CEO038 Winter 2023 - Spring 2024

Manufacturing businesses with sustainable practices ‘attract higher investment’

Manufacturing businesses that adopt sustainable practices are worth more than those that fail to do so, attracting investors to pay a premium, research suggests.

Agri-food stakeholders call for EFSA overhaul

Thousands of industry stakeholders have co-signed an open letter calling on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to speed up improvements to its risk assessment processes to secure EU competitiveness and support innovation.

World Food Safety Day shines a spotlight on science

On 7 June, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its annual World Food Safety Day, highlighting the role scientific research and innovation play in supporting consumers’ health.

Evolving virus detection technology to enhance food safety and security

US researchers are exploring the next generation of virus detection technology in the hope of enhancing food safety and security.

Accelerating AI to answer the food sector’s biggest questions

As concerns about food security continue to grow, investigators are examining how artificial intelligence (AI) can help enhance the sector’s resilience.

Producers explore traceability to lower food waste and loss

The World Economic Forum has identified traceability technology and tools as emerging anti-loss and waste mechanisms throughout the F&B supply chain.

Harmful meat misinformation threatens consumer health

Misinformation from social media “superspreaders” poses a risk to global consumer health, affecting confidence and trust in the industry, findings reveal.

UK university launches global food insecurity lab

A university lab dedicated to exploring food and nutrition insecurity has found that if no climate action is taken, heatwave events may cause global food insecurity to rise by 12.8 percentage points.

Plant-based UPFs ‘need more nuanced evaluation’

Plant-based food systems developer Planteneers has raised doubts about how the food sector currently evaluates plant-based ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Functionality goes health-specific in 2025

Innova Market Insights has identified functional food and beverage (F&B) launches as a leading response to consumers’ efforts to live healthier lives.

Fast food goes premium

As consumers seek convenience, quality, and familiar fast-food favourites with a premium twist, producers can tap into this trend with novel at-home product creations.

Brazilian plant-based food research uncovers health risks

Researchers exploring almost 50 years of plant-based food production have raised concerns about the impact on planetary and human health.

British manufacturers cut sugar, salt, and calories by a third

While British manufacturers are making significant efforts to cut sugar, salt, and calories from products, the UK’s upcoming food strategy presents a welcome chance for further change, experts argue.

The dye is cast: Major US food brands commit to phasing out synthetic colours

Major confectionery companies have pledged to eliminate petroleum-based colours by 2027. Yet with 19% of packaged foods containing synthetic dye, will industry leaders follow through on their commitments?

Industry efforts to steer complex UPF conversations increase

The Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN International) and the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe) have released a guide to build understanding of the relationship between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and plant-based meat.

Manufacturing businesses with sustainable practices ‘attract higher investment’

Manufacturing businesses that adopt sustainable practices are worth more than those that fail to do so, attracting investors to pay a premium, research suggests.

Could flies fix the global food waste problem?

Black soldier flies could offer a sustainable solution for reducing food waste, research from Purdue University in the US suggests.

European alternative protein sector investment rises 23%

Privately held European alternative protein companies raised $509 million (€470 million) in capital in 2024, 23% more than the previous year, figures reveal.

H&B 'transformation' hoped to demystify health and wellness market

Holland & Barrett is undergoing a transformation, with new product launches and a revamp of its supplement ranges, in a bid to demystify what it describes as “an increasingly complex” health and wellness market.

Sustainable food sector requires synthetic chemical solutions

Researchers from global organisations have released a study analysing the prevalence of food contaminants in food packaging and their health impacts.

Africa and Middle East most vulnerable markets to food fraud

Consumers in Africa and the Middle East face a higher risk of consuming adulterated foods – especially with tariffs causing chaos in the global food supply chain, experts warn.

Study finds sharp generational divide in online food ordering

Gen Z consumers are six times more likely to order food online than generation X, an analysis suggests.
Researchers explored the popularity of online food delivery platforms, meal kit delivery, and online grocery use in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and the US.

Plant-based proteins ‘have higher levels of chemical contaminants’ due to processing

Plant-based proteins have higher levels of chemical contaminants than their animal-based counterparts, but there is no suggestion of “immediate risk” to consumers, say scientists.