COVID-19

UK consumers have eaten more fruit and vegetables during the coronavirus pandemic. IMG: Rick Ligthelm

UK eating more fruit and veg during pandemic

By Jerome Smail

The UK increased its consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by 33% and 31% respectively during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by EIT Food.

Empiricai's new system can detect violations to social distancing rules and if employees aren't wearing PPE

AI system tracks COVID-19 in food factories

By Gwen Ridler

Identifying COVID-19 symptoms and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning were key topics in our exclusive interview with Salman Chaudhary, chief executive of AI systems developer Empiricai.

BFAWU members have voted to reject a proposed pay rise from  Greencore

Bakers union in Greencore Northampton pay dispute

By Gwen Ridler

Members of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) at Greencore’s Northampton factory have rejected a ‘divisive’ pay rise, claiming staff there have not been recognised as key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Miles: 'It is time to refocus on how we can achieve a food system that maintains the robustness and resilience of the current system'

Food Standards Agency boss calls for collaboration

By Gwen Ridler

Government and industry must collaborate more to create a food strategy fit for purpose and tackle the failings of the past, according to Food Standards Agency (FSA) chief executive Emily Miles.

Hamm Tun Fine Foods hopes to raise £40k through crowdfunding to save the business

Cheese maker seeks crowdfunding to escape closure

By Gwen Ridler

Northamptonshire-based cheese maker Hamm Tun Fine Foods has launched a crowdfunding campaign to prevent its closure, after running into difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.

High profile marketing campaigns and the pandemic have helped boost beef sales

Beef sales rise as shoppers opt to eat in

By Jerome Smail

British consumer spending on beef totalled £551m in the 12 weeks to 1 November 2020, according to figures from research organisation Kantar Worldpanel.

Muller UK & Ireland produces a host of brands sold in top supermarkets, from Muller Corner to Frijj

Muller UK & Ireland reports 2019 sales and profit drop

By Rod Addy

Dairy product giant Muller UK & Ireland Group has reported sales and profit down in full-year results as inflation raised costs and it continued a hefty investment programme, but it claimed some victories.

The ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre is one of the specialist organisations making up the COVID-19 Resilience Group

COVID-19 resources launched for Welsh food processors

By Jerome Smail

The Welsh Government-backed COVID-19 Resilience Group has set up hotlines and a downloadable resource to support food and drink manufacturers across Wales in dealing with the impact of the pandemic.

GMB Union has called for measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 at Bakakvor Tilmanstone Salads

COVID-19 death at Bakkavor Kent factory

By Gwen Ridler

Trade union GMB has called on Bakkavor to offer staff greater support during the coronavirus pandemic, following the death of a worker from its Tilmanstone Salads factory from COVID-19.

The TUC singled out food factories as potential 'super spreaders' of COVID-19

Food factories could become COVID-19 ‘super spreaders’

By Gwen Ridler

Food factories could become ‘super spreaders’ of COVID-19 in the run-up to Christmas, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), but it has been challenged by the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).

Scientific papers on emerging aspects of nutrition and COVID-19 continue to be published

Food scientists assess nutritional weapons against COVID-19

By Rod Addy

Selenium, zinc, Vitamin D and a healthy gut microbiota can all help fight the effects of COVID-19, according to scientists presenting at the British Nutrition Foundation's (BNF's) virtual conference Nutrition and COVID-19.

Petre comments on the four pillars of Weetabix's sustainability programme

Weetabix outlines sustainability efforts

By Gwen Ridler

Closed loop recycling, the impact of COVID-19 and the future of sustainability at Weetabix were key topics in our exclusive podcast interview with the manufacturer’s head of supply chain.

Nestlé has stressed that, despite the discovery of a limited number of infections, its factories remain fully operational

Latest on COVID-19 at Nestlé UK

By Rod Addy

COVID-19 is in retreat at Nestlé’s Fawdon factory, but staff have tested positive for the virus at the company’s coffee processing plant at Tutbury in Staffordshire.

Tofoo Co has seen growth throughout the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a surge in scratch-cooking

The Tofoo Company to launch frozen tofu range

By Gwen Ridler

The Tofoo Company aims to pioneer UK frozen tofu products, managing director David Knibbs told Food Manufacture, after separately revealing the company’s recruitment drive and growth plans in this exclusive podcast.

Howorth: 'Will future category ranging and sourcing decisions be made on the basis of supply chain risk?'

Opinion

Will COVID-19 spark a new approach to retailer/supplier relationships?

By Dave Howorth

Back in March, when panic-buying consumers stripped the supermarket shelves and loaded their cupboards and freezers, the big question on everyone’s lips was: 'Will the food and drink supply chain cope and, more importantly, will there be food on...

The announcement of the winner of the Factory Manager of the Year occurs during The Grocer's 'Golden Week' during which all other trophies for The Grocer Gold Awards are announced online

Factory Manager of the Year 2020 revealed

By Rod Addy

Jo Taylor of dairy giant Arla Foods UK has been named Factory Manager of the Year 2020 after a closely-fought contest involving companies from every food and drink category across the UK.

Bakkavor is to create 127 new jobs in Highbridge

Bakkavor to create 127 new jobs

By Gwen Ridler

Desserts manufacturer Bakkavor is to create 127 new jobs at its Highbridge site as it gears up for the busy Christmas period.

ABF's latest results revealed healthy food sales while Primark took a coronavirus hit

ABF food sales strong amid Primark profit hit

By Gwen Ridler

Food sales remain strong at Associated British Foods (ABF), but coronavirus pressures on the business’s retail operations cut into annual sales and profit.

The investment has enhanced cheese packing capacity and capabilities

Ornua Foods UK invests £3m in Leek factory

By Rod Addy

Dairy product supplier Ornua Foods UK has announced a £3m investment in cutting and packing equipment at its Leek factory to boost capacity in response to strong consumer demand for its cheese.

Function ingredients have seen a sales boost thanks to the coronavirus and subsequent lockdowns

Ingredients and NPD

Functional agenda: Healthy ingredients receive boost during pandemic

By Michelle Perrett

Vegan ingredients, fruits and traditional cakes are just a few of the products benefiting from the coronavirus pandemic, which has prompted increased consumer focus on health, indulgence, provenance and functional ingredients.

A nationwide lockdown could spell doom for foodservice suppliers already hit by coronavirus restrictions

Lockdown fears increase for foodservice suppliers

By Gwen Ridler

A nationwide lockdown would put foodservice suppliers at risk and quash further mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the food and drink sector, according to financial adviser Oghma Partners.

Nestlé, Cranswick, SK Chilled Foods and Bernard Matthews are among those firms grappling with COVID-19 cases

COVID-19: Nestlé, Cranswick latest

By Rod Addy

Cranswick Foods’ Watton pork processing plant will continue production according to one analyst, after almost half of its staff tested positive for COVID-19, while Nestlé's Fawdon factory has confirmed 40 cases there.

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