PackUK have now published The Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) roadmap which provides a forward look of planned developments of the RAM between 2025-2030.

It covers planned annual policy alignment reviews, RAM publication timings, key materials updates and industry engagements, such as the quarterly RAM Technical Advisory Committee. Note: All timings in the roadmap are subject to change.

The RAM roadmap can be accessed here.

You’ll notice on the roadmap that PackUK were due to start issuing obligated producers with invoices from October. We are reliably informed that they intend to start that this week (w/c/13.10.25)

The official name of the invoice is a ‘NOTICE OF LIABILITY’ often shortened to ‘NoL’. An example NoL can be found here, which Pack UK has authorised can be shared widely.

• Financial amounts are on page 1 of a NoL.
• Pages 2 & 3 of a NoL provide details on …

o             How to Pay

o             When to Pay

o             Late Payments

o             Direct Debit Guarantee

o             Cost Breakdowns

o             Recalculations

o             Getting Help, and

o             Contacting Pack UK.

In supporting the wider Food and Drink industry, Simon Brentnall, Head of Health & Safety sits on the IOSH Food and Drink Industries group, the group helps organise an annual conference.

Simon states: ‘This year we needed to address the topic of working at height which is still the main cause of fatalities, it was great that members Sysco agreed to deliver this session. Paul Duncalf Safety, Training & Fleet Compliance Director explained the reasons why Sysco had decided to locate their refrigeration underneath the vehicle, thus completely eliminating the need to work at height for maintenance or repair. In line with current guidance, these measures are text book in terms of controlling risk and adopting best practice. We would like to thank Paul and his team for this engaging session’

To get involved in the Health & Safety work of BFFF, please contact simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk

APHA wish to remind businesses that if you experience any issues with consignments stuck at the border, you can contact the STORM incident hub by emailing: Stormincidentresponse@APHA.gov.uk.

 

Before contacting Storm, please ensure:

• The CHED is fully submitted and visible in IPAFFS.
• SPS checks (as applicable) are complete.
• A customs hold is visible in CDS that requires action.
• You include the MRN, and all relevant CHED references

 

Please note the Storm inbox is not able to assist with:

• CHEDs still in draft or amendment status
• General or policy-related questions

Messages that do not meet these criteria may need to be redirected, which can lead to delays

 

Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers and a founding partner of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, has reaffirmed its commitment to food allergy awareness by renewing a four-year strategic partnership with the charity.

This continued collaboration supports The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s mission to #MakeAllergyHistory and reflects Bidfood’s dedication to creating safer, more inclusive food experiences across the hospitality and foodservice industry.

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK, said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, whose work is making a real difference to the millions of people affected by food allergies across the UK.

“At Bidfood, we believe everyone should feel safe and confident when it comes to food, and by supporting the Foundation’s pioneering research and education, we hope to play our part in creating a future where food allergies no longer hold people back from living their lives to the fullest.”

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation was founded in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs after their daughter Natasha died aged 15 from a severe allergic reaction to sesame.

Through campaigning, education and research, the charity’s mission is to #MakeAllergyHistory, in particular food allergy, and improve the lives of the millions of people in the UK with food allergies. The couple have both been awarded OBEs for their work around food allergy.

Natasha’s Foundation is one of the only allergy charities dedicated to medical research. It wants to understand what is causing the dramatic rise in allergic disease – and develop ways to prevent, treat and ultimately eradicate it, creating a world that is safe for everyone.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE says: “The dramatic increase in allergic diseases over the past three decades highlights just how urgent it is to understand the root causes of the global allergy crisis. Today, food allergies affect millions – including 1 in 13 school children – making this work more vital than ever. We’re incredibly grateful that Bidfood is continuing its support of our mission to #MakeAllergyHistory. Their partnership is helping us raise awareness and drive forward pioneering scientific research that will change lives.”

Pork experts: quality, animal welfare, and trust

At Costa Brava Mediterranean Foods, we are one of Spain’s leading pork producers and a consolidated strategic partner for the UK market. Our strength lies in a solid structure that allows us to control the entire production process, from our own farms to the final product, with a firm commitment to quality and animal welfare. We operate more than 300 integrated farms, a network that reinforces our ability to guarantee the traceability and food safety that our clients demand.

Our farms are 100% owned and hold AENOR certification in animal welfare, a rigorous standard that validates the respect and care we dedicate to animals throughout all stages of their lives. This results in healthier pork with superior flavour and texture. In addition, we produce premium pork, with 50% Duroc breed, renowned for its tenderness and rich flavour, offering a high-quality gastronomic experience that meets the expectations of the most demanding palates.

 

We are fully aware that today’s market requires flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to different needs. That is why we have our own industrial and logistics capacity, which enables us to ensure a constant and reliable supply. In this way, we can serve both foodservice professionals who need specific cuts and tailored formats for their culinary offer, as well as retail shelves looking for practical and attractive products for the end consumer.

 

All our processes are carried out under strict quality controls, with internationally recognised certifications such as IFS and BRC, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of food safety and quality. This commitment allows us to provide a consistent, safe, and competitive product that has earned the trust and loyalty of the main players in the European meat sector.

 

With more than six decades of expertise, our experience, fully integrated traceability, and flexibility to adapt to each client make more and more companies choose us as their preferred pork supplier.
www.costabravafoods.com/en

 

The FSA have launched a consultation seeking stakeholders’ views, comments and feedback on their proposal to implement a ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials (FCMs).

The consultation is not intended to revisit the scientific consensus on BPA’s risks, but to gather any robust evidence that may justify an alternative approach for BPA and its analogues. The consultation will also help identify any practical considerations for implementation, including transition periods and potential exemptions while setting a high evidentiary threshold for any objections.

All the background information and details of how to respond can be found here.

Responses should be submitted via the online form provided. If this is not possible, you can email a response to: FCM-BPA@food.gov.uk

Responses are required by close 24 December 2025 at 17:00.

Within three months of a consultation ending the FSA aim to publish a summary of responses received. In the meantime, the BFFF will be monitoring and will bring you any updates accordingly.

Vegetable processing specialist FreshFlow Food Solutions, part of the Oakland International group, is celebrating a major milestone after its new Midlands facility secured a coveted BRCGS ‘A’ accreditation at its very first audit.

 

Managing Director Richard Hall said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our team. Securing an ‘A’ grade straight out of the blocks reflects the dedication and hard work of every colleague involved. It’s a proud moment for all of us.”

 

The BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standard) is internationally recognised as the benchmark certification for food storage and distribution.

 

Combining cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on sustainability, FreshFlow Food Solutions has made vegetable processing the core focus of its new site. With a capacity of up to 100 tonnes per week, the facility processes most root vegetables into sliced or diced, chilled or frozen, and in both retail and bulk formats. This highly flexible approach establishes a new benchmark in UK vegetable processing and was initially launched as an initiative to directly support the partnership between Oakland and FareShare, and it now also caters to recipe box providers, restaurants, cafés, convenience outlets.

 

Richard explained: “We can repack surplus produce into consumer-sized portions and provide rapid turnaround for chilled stock nearing expiration. Partnering with organisations such as FareShare and food bank charities, we’re also helping ensure surplus food is redistributed to those who need it most, while directly tackling food waste. Our aim is always to go beyond the everyday standard, prioritising customised solutions over mass-market strategies.”

 

Alongside its primary vegetable processing operation, the FreshFlow facility has also been designed to deliver a full spectrum of food packing services:

 

•              High-risk facility: A purpose-built environment designed for high-risk food packing and processing. Ideal for concept testing, sample production and delivering bespoke solutions.

•              Low-risk lines: Versatile, multi format packing capabilities catering to retail and foodservice customers.

 

This unique combination of high- and low-risk capability allows FreshFlow to offer tailored solutions across diverse product types while maintaining the highest food safety standards.

 

With no minimum order requirements and the agility to run bespoke batches, FreshFlow Food Solutions has positioned itself as an ideal partner for both small producers and the broader food service sector. By combining innovation with sustainability, the business enables partners to reduce waste, remain agile in a volatile supply chain, and develop bespoke product ranges quickly and securely.

 

Richard added: “We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. From vegetable processing at scale to specialist high-care product development, our flexible model means we can deliver tailored solutions for everyone, whether that’s recipe box providers, foodservice operators, or food distribution charities. By combining innovation with purpose, we aim to transform food processing into a sustainable and customer-focused service that benefits businesses and communities alike.”

At Costa Brava Mediterranean Foods, we understand sustainability as a responsibility that we embrace with determination and ambition. Every day, we work to reduce our environmental impact and build a more efficient and respectful model that places both the planet and people at the centre. The trust of our clients and partners drives us to keep improving, innovating, and leading the transition towards more conscious food.

 

We have achieved significant reductions in our consumption of natural resources: -13% in electricity, -42% in gas, and -23% in water across the Group. In addition, 100% of the energy supplied to all our facilities comes from renewable sources, enabling us to cut our own carbon footprint emissions by 47%. We have also made great progress in materials management: 54% of the plastic we use in packaging is already recycled, and we have significantly reduced the amount of plastic used in our products — a firm commitment to a truly responsible circular economy.

This effort has been recognised with the Lean & Green Award, which highlights our Improvement Plan in logistics and energy efficiency, as well as with the Zero Waste certification, reinforcing our commitment to avoid any type of waste and make the most of every by-product in the production chain.

But sustainability is not only environmental; it is also social and ethical. That’s why we work under SMETA certification, which audits our best practices in labour conditions, health and safety, business ethics, and environmental care. This reflects our commitment to guaranteeing a safe, fair, and respectful working environment, in line with the values we share with all of you.

 

Every step we take towards sustainability is carried out with the same responsibility with which we care for the quality of our products and the trust you place in us every day. Because progress only makes sense if we do it well — and we do it together.
https://www.costabravafoods.com/en/sustainability-2/