UK obesity epidemic: The UPF scapegoat debate
Industry experts have their say on ultra processed food and the UK’s obesity crisis.
Trends & Analysis
Nestlé drops the scoop: What its ice cream exit signals
What does Nestlé’s ice cream exit means for the sector and the FMCG giants? Iwan Thomas, associate at law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, explores.
2026: The year of persistent cost pressures and weak consumer demand
The Food and Drink Federations’ (FDF) State of the Industry report Q4 2026 predicts 2026 to be a year defined by weak consumer demand and sustained cost pressures, as confidence among both manufacturers and consumers remains low.
Who is the UK’s favourite supermarket?
Marks & Spencer has been named as the UK’s favourite supermarket, according to a customer satisfaction poll by Which?
Are ready meals ready for GLP-1?
Louise Forster-Smith, innovation director at Hot Pickle dives into the world of ‘GLP-1-friendly’ ready meals to find out if healthier formats can move beyond niche appeal.
Carlsberg results bolstered by Britvic
Carlsberg has reported strong growth in its 2025 financial statement, driven by the acquisition of Britvic.
Sainsbury’s goes protein wild
The retailer is the latest in a long line to launch new ranges which leverage the ever-popular trends of high protein and nutrient dense mini meals.
Food and drink trends report 2026
Food Manufacture’s annual trends report is out now, highlighting the top consumer movements within food and beverage.
Finsbury Food Group launches cake ‘bento boxes’
The baking manufacturer has rolled out a new, limited edition celebration cake offering that taps into the rising trend of bento cakes.
Why NewPrinces snapped up Plasmon in €124.3BN deal
Following the Princes Group owner acquisition, Food Manufacture examines what drove the purchase and the business’s wider European ambitions.
Six UK retailers keeping up with the weight loss jab craze
A flurry of weight loss food ‘companions’ have recently arrived on UK supermarket shelves, designed to help those using weight loss drugs get the right levels of nutrients they need.
Sainsbury’s bumper festive sales overshadowed by Argos pressures
The retailer is celebrating a strong festive period in which it saw a healthy rise in grocery sales – tempered by non-food and Argos pressures.
Lidl claims “biggest Christmas ever” with British-made SKUs topping the charts
Discount supermarket Lidl is claiming its “biggest Christmas ever” underpinned by a £1.1 billion turnover across the festive period.
UK food and drink exports to EU plummet
Food and drink exports to the European Union are down almost a quarter over the last five years compared to pre-Brexit, analysis from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) has shown.
The top three trends in food supplement and nutrition in 2026
Food supplement and nutrition products are, increasingly, a key part of the health-conscious consumer’s modern lifestyle. Anna Larsson, category leader at Tetra Pak shares what she’s been seeing and where the opportunity lies.
F&B manufacturing in review 2025
As the end of another year draws to a close, Food Manufacture takes a moment to reflect on the big events that shaped 2025.
UK inflation slows with food and drink prices easing
UK inflation has fallen to 3.2%, its lowest level for eight months, new statistics released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed.
Disinformation tsunami: Is TikTok a threat to the food industry?
In an alarming development for food manufacturers, new research has revealed that over a third of Gen Z would rather turn to TikTok and other social media platforms for dietary and allergenic guidance, instead of seeking professional advice.
UK consumers set to spend £20BN on groceries ahead of festive season
Consumers are anticipated to spend almost £20 billion on groceries in the four weeks to 27 December - an increase of around 2.8% on last year.
Retailers ramp up holiday promotions amid cost-of-living crisis
Promotional items drove supermarket sales during November as the cost-of-living continues to impact on shoppers, the latest research from Worldpanel by Numerator has revealed.
Coronation Food Project delivers almost 5,000t of food to communities
The Coronation Food Project has delivered almost 5,000 tonnes more food to communities in need as it hit its second anniversary this month.
Lidl GB adds £14.5BN to UK economy
Lidl GB has published its first ever socioeconomic impact report revealing that it delivered £14.5 billion in Gross Value Added to the British economy in 2024.
How will the Budget impact the food and drink industry?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Budget in the House of Commons revealing a £26 billion increase in taxes.
How low can you go? Aldi vows to ‘beat rivals’ on Christmas dinner prices
As families wait to find out how the Budget will impact their finances, Aldi’s CEO has said the retailer will keep Christmas grocery costs as ‘low as possible’.
The top 100 hottest global F&B start-ups
Exclusive data analysis carried out by FutureBridge on behalf of Food Manufacture has identified the top 100 hottest food and drink start-ups worldwide.
The 10 hottest UK F&B start-ups
The CBD infused beverage brand, TRIP, is the hottest UK start-up in F&B, according to exclusive analysis from insights firm FutureBridge conducted on behalf of Food Manufacture.
Scottish food and drink sector worth a record £19BN
The Scottish food and drink sector is worth £19 billion in turnover to the economy, new figures have revealed.
Coca-Cola tops FMCG brand listing for converting shelf presence to purchases
Coca-Cola has been recognised as the top FMCG brand in Western Europe for its success in driving conversions, according to new research from NielsenIQ (NIQ).
Confidence plummets as food and drink manufacturers “pessimistic” over upcoming Budget
Business confidence amongst food and drink manufacturers has dropped to its lowest level since the Covid pandemic, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has revealed.
Supermarket sales slow as shoppers hold back ahead of Black Friday
Supermarkets saw a slowdown in sales in October as shoppers wait for seasonal savings, according to new data released today by NielsenIQ (NIQ).
Premium own-label lines predicted to hit record £1BN sales in December
Sales of retailers’ premium own label lines are set to hit £1 billion for the first time in December, Worldpanel has predicted.
Consumers throw away almost £12BN of food a year
As much as £11.8 billion worth of groceries are thrown away each year, new research has revealed.
‘Trouble makers’ in food and drink
Food and drink brands including Brewdog, Red Bull, Prime Drinks, Too Good To Go, and Surreal, have been named the UK’s top food and drink challengers in the inaugural Trouble Making 100 (TM100).
Food insecurity remains ‘incredibly high’
Food insecurity is one of the major challenges facing the UK today with one in 10 households (11.3%) being food insecure, often having to cut back food or skip meals entirely, a new report The Food Foundation has revealed.
The battle for shoppers remains ‘fiercely competitive’
The battle for shoppers remains “fiercely competitive” as private label increases in popularity, new research has revealed.
Hunter & Gather clean label mayo sees 107% growth
‘Real food’ company Hunter & Gather has nabbed a Waitrose listing for its four ingredient 100% Avocado Oil Mayonnaise.
Extreme weather driving rising inflation on staple foods
Five foods - butter, coffee, milk, beef and chocolate - are driving food price inflation, with extreme weather playing a part in pushing up costs, new research has revealed.
Top Christmas trends of 2025
With Christmas now just around the corner, Food Manufacture explores the trends, tastes and tie-ins driving product launches in 2025.
Supermarket sales stagnate as UK shoppers remain cautious
Shoppers exercise vigilance amid ongoing economic pressures as many look to promotions to offset household costs following the back-to-school rush and summer spending.
What does the future consumer look like?
The food sector is changing at an incredible pace as eating occasions and technology open up a growing number of market channel opportunities and a renewed interest in food to go.
Three healthy beverage trends to keep tabs on
It started with the quiet rise of immunity boosting and added-vitamin claims – a response to lingering health anxieties in the wake of the pandemic.
Energy drinks get a healthy glow-up - but who’s drinking them?
Energy drinks have long been favourites of exam-weary college kids and Huberman-inspired gym enthusiasts alike. But as the functional beverage space continues to heat-up, a new wave of energy drinks is breathing life into the category, bringing with it a...
From health-maxxing to value redefined: Mid-point trend review 2025
As the days get shorter and the autumnal breeze begins to set in, Food Manufacture takes a look at how the trends shaping food and drink are evolving in this mid-point review.
Honey bees used to monitor forever chemicals
A new study from The James Hutton Institute and the University of Graz has used honeybees to monitor levels of PFAS in the environment.
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.
BoE cuts interest rates amid food inflation fears
The Bank of England has made a fifth cut to interest rates this year – which now stands at 4%, after food price inflation “picked up by more than anticipated”.
UK food inflation to peak at 5.1% in 2025, warns IGD
Retail food inflation in the UK is set to significantly outpace general inflation and peak at 5.1% in late summer 2025, according to a new IGD report.
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?
Food prices and UPFs top consumer concerns
The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) latest Consumer Insights Tracker has shown that food prices and ultra processed foods remain top consumer concerns.
Amazon vs grocery watchdog: GSCOP faces defining moment
After three years of warning and waning supplier confidence, the Groceries Code Adjudicator has launched a formal investigation into Amazon.