Carlsberg lost market share in Britain in the first half of the year after Tesco delisted the Danish brewer’s core lagers from thousands of its supermarkets. While brands such as San Miguel remain on the shelves, the victims of last October’s cull included the Carlsberg and Carlsberg Export brands. (The Times £)

Carlsberg is studying further disposals or restructuring of struggling assets after selling its operations in Malawi, the only African market where it had a brewery. Chief exec Cees ‘t Hart declared that he wants Carlsberg to be the number one or two in each country where it operates, as it faces up to the pressure of a new behemoth in the beer sector after the planned takeover of SABMiller by Anheuser-Busch InBev is completed. (The Financial Times £)

Ministers have watered down the UK’s long-awaited childhood obesity strategy, dropping proposed curbs on junk food television advertisements and focusing instead on the importance of school sport in moves seen as a victory for the food industry over health campaigner. (The Financial Times £)

The UK’s ‘inexcusable’ childhood obesity strategy is wasted opportunity, say experts. Plan to rely on voluntary action by food industry is dismissed as embarrassing by public health experts who condemn failure to restrict advertising aimed at children. (The Guardian)

Confidence among British households over their finances has bounced back after slumping following the Brexit vote. Markit, the financial data firm, said its household finance index for August reversed July’s steep fall and reached 44.9, its highest reading in four months. (The Times £)

Britain’s economy will slow down but should not go anywhere close to a recession, according to economists at credit ratings agency Moody’s, while growth in the rest of the world is also “stabilising.” (The Telegraph)

Treasury Wine Estates reported that full-year net profit more than doubled and said momentum across its business was accelerating in all regions, boosting its Australia-listed shares by one-tenth. (The Financial Times £)

Reports of skin irritation have derailed plans by McDonald’s to give out fitness trackers instead of toys in its Happy Meals. The fast food giant was hoping the Step It! Activity Band would be a means of getting kids active, Digital Trends reported. On Wednesday, it voluntarily removed the device from its restaurants and was “investigating” the issue. (The Guardian)

If the takeover boom for UK companies takes off this autumn as bankers are predicting, then the Prime Minister will be under pressure to define more narrowly what constitute the ‘flowers’ of UK industry, which companies should be protected, and which should be allowed to be gobbled up. The Daily Mail points to the example of Danone in France, where the French government blocked any potential takeover at “even a hint” of a foreign bid. (The Daily Mail)

Buyers of sustainable palm oil are still struggling with a squeeze in supplies despite the return to the market of IOI Corporation, a leading Malaysian palm oil producer and trader. (The Financial Times £)

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