Page 80 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

UKRI COMMISSIONS PROJECT ON ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS

Posted on March 27, 2025November 25, 2025 by Denise Rion

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), supported by Sciencewise, has commissioned a project to explore the public opinion on Ultra Processed Foods (UPF’s).

The project which will run for a year, is the first in-depth deliberative dialogue to focus specifically UPF’s.

It will explore some of the complexities around how people view UPFs, look at their place in our food system and at their governance and regulation. It will also explore where people get their information from and who they trust.

The findings will be brought together with existing evidence about the public’s perceptions of UPFs to help UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) identify and address gaps in existing knowledge and develop future research priorities.

The UK population ranks among the worst in Europe for levels of obesity and is one of the biggest consumers of UPFs. Tackling obesity and related poor health is a challenging issue, and understanding the role of UPFs in dietary choices and ill health is a major part of this.

The results of the project will also be made available to government and wider stakeholders and feed into work underway to create a new National Food Strategy.

More information on the project can be found here

OPSS ISSUE UPDATED PRIMARY AUTHORITY STATUTORY GUIDANCE

Posted on March 27, 2025November 25, 2025 by Denise Rion

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have published updated Primary Authority statutory guidance.

This guidance is the framework for the operation of Primary Authority which sets out essential detail to assist those participating in the scheme. It is split into seven main sections, one general and relevant to all, and the others specific to direct partnerships, co-ordinated partnerships, primary authorities, enforcing authorities, co-ordinators, and supporting regulators. It will also be useful for businesses participating in the scheme.

The guidance has been updated to take account of legislative changes post EU Exit, and the enhanced role of national regulators. It also reflects the development and maturation of the scheme.

You can access the updated guidance here

NEW CONTENT ADDED TO BRCGS PARTICIPATE PLATFORM

Posted on March 27, 2025November 25, 2025 by Denise Rion

BRCGS sites certificated to one of four BRCGS Standards – Agents and Brokers, Food Safety, Packaging Materials or Storage and Distribution have exclusive access to the Participate platform.

Participate provides you with access to a wealth of free technical information and guidance, and is a great resource to help you get the full value from the Standards and further improve your business.

New content added to Participate in the last month:

Beyond Celiac Trademark

Following the launch of an updated Beyond Celiac trademark in January 2025 this document answers questions about the use and implementation of the mark.

Free-From Trademark Guideline

This guide is for brand and marketing managers, graphic designers, agencies and printers who are responsible for the application of the Global Standard Gluten-Free and/or the Plant-Based Global Standard trademark(s) on packaging, signage, marketing materials and digital media.

Who can access Participate?

To access Participate content, you must be one of the following BRCGS customers or delivery partners:

BRCGS site certificated to any of the following BRCGS Standards; Food, Packaging, Storage and Distribution or Agents and Brokers

BRCGS auditor

BRCGS certification body,

BRCGS Approved Training Partner (ATP)

BRCGS consultant

Find out more about the steps to access participate here

FSA UPDATE GUIDANCE ON PROVIDING ALLERGEN INFO IN OUT-OF-HOME SECTOR

Posted on March 27, 2025November 25, 2025 by Denise Rion

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued best practice industry guidance on providing allergen information to consumers with food hypersensitivities, encouraging information on food allergens to be available in writing in the out of home sector, for example restaurants, cafes, delis, market stalls and takeaways.

The guidance aims to support food businesses when providing information on the 14 food allergens to their customers, whilst helping to keep consumers safe. It applies to food businesses providing non-prepacked or ‘loose’ food in person or via online sales.  

It follows a consultation on the guidance, as well as FSA research and engagement with consumers and food businesses to better understand how food businesses could improve written information for consumers with food hypersensitivities.    

The updated guidance includes:  

 written allergen information should always be available for non-prepacked food alongside a conversation between servers and customers about their allergen requirements

 examples of how to provide written allergen information

 free tools to support businesses with implementation, such as allergy icons, an allergen matrix and a new allergy poster which food businesses can download and use on their own assets (e.g. menus and websites)

This updated guidance applies to businesses operating in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

The publication of the guidance is the latest development since the FSA Board agreed in December 2023 to strengthen allergy information for consumers.  

FSA SEEK VIEWS ON CHANGES TO ENGLANDS FOOD LAW CODE OF PRACTICE AND GUIDANCE

Posted on March 27, 2025December 3, 2025 by Denise Rion

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have launched a consultation seeking stakeholders’ views on proposed changes to the Food Law Code of Practice (the Code) and the Practice Guidance (PG) in England.

(Note: The proposed amendments are subject to separate consultations in Wales and Northern Ireland)

This consultation will be of most interest to: 

Competent Authorities – Local Authorities and Port Health Authorities

food businesses and industry trade bodies

third-party assurance organisations for food safety

awarding bodies for environmental health and trading standards professionals

Trade Unions and expert groups may also have an interest

Consultation subject 

This consultation seeks stakeholders’ views on proposed changes to the Food Law Code of Practice and Practice Guidance. Key proposals include:

an updated risk-based approach to the prioritisation and timescales for undertaking initial food hygiene official controls of new food establishments

enabling, in certain circumstances, an establishments food hygiene intervention risk rating to be amended following a wider range of official control methods and techniques, including those undertaken remotely

extending the activities that officers, who do not hold an ‘appropriate qualification’ for food hygiene or food standards, can, if competent, undertake

a clarification in approach to interventions at food business establishments that fall into risk category E for food hygiene

removal of a prescriptive number of hours required for continuing professional development

other amendments which do not amend policy, to provide clarity and improve consistency and keep pace with current practices

How to respond

The consultation pack and England Code and Practice Guidance can be found here along with a response form to provide your comments.

Once completed the form should be emailed to CodeReviewResponses@food.gov.uk.

The closing date for responses is May 19th 2025

Within three months of a consultation ending the FSA aim to publish a summary of responses received.

EC PUBLISHES LATEST REPORT ON AGRI-FOOD FRAUD SUSPICIONS

Posted on March 27, 2025December 3, 2025 by Denise Rion

The European Commission recently published their February report on agri-food fraud suspicions.

These monthly reports include ‘non-compliances with fraud suspicions’ of cross-border nature identified and shared between members of the Alert and Cooperation Network (ACN) and retrieved from its three components: the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed network (RASFF), the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation network (AAC) and the Agri-Food Fraud Network (FFN).

Non-compliances with fraud suspicions affecting one single Member State are not shared in the ACN and therefore not reported within these monthly reports.

The monthly reports cover food, feedingstuff, materials and articles intended to come into contact directly or indirectly with food, animal welfare issues for farmed animals, plant protection products, veterinary medicinal products and other inputs that may end in the form of residues and contaminants in food and feed.

The report can be read in full here

A few reasons to become a member of BFFF

To find out more about becoming a member call 01400 283 095 or email the team

Join BFFF

Member profile on BFFF website

Free BFFF Member List

Free listing in the annual Member Directory

Access to latest industry news and information

Weekly newsletter, press and media opportunities

Press and media opportunities

Marketing, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities

Networking via opportunities at BFFF events

Free market data provided by Circana and World Panel

Access to industry specialists

Expert guidance from Technical and Health & Safety teams

Access to Primary Authority schemes and assured advice

H&S Audit Service/Advice

Free access to HR and legal guidance and advice line

Training and Education

Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

BFFF energy deals and rates
Vypr member deals and introduction
Defib Plus deals
Company Shop – membership
Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
Annual Lunch
Awards Night

Become a member

Sponsorship Packages

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

Need a comment from the BFFF?

The voice of the frozen food industry
Representing over 340 businesses in the frozen food industry
Available out of hours

Contact the BFFF PR Team

what our members say...

Helen Atkinson

Wakefield Council

“What an amazing piece of work and indicative of how BFFF respond to the concerns of their members and make an impact on the whole industry sector.”

See Full Quote
Paul Duncalf

Sysco

“You guys really ‘Do The Right Thing’ for the good of the industry”

See Full Quote
Co-CEO Dries Talpe

Darta

“The BFFF awards night is becoming an “appointment not to miss” on our calendar and we again enjoyed it immensely together with lots of well-known people from our industry. The…

See Full Quote
Lewis Kain

Kantar Worldpanel

“The Business Conference was an excellent day that was very well organised and allowed so many likeminded individuals in the room to learn so much more around the Frozen industry….

See Full Quote
Gail Hodson - Technical Director

Lakeside Food Group Ltd

“This Not For EU labelling situation alarmed us and quickly became a major worry to our business. These are times when you really rely on some support and from previous…

See Full Quote
Domenic Granelli - Financial Controller

Meadow Vale Foods Limited

“We had a few questions with respect to the new EPR waste packaging legislative changes. I know some of my colleagues have been assisted by BFFF in the past so…

See Full Quote
Dave Griffiths, General Manager

Newberry International Produce Ltd

“I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding event you organised. I have only worked in this sector for the past nineteen months coming from twenty-five years…

See Full Quote
Liam, Commerical Director

Place UK Ltd

“The BFFF 2024 Conference was compelling and thought provoking, with a many relevant and interesting topics covered at great pace and some depth by excellent speakers – will certainly attend…

See Full Quote
Peter Bambury

Roswel Spedition GMBH

“Thank you and the team for rushing around so brilliantly before, during and after the conference. It was pleasure to be part of the conference.”

See Full Quote
Alexandre Alves De Mattos

Seara

“The event was great, in my opinion. Not only it was very well organised, but the venue and the catering were excellent too. Furthermore, the content of the presentations was…

See Full Quote