UK government
Public Health England figures show failure to cut sugar in confectionery
The latest figures from Public Health England (PHE) have shown that a sector campaign to cut sugar from food product ranges including confectionery, by 20% over the past four years, has failed to achieve any tangible reductions within chocolate and sweets, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
The demise of Public Health England leaves key sugar reduction targets in limbo
Why might the demise of PHE be significant to the confectionery sector? Well, the most glaring reason is the much publicised campaign that sought to drive sugar reduction within the confectionery and wider food and drink sector in 2017 is now effectively dead in the water.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ferrero responds to challenging trading conditions with major Christmas investment
Ferrero is set to invest £3 million in a broad selection of new seasonal products for the UK and Ireland, including its classic series of boxed chocolates, figures and novelties for Christmas 2020, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Food and Drink Federation criticises government’s ‘missed opportunity’ on tackling obesity
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has labelled the government’s new plans to tackle obesity amid the coronavirus crisis as a “missed opportunity” that penalises the sector, including manufacturers of confectionery and snacks ranges. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Health campaigners call on UK government to take urgent obesity action amid pandemic
Health campaign groups including Action On Sugar and Action on Salt, have joined with 47 other organisations in calling on the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson to urgently implement all remaining chapters of the government’s childhood obesity plan. Neill Barston reports
Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory
CBI welcomes prospect of relaxed border controls for EU imports from 2021
UK business trade organisation CBI has welcomed a UK border planning decision to apply less stringent controls from the EU to Britain, than had been expected, as the Brexit transition period ends this December. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Call for extending trade negotiations amid pandemic makes sound business sense
Without doubt one of the most significant news stories of the past week has been the plea from the Caobisco European confectionery organisation for the EU and UK to continue crucial trade talks beyond the fast-approaching cut-off point of December 2020.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Regulatory, Sustainability
Caobisco confectionery body calls for extension of EU-UK trade talks to avert major industry impact
With trade relations between the UK and EU nations set to undergo major changes from 2021, a renewed trade deal hangs in the balance, as Caobisco, the European association for chocolate, biscuits and confectionery reveals. Neill Barston reports
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Food and Drink Federation offers cautious welcome to government Budget
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has reacted with caution to the government’s latest financial Budget, delivered by the new chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Food and Drink Federation calls on UK government to support the sector in its latest manifesto
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has released its latest manifesto seeking government backing for its key sector markets amid a backdrop of continued trading uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fairtrade campaigners call on PM Boris Johnson to support cocoa farming sector
Campaigners from the Fairtrade organisation have called on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take urgent action in helping support the cocoa farming industry.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
Brexit warnings renewed by the Food and Drink Federation
Assuming the role of chief executive of the UK’s Food and Drink Federation has offered Ian Wright plenty of tests, as Neill Barston discovered, meeting him at the organisation’s London headquarters
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
UK manufacturers call on government to deliver digitalisation
An industry study has found that 84% of UK manufacturers believe the government should be doing more to help deliver digitalisation of workplace operations.
Manufacturers’ survey shows a third of British firms expect low skilled job losses to automation
Around a third of British manufacturers expect some low skilled jobs to be lost over the next five years as a result of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, according to a study from industry organisation Make UK.