Food and Drink Federation

Sainsbury's-Asda ruling "logical outcome", argues UK food industry

25 Apr 2019

An industry body representing the UK's food manufacturers has issued its verdict on the decision to block a proposed merger between supermarket giants Sainsbury's and Asda. 

UK food manufacturers slam Government 'no-deal' Brexit tariff plans

13 Mar 2019

UK industry body Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has given its reaction to the Government's announcement of proposed temporary tariffs on imported goods.

UK delays some reform plans after industry Brexit plea

18 Feb 2019

The UK has moved to alter the scheduling of talks on some possible reforms affecting the food industry after an appeal from business amid the pressure of preparing for Brexit.

UK food industry boss issues new warning over no-deal Brexit as stockpiling continues

24 Jan 2019

Ian Wright, the chief executive of UK trade body Food and Drink Federation (FDF), has spoken out on Britain leaving the European Union without a deal.

UK industry shows "mixed progress" on salt reduction

19 Dec 2018

A report from the UK government's Public Health England (PHE) body has commented on efforts by the food industry to meet salt reduction targets.

Nestle admits stockpiling products and warns of 'very severe' consequences of 'no-deal' Brexit

27 Nov 2018

European food giant Nestle has told a hearing of UK politicians about the action it is taking ahead of Brexit next March.

UK food industry commits to halving food waste

25 Sep 2018

Some 90 UK food industry organisations - including producers, manufacturers and retailers - have committed to halving food waste.

UK food industry criticises government report prioritising high-skilled migrant workers

19 Sep 2018

A UK government-commissioned report on migrants coming to work in the UK after Brexit has faced criticism from food industry body the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

FDF warns of "grisly" outcome from no-deal Brexit as UK government rolls out advisories

23 Aug 2018

The UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF) warned food and drink manufacturers face a "grisly prospect" from a 'no-deal Brexit' as the government issues a series of papers for industry-specific sectors to prepare for what has also been termed a cliff-edge scenario.

UK secures GBP240m trade deal with China for dairy exports

23 Aug 2018

The UK has secured a GBP240m (US$309.1m) deal with China for the import into that country of dairy products made with milk sourced from third countries, a boon for local manufacturers currently immersed in the uncertainties of Brexit.

No-deal Brexit means food shortages, FDF chief warns

27 Jul 2018

A so-called no-deal Brexit will lead to shortages of some food in the UK, the head of The Food and Drink Federation, the industry lobby body in the country, has warned.

Can the food industry eliminate trans fats by 2023?

5 Jul 2018

The WHO wants industrially-produced trans fats removed from food by 2023. Major manufacturers have set the pace but the challenge is how to bring all food companies in all countries up to speed.

UK baker Warburtons becomes latest victim of CO2 shortage

29 Jun 2018

UK baker Warburtons has been forced to halt production of its crumpets at two of its four plants due to the on-going European carbon dioxide (CO2) shortage that has hit other food and drinks manufacturers.

The UK's calorie plan is cogent - and industry will be content

12 Mar 2018

Faced with some alarming data on obesity, the UK this week announced its latest strategy to battle the bulge. A target for industry to reduce calories has its merits and, Dean Best writes, will have pleased industry, too.

UK government body pushes food industry to cut calories in products

6 Mar 2018

Public Health England (PHE) is challenging the UK food industry to reduce calories in products consumed by families by 20% by 2024.

UK grocery mulls over government war on plastic waste

11 Jan 2018

Food manufacturers and supermarkets are likely to be in the front line as the UK government draws the battle lines for a war against plastic waste.

UK food industry body says time running out for Brexit trade deal

14 Dec 2017

Food industry representatives at a UK parliamentary committee meeting today (13 December) stressed that firm and specific details of a Brexit transition agreement would be keenly welcomed to give businesses sufficient time to prepare for an eventual exit.

Food in line for most pain from Brexit self-harm - comment

8 Sep 2017

There have been plenty of occasions since the early hours of 24 June 2016 when those in the UK who voted for the country to stay in the EU would have held their heads in the hands.

UK food industry sounds concern over post-Brexit future

24 Aug 2017

More than a third of food businesses operating in the UK have said they would become "unviable" without access to workers from the European Union.

UK to target calories in next part of England obesity drive

18 Aug 2017

Calories in foods like burgers, pizza and ready meals are to be targeted in the UK government's next push to tackle childhood obesity in England.

UK publishes post-Brexit customs proposals

15 Aug 2017

The UK today (15 August) set out its ideas for the post-Brexit customs arrangements between the country and the EU, with London asserting the proposals would "avoid a cliff-edge" for businesses in both markets.

UK food industry bodies outline Brexit priorities

19 Jul 2017

Food manufacturers operating in the UK have outlined what they see as the industry's priorities for the country's Brexit negotiations.

Michael Gove named Defra head in UK Cabinet shuffle

12 Jun 2017

UK Conservative politician Michael Gove made a shock return to the Cabinet this weekend when he was named the country's Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food policy almost invisible as UK election nears - analysis

31 May 2017

It's the economy, stupid. So goes the mantra for what drives voting choice and therefore electoral campaigning. But, to some, food policy should have been far higher up in the agenda in recent elections in a number of countries. That argument is being heard loud and clear in the UK as the country nears polling day on 8 June, not least with Brexit the key reason why Prime Minister Theresa May called the election. Ben Cooper analyses the food policy positions of the main competing parties and hears from industry and campaigners on why the issue should have far more prominence as the election nears.

UK issues 20% sugar cut guidelines for food industry

30 Mar 2017

Public Health England (PHE) today (30 March) set out guidelines for food manufacturers operating in the country to reduce sugar by 20% in the top nine categories of products providing sugar to children's diets by 2020.

Brexit - UK and EU food firms face "more costly" trade, warns study

29 Mar 2017

Food companies on both sides of the English Channel are set to feel the brunt of "more costly" trade once the UK leaves the EU, even if a "customs union" is negotiated, according to a new report.

UK food calls for EU free-trade deal post-Brexit

27 Mar 2017

UK food industry organisations in the UK today (27 March) urged the Government to negotiate "a smooth and orderly Brexit", including "tariff-free trade" in the medium term.

UK food firms say voluntary sugar reduction target "impossible" by 2020

22 Mar 2017

The UK's Food and Drink Federation said today (22 March) it would "not be technically possible or acceptable to consumers" to meet a voluntary target - issued last year by the country's government - to cut the sugar in products in nine categories by 20% by 2020.

UK food and drink sector urges early post-Brexit trade deal with Ireland

14 Mar 2017

The heads of 35 UK food and drink suppliers' organisations are calling on the country's government to reach an early agreement on future trade with Ireland in the run up to Brexit, to avoid "a cliff-edge scenario that results in a sudden transformation" to existing arrangements.

UK food and drink exports hit new record

21 Feb 2017

The value of UK food and drink exports grew by 10.5% in 2016 to a record of more than GBP20bn (US$24.8) as manufacturers "responded to rapid growth in demand for quality produce", according to new figures from UK industry association the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).