Food and drink manufacturers have reported a higher vacancy rate above the latest overall UK labour market figures, with 6.3 unfilled positions for each 100 jobs in the second quarter of 2022.

Food manufacturers are being urged by assurance provider LRQA to prioritise quality checks when choosing new CO2 suppliers, to minimise food fraud risk.

Plans to “boost” home grown fruit and vegetable production and “drive the growth” of high-tech horticulture have been set out by environment secretary Ranil Jayawardena.

Sales of supermarket own label lines continue to increase as consumers shift from branded products. Own label sales increased by 8.1% in September, while branded items declined by 0.7%, according to Kantar’s latest figures.

The Food and Drink Supply Chain All-Party Parliamentary Group has announced it will hold a “special” inquiry session on 19th October, “examining” the impact of the energy crisis on the food and drink supply chain.

September retail sales recorded a decrease in volumes for milk, cheese, and yellow fats year-on-year, however higher prices meant total spend increased particularly for both milk and yellow fats.

Kellogg’s has invested more than £500k into a new Food Innovation Centre based at its Trafford Park factory in Manchester, which was recently opened.