Grocery industry sector news updates

Latest grocery news and information for businesses, consumers, restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations and food service industry providers.

Marketing plant-based dishes – the do’s and dont’s

Restaurants and caterers should steer well clear of the terms “meat-free”, “vegan” and “vegetarian” if they want to encourage customers to eat more plants, according to new research. Descriptions like “low fat” are also a no-no. Using provenance and flavour, however, helps sway diners to try the meals out. Compelling names and an emphasis on…

MacArthur calls for circular approach to fix the food industry

The world needs to undergo a “food revolution” to regenerate natural resources, eliminate waste and produce healthy food without the need for harmful practices, according to a new report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Currently, for every dollar spent on food, society pays two dollars in health, environmental, and economic costs, the Cities and Circular Economy for Food…

Global giants join forces to end plastic waste

A new alliance including Procter & Gamble, Shell and Veolia will invest over US$1bn over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment. The cross value chain Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) is made up of 30 companies that make, use, sell, process, collect, and recycle plastics. Its aim is…

An edible coating that promises to extend the shelf life of fruit and vegetables is set to achieve regulatory approval later this year. The plant-derived coating called Apeel is applied post-harvest as a spray, dip or brush-bed system and creates an optimal micro-climate which maintains the quality and freshness of the product without refrigeration, according…

Supermarkets marketing imported veg as British

The huge banners showcasing British produce in many supermarkets are inaccurate, according to an investigation by the Sunday Mirror. An investigation by the paper found discrepancies at seven retailers, including Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose, Lidl, Asda, Morrisons and Aldi. Tesco and Asda branches, for example, cited specific British farmers in banners sitting over produce…

Are most consumers really turning green?

Three out of four Brits are reducing consumption of products that “have a harmful impact” on the environment or their health, according to a new survey. Some 46% say they have actively cut use of plastic. One in five are eating less meat, with most (56%) doing so for health reasons or “the greater good” (39%). The…

UK shoppers are less concerned about sustainability than their European counterparts, according to IRI’s latest European Shopper Insights Survey. The research involved 3,300 consumers from seven European countries, including more than 500 in the UK. It showed that: 65% of UK consumers prefer to buy products from companies that demonstrate fairness, transparency and integrity (versus…

Plastic plans slammed for lacking coherence

Retailers have been accused of taking a “pick-and-mix” approach to reducing plastic and lacking a “coherent vision” for tackling pollution. A new analysis has found that ten of the UK’s biggest supermarket chains are putting over 800,000 tonnes of single-use plastic on the market every year. Greenpeace UK and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) asked…

Health, price and environment are driving meat-free trend

Demand for vegetarian and meat-free foods continues to rise in the UK, with 34% of consumers having limited or reduced their meat consumption this year. This rises to 40% amongst 25- to 34-year-olds, according to new research published by Mintel. The shift towards flexitarian diets is driven by health (32%), saving money (31%) and environmental…

Food suppliers are reporting increased packaging, energy and ingredients costs amid a general fall in business confidence linked to Brexit uncertainty. The Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) latest business confidence survey also revealed that over a third (38%) of food and drink manufacturers surveyed are facing rising costs as a result of stockpiling ahead of…