Food businesses and policymakers around the food world are calling for new food labelling schemes to be implemented which provide the consumer with a greater understanding of how their food was made. These labels would show information about key topics such as greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity, with more comprehensive schemes including labour rights and land use. There are hundreds of schemes around the world, such as Foundation Earth, while some retailers such as Lidl implementing their own. Within this high level of interest across policy and business fields, there is a need for standards to be set and many organisations, including Nestlé, are calling for harmonisation.

The shortage of HGV drivers in the UK is threatening to disrupt the Christmas food supply as businesses begin to enrol day-release prisoners to fill the staffing gap. A perfect storm of Brexit, Covid and the rise of the gig economy has led to a persistent shortage of trained staff, with barriers including HGV driver training costing £3,500. Reports of wage rises for HGV drivers haven’t been enough to lure British workers back into the driving seat, with many calling for EU drivers to be allowed back. Read more…

This month sees the United Nation’s first ever Food Systems Summit taking place on Thursday 23 September in New York. Representatives from countries, charities, NGOs and business groups around the world will convene with the aim of finding pathways to transform the food system for positive change. Somewhat like Davos for food, critics have claimed that small scale producers and human rights are being marginalised, with some organisations, such as IPES-Food stepping down from the event. Read more…

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