Inheritance tax changes criticised by UK farmers
Proposed changes to inheritance tax (IHT) in the UK have been criticised as an ‘indiscriminate revenue-raising measure’ by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
Chilled & Fresh
Brussels sprouts 25% bigger this Christmas
Brussel sprouts are set to be up to 25% bigger this Christmas thanks to new varieties and good growing conditions, according to Tesco.
Greencore profits rise 28% after ‘stronger than expected’ performance
Convenience foods manufacturer Greencore saw group operating profits increase by nearly 28% year-on-year in the 12-month period ending 27 September 2024.
Feature
The future of shelf-life testing
What if food could tell you how fresh it is, if temperature abuse occurred in your supply chain and where, if fridges could automatically adjust because of predictions made by software? The reality is closer than you think…
News
Temperature-controlled food prices set to rise, warns Cold Chain Federation
The Cold Chain Federation has warned that the rise in National Insurance contributions announced during the Budget could lead to increases in the cost of supplying temperature-controlled food and drugs.
News
Tesco, Arla and Müller partner on sustainability initiative
Tesco has joined with Arla and Müller UK & Ireland to launch a new sustainability partnership tasked with reducing on-farm emissions by 30% by 2030.
News
Egg producer rolls out £2.4m AI grading equipment
Egg producer Farmlay has invested £2.4m in new AI-based computer vision technology as part of a plan to double productivity for 2025.
Co-op recalls lasagne range due to allergen errors
Co-op has recalled a batch of prepared lasagnes because the product contains allergens that are not declared on the label.
News
Oxford Farming Conference and MycoTechnology appointments
This week has seen the Oxford Farming Conference appoint three new board members and MycoTechnology unveil its new chairman.
News
Bakkavor on the hunt for graduates and undergraduates
Fresh prepared foods manufacturer Bakkavor marks this year’s National Graduate Week (28 October – 1 November) with the announcement of 37 graduate and undergraduate placement roles across the UK.
News
Lidl triples plant-based range
Lidl has announced plans to more than triple its range of plant-based products after demand saw double digit growth over the past year.
News
Strawberry picking robots trialled by University of Essex
New strawberry picking robots that could help speed up harvest and cost a fraction of the price of their predecessors have been trialled by researchers at the University of Essex.
News
Organic outperforms conventional food market
Organic food and drink outperformed the conventional market in the past year, as the sector ‘bounced back’ from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
News
Union launches legal action against Oscar Mayer
Unite is to launch legal action against Oscar Mayer in its ongoing dispute over plans to ‘fire and rehire’ members of staff at its Wrexham factory.
Food Forensics
Are heavy metals an emerging risk in tomatoes and salad crops?
Amid reports of cadmium contamination in tomatoes and in anticipation of Food Manufacture's upcoming Food Safety Briefing later this month, food safety expert Alison Johnson examines the gravity of this heavy metal threat.
News
September food and drink NPD round-up
The past month has seen food and drink manufacturers launch a bevy of new products on to store shelves. We round-up some of the stand out products from the month of September.
News
Asda extends food redistribution partnership
Supermarket giant Asda has extended its partnership with surplus food marketplace Too Good to Go as part of its continuing efforts to reduce food waste and redistribute unsold produce.
News
Tiffin Sandwiches to create 400 jobs with £10m factory opening
Tiffin Sandwiches has announced plans to open a new 50,000 square foot manufacturing site in Bradford.
News
Industry bids farewell to watercress pioneer Malcolm Isaac
Watercress and pre-packed salad pioneer Malcom Isaac MBE has passed away at the age of 95.
News
Greenvale appoints new agricultural director
Potato supplier Greenvale has appointed Rick Clay to the newly created role of agricultural director.
News
Veetee expands in the US with $36m factory
UK microwave rice firm Veetee Foods is expanding its reach into the US with plans to build a $36m (£26.9m) production facility in Johnston County, North Carolina (NC).
News
Quorn Foods owner suffers £63m pre-tax loss
Meat alternatives manufacturer Marlow Foods has published its results for the year ended 31 December 2023.
News
AHDB leads UK cover crop research project
A network on regional cover crop champions have been appointed across the UK to address complications associated with this farming technique and share lessons.
News
5 F&B NPD launches
Health, costs and fakeaways continue to be a big hits among new product launches, as Food Manufacture rounds up the latest food and drink SKUs to hit UK retailers.
News
Sweet treats lead latest food NPD round-up
Barbie doughnuts and the ultimate gluten-free brownie lead this round-up of the latest new product launches from food and drink manufacturers.
News
Cross party group calls food security to be heart of Labour’s industrial strategy
UK policymakers have been urged to put food security at the heart of the Government’s industrial strategy and to focus less on agriculture in a cross party-based report by think tank Policy Exchange.
News
Strikes to go ahead at Wrexham Oscar Mayer
Strikes are set to go ahead at Oscar Mayer’s Wrexham production plant following a dispute with workers union Unite over ‘fire and rehire’ claims.
News
Planted expands production with new factory
Meat alternatives manufacturer Planted has expanded production with the addition of a new factory in southern Germany.
News
Bakkavor promotes new CFO from within after incumbent steps down
Leading food manufacturer Bakkavor has promoted UK finance director Lee Miley to the role of chief financial officer.
News
Harvey & Brockless latest acquisition by The Compleat Food Group
The Compleat Food Group has acquired speciality food producer Harvey & Brockless for an undisclosed sum, the latest in a string of acquisitions by the manufacturer this year.
New
The Compleat Food Group names new chief product officer
The Compleat Food Group has appointed Mark Howgego as its first chief product officer.
News
Branston names new general manager
Leading potato supplier Branston has announced the appointment of a new general manager at its Lincoln site.
News
Food to go market worth more than £48.2bn
The out-of-home food market was worth more than £48.2bn in the past year, fuelled by increased commuter spending post COVID and cost-conscious lunchtime shoppers, according to research by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
News
Aldi goes cage-free ahead of schedule
Discount retailer Aldi has hit its commitment to sell 100% cage-free eggs one year ahead of its original target.
News
What's up for grabs at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2025?
Whether you're a start-up or an industry leader, the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards invite food and drink processors to showcase their capabilities and celebrate the efforts and achievements of their companies and teams. Here, we summarise each of...
News
FieldGoods closes successful £750k crowdfunding round
Premium prepared meal brand FieldGoods has closed its most successful round of investment fundraising to date, after hitting its target of £750k.
News
Lidl to roll out ‘industry-first’ tool for banana supply chain
Together with non-profit IDH, Lidl GB is set to launch a new analysis tool designed to address the living wage gap among banana plantation workers.
News
Vertical farming could be ‘greener than first thought’
Vertically farming lettuce could be as good for the environment as growing the salad plant in fields while also saving 8,000 hectares of land across the UK, according to a new study.
News
Decarbonisation: F&B firms awarded share of £19m grant fund
The Scottish Government has issued grants to several food and drink manufacturers as part of a wider decarbonisation fund.
News
Third of children eating less fruit amid cost of living crisis
A new survey from charity FareShare has found that more than a third of children are eating less fruit than they were last year.
News
Mindful Chef ‘big clean up’ returns for sixth year
Recipe box manufacturer Mindful Chef has announced the dates for its annual ‘big clean up’ initiative.
News
Food safety practices ‘may be insufficient’ to prevent pesticide contamination
A study has found that removing agricultural pesticides from fruits may require more than rinsing.
News
Beacon Foods invests in new lorries following major sales lift
The ingredients and ready-to-eat product supplier has added two 26 ton refrigerated lorries to its fleet, which provide a daily delivery service to customers across the UK.
News
SpiceBox goes organic following acquisition
SpiceBox has launched a new range of handmade, organic dals into Planet Organic, following its recent acquisition by Borough Broth.
News
Redefine Meat expands its reach into the EU
Alternative proteins manufacturer Redefine Meat has expanded its reach into the EU market after securing listings with retailers across Europe.
New
New £100k fund to support local Scottish food produce
Scottish food businesses are set to benefit from a £100k fund to help promote and champion produce from their local area.
News
Compleat Food Group publishes its first ESG report
Wall’s Pastry and Squeaky Bean brand owner The Compleat Food Group has published its first ever environmental, social and governance (ESG) report as it continues on its quest to become net zero.
Feature
Is there still room for plastic in food and drink packaging?
Plastic has long been seen as the go to material for food and drink packaging, but as backlash over its impact on the environment grows, do manufacturers have a better option?
News
Asda workers continue strike action at Lowestoft store
Strike action continues at Asda stores in the UK, as workers union GMB announces another round of walkouts at the retailer’s Lowestoft store next month.
News
Greencore posts sales loss in Q3 trading update
Convenience food manufacturer Greencore has reported a dip in revenue in its third quarter (Q3) financial results for the 13 weeks ended 28 June 2024.