Shortages in packaging supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the coronavirus could spark compliance issues for food and drink manufacturers, according to food safety assurance specialist Lloyd’s Register.
Soft drinks supplier A G Barr, which has brands including Irn-Bru and Rubicon, has revealed it has seen a “significant impact” in out-of-home consumption following the Government ‘lockdown’ on 23 March.
Small food and drinks suppliers and manufacturers are meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic by launching delivery services and helping the vulnerable.
Fresh coronavirus support funds for seafood processors and food redistributors have been launched by the UK and Scottish Governments, offering millions of pounds in aid.
The UK Government has been urged to provide greater support for small food and drink businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, as these are predicting at least a 33% loss in revenue as a direct result of the virus.
Measures for meat sector and general food production outlined
Coronavirus is hitting meat plant and abattoir operations as personnel contract the disease, but the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has contingency plans, FSA chief operating officer and COVID-19 incident director Colin Sullivan has claimed.
Associated British Foods (ABF) chief executive George Weston and finance director John Bason have requested a temporary 50% pay cut in anticipation of much lower earnings for the company following the coronavirus outbreak.
Fresh prepared foods producer Bakkavor is to review capacity across its manufacturing base in response to the coronavirus, as it predicted a hit to sales for the 2020 financial year.
Sales of canned meats, flour and canned beans have more than doubled since significant consumer stockpiling began in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is pushing for a system to match workers with produce growers who are facing a labour shortage as the UK heads towards harvesting season.
The Federation of Bakers (FoB) has shared the measures it has taken to ensure supplies continue during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in a letter of reassurance to the industry.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has introduced a temporary licensing scheme for up to three months to ensure food supply is able to run as smoothly as possible during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Unite, the union, has called on the Government to implement mandatory two-metre social distancing in the food processing industry but DEFRA advice confirms social distancing must be implemented if 'reasonably possible.'
2 Sisters Food Group chief executive Ronald Kers has launched an urgent appeal for new workers to help the manufacturer meet the unprecedented demand brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.
Logistics and temperature controlled storage provider Abbey Logistics has pledged to reward its frontline staff with a recognition payment at the end of the year for their commitment during the coronavirus pandemic.
Morrisons is to spend £10m to ramp up food production and send deliveries of ambient food to help restock the nation’s food banks during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Bosses of sandwich and convenience food manufacturer Greencore Group are to take a pay cut of 30% as they furlough colleagues in its food-to-go divisions hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus outbreak has prompted food and drink supply chain businesses to form a united emergency working group to ensure the industry can continue to feed the nation.
Coronavirus panic buying has prompted dairy processor Müller to launch a significant recruitment drive for up to 300 additional key workers amid the demand spike.
Now, more than ever, it is important that we here at Food Manufacture show solidarity with our readers, friends and supporters in the industry, who are integral to the survival of this nation during the coronavirus outbreak.
Sandwich producer Halal Kitchen has reported more than a 50% drop in sales and production as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, despite industry reports suggesting a contrary trend.
Poultry processing giant 2 Sisters Food Group has launched recruitment campaigns at multiple sites across its business, as it copes with “unprecedented levels of demand for food”.
Scotland’s leading farming, fishing, food and drink organisations are urging businesses to follow critical steps to reduce staffing to the bare essentials required to secure Scotland’s food supply.
Cut earnings, threats to supplies and helplines for manufacturers’ customers are just some of the latest developments in the drinks industry as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has cemented its support for the UK meat sector, as the food industry continues to struggle from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meat supplies in the UK are at serious risk of disruption from a shortage of labour due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA).
Dairy processors and farmers must unite to improve the milk supply chain in the face of COVID-19 and not be side-tracked by less important issues, according to Dairy UK.
Vertically integrated retailer Morrisons has posted continued growth despite the backdrop of a global pandemic, with profit over £400m in the year ended 2 February 2020.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 health situation, William Reed has taken the difficult decision to postpone its UK Food Shows, originally scheduled to take place at Birmingham NEC from 30 March to 1 April.
The Government is to relax food delivery hours to supermarkets and other retailers to help the supply chain cope with demand due to the Coronavirus COVID-19.
A third (34%) of shoppers are already stockpiling food in case of a major outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19, according to an online survey of 1,000 consumers.
