CEO of the Cold Chain Federation (CCF) Shane Brennan said that there were “lessons to be learned” from the latest report on supply issues, but expressed his disappointment at some of its recommendations.

According to research released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), exports and imports of food and drink with non-EU countries have soared above pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

Private equity investor, Endless LLP, has announced the acquisition of KTC (Edibles) Limited, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of edible oil, supplying over 250 million litres a year to manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers across the UK and globally.

Legislation to cut red tape and support the development of new technologies to grow “more resistant, nutritious, and productive crops” was introduced in Parliament last week.

The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) has called on government to ease the planning restrictions “currently hampering” installation of renewable energy infrastructure and to provide grant funding for large capital energy efficiency investments.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a consultation seeking views from the public, public health professionals and food sector partners on the proposed enhancement of the investigatory powers of the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has said a UK-EU trade war, because of possible changes to the current Brexit deal, would be “shocking” and “unnecessary”.

The winners of the 2022 FMT Food Industry Awards were announced on Wednesday evening 25th May at a black-tie dinner and ceremony hosted by chef Matt Tebbutt of TV’s Saturday Kitchen, held at the 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has made a series of announcements, which include UK store closures, predicted declines in sales and its plans to fully pull out of the Russian market following the invasion of Ukraine.

According to an annual report by pork and poultry processor Cranswick, the company made £2 billion in revenue for the last financial year, despite “unprecedented industry wide labour and supply chain challenges.”

According to the latest Kantar figures, supermarket sales fell by 4.4% during the 12 weeks to 15th May 2022, whilst like-for-like grocery prices have risen by 7% over the past four weeks compared with the same time last year.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has raised concerns about the government’s announcement last week that bans on promotions of so called ‘junk’ foods would be delayed.

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD), are calling on UK manufacturers to back a new Careers Passport to help tackle chronic labour shortages.

Chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Karen Betts said that the latest inflation figures, which place food inflation at 6.7%, were “very sobering”.

The latest CPI inflation figures have found that headline inflation has reached 9%, with food inflation now sitting at around 6.7%.

The annual FMT Food Industry Awards ceremony, returns as an in-person event next Wednesday evening 25th May, taking place at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, with final preparations well underway.

Tesco has confirmed that it will introduce an accelerated and enhanced payment plan that will see its suppliers increase payments to farmers by £6.6 million. The new funding will be available until August.