Charles Elliman
Charles is The Grocer's fresh foods reporter.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610396
- Email:
- charles.elliman@thegrocer.co.uk
NewsMPs call for action over illegal and ‘slave caught’ UK seafood imports
Nearly 50 peers and MPs sent a letter urging the government to strengthen the import control system to prevent the UK from ‘unwittingly purchasing seafood tainted by environmental harm and exploitation’
NewsFoie gras ban endangered by EU reset negotiations, charities warn
The talks over a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary deal with the EU have been criticised by Animal Equality UK and The Humane League, with the UK’s ability to ban the trade in foie gras potentially jeopardised without carve out exemptions
NewsForever chemicals plan ignores farming and pesticides, groups say
On Monday, environment minister Emma Hardy announced the government’s PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Plan would help reduce their harmful effects and transition to safer alternatives
NewsStarbucks and Arla launch playful ready-to-drink coffee SKUs
The Starbucks Frappuccino Sip of Joy Limited Edition and Starbucks Summer Escape Limited Edition Chilled Classic have launched into Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Iceland
Analysis & FeaturesGLP-1s: Could they help make food more sustainable?
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could be the hidden ally in the fight to make food more sustainable, with consumers set to eat less than ever before
NewsFarming: new £21.5m government fund to drive innovation in England
At least £21.5m in funding will back 15 innovation projects across England, delivered through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK
NewsTesco suspends salmon supply from Bakkafrost farm
Footage from the Green Britain Foundation revealed allegedly diseased fish being dumped into the sea and salmon left to suffocate beyond the time allowed under RSPCA Assured welfare rules
Category ReportThe cage conundrum: trends in eggs 2026
Demand for free-range eggs is up and a UK cage ban looms – but Ukrainian egg imports cast doubt on the government’s commitment to welfare
NewsAnimal welfare court battle over chicken handling
Beginning 3 February, The Animal Law Foundation said it would challenge the government at the Royal Court of Justice over amendments to EU-derived welfare protections that prohibited the handling of chickens by their legs
NewsGreen Giant owner General Mills to boost regenerative agriculture
The programme spans 250 farms supplying General Mills’ Green Giant production site in Landes south-western France
NewsNew protein-packed cheese and milk ranges from Lindahls
Its Protein and Protein+ Collagen Milk range and Protein Cheese ranges launch into supermarkets this month
NewsWorkforce shortage could mean food security crisis, Arla warns
The report from the dairy co-operative found fewer young people are considering farming careers due to a lack of awareness unclear routes into the sector and a perception of poor pay and working conditions
NewsVertical farm Fischer Farms launches New Eden bagged salads brand on Ocado
The range includes three SKUs – Burger Lettuce, Zesty Mixed Salad and Pea Shoots – which have launched on Ocado
NewsSustainable seafood sales boomed in 2025, MSC report finds
Consumers spent an estimated £1.7bn on 189,900 tonnes of MSC-certified products and menu items in 2024/25, which was an increase of 14% in volume and value compared to the previous year
NewsM&S expands British chicken farming commitment as demand soars
M&S will be investing £36m into sourcing more chicken from Britain after sales of value lines have risen by up to 20% in the past few months
NewsMore detail required from government on animal welfare push, MPs warn
The Animal Welfare Strategy outlined a series of high-profile commitments, such as ending cages for laying hens and banning farrowing crates for sows – but there are concerns over a lack of binding timelines, interim milestones and delivery plans
NewsMackerel prices soar as demand and supply pressures take hold
According to analysis of Assosia data by The Grocer, 67 out of 79 lines in the traditional big four, discounters, Ocado and Waitrose have increased in price by between 5% and 92% in the past year
NewsVisa system broken for fishing workers, FLEX report finds
The report looked at the visa system used by migrant fishing workers in the UK, which ‘recieves little scrutiny’
NewsBrits want more food label transparency, Four Paws UK report says
Behind The Label, released on 20 January, found 78% of the public believe all products sold in supermarkets should carry clear method of production labels, with the number rising to 97% among Four Paws UK supporters
NewsQuorn shakes up leadership in push for global growth
Quorn said Phil Thornborrow, the new president of its US operations, and Damian McLoughlin, the new global foodservice director, would help strengthen its US operation and out-of-home channel