Early wheat planting ‘doesn’t match current spring wheat production’
Planting wheat earlier in the spring to avoid crop damage from ever-hotter summers may not keep harvests on pace with current levels, new research has found.
Environmental, Social & Governance
EAT-Lancet Commission offers eight-point plan for a fairer, more sustainable and healthy global food system
The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission has published its Report on Healthy, Sustainable, and Just Food Systems which sets out guidance to feed a growing population without breaking planetary boundaries.
WWF blasts EU for ‘embarrassing’ deforestation law delay
The EU Commission has announced a further delay to the anti-deforestation rules citing IT issues.
Mars European snack factories now fully powered by renewable energy
All 10 of the confectionery giant’s European snacking factories, which includes Twix, Snickers, M&Ms, Skittles and Extra gum, now run on renewable sources.
The Sustainability Report 2025
Food Manufacture partners with Lumina Intelligence to spotlight the most significant consumer trends in sustainability, and to explore how the food and drink industry is responding to growing demands from both the public and policymakers.
Avoiding the greenwashing trap: 5 ways to market sustainability with integrity
As the pressure to be sustainable intensifies, Richard Singleton, Menzies LLP’s finance & sustainability director looks at how food and drink manufacturers can lead with integrity, avoid regulatory pitfalls, and build lasting trust through credible...
Why Net Zero needs the same focus as New Product Development
Simon McKeating, programme manager at the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Net Zero Commitment, explains why sustainability deserves the same strategic focus as NPD.
Nestlé transforms waste into eco-friendly coffee furniture
Nestlé Professional is making its Nescafé furniture units from used coffee grounds and waste plastic sourced from its supply chain.
City to Sea shuts down amid funding struggles
The environmental charity is concluding its operations this month after a decade of campaigning against plastic pollution.
New food waste rules adopted by the EU
The European Parliament has given the final green light to new measures that aim to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU.
Rainforest Alliance announces new regenerative agriculture certification for coffee
Non-profit organisation the Rainforest Alliance has announced the launch of a regenerative agriculture standard for coffee farmers and companies.
William Reed launches ‘Sustainable September’ to drive climate action in food and drink
Dozens of international media titles across William Reed Ltd come together to amplify the conversation around sustainability in food and drink.
Cocoa in crisis: Can chocolate survive without it?
Against the backdrop of climate change, Food Manufacture’s editor speaks with Win-Win’s CEO about its groundbreaking chocolate alternative that tastes, acts and looks just like the real thing.
What role does ESG play in food sector mergers and acquisitions?
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are no longer peripheral concerns in corporate transactions – they are central to deal-making, particularly in the food sector, argue Ed Savory and Arwa Salman from the corporate team at Birketts LLP.
Cheap food is costing the planet
Supermarkets need to prioritise sustainability and accept when this costs more, writes Nick Behari, country manager UK & IE for Vion Food UK Ltd.
Wyke Farms trialling AI-powered birdsong tech
Wyke Farms is using artificial intelligence to measure and improve biodiversity across its supply farms and own farms.
Supporting farmers, not delaying progress: A supplier’s view on EUDR readiness
Julia Ocampo, vice president of sourcing and sustainability at Luker Chocolate, discusses delays to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and ways businesses can ensure they are compliant.
MPs urge UK Government to reduce plastic production
Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have urged the UK Government to champion the introduction of targets on reducing the production of plastics during upcoming negotiations in Switzerland.
How are green U-turns in Europe affecting the food and beverage sector?
There was a time when the EU declared its intention to lead the world in green legislation and initiatives. Although the intent might remain, a number of high-profile green U-turns appears to have tainted the vision.
Big Oil turning to food systems as new growth area
The report from the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) calls for a ‘bold redesign’ to food systems as it reveals the alarming extent to which fossil fuels are flooding into food systems.
Directive Detour: EU’s Green Claims whiplash explained
Last Friday (20 June) saw the European Commission announcing it will be withdrawing from the Green Claims Directive days before it was due to be finalised.
UK’s first digitised insect farm showroom
A specialist manufacturer of insect farm technology believes it holds the key to addressing two critical sustainability challenges.
Asda invests £1.3m to expand electric home delivery fleet
Asda has announced that it will more than double its electric grocery home shopping fleet thanks to a £1.3 million investment.
JBS, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars and Danone climate plans ‘unlikely to lead to deep emission reductions’, report says
A new report has argued that the current climate action plans in place at JBS, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars and Danone are ‘unlikely to lead to structural, deep emission reductions’ within the food and drink sector.
UK Ecotrophelia 2025 finalists revealed
Seven student teams have made it to the finals of the Ecotrophelia UK heat this year.
How is F&B supporting the green energy transition?
The shift to renewable sources of energy is a crucial component of the wider bid to reach net zero. But how is the food and drink sector supporting the transition towards a greener future?
Are coffee pods truly compostable?
Sarah-Jane Dobson, a partner at Ashurst LLP, discusses the implications of the recent Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rulings on adverts for Lavazza and Dualit coffee pods.
New circular economy inquiry launched by EFRA
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) is calling for evidence on issues around the Global Plastics Treaty.
Avara Foods implements new poultry welfare strategy
Avara Foods has completed the switch to a new agriculture programme that will reduce the number of birds placed on each of farm supplying the poultry processor.
Greenwashing fines worth up to 10% of turnover possible from 6 April
From 6 April the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will be granted new powers to penalise companies for breaching consumer protection laws.
Dutch city bans meat and fossil fuel adverts in public spaces
The city of Nijmegen has announced plans to prohibit meat and fossil fuel advertisements in public spaces.
Food firms fail to see potential of AI to achieve ESG goals
AI adoption is on the rise within the food and drink industry, but business fail to see its potential to help them achieve their sustainability goals, according to supply chain consultancy Foods Connected.
Pesticides action plan launched in UK
A new pesticides action plan has been launched in the UK aimed at reducing environmental risk from pesticides by 10% over the next five years.
Overcoming the complexity of measuring Scope 3 emissions
Levent Ergin – chief strategist for climate, sustainability and AI at cloud data management service Informatica – discusses incoming regulations and strategies for managing Scope 3.
Kellogg’s factory powered with hydrogen during ‘first-of-its-kind’ demo
Kellanova UK has completed a ‘first-of-its-kind’ hydrogen demonstration at one of its Kellogg’s factories.
Mandatory food waste separation rules: Get ready for 31 March
New mandatory food waste separation and collection laws are set to come into effect in England from 31 March 2025.
Innocent Drinks funds fruit and veg focused cooking sessions
Innocent Drinks has teamed up with UK charity Hubbub to get people eating more fruit and vegetables.
Arla accused of greenwashing its activities with net zero target
Dairy giant Arla has been accused of attempting to ‘greenwash’ its activities in a new report published by a pair of NGOs.
776 environmental violations committed on East Anglian farms since 2017
Poultry and pig farms across East Anglia have violated environmental regulations at least 776 times since 2017, internal UK Government records have revealed.
75% of major retailers blame poor strategy for lack of sustainability progress
Financial woes, inadequate strategies and labour violations in unassuming markets among greatest risks to supply chain sustainability in 2025, LRQA report finds.
Deposit Return Scheme launch date confirmed for England and NI
The UK Government has officially confirmed that a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will be introduced in England and Northern Ireland from October 2027.
JBS: 2040 net zero target ‘never a promise’
Meat processing giant JBS appears to have watered down its sustainability ambitions by claiming that its 2040 net zero ‘commitment’ does not represent a ‘promise’.
76% of farmers unable to implement environmental measures amid financial and policy challenges
Tesco is calling on UK Government to provide investment and policy certainty to support UK farmers in transition to net zero, as research shows sector is struggling to adopt and scale sustainable methods.
£1m fund to reward farmers for carbon insetting action
A new programme enabling supply chains to reward farmers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is now open to farmers.
Researchers develop edible biofilm for extending fruit shelf life
Researchers at Chungnam National University in South Korea have developed an edible biofilm that can extend the shelf life of fruit.
UK must maintain momentum on cutting methane emissions, urges Lords Committee
A House of Lords committee has called on the UK Government to keep up the momentum on reducing methane emissions.
EUDR: What on earth is going on?
Over the last couple of months, conversations around EUDR changes have been making headlines. Here’s the latest…
Feature
Driving sustainability in food and drink manufacturing
Sustainability is the buzz word of the hour for manufacturers, but how is the food and drink industry adapting their practices to better serve the environment and where can they draw inspiration from to start lowering emissions across their supply chains?
Opinion
Greenwashing in the cold chain: Unpacking the ice pack problem
Ice packs are a simple, yet brilliant solution used the cold chain but there’s one major problem holding them back. Colin Rowland, managing director for cold chain solutions firm Hydropac, explores.
News
Wales withdraws from UK Deposit Return Scheme
The Welsh Government has announced that it is withdrawing from the planned UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).