Friday bites
A carefully curated newsletter containing the most important stories from the past week.
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Foodservice key to organic growth plan
Defra has published a long-awaited ‘Organic action plan for England’, which sets a pathway for tripling organic farming over the next decade
UK complacent over food system threats
Growing disquiet over a lack of leadership from politicians and business leaders in addressing the vulnerabilities of the UK’s food system was summed up in two letters dispatched to Whitehall
Industry insiders return with stark food warning
Another summer of extreme weather, coupled with the threat posed by the approaching El Niño, has prompted a fresh warning by industry whistle-blowers over the UK food system’s vulnerability to such shocks
IGD seizes the initiative over food strategy
There has been confusion and concern expressed over the “next phase” of England’s national food strategy, as food policy experts lined up to question the increasing role of industry in developing the framework
Manufacturers pledge to publish healthy sales data
Five leading food and drink manufacturers sought to get ahead of the regulatory curve this week by pledging to publish data on the healthiness of their product portfolios
EU food procurement to reward sustainability
Food has been recognised as a priority sector in a new EU regulation designed to modernise and simplify the bloc’s public procurement framework, as well as reward environmental, ethical and social qualities rather than just prioritise cost
Fears for Scottish Food Commission after integration
The eyes of food policy watchers were cast north of the border this week as the Scottish Government announced its programme for government for the next five years
Secondary schools fail to meet food standards
It has long been suspected that the current School Food Standards (SFS) in England are not widely adhered to due to a lack of monitoring and enforcement. This week, campaign group Bite Back supplied further evidence to support the suspicion
Quorn turns to blended products to kickstart recovery
Quorn posted some promising financial figures this week, with stronger retail sales and a rebuilding of gross margins helping to boost revenue. But the meat substitute supplier’s performance in foodservice has left investors frowning
Ministers meet to discuss extreme weather
Ministers from Defra and the Department for Health and Social Care along with officials from the Environment Agency joined Burnham to discuss the immediate threat from wildfires and pressure on water supplies
