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.

Sunak urged to focus on the big picture

Sunak urged to focus on the big picture
As the prime minister brought together industry bigwigs to tackle food price inflation civil society leaders called for a holistic strategy to put the entire system on a more sustainable footing. Nick Hughes reports.  The prime minister has hosted a summit of food and farming industry leaders to discuss ways to alleviate the surging cost…
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FSA beefs up food fraud defences

FSA beefs up food fraud defences
The regulator wants to see better sharing of information and intelligence following a major investigation into meat fraud within the UK food chain. Nick Hughes reports. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is hoping new anti-fraud measures will protect the public against “rogue actors and criminal activity” within the food supply chain. These include better mechanisms…
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The big processed food fight

The big processed food fight
The publication of a new book on ultra-processed foods has once again exposed clear divisions over their impact on health and the environment. Nick Hughes reports. It’s shaping up to be the defining nutrition debate of our time. Disagreement over the role of ultra-processed foods in our diets has been simmering away for years amid…
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Friday digest: low carbon beef, vegan warnings and plant-based profits

Friday digest: low carbon beef, vegan warnings and plant-based profits
We recently reported on the concept of low carbon beef, with a scheme set up in the US to “provide better information” on the environmental impact of burgers and steak. “[…] if we can produce beef with less greenhouse gas emissions, we should,” said CEO and founder Colin Beal. The scheme certifies beef from cattle that are at least…
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COMMENT: Who is policing press releases for greenwash?

COMMENT: Who is policing press releases for greenwash?
With marketing teams facing restrictions on the environmental claims they can make we should brace ourselves for a rise in misleading media communications, says David Burrows. Greenwashing is “rampant” in the food sector, according to an analysis published by the Changing Markets Foundation in March. The NGO pointed the finger at a number of grocery and foodservice…
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PLASTICS PACKAGE: Single-use supporters shoot silver bullets

PLASTICS PACKAGE: Single-use supporters shoot silver bullets
McDonald’s approach to refill and reuse and its new report on the concept has left us both parched and puzzled. By David Burrows. It is 2023. So we should be able to walk into a high street restaurant or hot beverage chain and ask for our reusable bottle to be refilled, shouldn’t we? Don’t bet…
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The Friday Digest: Green fleets and the true price of a coffee 

The Friday Digest: Green fleets and the true price of a coffee 
BBC News has been reporting this week from America on the billions of pounds being poured into low-carbon industries via Joe Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act. Transport is one area of focus with the bill providing support for electric vehicle purchasing, manufacturing and infrastructure.   The UK’s own green transport drive risks looking rather low horsepower by comparison. That’s despite…
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Scotland bottles DRS (again and again)

Scotland bottles DRS (again and again)
Will it be a case of ‘third time lucky’ as first minister postpones deposit return scheme until 2024. David Burrows reports. Humza Yousaf’s inaugural speech as first minister was pitched as “new leadership, a fresh start for Scotland”. But for environmental policy it was the same old story of a politician who is “committed” to change but…
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A nation in need of a sugar solution 

A nation in need of a sugar solution 
The UK supply of sugar is three times what we should be eating for our health. No wonder obesity strategies continue to fail, writes Nick Hughes. There can be few better examples of modern day policy failure than that of obesity. Every UK government since 1992 has identified obesity as a major problem, according to…
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