David Buttress, the new cost of living tsar, has indicated that he will use his position and contacts to help tackle rising food prices as well as other essentials.

Commenting on Tesco’s latest trading figures, chief executive Ken Murphy said that the market environment remains “incredibly challenging” as the cost of living is being felt by shoppers nationally.

Following an official alert published in May, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has welcomed news from Westminster Council that counterfeit Wonka Chocolate Bars worth around £100,000 have been confiscated.

The latest report from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) has forecast that food inflation may be set to hit its highest level in more than 20 years.

A report by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has found that the food and drink industry added jobs at a faster pace than the economy as a whole: quarter-on-quarter, job growth stood at 1.5%, above the UK’s growth of 0.8%.

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) has written to Defra and the Food Standards Agency asking for urgent changes to be made to the oils derogation guidance which it says is “not fit for purpose”.

Responding to the targets set out in the Government Food Strategy, food industry trade organisations have questioned the Strategy’s likeness to the National Food Strategy which was published by Henry Dimbleby in two separate parts over the last two years.

Organisers of the annual meat industry awards have extended the product nomination deadline to Wednesday evening 15th June due to overwhelming demand and to allow as many companies and businesses as possible to participate.

According to the latest data from Which?, Lidl was the cheapest of the UK supermarkets, with shoppers paying, on average, £23.55 for a basket of 18 popular grocery items at Lidl – £1.05 cheaper than rival discounter Aldi.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has published a Trade and Investment Strategy that it claims will help “strengthen choice and affordability for UK households at a time of rising inflation.”

Bakery ingredients company AB Mauri will expand its delivery of technical solutions to food manufacturing sectors outside of bakery, as it introduces four new executive appointments to support the expansion.

Barnsley Council has introduced a high fat salt or sugar (HFSS) policy that restricts so called unhealthy food and drink advertising at council owned or leased sites.

According to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK food inflation accelerated to 4.3% in May, the highest inflation rate since April 2012.

Asda has announced the expansion of its grocery delivery partnership with Uber Eats, adding 88 additional stores to the app across the UK.

Manufacturer of protein processing equipment Bettcher Industries has announced that it will acquire the pork and beef processing solutions firm Frontmatec from Axcel.

The annual Women In Meat Industry Awards recognise the important and significant contributions that women make across the UK meat sector and nominations are now being requested for this year’s initiative.