Coronavirus

A workers at Muller's Bridgwater site has died from COVID-19

Müller worker dies after contracting COVID-19

By Gwen Ridler

One person has died from COVID-19 and 47 have tested positive for the disease at Müller Milk & Ingredients’ site in Bridgwater, Somerset, leading to scaled down production.

Detection and inspection systems have had to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 and drastically increased workflows

Detection and inspection

Detection and inspection: food safety tech in a COVID world

By Gwen Ridler

The world has changed a lot over the course of a year. From the way we work to how products reach consumers, every part of the food and drink industry has felt some impact from COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns enforced to help contain its spread.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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...

Manufacturers have helped prevent 180k tonnes of food from being wasted in 2020

Courtauld 2025 update highlights food waste progress

By Gwen Ridler

More than 180,000t of food –worth £300m – has been saved from becoming waste during the second year of the Waste and Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP’s) Food Waste Reduction Roadmap.

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 extension of the Trade and Agriculture Commission has been cautiously welcomed by UK trade bodies

Commission will stay to safeguard food standards

By Gwen Ridler

Trade bodies have cautiously welcomed the Government’s decision that the existence of the Trade and Agriculture Commission will continue, but have stressed industry involvement is needed in any future trade deals.

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.