Brand exemptions defined, as Government clears up junk food ad rules
The Government has published its response to the consultation on the draft advertising regulations around less healthy food and drink advertising on TV and online.
Nutrition & Health
Pepsi introduces functional cola with prebiotics
The Pepsi-Cola launch marks a significant innovation within the cola category and follows other prebiotic-focused beverage NPD.
More children obese than underweight for first time, Unicef report finds
The number of school-age children and adolescents that are obese has exceeded the number that are underweight for the first time, a new Unicef report has found.
Government opens consultation on banning energy drinks for under-16s
The proposal, which could save tens of millions of pounds, was set out as a government commitment in the 2024 King’s Speech and underscored in Labour’s recently published 10-Year Health Plan.
UPFs ‘harm men’s health’, new study finds
A new human study has found that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) lead to increased weight, disrupt hormones and introduce harmful substances linked to declining sperm quality.
Co-op bolsters health and wellbeing offer through Holland & Barrett partnership
Co-op has partnered with Holland & Barrett to boost the health and wellness offer across its convenience stores.
Man-made famine taking place in Gaza due to Israel’s actions, UN body says
An entirely man-made famine is currently occurring in Gaza due to the actions of Israel, the UN-backed Famine Review Committee has declared.
Baby food manufacturers given 18 months to slash sugar and salt
The Government has announced a crackdown on sugar and salt in baby foods, challenging manufacturers to reduce levels in baby foods aimed at children up to 36 months old.
Less healthy food rules slash HFSS sales by 2 million per day
The findings of the first independent evaluation of HFSS legislation show a marked reduction in purchases since the rules were put in place.
Lidl rolls out new health logo across own-label
Lidl GB has become the first discounter to introduce a health marker across its own-label products.
Taste and price, not calories, main driver of takeaway orders, study finds
Taste and price rather than calorie content appear to be the main considerations for people ordering takeaways, a new study has found.
4.5K families accessing food support during summer holidays via charity programme
More than 4,500 families will access food and essential support during the summer holidays via a project led by food redistribution charity The Bread and Butter Thing.
Deli Kitchen partners with charity to launch Curious Kids Club
Speciality bread brand Deli Kitchen has teamed up with charity Rethink Food to help children explore food and learn about nutrition through the Curious Kids Club.
Less processed food linked to weight loss in new study
Participants in a recent University College London (UCL) study lost twice as much weight eating minimally processed foods compared to ultra-processed foods.
150 F&B leaders demand end to Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in Gaza
More than 150 senior figures within food and drink have demanded an end to Israel’s starvation of civilians in Gaza and called on the UK Government to take urgent action.
Israel using food as weapon of war against Palestinians: Human Rights Watch
Israel is using the depravation of food as a weapon of war against Palestinian civilians, Human Rights Watch has said.
MPs investigating food and weight management
The new inquiry will cover access to nutritious food and weight loss medications.
Food Strategy: Defra says it will ‘take difficult decisions about what to prioritise’
The UK government has published 10 goals for a healthier, more sustainable food system, as it looks to develop a ‘good food cycle’ - but it cautions not everything can be tackled at once.
37% of UK consumers cite weight loss as top health priority
Consumers are becoming more concerned about their health, with many prioritising weight loss. But what do they consider to be healthy food, what actions are being taken to lose weight, and how will appetite suppressors like GLP-1 impact the sector’s future?
HFSS promo ban to be ditched
The UK Government has revealed it will repeal legislation restricting volume price promotions and aisle placement.
Plant-based hospital meals could save NHS £55M annually
A policy brief published earlier this year has shown significant savings could be reaped by swapping patients over to plant-based meals.
Danone targets growth in gut health with acquisition
Danone has acquired The Akkermansia Company – a Belgian company specialising in gut health supplements – for undisclosed sum.
Scotland makes decision on HFSS
Scotland has confirmed it will align its regulations around the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) with England and Wales.
FDF calls for mandatory health reporting
Manufacturers are backing healthier foods, with 2024 seeing £180 million invested into healthier NPD, but with the pressure of rising costs and regulation the sector needs government to take action.
Nutrient density of food linked to farming methods in new report
Emerging evidence suggests that the way food is produced could play a role in combating health issues, according to a new report.
‘Toxic cocktail of chemicals’ being spread on UK farms
Immediate action is needed to prevent ‘toxic’ sewage sludge from being spread on UK farmland, environment secretary Steve Reed has been told.
Tackling nutrition gaps for the over-65s
Last week, experts were invited to a workshop to develop ideas for the overlooked dietary needs of adults aged 65 and over as part of a new study.
Tesco calls for mandatory healthy food sales reporting
Tesco has called on the UK Government to implement mandatory reporting on healthy food sales by supermarkets and major food businesses.
Tesco launches watermelon pizza kit
Targeted at three-to-nine-year-olds, the new Tesco meal kit aims to get kids eating more fruit.
HFSS advert ban delayed till 2026
The UK Government is postponing the rollout of TV and online advert bans on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) until next year.
Collagen consumption linked to weight loss in new study
The consumption of collagen-enriched protein bars has been linked to weight loss in a new study.
Opinion: Why the price of nutritious food must be front and centre of the Government’s new food strategy
In response to the UK Government launching a public consultation to gauge support for its new food strategy, Vic Harper, CEO of The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), takes a closer look at who the Food Strategy Advisory Board is serving and its real purpose.
Ultra-processed foods linked to early death risk in new study
A new study has found that there may be a link between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and premature death.
Baby food pouches low in nutrients, BBC investigation finds
Baby food pouches produced by six leading brands in the UK lack key nutrients for the development of young children, a BBC Panorama investigation has found.
Arsenic levels in rice increasing due to climate change
Rising temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have been linked to increased concentrations of inorganic arsenic in rice, a new study has revealed.
EAT-Lancet Commission debates resurface ahead of 2.0 release
Following years of back and forth between different parties, debates over the EAT-Lancet Commission have begun to bubble back up.
Alcohol deaths rise in England represents ‘acute crisis’
The higher rate of alcohol deaths in England since the start of the Covid pandemic represents an ‘acute crisis’, according to a new study.
HFSS ad bans stymied by threats to council revenues
Advertisers and lobby groups are blocking attempts to cut down on and ban out-of-home advertising for food high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) by threatening councils’ advertising revenues, according to a report by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Food strategy board created to tackle ‘unhealthy diets’ and bolster food system
The newly created Food Strategy Advisory Board (FSAB) will meet for the first time on 26 March to advise the UK Government on the creation of a national food strategy.
Short ingredients lists: The next mega trend?
Last week saw M&S launch a range of ‘clean’ products with particularly short ingredient lists - debates quickly followed.
Sugar tax for food needed to curb UK obesity crisis
A tax similar to the Sugar Levy and tougher regulations on food are needed to curb the UK’s obesity crisis, according to a new report from the University of Reading.
EU Nutri-Score plans on the brink of collapse
Rumours spread over the weekend that plans for the EU to implement Nutri-Score were dead in the water, with a press meeting held earlier today indicating that the claims may hold substance.
Healthwashing: UK health marketing laws need reform
Food Manufacture explores the different types of healthwashing in food and drink, the impact of influencers on the spread of trends, and the dangers of pushing the boundaries as a business.
Getting past the UPF debate: Why the ‘healthy UPF’ is the obvious future
Leo Campbell shares his insights on the ultra processed food debate – a topic he and his team have been rethinking behind closed laboratory doors for the last 6 years.
‘Woefully lacking’: Plans to tackle childhood obesity crisis leaving parents high and dry
Charles Fermor, the co-founder of children’s snack brand Freddie’s Farm, calls for more support from the UK Government in tackling childhood obesity and improving health outcomes.
Government slammed for response to Lords’ obesity and health report
The UK Government has faced criticism for its newly published response to the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee’s food and health report.
Calorie labels result in ‘modest’ consumption reduction
A new review has found that calorie information on food products and menus leads people to consume slightly fewer calories.
Season of giving: Festive donations made across sector
Around Noon, Tesco and Network Rail have all made donations this festive season aimed at addressing food insecurity.
US man takes on big food firms with UPF lawsuit
A lawsuit against several food giants has been filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County which alleges they are developing UPFs to be addictive as possible.
Food processing: What is it and how does it impact health?
With commentary from F&B industry figures, scientists and non-profits, Food Manufacture learns more about food processing and how the industry can work to improve health outcomes.