30 / 03 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

A number of developments this week point to increasing pressure on delivery across the food system. Climate disruption, geopolitical instability and shifting consumer dynamics are beginning to test whether current strategies are sufficient to meet the scale of change required. 

Here are the key developments: 

1. Delivery risk moves to the centre of food system debate New commentary highlights the widening gap between industry commitments and the capability required to deliver them. For food businesses this brings greater focus to execution risk across workforce, supply chains and long term transformation plans. Read more: The Grocer

2. Climate pressure intensifies as system limits are reached New data showing record energy imbalance reinforces the scale and immediacy of climate risk. Food businesses face increasing exposure to disruption across production systems, input availability and long term sourcing strategies. Read more: The Guardian

3. Weight loss drugs begin to reshape food demand The growing use of weight loss drugs is influencing grocery spend, takeaway consumption and food choices. This introduces a new demand side dynamic that could reshape category performance and portfolio strategy.  Read more: YouGov

4. New field notes: where food system transformation is stalling Early signals from across farming, retail, foodservice and manufacturing suggest trust, delivery capability and honest leadership conversations are emerging as the real constraints. Read more: Kate Cawley- LinkedIn

5. Incentives begin to reshape farm level emissions performance New scheme offering payments for emissions reduction reflects a shift towards linking environmental outcomes with farm income. This introduces new expectations for supply chains and procurement models. Read more: The Grocer

6. Deforestation regulation uncertainty raises sourcing risk Major chocolate companies are calling for progress on UK rules banning deforestation linked imports. Continued uncertainty creates compliance risk and complicates sourcing strategies across global supply chains. Read more: Edie

7. Food supply resilience warnings intensify New warnings suggest the UK food system could face severe disruption within the next decade without intervention. This reinforces the strategic importance of resilience planning across sourcing, production and distribution. Read more: The Times

8. Health claims scrutiny highlights regulatory and reputational risk The ASA’s ruling in the Zoe case highlights growing scrutiny over how health claims are communicated to consumers. For food businesses this increases regulatory exposure and raises the bar for evidence based marketing. Read more: The Grocer

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23 / 03 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Alignment on food system reform is strengthening across industry and civil society. The challenge is no longer direction of travel, but whether incentives, regulation and market signals can convert ambition into delivery.

Here are the key developments: 

1. Alignment builds across industry and civil society on food system reform Recent discussions in Westminster highlight growing alignment between NGOs and industry on health, resilience and sustainability priorities. The challenge now shifts to whether policy can keep pace with the level of ambition emerging across the sector. Read more: Future Food Movement 

2. Food waste remains an embedded commercial and climate risk Food waste continues to be designed into food systems, with implications for both emissions and margin performance. For businesses this reinforces the need to address inefficiencies across supply chains and product design. Read more: Helen Ireland - LinkedIn 

3. Climate pressure intensifies as system limits are tested New data showing the Earth’s energy imbalance at record levels reinforces the scale and urgency of climate risk. For food businesses, this signals increasing exposure to volatility across production, supply chains and input costs. Read more: The Guardian 

4. Consumer tech begins to influence product reformulation The rise of apps that rate food products on health metrics is beginning to shape reformulation decisions across the food industry. This reflects a growing consumer driven pressure on product composition and transparency. Read more: Washington Post

5. Incentives shift towards on farm emissions reduction New schemes offering financial rewards for emissions reduction highlight how environmental performance is becoming more directly linked to farm economics. This marks a move towards outcome-based incentives within agricultural supply chains. Read more: The Grocer

6. Public support for climate action stronger than assumed Research suggests policymakers and media are underestimating public backing for climate measures. This may reduce perceived political risk for more ambitious food and agriculture policy interventions. Read more: Business Green 

7. Regulation expands into healthy sales performance The FSA’s move to regulate healthy food sales targets signals a potential shift towards more direct oversight of product portfolios. For retailers and manufacturers this increases exposure to regulatory scrutiny linked to health outcomes. Read more: The Grocer 

8. Land use policy becomes a central strategic constraint England’s first Land Use Framework highlights growing competition between food production, housing, nature and water priorities. This creates additional pressure on land availability and long term sourcing strategies. Read more: Water Magazine 

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16 / 03 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

This week’s developments highlight growing strategic pressure across the food system. Signals across supply resilience, investment dynamics and consumer health trends point to a sector facing increasing scrutiny and accelerating change. 

Here are the key developments: 

1. Food security debate moves into resilience planning Warnings that the UK may need to stockpile food in response to climate shocks or geopolitical disruption highlight the country’s reliance on imports and limited domestic production capacity. For food businesses the discussion signals rising policy attention on national resilience and supply chain security. Read more: The Guardian

2. School meals emerge as a strategic lever for food system reform New analysis suggests school meal programmes could play a more central role in delivering EU health and sustainability policy goals. Public procurement at this scale has the potential to shape agricultural demand and supplier strategy across the region. Read more: Politico

3. Investor patience thins in alternative protein markets Investors in meat alternatives are calling for clearer commercial pathways as the sector moves beyond its early growth phase. Businesses in the category face increasing pressure to demonstrate profitability and long-term demand rather than relying on future market expectations. Read more: Food Navigator

4. China embeds new proteins in long term economic strategy China’s draft priorities for its 15th Five Year Plan include alternative proteins and biomanufacturing as part of its climate and industrial strategy. This signals growing state level support for new food technologies and intensifies global competition in protein innovation. Read more: Green Queen

5. Regenerative certification gains commercial traction Regenerative Organic Certified is emerging as one of the fastest growing food labels as retailers and brands look to demonstrate credible sustainability credentials. The trend reflects rising demand for verified environmental claims and greater scrutiny of supply chain practices. Read more: Food Navigator

6. Health concerns reshape processed meat purchasing UK sales data show shoppers shifting away from nitrite cured bacon towards nitrite free alternatives as awareness of health risks increases. For manufacturers this signals growing pressure to reformulate products and respond to changing consumer health expectations. Read more: Food Ingredients First

7. European rice producers warn of import pressure Rice producers across the EU are raising concerns over rising imports which they argue threaten domestic production and market stability. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between trade policy and the protection of regional food production. Read more: Tovima

8. Bakery ingredients sector consolidates through major acquisition Puratos’ agreement to acquire Dawn Foods signals continued consolidation in the global bakery ingredients market. The deal reflects a strategic push for scale and capability as ingredient suppliers compete to support innovation and efficiency across food manufacturing. Read more: Food and Drink Technology

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09 / 03 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Recent developments across the food sector point to a tightening intersection of regulation, supply chain risk and changing market demands. From ingredient volatility to labelling rules and alternative protein policy, signals reinforced how quickly operating conditions are shifting for food businesses. 

Here are the key developments: 

1. Human capital gap emerges as a transformation risk Future Food Movement’s latest report highlights how workforce capability shortages may be one of the biggest barriers to food system transformation. The analysis suggests that without stronger investment in skills and leadership capacity the sector may struggle to deliver the scale of change required across climate, health and resilience agendas. Read more: Future Food Movement Report

2. Regulators push for faster novel protein pathways FAO’s call for simpler regulation on cultivated meat and precision fermentation points to a more permissive global policy direction for alternative proteins. For food businesses, regulatory clarity is important as fragmented approval systems raise commercial risk and delay investment decisions. Read more: Green Queen

3. Big food accelerates portfolio repositioning Major food companies are stepping up M&A and rebrands as demand shifts towards healthier products. This reflects a market in which growth is increasingly tied to health positioning, making portfolio agility and brand relevance even more important for incumbents. Read more: Food Navigator

4. HFSS rules remain a live commercial risk UK talks on the nutrient profiling model suggest continued uncertainty over how junk food advertising and supermarket promotions will be regulated. Businesses exposed to HFSS categories face ongoing risk across their marketing, pricing and promotional strategy. Read more: The Grocer

5. Climate pressure reaches confectionery reformulation Nestlé’s move into cocoa free chocolate shows how climate related supply constraints are starting to influence product development. For manufacturers ingredient resilience is becoming a strategic issue as commodity disruption feeds through into cost, sourcing and innovation choices. Read more: Food Ingredients 1st

6. Public procurement becomes a plant-based market signal Helsinki’s decision to cut meat and dairy procurement by 50% by 2030 shows how public sector purchasing is being used to shape food system transition. This creates a clearer demand signal for suppliers while increasing pressure on incumbent categories exposed to policy led shifts in consumption. Read more: Vegconomist

7. Commodity markets soften but volatility remains Coffee prices have fallen after record highs as supply expectations improve and speculative pressure eases. Even so the story underlines how quickly commodity markets can swing, with implications for margin management, pricing decisions and forward buying strategies. Read more: Food Navigator

8. EU tightens boundaries on plant-based labelling The EU’s decision to ban 31 meat related terms for plant-based products points to continued regulatory scrutiny over category language. For branded food businesses this raises reformulation and packaging implications while increasing the importance of legal and reputational risk management in plant-based portfolios. Read more: The Guardian

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02 / 03 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s signals pointed to mounting pressure on food system resilience, from climate stress and labour gaps to category disruption. This week, that pressure sharpens around national food security, sourcing integrity and regulatory clarity.

Here are the key developments: 

1. ​UK food security framed as national stability risk Fresh analysis warns the UK food system could become a “tinderbox” in the face of cyber attacks, trade disruption or climate shocks. Dependence on imports is increasingly being positioned as a strategic vulnerability rather than a cost issue. Read more: The Guardian | BBC

2. Secretary of State signals reset on farming priorities In an address to the NFU, the Environment Secretary emphasised productivity, resilience and food security. Policy signals suggest continued balancing of environmental commitments with domestic production capacity. Read more: GOV.UK

3. Waitrose suspends mackerel sourcing over overfishing concerns Future Food Movement member Waitrose has paused sourcing of North East Atlantic mackerel amid sustainability concerns. The move highlights rising retailer willingness to withdraw products where governance gaps persist. Read more: edie

4. Investors shift from ESG narratives to evidence New HBR research suggests investors are reassessing ESG, placing greater weight on decision-useful data and demonstrated performance rather than broad commitments. For food businesses, this raises the bar on measurable delivery across climate, nature and health. 
Read more: Harvard Business Review

5. FSA chair calls for a full industry reset on obesity The FSA chair argues incremental change will not tackle obesity and says the sector needs a fundamental reset. This signals rising regulatory and reputational pressure on businesses whose portfolios are misaligned with public health goals. Read more: The Grocer

6. Gen Z skills gap poses long-term manufacturing risk New research warns UK manufacturing faces a serious skills shortage among younger workers. Without stronger engagement and clearer career pathways, labour constraints may become a structural drag on food production capacity. Read more: Food Manufacture

7. Grocer Social Impact Power List highlights influence shift The Grocer’s 2026 Social Impact Power List recognises leaders reshaping food and drink through community and environmental initiatives. Social performance is becoming more visible in sector leadership narratives. Read more: The Grocer

8. Soil biology moves into mainstream farming conversation Farmer-led Working Group member Tim Parton’s focus on soil biology reflects growing producer interest in regenerative approaches that prioritise input efficiency and long-term resilience. Read more: Wicked Leeks

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23 / 02 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s signals point to tightening accountability across environmental impacts, packaging and supply chain transparency, alongside early evidence of renewed consumer interest in veg led protein. For UK food leaders, the through line is operational proof and investable transition plans, not narrative.  

Here are the key developments: 

1. ​Supreme Court ruling tightens livestock pollution risk A final ruling in Spain that authorities must protect fundamental rights increases legal and reputational exposure for businesses linked to pollution impacts, including upstream and downstream partners facing scrutiny on sourcing standards. Read more: LinkedIn – ClientEarth 

2. Veg led plant based regains growth Tesco sights that demand is shifting towards simpler inputs and scratch cooking rather than heavily processed alternatives, which has implications for portfolio mix, own label strategy and ingredient sourcing. Read more: Tesco

3. Europe urged to plan for 3°C of global heating If policymakers move from incremental adaptation to mandatory risk assessments and resilience investment, food manufacturers and retailers should expect tighter expectations on climate risk disclosure, insurance assumptions and site and supply chain contingency planning. Read more: The Guardian

4. AgriFuture programme targets workforce diversity in agriculture New applications are open for the next cohort to generate a structured pipeline for underrepresented talent for UK farming and the talent market across primary production. Read more: LinkedIn – Navarantham Partheeban

5. Mondra and Inoqo merge as carbon data expectations harden Consolidation in product level sustainability intelligence reflects a shift towards fewer, larger data utilities across the supply chain. For retailers, manufacturers, brands and foodservice, this increases expectations around auditable product data, customer reporting and credible reduction plans. Read more: The Grocer

6. Cell based cacao tested with Cargill A major ingredient player testing controlled environment cacao ingredients indicates early moves to hedge supply and price volatility risk, with potential category implications for confectionery and beverages if performance and scalability criteria are met. Read more: LinkedIn – Forward Fooding 

7. Seafood traceability seen as value lever  A report finding that companies could unlock substantial value through improved traceability raises the stakes for brands exposed to opaque supply chains, including investor pressure and increased due diligence expectations from retail customers. Read more: The Grocer

8. Government weighs mandatory packaging reuse targets If mandatory reuse is pursued at scale by 2030, businesses should plan for capex, reverse logistics and packaging specification changes, alongside compliance risk for those with complex multi format portfolios. Read more: The Grocer

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16 / 02 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s signals show food businesses navigating category disruption, regulatory pressure and reputational recalibration. From dairy demand shifts to plant-based naming disputes and sustainability capability investment, the competitive landscape continues to tighten.  

Here are the key developments: 

1. ​Compass embeds sustainability capability at scale  Future Food Movement member Compass Group UK&I has launched the ACT Sustainability Academy to embed its Planet Promise commitments across the business. Kate Cawley is contributing to the programme’s development, focused on building sustainability capability at scale.  Read more Compass Group 

2. Plant-based naming battle intensifies across Europe  Major food companies are urging European policymakers not to restrict the use of meat-related terms for non-meat products. The debate signals growing regulatory risk for plant-based categories and potential brand repositioning costs.  Read more: The Guardian

3. Supreme Court ruling tightens dairy language controls  Oatly has expressed disappointment after the UK Supreme Court ruled in favour of dairy interests in a labelling dispute. The decision reinforces legal constraints on category naming and could shape future innovation positioning.  Read more: The Grocer 

4. GLP-1 drugs set to reshape UK dairy demand Future Food Movement member AHDB analysis suggests weight-loss medications may materially reduce demand for certain dairy categories. Producers and processors face potential structural shifts in consumption patterns.  Read more: AHDB

5. Myprotein moves into food-to-go with Greencore Myprotein has partnered with Future Food Movement member Greencore to launch a branded food-to-go range. The move signals further convergence between sports nutrition, mainstream retail and convenience formats. Read more: The Grocer

6. Business case for sustainability remains resilient New research from GlobeScan finds most executives still see sustainability as a value driver despite economic pressures. However, expectations around measurable impact are rising. Read more: GlobeScan

7. Retail ESG leadership under scrutiny Tesco, Gousto, Nestlé, Sainsbury's, NHS England, M&S, GSK, Meatly, Sodexo, Lidl, Diageo and Danone feature in the edie nomination-based list of 100 UK sustainability and climate leaders driving business action.  Read more: edie

8. Future of food strategies turn systemic  PwC’s Strategy& outlines structural shifts shaping the future of food, from supply chain redesign to portfolio transformation. The emphasis is on long-term operating model change rather than incremental adaptation.  Read more: PwC Strategy 

9. Institutional sustainability recalibration in Europe  The Norwegian EAT Foundation has announced it will wind down operations. The move reflects a changing funding and influence landscape in global food system advocacy.  Read more: LinkedIn - Daniel Skaven Ruben

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09 / 02 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s signals point to mounting pressure on food system resilience, from farm inputs and labour shortages to cocoa pricing and data infrastructure. At the same time, targeted innovation in breeding, nutrition tools and organics shows where adaptive advantage may emerge. 

Here are the key developments: 

1. ​UK food system nearing crisis thresholds New University of York research warns the UK food system is approaching a “perfect storm” of climate stress, trade exposure and dietary risk. The findings sharpen the case for preventative investment rather than reactive policy. Read more: University of York

2. Tony’s uses pricing transparency to protect cocoa supply Tony’s Chocolonely is maintaining higher prices in response to sustained cocoa inflation, prioritising farmer income over margin smoothing. The move shows how transparent pricing can be used to reinforce trust and long-term supply resilience. Read more: Grocery Gazette

3. Precision breeding funding targets crop resilience Major UK funding has been awarded to projects spanning sugar beet, oilseed rape, tomatoes and dandelions. Precision breeding is being positioned as a strategic lever for productivity and climate resilience. Read more: John Innes Centre

4. Skills gap threatens foodservice resilience  Future Food Movement member Sysco GB has called on government to address chronic labour shortages across foodservice and logistics. Without intervention, workforce constraints risk becoming a structural drag on growth and service capacity. Read more: The Grocer

5. Organic sales rise as value perception shifts Riverford reports rising organic sales as consumers increasingly link food quality with environmental impact. The trend suggests selective premiumisation remains viable where trust and provenance are clear. Read more: The Guardian

6. New nutrition tools widen inclusion gap signals Africari Check has launched as the first UK nutrition app built for African and Caribbean food. As health policy tightens, culturally relevant tools may shape who benefits from reform. Read more: Medium

7. Nutrient density gains traction as a performance lens New thinking on nutrient density is gaining visibility to move beyond single-metric health claims. This could reshape how products are assessed across health, sustainability and value. Read more: LinkedIn – Eric J Smith

8. Health leadership redefined at our February Expert Event Industry experts explored where health ambition breaks down in commercial reality and what it takes to shift demand at scale at Future Food Movement's February Expert Event. Read more and watch again: Future Food Movement 

9. The latest from our Farmer-led Working Group AI is rapidly becoming expected across food systems, but farmers continue to face volatility, weak contracts and rising costs. Without viable farm economics, technology risks adding complexity rather than resilience, reinforcing the need to design AI around real-world incentives.  Read more: Kate Cawley – LinkedIn | For the members report, email us. 

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02 / 02 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s signals from Sustainable Foods London and beyond show how fast the conversation on health, reformulation and commercial risk is escalating. Business leaders are calling for clarity on what “healthy” actually means, while consumers are showing flexible - but firm - boundaries on what they’ll accept. 

1. ​Reform momentum risks stalling without clarity The government’s proposed nutrient profiling model (NPM 2018) could significantly reshape reformulation by redefining free sugars and fibre scoring. Brands that previously passed HFSS thresholds may now fall short - from Doritos to Innocent juice. With complex labelling and reliance on supplier data, leaders warn this could stall progress until regulatory clarity improves. Read more: The Grocer

2. Sustainable Foods London reframes system failure Leaders described the food system as “broken”, not to provoke, but to acknowledge a shared reality. Health ambition and ESG claims are not enough without structural accountability and real-world change. Read more: Louis Bedwell - LinkedIn Read more: Siân Wynn-Jones, Future Food Movement

3. Tesco: Sustainability must sit at the centre Future Food Movement member Tesco’s CEO called sustainability the cornerstone of food industry resilience. This signals growing investor and operational alignment between ESG, strategy and supply chain decisions. Read more: Sustainability Online 

4. Health trade-offs show limits to reformulation New data shows consumers will compromise on shelf life and convenience to avoid ultra-processed foods - but not on taste or texture. Health-led reformulation must be commercially viable to scale. Read more: Lumina Intelligence 

5. Urban regeneration puts food industry at the table DEFRA is in early talks with food businesses to co-develop urban regeneration pilots focused on health, employment and environmental impact. Future Food Movement is among the organisations engaging this cross-sector initiative, which may open new roles for food in local resilience strategy. Read more: The Grocer

6. Brand trust under pressure as verification becomes free As health and sustainability labels proliferate, verification is becoming baseline rather than value-add. This challenges how brands build trust and raises the bar for credible claims. Read more: Antony Yousefian – LinkedIn

7. Supermarket sustainability rankings drive reputational pressure New analysis from Superlist ranks supermarkets on climate action, packaging, food waste and more. Investor and NGO scrutiny is expected to intensify. Read more: Jon Bennett – LinkedIn

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26 / 01 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

Last week’s key developments highlight rising pressure on the food sector to align health, sustainability and commercial resilience: 

1. UK's nature loss poses long-term supply risk New analysis reveals one in six UK species face extinction, underlining ecosystem fragility and long-term threats to land productivity. This increases future exposure for supply chains dependent on biodiversity and climate resilience.  Read more: BBC

2. Weight-loss drugs could reshape market fundamentals A Wellcome-backed foresight analysis sets out six future scenarios for GLP-1 drugs. From reformulation pressures to total category disruption, food businesses face increasing strategic pressure to respond. Read more: LinkedIn – Hugo Harper

3. Public health education called “a joke” by leading CEO Gousto’s founder, Timo Boldt, described UK food and health education as “a joke”, calling for structural action. Growing business frustration could drive stronger industry-led policy demands.  Read more: LinkedIn – Timo Boldt

4. Vegan Food Group collapses key UK operations VFG has made mass redundancies, wound down UK activity, and discontinued core plant-based lines. Regulatory delays blocked plant-based Just Egg’s UK launch, underlining how innovation risk and market viability remain tightly linked. Read more: The Grocer

5. Warburtons leans into fibre-led reformulation Future Food Movement member Warburtons launches products to support consumer fibre intake, echoing a shift toward product-led public health impact. Reformulation is becoming a strategic route to pre-empt policy or retailer pressure. Read more: The Grocer

6. Deforestation still missing from balance sheets Despite commitments, most companies are not adequately accounting for deforestation risks in financial reporting. This blind spot may present future regulatory and investor exposure.  Read more: Edie.net

7. Retail sourcing pressure builds on meat and dairy Eating Better has launched a new framework to guide UK food businesses on “less and better” sourcing. Morrisons is cited as a case study, but no major retailers have yet committed. Read more: Eating Better

8. Greggs and WWF leaders join new food strategy board The new board includes Future Food Movement member Greggs’ CEO and WWF’s UK chief, signalling an attempt to bridge commercial and environmental leadership. Participation signals are becoming part of reputational strategy. Read more: The Grocer

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19 / 01 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

In case you missed it last week, here were some of the biggest news stories and most interesting developments shaping the food system.

1. ​Farmers are delivering value the system is not paying for Our Future Food Movement team were at the Oxford Farming Conference 2026. Farmers said policy uncertainty and commercial pressure are undermining confidence and long-term supply security. This is a commercial risk, not just a political one, as weak incentives undermine long-term supply resilience. Read more: Our deep-dive on the conference

2. Global companies face pressure to turn ambition into action World Benchmarking Alliance analysis of 2,000 major firms shows wide gaps between climate and social commitments and real-world delivery. Investor and partner confidence is increasingly tied to evidence of progress, not pledges. Read more: World Benchmarking Alliance

3. Five years of climate pledges, limited delivery Zero Carbon Forum’s five-year review shows targets have moved faster than operational change across supply chains and investment. Competitive advantage is shifting to businesses that can turn ambition into measurable action. Read more: Zero Carbon Forum

4. Ocado reviews weight management aisle Ocado is updating its weight management range after concerns about product positioning and messaging. Retailers are being pushed to ensure health claims match real nutritional value and maintain consumer trust. Read more: The Grocer

5. AI shopping tools could disrupt big food’s model Antony Yousefian, a member of our Transformation Table, suggests AI agents may optimise shopping for health, price and dietary rules rather than brand or promotion. This could weaken impulse-driven growth and reward products that genuinely meet consumer priorities. Fascinating analysis. Read more: Antony’s LinkedIn article

6.Protein fatigue may be the next shift Sales remain strong, but consumer culture is pushing back against over-engineered “protein” products. Could investors soon expect more focus on credible, complete protein sources rather than functional hype? Read more: Modern Retail

7. Interpath warns on food brand risk exposure Interpath, a leading financial advisory firm, highlights growing financial and reputational risk when marketing claims outpace operational reality, with credibility gaps now reflected in formal risk assessments as well as media scrutiny. Read more: Thomas Swiers, Interpath

8. In Good Taste explores what really shapes food choices Mallika Basu’s new book looks beyond trends to examine how culture, power and everyday decisions shape what we eat. For anyone working in food, it offers a grounded way to think about influence, responsibility and how real change happens across the system.
Read more: Future Food Movement's book review

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12 / 01 / 2026 WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY EDIT

In case you missed it last week, here were some of the biggest news stories and most interesting developments to start the year.

1. ​Signals from the Oxford Farming Conference Our team attended OFC 2026, where resilience, farm economics and supply risk dominated discussion. Sustainability and commercial viability are now shaping the same decisions. We'll share a full write up, next week. Read more: LinkedIn

2. Protein, GLP-1s and changing demand Appetite-suppressing drugs and health priorities are reshaping how much people eat and what they buy. Our view is that Marks and Spencer is setting the pace with products built for longer-term health, not just smaller portions. Greggs says portions and sales are already shifting, while BMJ evidence shows everyday food choices still matter most. Read more: BBC / BMJ

3. US dietary guidelines push protein harder New US guidance leans heavily into higher protein, largely from animal sources, pulling the country away from planetary health advice used elsewhere. For global brands, this widens the gap between health messaging, climate commitments and product strategy. Read more: US Dietary Guidelines​

4. UK HFSS ad restrictions arrive in 2026 From January 2026, “less healthy” food cannot be advertised before 9pm on TV or online at any time, including paid social and influencer content. For many brands, this removes a major growth channel unless reformulation or portfolio shifts happen fast. Read more: The Grocer's HFSS guide

5.Meat and dairy face whistleblower pressure A paper published late last year highlights insider concerns about welfare, environmental claims and supply chain practices in the meat and dairy sector. Our Founder, Kate Cawley comments on the findings in this article. Read more: Just Food

6.Sustainability roles shift to value More companies are reframing sustainability leadership around commercial impact. Environmental and social strategy is now judged by what it delivers on cost, growth and resilience, not just what it reports. Read more: LinkedIn

7.Climate volatility hits crop planning Farmers warn that unpredictable weather is making long-term crop planning increasingly difficult. For buyers, this means greater supply risk, higher insurance costs and less certainty in forward contracts. Read more: BBC

8.UK proposes end to cages for laying hens The government plans to phase out cages for egg-laying hens. Welfare expectations are rising, putting pressure on sourcing standards across retail and foodservice. Read more: GOV.UK