Current affairs and industry updates

Most recent

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  Bidfood’s response to the FSA allergy guidance

  Allergens remains a key focus for us at Bidfood and we welcome the new allergy information guidance for non-prepacked foods. Out of home businesses are extremely diverse, varying in size, often operate across multiple sites and serving food in a variety of ways. Therefore, flexibility is crucial to this guidance. We’re pleased to see the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have taken into consideration some of the concerns of the industry, adopting a more flexible approach that advises businesses on different options to deliver clear written and verbal information to consumers as not ones size can fit all. Although not a legal requirement, this will hopefully help to raise allergen management standards and ensure operators are meeting their consumer expectations in a way that works for their businesses. -Samantha Mollart, Senior Allergen and Nutrition Manager
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  Bidfood’s review of calorie labelling

  A recent review into the impact of calorie labelling in supermarkets, restaurants and other food outlets determined that there has been a small reduction in calories people purchased and consumed, equating to around two almonds per meal. This may feel insignificant, however if sustained over a long time this can still have an impact at a population level. At Bidfood, we agree that a multifaceted approach is needed to tackle obesity and improve the health of the population, remembering that calorie labelling is no silver bullet. This is why our nutrition strategy focuses on a broader approach to health and wellbeing and aligns to government policies, industry guidance and healthy eating initiatives. We must also remember that everyone has a different relationship with food and seeing the calorie count may help some, but for others it can have a negative effect. It is therefore incredibly important that menus without calorie information can continue to be shared with the consumer at their express request to support them in their meal experience. - Samantha Mollart, Senior Allergen and Nutrition Manager. For further information on our resources for calorie labelling, as well as wider legislative support, click on the image above.
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  What does AI mean for Wholesale?

  Hearing The Prime Minister set out his commitment to the rollout of AI technology across the UK is certainly something that we as an industry can get excited about. Many within wholesale and foodservice have already started to implement new technologies that incorporate AI, identifying it as an important tool that could create efficiencies, increase effectiveness and support the customer experience. AI and advanced analytics continue to develop at an incredible pace and what we see as new technology today, could be old news in the near future. In order to operate an efficient business, these tools should be embraced but, approached with caution, to ensure tools and data are fully understood before being used.- Ian Moore, Strategy & Digital Director at Bidfood
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  Farming Protests

  In the wake of the recent protests, we sympathise with those farmers that have taken to the streets to express their concerns around the changes to inheritance tax. British farmers produce food to some of the highest standards across the world, but these changes suggest a lack of appreciation or understanding by government towards the farming process. The illusion of generational farmers sitting on considerable wealth is in most cases inaccurate, with most annual incomes reflecting modest figures. It is likely that unless the Government reconsider their stance on the proposed changes to inheritance tax, many farming families will struggle to continue. – Lee Callon, Head of Buying, Oliver Kay
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  Pubs reaction to the budget

  “Following the disappointing Autumn Budget, Bidfood is very aware that pub operators are predicted to suffer. The National Insurance increase and lowering of the threshold will weigh heavily on many pub operators who rely on part-time staff. Increases to the minimum wage and removal of business rate support also put many small businesses at risk. “Pubs are the heartbeat of many communities, offering delicious food and drink while providing a place where people can come together, unwind and enjoy themselves. We know how important a good food offer is to our customers and the critical part it plays in helping them make a sustainable profit. “We absolutely support the call to government for swift and decisive reforms to employers NICs so we don’t lose these wonderful businesses.” - Chris Palethorpe, Client Director, Pubs
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  Bidfood calls on Prime Minister to ring-fence school meals funding – Gavin Squires, Business Development Controller, Education & Healthcare

  “School meals is a topic area that has been highlighted by countless industry bodies whose voices continue to be either ignored or not understood. This has therefore result that unless urgent action is taken by the Government, the school meals service will be non-existent in some areas of the country and under severe threat of failure in most. Our third annual paper highlights, in a non-political way and with absolute fact, the cause and effect of previous and current Government action, along with the key elements to review, acknowledge and take action on in order for the school meal provision to simply survive and reverse what could be the loss of a critical service being made available to all of our children in state education.”
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  What impact will a change of government have on the NHS?

  Host Olivia Jackson is joined by distinguished NHS guests Phil Shelley, Iain Robertson and Orlaith Curran, for an in-depth discussion on how the new UK government’s policies will shape the future of the National Health Service (NHS).
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  Budget reaction statement 2024 - Andrew Selley, CEO Bidcorp UK

  30/10/24 “Following the announcement of the budget today, it’s hard to have a positive outlook. For the government to say “invest, invest, invest”, whilst costing businesses £25billion in NI changes is ludicrous. “Two thirds of our suppliers and customers are SME’s and many will struggle to survive these tax hikes on top of the minimum wage increase and employment rights bill. “It seems clear that the government either don’t understand or don’t care about business growth and the prosperity this brings to our country.” - Andrew Selley, CEO Bidcorp UK
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  What impact will a change of government have on school meals?

  Co-hosts Cally Ip and Gavin Squires are joined by industry greats Dr Andy Kemp MBE and Patricia Fellows MBE to breakdown the current scene of school catering and discuss the impact of politics on school meal funding.