Latest news with #FoodandDrinkFederation
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Major change to salt and sugar levels in UK food
Major change to salt and sugar levels in UK food Food manufactuirers are calling for a change in the rules Food has got healthier but manufacturers want the rules changed Food firms have cut salt and sugar levels in their products by nearly a third over the past decade, according to a report. But UK manufacturers across the sector are calling for more funding and 'bold action' to help drive further innovation in healthy eating. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said research by Kantar Worldpanel showed products made by its members have 31% less salt, 30% less sugar and a quarter fewer calories than they did 10 years ago. The group – whose members make a quarter of all food and drink sold in the UK – said the progress comes after years of investment by the industry, including around £180 million in healthier product innovation in 2024 alone. But the FDF said rising cost and regulation pressures are putting this investment under pressure, with a recent survey of its members showing 41% are planning to scale back spend on this as a result. It wants extra funding support and is urging the Government to take 'bold, co-ordinated action across the whole food system' to help with the shift towards healthier food. 'This includes mandatory reporting on the sales of healthier and less healthy products across manufacturing, retail and hospitality,' the FDF said. It also means taking a more consistent approach to health policy across the entire food chain, ensuring consumers have access to the same clear information that helps them to make healthier choices, no matter where they're eating,' it added. As well as funding for research and development and science support to the food sector, it believes the Government should help smaller firms more, with a similar scheme to the Scottish Government's Reformulation for Health programme. Efforts so far by the industry have included changing recipes and portion sizes. Article continues below Some manufacturers have added extra portions of vegetables, while others have invested in new machinery to make changes to the cooking process and recipe. Karen Betts, chief executive of the FDF, said: 'Companies have made major progress in slashing the calories, salt and sugar in everyday food and drink – making the food people love better for them, alongside hugely expanding the range of healthy options. 'But tackling poor diets and lifestyles is a complex issue and needs a more joined-up approach. We're calling on the Government today to work in a more structured partnership with the entire food industry to deliver change.' She added that 'holistic and co-ordinated action will help us truly move the needle on this critical health challenge'. Article continues below A government spokesperson said: 'As part of this government's Plan for Change, we are committed to achieving our health mission to build an NHS fit for the future, which includes shifting from sickness to prevention. We are working closely with the food industry to improve people's diets and reduce levels of obesity and have already restricted junk food advertising on TV and online as well as limiting school children's access to fast food outlets. 'Making healthier choices easier is a major part of creating a food environment that is fairer, with the fewest lives lost to the biggest killers and where everyone lives well for longer.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat
UK food and drink exports rose in value in the first quarter but volumes were flat amid a "continued struggle" to return to pre-pandemic levels. That was the view of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF) as the industry trade body revealed shipments of food and beverages climbed 6.3% to £6bn ($8.1bn) in the opening three months of the year. However, with volumes relatively flat from the year-earlier quarter, the FDF highlighted in its latest Trade Snapshot report that food exports from the UK are 20.4% lower than they were in 2020, while non-alcoholic beverages are down 9.2%. 'Significant growth is needed to return to pre-pandemic levels' in the long term, the FDF said. Export volumes to the EU, the UK's largest trade partner, declined by 3.7% for food and 1.7% for non-alcoholic drinks compared to the first quarter of 2024. An agreement between the UK and EU in May to simplify sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls - yet to be rubber stamped and finalised - could increase UK exports to the bloc by 22.5%, though not until 2027 at the earliest, the industry body said. Balwinder Dhoot, the director of industry growth and sustainability at the FDF, said the SPS talks are a 'positive step towards reversing a concerning decline in exports from the UK' but added that a deal is "far from a silver bullet'. 'It is vital that through these negotiations the UK secures the ability to influence EU regulatory decisions that will impact British businesses,' Dhoot said. Away from the EU, the FDF highlighted the potential "positive impact" for the UK's food and drink producers from recent trade deals with India and the US. The value of UK food and beverages exports to non-EU countries rose by 10.5% in the first three months of 2025 as "food producers take advantage of improved access to growing global markets", according to the FDF. For instance, the FDF said that since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect in December, UK exports of soft drinks to Malaysia have increased by 103% and sweets by 48%. Meanwhile, the trade body said the free-trade agreement with India is likely to benefit UK exporters of soft drinks, biscuits and chocolate in particular. "While there are encouraging signs of an improved global trade outlook ahead, FDF warns that there's more work to be done. It's vital that government continues to build closer trade relationships with trade partners, near and far, and prioritises British competitiveness in ongoing negotiations," it said. UK food and drinks exports to the US increased 23.4% in the first quarter, which the FDF said was probably in anticipation of US tariffs, before an agreement was struck between the two governments in May. However, the FDF added that negotiating the removal of the new 10% tariff should be a priority. Dhoot added: 'This new data demonstrates that there are also plenty of opportunities for UK food and drink beyond the EU, meaning government should keep its foot on the gas when it comes to improving the UK's trade relationships across other global markets. "Removing trade barriers and helping more businesses expand into new markets abroad presents a crucial growth opportunity, while diversifying our import markets is vital to protecting the UK's food security." "UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat
UK food and drink exports rose in value in the first quarter but volumes were flat amid a "continued struggle" to return to pre-pandemic levels. That was the view of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF) as the industry trade body revealed shipments of food and beverages climbed 6.3% to £6bn ($8.1bn) in the opening three months of the year. However, with volumes relatively flat from the year-earlier quarter, the FDF highlighted in its latest Trade Snapshot report that food exports from the UK are 20.4% lower than they were in 2020, while non-alcoholic beverages are down 9.2%. 'Significant growth is needed to return to pre-pandemic levels' in the long term, the FDF said. Export volumes to the EU, the UK's largest trade partner, declined by 3.7% for food and 1.7% for non-alcoholic drinks compared to the first quarter of 2024. An agreement between the UK and EU in May to simplify sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls - yet to be rubber stamped and finalised - could increase UK exports to the bloc by 22.5%, though not until 2027 at the earliest, the industry body said. Balwinder Dhoot, the director of industry growth and sustainability at the FDF, said the SPS talks are a 'positive step towards reversing a concerning decline in exports from the UK' but added that a deal is "far from a silver bullet'. 'It is vital that through these negotiations the UK secures the ability to influence EU regulatory decisions that will impact British businesses,' Dhoot said. Away from the EU, the FDF highlighted the potential "positive impact" for the UK's food and drink producers from recent trade deals with India and the US. The value of UK food and beverages exports to non-EU countries rose by 10.5% in the first three months of 2025 as "food producers take advantage of improved access to growing global markets", according to the FDF. For instance, the FDF said that since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect in December, UK exports of soft drinks to Malaysia have increased by 103% and sweets by 48%. Meanwhile, the trade body said the free-trade agreement with India is likely to benefit UK exporters of soft drinks, biscuits and chocolate in particular. "While there are encouraging signs of an improved global trade outlook ahead, FDF warns that there's more work to be done. It's vital that government continues to build closer trade relationships with trade partners, near and far, and prioritises British competitiveness in ongoing negotiations," it said. UK food and drinks exports to the US increased 23.4% in the first quarter, which the FDF said was probably in anticipation of US tariffs, before an agreement was struck between the two governments in May. However, the FDF added that negotiating the removal of the new 10% tariff should be a priority. Dhoot added: 'This new data demonstrates that there are also plenty of opportunities for UK food and drink beyond the EU, meaning government should keep its foot on the gas when it comes to improving the UK's trade relationships across other global markets. "Removing trade barriers and helping more businesses expand into new markets abroad presents a crucial growth opportunity, while diversifying our import markets is vital to protecting the UK's food security." "UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Leader Live
30-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Farmers Union of Wales reacts to the Government's EU deal
Over recent weeks, it seems UK trade agreements have been a bit like London buses - you wait for ages, and then three come along at the same time! Following the announcement of agreements with the USA and India earlier this month, it was the European Union's turn last week, with the announcement of a UK-EU's 'reset' agreement. The importance of functioning, frictionless trade with the EU for Welsh agriculture cannot be understated. The EU remains our largest export market, with 2023 seeing 75% of Wales' £813 million food and drink exports sent to EU countries. Meanwhile, 2024 saw over 90% of Welsh lamb exports going to the EU. However, since the UK's departure from the EU, increased red tape and a range of bureaucratic measures have become a growing obstacle. This was reflected in a recent study by the Food and Drink Federation, that found overall food export volumes from the UK to the EU fell by over a third between 2019 and 2024. To this end, the Farmers' Union of Wales has welcomed elements of the new agreement between the UK and EU that aim to make trade with EU countries easier and cheaper. The agreement will also see some routine checks on animal and plant products removed completely, allowing goods to flow freely with the EU, and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. According to the Prime Minister this will make food and agricultural trade with the EU cheaper and easier and could lower food prices and increase choice on supermarket shelves. Crucially, the 'reset' secures an agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks, which will streamline the trading of food between the two blocks, as well as easing admin and bureaucratic requirements and paperwork. The revised SPS agreement sees the UK agreeing to align to EU Laws on plant and animal health production, distribution and consumption, thus allowing the UK to sell products such as burgers and sausages in the EU again. However, whilst at face value our plant and animal health requirements align with EU standards, we must consider how this may place the UK in a challenging position in future as it no longer has the power, as a formal Member State, to influence European rules and will have to accept the EU's Court of Justice's jurisdiction on the way they are applied. On the flipside, the agreement could inadvertently strengthen the UK Internal Market by acting as an alignment tool that prevents divergence between rules across the devolved nations. As was the case with the US-UK Trade 'deal' earlier this year, the devil will be in the details, and we will keep a close eye over the coming months as the negotiations continue.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK's food sellers welcome EU deal but fishermen feel betrayed
LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Britain's food sellers and producers, both large and small, welcomed a deal with the European Union to cut border red tape, saying it would reduce costs and ease trade for both sides. Britain and the EU on Monday agreed to trade with vastly reduced paperwork and border checks on plant and animal products, while maintaining high food standards, under an agreement that is part of a wider reset in relations. The UK did, however, concede concessions on fishing rights, with the two sides agreeing that British and EU vessels would have access to each other's waters for 12 years. When Britain left the EU's single market in 2021, the EU immediately enforced its rules, leading to port delays and prompting some British exporters to stop selling to the bloc. The industry's Food and Drink Federation said UK food and drink exports to Europe had fallen by a third since 2019. Britain was much slower implementing its post-Brexit border arrangements, and after repeated delays and confusion it started to set new rules in phases from January last year. Andreas Georghiou, who imports from small producers in France, Italy, Spain and Greece for his fine foods and ingredients store in southwest London, said the post-Brexit years have been "long and painful" and he might cry out with relief. "It has just been such an absolute shitshow," he told Reuters. "This will really help small business," he said, noting it would make recent tax hikes imposed by the Labour government more bearable. He added that some European food producers who had given up exporting to the UK would resume doing business. Yvonne Yeoh, sales director at Neal's Yard Dairy, a London-based artisanal cheesemaker, retailer and wholesaler that has been exporting British cheese into the EU for 30 years, said she hoped for lower costs and faster time to market. She told Reuters that since Brexit, the company's internal labour costs had doubled, its external transport costs had trebled and it takes three times as long from order to delivery. Britain's biggest retailers also welcomed the move, with Marks & Spencer's (MKS.L), opens new tab food boss Alex Freudmann saying it would remove "pointless bureaucracy". Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, which represents the country's biggest supermarkets Tesco (TSCO.L), opens new tab and Sainsbury's (SBRY.L), opens new tab, said it would create greater security in retail supply chains. But the agreement on fish, which removed one of the UK's strongest hands in any future talks, was condemned by the fishing industry, who said they had been sacrificed in order to secure better terms elsewhere. Elspeth Macdonald, CEO of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, called it "a horror show" and a betrayal.
