news analysis
THE FRIDAY DIGEST: Unpicking another food strategy
All eyes were on Bradford this week where Daniel Zeichner, minister for food security and rural affairs, launched the government’s new food strategy for England… Read More
Going nuts about carbon credits
There is no hiding from the fact that carbon offsets are risky, so are UK-based projects a safer bet for food companies? By David Burrows.… Read More
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Out of home news
Enforce school food standards, parents tell government
Parents want to see rules governing the quality of school meals in England properly enforced ahead of a government review of standards. In June, the… Read More
Intensive chicken production risks breaking welfare laws
Animal welfare campaigners have warned chicken farmers they could be breaking the law by rearing fast-growing breeds. The Humane League UK (THL UK) has sent… Read More
Extreme weather here to stay, says Met Office
Extreme weather is now the norm for the UK as a result of climate change, according to meteorologists. The Met Office said its latest assessment… Read More
drinks news
EPR ire overshadows circular economy opportunity
The duel over the new EPR scheme for packaging shows no signs of ending as the final base fees are announced. But there is a… Read More
Can plastic in paper bottles be reduced? Absolutely, says Pernod
Pernod Ricard is closing in a vodka bottle that is fully biodegradable. “Absolut has successfully trialled an industry-first paper-based cap and bottle duo as part… Read More
grocery news
Retailers demand urgent action on deforestation law
Supermarkets are urging the UK Government to ban illegal deforestation in food supply chains or risk creating trade barriers with the EU. In an open… Read More
US study shows consumers how to keep clean of pesticides
Bananas and cauliflower have joined this year’s ‘clean fifteen’, while blackberries and potatoes have ended up on the ‘dirty dozen’ list, with worrying levels of… Read More
Commitment on caged chickens traps Iceland
Supermarket Iceland has been dubbed “the UK’s worst supermarket for caging hens” as it faces failure in a commitment to go cage-free before the end… Read More
latest footprint intelligence reports
The 2025 Footprint Sustainability Index, in association with Nestlé Professional, is now available as a free download.
Drawing on insights generously shared by hospitality and foodservice leaders, consumer polling and wider industry analysis, this year’s Index also explores how AI may be poised to… Read More
Footprint Intelligence white paper: Deliver commercial advantage through sustainable water management in association with Waterscan
Reliable access to water is a critical risk factor for hospitality and foodservice businesses. As global temperatures continue to rise and extreme weather events become more commonplace, access… Read More
Data, decarbonisation and diet: how foodservice can benefit as a net-zero leader, in association with Foodsteps
This is billed as the decisive decade for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C we must… Read More
Water stewardship and regeneration in the drinks industry; where next? in association with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
From soft drinks to beer, water is a vital resource that powers the drinks industry. Water is already high up the sustainability agenda for businesses… Read More
Empowering choice: how and why to market higher welfare in hospitality and foodservice, in association with RSPCA Assured
Ask most hospitality and foodservice insiders what marketing they’re doing around animal welfare and most likely you’ll have a tumbleweed moment. The reality is too… Read More
The 3.2 Billion Cup Challenge: making the most of the mandatory take back scheme in foodservice settings, in association with Valpak and Reconomy.
It was in March 2016 that celebrity chef-turned campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall travelled through London in his ‘coffee cup battle bus’ to raise awareness of the 2.5… Read More
award winners’ case studies
Highly Commended Case Study: FareShare FLEX (Food Life Extension) Programme X Mc Donald’s
Overview FareShare is the UK’s leading charity tackling food waste and hunger by redistributing surplus food to over 8,000 charities and community groups. In response… Read More
Highly Commended Case Study: Oil Chef’s CEO, Sean Farry, reflects on their double-whammy result at the 2025 Foodservice Footprint Awards
Millions of operators have transformed the way that they fry with our device, yet our journey here in the UK has only just begun, hence… Read More
Footprint Awards Highly Commended Case Study: Wild Venison on Jura – School Meals Project
WILD VENISON ON JURA – SCHOOL MEALS PROJECT THE PROBLEM There are approximately 6000 wild deer on the island of Jura, and 200 people. Large… Read More
latest footprint podcasts
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional. Episode 6: Can Artificial Intelligence turbocharge sustainability?
In our latest Sustainability Bites podcast, in association with Nestlé Professional, we take a closer look at AI and the possible profound impact on sustainability… Read More
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional. Episode 5: Scope 3: Measuring Industry Progress in association with Nestlé Professional
In this episode of Sustainability Bites we do a deep-dive into industry progress on all matters Scope 3. Scope 3 remains one of the sector’s… Read More
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional. Episode 4: The future of talent in hospitality & foodservice
As part of Nestlé Professional’s ‘Choose Hospitality Pledge’ we’re delighted to release the latest in the series of Sustainability Bites podcasts – Hospitality & Foodservice:… Read More
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional. Episode 3 – Packaging: materials and substitution
Sustainability Bites, in association with Nestlé Professional, is a podcast which unpicks the key sustainability issues affecting the hospitality and foodservice sector. In this episode… Read More
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional – Episode 2: Packaging & Waste
Sustainability Bites, in association with Nestle Professional, is a podcast which unpicks the key sustainability issues affecting the hospitality and foodservice sector. This episode focuses… Read More
Sustainability Bites in association with Nestlé Professional – Episode 1: Cost of Living Crisis: Foodservice & Hospitality
Sustainability Bites is a series of podcasts featuring panel discussions between industry experts that focus on some of the key sustainability issues and topics that… Read More
comment, opinion & analysis
COMMENT: Consider a cautious approach to plastic credits
Plastic offsets could be part of the solution to reduce plastic waste – but plastic neutral claims are risky. Plastic credits have gained traction as… Read More
COMMENT: Our reusable cup is more than half full, says Jane Martin
I read David Burrows’ recent article – ‘The refill pot is empty’ – with interest and, if I’m honest, have some sympathy for the frustration… Read More
Report, react and reduce
Data can help foodservice companies keep pace with reporting rules and deliver their 2030 reduction targets. By David Burrows. More than a decade-and-a-half has passed… Read More
Educating Britain one label at a time
Eco-labels are bringing transparency to the climate and nature impact of our meal choices but more data is needed to understand the effect they have… Read More
Consistency as standard – the drive to define scope 3
Moves aimed at harmonising how food and drink businesses account for value chain emissions have the potential to unlock a range of benefits. By Nick… Read More
Don’t fall foul of new green claims regime
April 7th 2025 was a landmark date for food businesses making environmental claims. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) came into force,… Read More
What does forced labour clampdown mean for food?
Under a new EU law, businesses can be forced to withdraw any product linked to worker exploitation in the supply chain. But will its bark… Read More
Green claims: are we heading for a fine mess?
Fines for greenwashing could rise to eye-watering amounts under new powers for the CMA, so corporates making claims must be cautious. By David Burrows. “It’s… Read More
waste
Bitter battle ahead in final plastics treaty talks
Negotiations on a global deal to end plastic pollution continue to sidestep the production of plastics. David Burrows reports. “How did you go bankrupt?” Bill… Read More
Briefing: Wrap’s ‘next generation’ packaging pact
Can a new industry agreement to tackle plastic prevent another five years of poor performance? By David Burrows. Wrap’s future plastic pact plans. The environmental charity… Read More
health & vitality
Health & Nutrition Elite Honoured
Health and nutrition returned to the limelight today as the awards were presented for the 2023 Health & Vitality Honours. After a pandemic induced hiatus… Read More
The 2023 Health & Vitality Roll of Honours is announced
The initiatives demonstrated in 2023’s Health & Vitality Honours programme have highlighted that health, nutrition and wellbeing in the industry is back on the agenda… Read More
Poorest priced out of healthy food
A new report has called for urgent change in the UK’s food policies to reverse a growing crisis of affordability and accessibility. Nick Hughes reports.… Read More
political print
POLITICAL PRINT: Reeves’s war on red tape risks coming unstuck
The chancellor’s determination to remove the burden of regulation is not what responsible businesses or the public say they want, says Nick Hughes. “Today we… Read More
POLITICAL PRINT: Producers pay the price for broken system
Defra’s decision to suddenly shut its sustainable farming scheme exposes a number of hard truths about fixing our broken food system. By David Burrows. On… Read More
footprint event reports
Don’t fall foul of new green claims regime
April 7th 2025 was a landmark date for food businesses making environmental claims. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) came into force,… Read More
Tread carefully along the thin green line
New rules relating to making green claims are confusing, which is bad news for food companies and good news for lawyers. David Burrows reports. “Green,… Read More
Footprint Forum report: Getting into the weeds of ‘regen ag’
Speakers at a recent Footprint Forum were excited about the potential to transform farming through regenerative practices but challenges remain around financing and the risk… Read More
Footprint video
Events photo galleries
Photo gallery: Footprint Awards 2025
The Footprint Awards dinner this year was once again held at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on Thursday 22nd May. Read More
Gallery: The 2024 waste2zero Awards
The 2024 waste2zero awards that recognise excellence in Waste Management and Prevention in the out of home food and drink sector, were presented at an exclusive… Read More
Gallery: The 2024 Drinks Sustainability Awards
Leaders from across the drinks industry were at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London’s Portland Place as businesses came together to recognise… Read More
interviews with foodservice and grocery sector professionals
Interview: Plant push needs reality check
Alternative proteins have potential, but they aren’t a free pass to sustainable consumption, according to Aramark head of ESG, Gina Camfield. By David Burrows. “When… Read More
Solving the culture and data challenge
Creating a sustainability-focussed culture and getting credible data to reduce menu impacts are two urgent challenges for HaFS businesses. Amy Fetzer chews over potential solutions… Read More
INTERVIEW: A new dawn for foodservice finance?
Compass Group’s sustainability lead Amy Keister tells Nick Hughes how the caterer will use proceeds from the sector’s first sustainable bonds to turbocharge its net-zero… Read More
innovation marketplace
Driving Real Change: apetito unveils bold Carbon Reduction Plans with updated SBTi Validation
Off the back of hitting a major milestone in its 2025 carbon reduction journey, leading UK meals provider, apetito, has taken its climate ambition to… Read More
From bottles to big thrills: Coca-Cola and Merlin Entertainments team up to turn empty plastic bottles into VIP fun at Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Cadbury World and beyond
From a single recycled bottle to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Coca-Cola and Merlin are making sustainability fun and rewarding for families across the UK. This summer,… Read More
Case Study: How Nestlé is working with farmers to futureproof coffee supplies
In a bid to boost regenerative agriculture and create more resilient coffee farming practices, Nestlé has been working with coffee farmers to make lasting improvements.… Read More