The Government’s new obesity strategy is a “punishing blow” to food manufacturers, could threaten jobs and raise food prices, and was a “terrible missed opportunity”, according to one trade group.
Banana supplier Winfresh UK Ltd – located at Little Canfield near Stansted Airport in Essex – and owned by Winfresh Ltd, has entered administration, placing 70 jobs at risk.
Italian nut and dried fruit firm Besana, which supplies manufacturers and supermarkets including Tesco and Waitrose, will grow its Ipswich packing and distribution site following a merger with Spanish company Importaco.
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the ‘strength’ and ‘fragility’ of the food supply chain, according to the Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC), which has launched a COVID-19 Recovery Plan for the industry.
Former Tesco technical boss and ex-chief executive of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Tim Smith has been named as the chair of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission
Food industry coronavirus initiatives have continued over the past month, with a range of companies offering support to consumers, the NHS and firms in the supply chain.
Wholesalers are calling for food manufacturers and the Government to help move ambient and frozen stock out of their warehouses as the foodservice sector prepares to reopen on 4 July.
Food and drink suppliers have been granted more power at the negotiating table after seven years of successful regulation in the groceries sector, according to the exiting Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA).
A ‘bounce back’ plan of trade measures for the agriculture, food and drink industry has been announced by the Government to help support businesses that have been impacted by coronavirus.
