Blogs
Simpler solution to heavyweight problem?
Another day, another childhood obesity initiative and, it seems, another chance to bash the food and drink industry.
Challenges and opportunities
It’s official – Carly has left the building (packed off with an array of baby gifts and our very best wishes.)
Goodbye for now
It’s just a quick one from me this week as I prepare for a new chapter in my life: parenthood. I am expecting my first baby in a matter of weeks and will begin maternity leave on Friday (15th).
#PassOnPlastic
Today (5 June) marks the world’s first One Plastic Free Day. Organised by campaign group A Plastic Planet, the initiative hopes to reach 250 million people globally, encouraging them to avoid food and drink products packed in plastic for 24 hours.
‘Encouraging start’ to sugar reduction
Public Health England (PHE) last week published the first assessment of progress achieved on the government’s sugar reduction programme, which challenges the UK food industry – retailers, manufacturers, restaurants, cafés and pub chains – to slash 20 per cent of sugar from a range of products by 2020, with a five per cent reduction in the first year.
Waste initiatives
Supermarkets in the UK are ramping up their efforts to tackle waste, with news this week that Tesco is to scrap some ‘best before’ labels in a bid to reduce food waste, while Morrisons is encouraging customers to bring in their own containers for purchases at its meat and fish counters to tackle plastic waste.
Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
It’s National Vegetarian Week
Here in the UK, National Vegetarian Week (14-20 May) is currently underway, with organiser the Vegetarian Society offering recipes, tips and resource packs to highlight the benefits of eating veggie food.
Global coffee alliance
After offloading its US confectionery business to Ferrero for $2.8 billion earlier this year, Nestlé has just announced plans to pay Starbucks $7.15 billion for the rights to sell the company’s coffee products globally.
What’s new in retail?
It has been a big week for retail news, with the proposed Sainsbury’s/Asda merger getting a lot of attention.
Natural food, recyclable packaging
I attended The Natural Food Show – part of Natural & Organic Products Europe – in London, UK earlier this week to see the latest in natural, organic, Fairtrade, sustainable, vegetarian, vegan and free from food and drink.
Plastic pledges far and wide
We are already seeing a response from some of the UK’s supermarkets since prime minister Theresa May declared war on plastic waste earlier this year.
Sugar levy goes live
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy came into force last week (6 April), having been announced as part of the 2016 Budget back in March 2016.
Easter: increased innovation
Having just returned from the four-day Easter weekend (I hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday), I thought an Easter food themed blog would be appropriate for this week’s entry.
Confectionery catch up
The UK confectionery market has seen some big announcements in the last week – from the changing shape of Maltesers to the launch of a world first from Nestlé.