Weekly News Edit // 19th January 2026
In case you missed it last week, here were some of the biggest news stories and most interesting developments to start the year.
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