Out of Home News Analysis

Out of home sector news analysis. Get the inside track on the key stories breaking in the out of home food and drink sector, from Footprint’s expert researchers and editorial team.

Carbon labelling: do the numbers finally add up?

Carbon labelling: do the numbers finally add up?
Leon has added carbon labels to its menus, while Unilever hopes to publish emissions data for its entire portfolio. Could the days of treading carefully on carbon footprints be over? David Burrows reports. Are carbon labels worth a second look? It is something I have been mulling over recently as interest in the concept once…
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Yes (or no), minister?

Yes (or no), minister?
Hospitality might not get the minister it wants, but the government has to work more closely with the sector on a green recovery roadmap. David Burrows reports.  Last Monday, MPs gathered to debate e-petition 552201 – the creation of a minister for hospitality – which has more than 200,000 supporters. What happened? Well, there was…
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Pushing plants beyond Veganuary

Pushing plants beyond Veganuary
Covid-19 has stifled some of the expected innovation in plant-based foods this month, but there’s plenty of room for growth in the category this year. Nick Hughes reports. The New Year tidal wave of plant-based product launches is fast becoming a January institution. Last year, over 550 new vegan options were added into chain restaurants…
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Political Print: A scientific spring?

Political Print: A scientific spring?
The UK government wants to promote controversial crop-breeding technologies like gene editing. Foodservice businesses need to be part of the debate, says Nick Hughes. “Now that we have left the EU, we are free to make coherent policy decisions based on science and evidence.” So declared the environment secretary George Eustice last week as he…
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Can reuse roadmap really drive change?

Can reuse roadmap really drive change?
An ambitious set of targets for ramping up the use of reusable materials is welcome, but the plan is let down by a lack of business engagement, writes David Burrows. WHAT’S NEW? Campaigners at City to Sea and consultants at Eunomia have together produced a “roadmap” to help foodservice companies reduce disposable packaging and encourage…
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Mindful drinking offers New Year cheer

Mindful drinking offers New Year cheer
Sobriety and sustainability present a heady opportunity for hospitality businesses, says Robyn Black. Dry January and Sober October have caught-on in recent years but for a growing number of people, drinking mindfully all year round is the sensible way to cut down on the booze. What is mindful drinking, though, and what are the opportunities…
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From crisis to opportunity

From crisis to opportunity
New business models, new proteins, new carbon commitments and new regulations. Foodservice companies will need more of the agility and responsibility they showed during the pandemic as they head into 2021, says Nick Hughes. A New Year brings new hope and, of course, a flurry of predictions for the key issues and trends set to…
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Bowls, plates and government appeals

Bowls, plates and government appeals
The Scottish Government is “proposing a ban on almost all food containers, including bio-based and compostable products” claimed a Vegware blog published on Friday. No it’s not. At least not as part of the current consultation on market restrictions for various single-use plastic items, which could come into force by the end of next year.…
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Brexit: a giant leap into the unknown

Brexit: a giant leap into the unknown
With just days to go until the end of the transition period the lack of certainty over future trade arrangements presents major problems for food businesses and their supply chains. Nick Hughes reports. So here we are: 1,635 days after the vote to leave the European Union and the UK’s future outside the world’s largest…
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Plastic policies in a pickle

Plastic policies in a pickle
Delayed consultations and rows over definitions are creating a chaotic policy environment. The internal markets bill is set to further muddy the waters. David Burrows reports.            On October 1st the Environmental Protection (Plastic Straws, Cotton Buds and Stirrers) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force banning the sale of single-use straws, stirrers and cotton buds.…
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