Foodservice News Analysis

Foodservice news analysis. Get the inside track on the key stories breaking in the foodservice sector, from Footprint’s expert researchers and editorial team.

Footprint Investigation: Parliament burnt by compostable pledge

A Footprint investigation has discovered that large volumes of new compostable packaging from the Houses of Parliament are being sent for incineration due to shortcomings in the waste supply chain. By Nick Hughes. More than a year after UK Parliament first announced plans to switch to new compostable packaging, Footprint can reveal that none of…

Food businesses could be forced to use specific packaging materials in new plans being drafted by the Labour party, writes David Burrows. The policy – under consideration as part of a new resources and waste strategy – would limit choice in order to reduce confusion among consumers and improve the quality of recycling streams. “I…

Businesses must meet ‘Natasha’s Law’ by summer 2021

The government has announced it is making full ingredients labelling on pre-packed foods a legal requirement. It’s a decision that has pleased allergy campaigners and consumers, although it’s not been welcomed universally… Food businesses will have to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged foods by summer 2021, the government has announced. The new legislation –…

Food safety and standards under “strain” as checks are missed

Some local authorities are failing to meet their legal responsibilities to ensure food businesses comply with food laws, according to a report by the National Audit Office. The proportion of hygiene checks of businesses (including detecting unsafe food) that were “due” and successfully carried out increased between 2012-13 and 2017-18, from 82% to 86%. However,…

Why we’re still waiting for out-of-home calorie labelling

The government is dragging its heels about revealing its preferred next steps on the provision of mandatory calorie labelling in the out-of-home sector. Nick Hughes takes an in-depth look at the reasons for this apparent indecision. Foodservice businesses looking for clarity on new calorie labelling rules may have to wait a little longer yet. More…

Compostables: (138,000) tonnes of potential

A new report examines the costs and benefits of compostable packaging for the UK market. David Burrows takes a closer look. The Plastics in the Bioeconomy report published this month may well have passed you by. However, the 50-odd pages, compiled by Ricardo Energy & Environment for the Biomass Refinery Network, offered arguably the first…

Will a ‘dream’ to tax unhealthy food become a reality?

Given the nature of her public statements, the industry shouldn't be surprised if, in a review commissioned by the government, England's chief medical officer recommends the taxing of unhealthy foods, writes David Burrows. Health secretary Matt Hancock has commissioned England's chief medical officer (CMO) Professor Dame Sally Davies to “urgently review” what more can be…

Glass Half Full: Firms unveil an array of waste-cutting initiatives

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to the world of waste we go for our regulartrawl through the food sector’s good news stories. Nick Hughes reports. First up in our latest roundup of noteworthy initiatives is a waste-reduction effort by AMT Fruit, which supplies Tesco with 11m boxes of fruit each year. Operational waste has been slashed…

Is foodservice ready for full ingredient labelling?

In the wake of high-profile allergy deaths, the FSA is supporting moves to make full ingredient labelling mandatory for packaged food served outside the home. But the proposed solution won’t be welcomed universally, reports Nick Hughes. The determined efforts of allergen campaigners have paid off. Earlier this month, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) backed mandatory…

PLASTICS PACKAGE: The final straw? (and stirrer)

This month’s package is so full of stuff that even a rotting biodegradable bag might tear under the strain. Plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds will be banned in England from April next year. This follows “overwhelming public support” for the move, according to DEFRA. England uses an estimated 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316m…