By Jack Winkler, Emeritus Professor of Nutrition Policy, London Metropolitan University; and Tam Fry, chair, National Obesity Forum
A historic change in the sales of carbonated soft drinks has taken place since the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) came into force a year ago -- with sugarfree drinks rising, and full sugar products falling.
Lost Coast Food Co. - an apple cider vinegar juice brand ‘inspired by the southern California lifestyle’ – believes it can transform apple cider vinegar from a niche choice into an everyday product in the UK.
Is the UK craft beer bubble about to burst – or is the boom far from over? The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) says the state of the industry in 2019 paints a fascinating picture, noting the market has reached a 'critical point' in its...
Australian beer and beverage company Lion has acquired 100% of UK craft brewer Magic Rock Brewing Company, as it seeks to become 'a key player' in the UK craft market.
Last year's hot summer helped water drinks volumes grow by more than 7% in the UK: with sales of plain, flavoured, functional and juicy waters all rising.
‘With the right incentives, there is scope to increase the use of recycled content’
The UK government has launched a consultation to help shape its proposed plastic packaging tax, highlighting its aim to drive higher use of recycled content in packaging.
Sustainability, veganism and health are three macro trends that will continue to shape the beverage market in 2019, says UK flavour and fragrance company Treatt. From fermentation to exotic flavours, it outlines five areas to watch in the coming year....
A group of business leaders is urging the UK government to aim for net zero emissions by 2050, with Coca-Cola European Partners, Unilever and Danone among the signatories.
Carlsberg UK says that low and no alcohol beers are becoming more socially acceptable in pubs, with 59% of respondents to a survey on drinking habits saying they had tried a low or no alcohol drink. Millennials are the consumer group most likely to enjoy...
The UK is planning to introduce a ‘world-leading’ tax on plastic packaging in 2022: applying to all single use plastic packaging that doesn’t include at least 30% recycled content.
Coca-Cola Classic saw volumes in Europe decline by 1% over the last three months: attributed mainly to the impact of new soft drinks industry taxes. But Coca-Cola Zero Sugar grew 18.5%, with retailers increasingly shifting space over to the sugar-free...
‘This is about a US craft brewery standing up against some of the largest drinks producers in the UK’
US craft brewer Flying Dog Brewery says it will continue to distribute its Easy IPA Session India Pale Ale in the UK: ignoring a ruling from an alcohol marketing watchdog which said the beer's artwork ‘encourages illegal, irresponsible or immoderate...
‘The craft beer revolution has spread across the continent’
Craft brewing organisations from nine European countries are working towards the formation of the Independent Brewers of Europe, an organisation which will promote and advance the mutual interests of their members with European institutions and the media....
Soft drinks company Britvic has this month switched to 100% renewable electricity for all its sites in Great Britain: saving more than 17,000 tonnes of CO2e per year, the equivalent to taking more than 3,300 cars off the road.
Drinks should only be put on the market in the most sustainable option available – packaging that can be recycled and reused, but also has the lowest environmental impact overall, according to a vision set out by a University of Cambridge report. But...
Popular meal replacement drink Soylent launches in the UK this week, hoping to capitalize on its US success with its first global expansion. With research showing that skipping meals is becoming more commonplace in the UK, Soylent believes it can fill...
‘Business as usual will not solve the plastic packaging waste challenge’
Danone, Nestlé, Suntory and other bottled water and soft drinks companies have set out their vision for a future where no plastic packaging is sent to landfill or ends up as litter. How can this be achieved?
The first four months of the UK’s sugar tax has failed to create any significant change in consumer behaviour; but it has encouraged widespread reformulation and the proliferation of lower sugar options, according to Nielsen.
UK soft drink business Britvic says it is confident of achieving market expectations for the full year, despite facing challenges from sugar taxes and the CO2 shortage.
In the UK, 326 businesses have registered for the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, according to data from HMRC and obtained by chartered accountants UHY Hacker Young.
The UK public is more receptive to interventions such as sugar taxes and minimum unit pricing than often supposed, according to a report compiled by a group of independent UK health associations.
Australian-headquartered Lion has acquired London craft brewer Fourpure Brewing Co. And while Fourpure says the beer and culture will remain the same, it wants to embrace the opportunities the acquisition brings: ‘We truly hope you will see some change,...
An increasing number of brands are drawing on nostalgia as a marketing tool: but alcohol brands that try to appeal to an adult’s inner child must take care that they do not also inadvertently appeal to children today, warns the Portman Group.
UK supermarket sales of sparkling wine benefited from the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this month, while pubs also recorded an increase in beer sales.
Juice and milk-based drinks are currently exempt from the UK’s sugar tax: but Public Health England has set out targets for sugar reduction in these categories – and says that progress will be taken into account when it reviews the milk-based drinks exemption...
A vitamin drinks brand is expanding into confectionery with its vitamin chewing gum: seeing the potential of both products to appeal to on-the-go consumers.
In Europe, an ‘alcohol-free’ drink is defined as one under 0.5% ABV. In the UK, however, an ‘alcohol-free’ drink must be 0.05% ABV or below. But the UK’s definition could change, with the government currently consulting on new regulations for low alcohol...
With soda taxes looming, sugar is in the spotlight more than ever. Is the industry on the defensive: or is it, in fact, taking the lead in sugar reduction?
Coca-Cola, Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever will add nutrition logos modelled on the UK’s traffic light label to their European portfolios. However, critics have slammed the use of portion size as a reference.
Fairtrade food could be in short supply if the UK government continues to ignore the need for preferential trade deals with developing countries, two new reports have warned.
Every EU country is battling with obesity, but is 2017 set to be the year that many more governments move from the comfort zone of industry-led “nudge” tactics to blunt policy tools that push manufacturers to reformulate?
Scotland needs a “bold approach” to tackle obesity, according to an influential group of politicians. But food industry representatives said tough regulation could present “barriers to business” for the country’s manufacturers.
Study finds UK packaged food sales have declined steadily throughout past decade
Packaged food sales in the UK have reached their lowest growth rate in a decade due to an increase in discounter stores, innovation fatigue, and an increase in eating out due to economic improvements, according to Euromonitor.
The artisan food boom continues to fuel profitability of SME (small and medium size enterprise) food and drink manufacturers, evidenced by the success of craft brewers and gin distillers, says commercial law firm EMW.
Australia is the largest market for breakfast drinks, with a current retail value of around A$200m (USD $153m). But when it comes to innovation, the UK can give the Aussies a run for their money, says Zenith International, while the US market also shows...
Food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers are slow to meet the rising demand in digitalization and adapt their machines to customized packaging, according to Siemens.
The UK government has confirmed that it will introduce “clearer visual labelling” in relation to free sugars on packaged food and drinks - but it will be voluntary.
Young children are almost three times as likely to consume fizzy drinks if their parents frequently do, according to research carried out by the UK-based Natural Hydration Council.
