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Certainly uncertain times

I was in London on Monday night (12 June) for the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Industry Dinner, along with around 500 other guests from across the food and drink sector.

Animal versus plant milk

Last Thursday (1 June) World Milk Day was celebrated with the launch of The Milk Manifesto, a joint declaration signed by nutrition scientists, setting out the lifelong health benefits of consuming milk.

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Cider season

Despite cider rapidly being considered a year-round drink, the category is recognised as being responsive to warmer weather.

Is bread consumption going stale?

It was British Sandwich Week last week (14-20 May), but according to Mintel’s recently released British Lifestyles report, which tracks spending across all major consumer markets, bread use is going stale. Just one third (34 per cent) of Brits reporting eating sliced bread at least once a day in 2016 – down from 47 per cent in 2014.

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Pick of the pack

Interpack has closed its doors for another three years. The show is reporting a record attendance of 2,865 companies, with 170,500 visitors walking the halls.

Lessons in nutrition

The food and drink industry often has to reiterate that a ‘joined up approach’ is more beneficial than the demonisation of sugar, for example, or the food industry as a whole, when tackling the childhood obesity issue.

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Time to shine

The entry deadline for this year’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Awards is 28 April, giving food and drink producers from across the supply chain and throughout the UK just days to submit their entries.

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‘Tis the season

Last year, the largest contributor to chocolate NPD was seasonal launches, accounting for 25 per cent. More than one quarter of those seasonal launches (28 per cent) were positioned for Easter, highlighting the popularity of chocolate eggs and bunnies – I certainly indulged in some Easter chocolate over the weekend, and I’m sure many of you did the same.

Collaborative approach to tackling litter

While packaging is often penalised for its contribution to the waste issue, industry has long been championing it as part of the solution to food waste, rather than part of the problem – so it’s pleasing to see UK government recognising the role of packaging in protecting both products and human health, as well as preventing food waste, in its new anti littering strategy.

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Yes, ve-gan

No longer a category sought only by consumers who avoid animal products for ethical reasons, the popularity of vegan has been expanding across all categories. In food and drink, the rise of vegan was evident at The Natural Food Show, held earlier this week in London.

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It’s all about SME

UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are thriving, with growth and start up business rates said to be returning to pre crisis levels. According to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, SMEs contribute £1.2 trillion to the UK each year.

Food and Drink Technology