Sourcing news
Free trade deal ‘urgent for food & drink’ says BEIS Committee
A report released by the Commons Committee demanded ‘clarity for UK producers reliant on the EU for both imports and exports’
Eating Better report urges 'less and better' meat Subscription
The report advocates a shift towards plant-based diets as the key to a sustainable future
Midcounties Co-operative adopts Happerley traceability scheme Subscription
Customers can view the provenance of ingredient supply chains encompassing more than 200 food and drink ranges via a QR code
Aldi named MSC's top supermarket for sustainable seafood Subscription
The Marine Stewardship Council’s analysis shows the percentage of the discounter’s range which is certified has grown from 69% last year to 79%
First Milk to sell off Arran and Campbeltown creameries Subscription
The dairy co-op said the two sites were no longer a “strategic fit” for the business, however, the move has raised concerns over the future of dairy farming in the region
Dunbia to close Felinfach factory as lease is terminated
Some 34 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure. It follows warnings of job losses at Tulip and 2 Sisters during the past week
Faccenda defends welfare record in face of vegan complaints
Vegan campaign group PETA complained to the ASA about Faccenda’s ‘misleading’ claims of animal welfare on its website
2 Sisters to close Cambuslang plant with loss of 450 jobs
The poultry giant said its loss-making factory would close in August after a consultation failed to present any ‘credible proposal to change our view’
Cranswick warns meat companies to improve transparency Subscription
The meat giant’s Radical Transparency report warned suppliers needed to demonstrate greater accountability
Long-term decline in landings 'affecting scampi supplies' Subscription
The supplier has increased the amount it pays crews in a bid to halt a decline in supply, with landings in key fisheries the Clyde and Irish Sea were down 18% last year
2 Sisters pledges 90% recyclable plastic packaging by 2020
The company said the move would almost double the amount of recyclable packaging used in its supply chain, which currently stands at 47%
Iceland to remove palm oil from all own label food
The frozen food specialist doesn’t believe it is possible to source palm oil sustainably
Live animal export ban consultation launched
Consultation follows introduction of mandatory CCTV in abattoirs and increasing the maximum sentence for cruelty offences
Red Tractor announces major TV ad push to raise awareness Subscription
The assurance scheme is planning a multimillion pound spend on the campaign, set for transmission in late summer
Exotic meats: on the brink of supermarket extinction? Subscription
Last week, Lidl became the final UK retailer to announce it would no longer stock kangaroo meat
Organic industry works hard to prevent fraud
Chris Elliot’s concern over organic food fraud is thoughtful and gratefully received, but somewhat misplaced
Mults under pressure over New Zealand lamb facings Subscription
Supermarkets are stocking nearly twice as much British lamb this Easter as last year
Leaf Marque certification for a third of UK produce Subscription
The percentage of UK grown produce matching Leaf standards hit 36% this year
Lidl to stop selling kangaroo meat from June
The discounter cited ‘customer tastes’ and ‘changing preferences’ among its considerations in taking the decision
QMS explores DNA tracebility system for PGI Scotch Beef
It is set to launch a study looking at the benefits and implementation of an official scheme
Calls to secure profitability for food producers & growers Subscription
The calls came at a meeting of the Efra Committee to discuss Defra’s command paper about future agricultural policy
Cost of Russell Hume investigation approaching £750,000 and counting: FSA
Costs expected to continue risisng, suggests FSA CEO Jason Feeney as regulatpr’s investigation is ongoing
Welfare groups ramp up pressure for method of production labelling
The Labelling Matters coalition gearing up for a major campaign calling for labelling on all meat and dairy prodeucts in the ‘near future’
UK customers ready for lab-grown meat 'within a decade' Subscription
Research suggests two-fifths of UK consumers believe they will be eating lab-grown meat and fish by 2028
Heck to alter sausage pack artwork following Times article Subscription
Brand insists it has not misled consumers after article misled shoppers by suggesting all animals in its supply chain grazed outside
insight
Does CAMRA’s narrowing lens herald its own demise? Subscription
A two-year consultation into its future, rife with hand-wringing and soul-searching, has come to a close with the decision not to widen its remit to include all beer and cider drinkers
Data will be crucial for lower-calorie reformulation
Fighting Britain’s obesity crisis moved up a gear this month when Public Health England’s sugar tax came into force for so…
Cryptocurrencies: is there a business case for Bitcoin? Subscription
Digital startups and forward-thinking high street franchises are beginning to accept cryptocurrency in UK outlets
Cashless payments: can retailers keep up? Subscription
Late last year, Brunel University students became the first UK shoppers to pay for groceries with only a touch of their fingertips
Stacey Solomon to host The Grocer Own Label Awards
She will co-host The Grocer’s awards ceremony on Friday 11 May alongside The Grocer’s editor, Adam Leyland
Joshua Lincoln of Majestic Wine on turning the business around Subscription
Sales at the wine business are growing in a turbulent UK wine market, and customer footfall is on the rise too
Wean shoppers off plastic; GroceryAid: get involved
The headline of your article ‘More Brits worry about plastic than Brexit’ was certainly attention-grabbing…
Future of Meat feature offered industry-leading commentary
The industry-leading depth and commentary is extremely insightful and a real reference document for the sector…
Is M&S being prepared to be broken in two?
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne masterminded some great campaigns, including the Mrs Santa and Paddington Bear Christmas ads
Coke and Pepsi slash deals in the run-up to sugar tax Subscription
Coca-Cola reduced the number of featured space promotions in stores by 32.3% compared with the previous four-week period
Strawberry prices pushed up by Spanish crop shortage Subscription
Wholesale prices have increased by 65% on last month and are now 63% higher than in April 2017…
Can Twinings' cold water infusion take it beyond tea? Subscription
Twinings emerged as the focal point for coffee aficionados last weekend
Selfridges launches UK's first avocado gelato
Eight innovative new crisp alternatives 
Unilever unveils reduced salt Marmite spread
Five trends from the London Coffee Festival
Big Drop to quadruple production on back of huge supermarket win
Del Monte launches premium 'Gold' variety tinned pineapple
Rude Health enters snacking category with new crisps
Dairylea creates new cookie, cheese and crackers combo
Nestlé could lose trademark for Kit Kat four-finger shape
Maltesers puts women centre stage in pair of ads
Coke Classic kicks off OOH push as sugar tax takes effect
Waitrose to end free hot drinks in cafés and remove disposable takeaway cups
Tesco and Graze partner to raise money for Cancer Research UK
PepsiCo and Nestlé criticised over palm oil rainforest clearance
More Brits worry about plastic than Brexit, new survey finds
Sainsbury's trials UK's first cargo bike grocery delivery
