Food Resilience Commission demands ‘urgent action’ to shield food supply from cyberattacks

The Food Resilience Commission, a cross-sector forum led by Food & Drink Wholesale UK, has warned “urgent action” is required to address vulnerabilities and shield the UK’s food supply chain from cyberattacks.

Chaired by former food security and rural affairs minister Daniel Zeichner MP, the commission held its first session in Parliament today (28 April). It assessed how rising cyber threats across the food supply chain are ”disrupting operations and pose a growing risk to UK food security”.

As part of the discussions, the FWD said the commission heard first-hand accounts of how cyber incidents are exposing elements of the food supply chain and having a “detrimental impact on UK business operations”.

It also discussed the knock-on effects that cyber incidents have across the food supply chain, and the measures businesses should take to enhance national food resilience.

It comes after the major cyberattacks experienced by both M&S and Co-op in April 2025, which caused issues such as widespread stock shortages and some customer data being stolen.

Over the coming months, the commission will continue to hold a series of evidence-gathering roundtable discussions on critical national infrastructure and sustainability. It will then be presenting final recommendations to the UK government in the second half of 2026.

“This is a rising and prevalent issue being felt by businesses right across the food supply chain and I’m pleased that we have been able to bring together a group of experts to debate some of the ongoing issues so that we can ultimately better advise the government and protect our food system,” said Zeichner.

FWD CEO James Bielby added: “Today’s discussion was a great opportunity to talk through some of the risks associated with cyber and the practical steps wholesalers can take to ensure operations are not disrupted.

“Our members are a fundamental part of the UK’s food system, and as we look to build a more resilient food system, I look forward to FWD playing a central role in the essential work of the commission.”