the protein processor “has not been immune” to the impact of heightened inflation.

UK food manufacturers faced higher prices for their ingredients in August, with ingredients produced in the UK being 17% more expensive (down from 18.4% in July) and imported ingredients are 24.8% dearer (up from 23.9% in July).

Job openings in the food and drink sector continue to increase, with manufacturers adding 3,000 jobs in the Q2, bringing the total number of jobs in the sector to 478,000. However, vacancy rates remain high.

McCain Foods has invested in the Netherlands-based producer of frozen foods Scelta, with the aim of expanding its presence in the global prepared appetisers market. 

Organisers of the Meat Management Meat Industry Awards 2022 are making the final preparations ahead of the annual awards ceremony for the sector taking place on Thursday evening 15th September.

According to Kantar’s latest market report, grocery price inflation has hit a new record, rising to 12.4% in August. This figure means that the average annual grocery bill will go from £4,610 to £5,181.

Rising energy and other input costs are putting pressure on food manufacturers and government plans for intervention may not be enough, according to the latest report by the Food and Drink Federation.

Following the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the current Royal Warrants from the late Queen will become void. Companies or individuals will have two years to discontinue the use of the Royal Arms in connection with their businesses.

The UK government has announced a delay to import controls on EU goods entering Great Britain siting the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the supply chain and the current rise in global energy costs. 

Food industry trade bodies have welcomed the UK government’s new energy price cap for businesses but add that the support may not go far enough.

On Thursday 15th September, the Meat Management Meat Industry Awards ceremony and black-tie dinner will return to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

There has been wide reaction to the death of Queen Elizabeth Il which was announced from Buckingham Palace yesterday 8th September. Many across the sector have praised her devotion to public service.

Ocado Retail has announced that Hannah Gibson will take over the role of CEO later this month as from 20th September.

The Cold Chain Federation has published a plan that outlines measures that it claims, if enacted by government, will reduce the financial pressures on the supply chain caused by energy shortages.

Asda has announced that it will acquire 132 stores from the Co-operative Group as part of a strategy to move into the convenience market and “bring Asda value to more local communities.”

Chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation Karen Betts said she is “very much looking forward to working with” the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ranil Jayawardena.

Nestlé launches a campaign to highlight potential flaws in public perceptions of the traffic-light system, ahead of restrictions on HFSS legislation due to come into place next month.