Grocery sector news updates

Brands fail to meet palm oil commitments
Greenpeace has accused a number of consumer goods giants including PepsiCo and Kellogg’s of failing to remove palm oil linked to deforestation from their supply chains. A new report from the campaign group claims that despite commitments made under the…
Brexit – an opportunity to promote local fish
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has said Brexit provides an opportunity to swap the traditional “top five favourite fish” for new, more sustainable choices. “UK consumers tend to stick to their tried and tested top five – both in taste…
Greenpeace adds voice to ‘less meat’ message
Greenpeace has added its voice to the growing chorus of NGOs calling on people to eat less meat to help tackle climate change. This week the charity launched a global campaign with the goal of reducing meat and dairy production…
Ethical products “too pricey” and untrustworthy, say shoppers
Almost half of all shoppers (45%) are put off buying ethical products because they’re too expensive. The survey of 2,000 consumers, commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation for Fairtrade Fortnight, also found that 16% of consumers shun ethical products because they…
Shoppers get first taste of plastic-free aisles
The world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle was unveiled in an Amsterdam supermarket this week. More than 700 plastic-free products are included in the pilot at Dutch supermarket chain Ekoplaza. Everything from meat and rice to dairy and chocolate will be…
Microplastics found in 75% of deep sea fish
A new study has found microplastics to be present in the gut of almost three quarters of deep sea fish, leading to fears that levels of ingestion are higher than previously thought. Researchers from National University of Ireland Galway found…
Labour shortages leave food rotting in fields
There have been plenty of warnings, but new data released by the National Farmers Union shows that the vote the leave the European Union has left fruit and vegetable farmers woefully short of workers. More than 4,300 vacancies went unfilled,…
New food council needs workers’ voice, says union
Workers should have a voice as part of the UK government’s new Food and Drink Sector Council to stop it “becoming an exclusive talking shop for big business”, the GMB Union has said. The Council, whose aim is to boost…
New front-of-pack labelling guide
IGD has launched a new guide to help improve the consistency of information that food companies provide on nutritional labels. Almost one in two shoppers (46%) think front-of-pack labels are too difficult to read. However, 45% would like to learn…
Ban price promotions, says Action on Sugar
Health campaigners want a ban on price promotions for confectionery and the sugar tax extended to sweets and chocolates. Action on Sugar assessed 95 different products, with some containing 29 teaspoons of sugar – almost four times the recommended daily…