This webinar explores how integrating modern technology can empower organisations to align their goals with profitability in food production.

Participants will gain insights from real-world examples of innovative recycling and waste management strategies that transform food waste into valuable resources like biogas, animal feed, and fertilizer, showcasing the potential for high recycling rates and waste reduction while creating new revenue streams.

Sign up for the webinar here

Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading and longest-standing redistributor and retailer of surplus products and part of the Biffa group, has appointed Chris Burns as its new Group Managing Director.

Chris will assume leadership of the business on Monday 3rd February, when he will begin work to increase Company Shop Group’s offering to the industry in supporting the UK to reduce waste, redistribute surplus and enable the circular economy through the wider Biffa group. He brings a wealth of retail experience, most recently as Board Member and Commercial Director at Jollyes, the UK’s fast-growing pet specialist retailer.

During his four and a half years at Jollyes, Chris played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion strategy, doubling its retail footprint to over 100 stores nationwide. His leadership was instrumental in revamping the customer offer, delivering market-beating performance and attracting new investment for future growth.

Prior to Jollyes, Chris held senior positions at several major UK retailers, including Trading Controller at Poundland and Head of FMCG at Wilko, as well as senior buying roles at Asda and Tesco.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Chris grew up in Omagh and attended Queen’s University Belfast where he studied Food Science. He currently lives in Yorkshire with his wife and two daughters.

Maxine Mayhew, Chief Operating Officer at Biffa, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to Company Shop Group and the Biffa Group. His proven track record in retail leadership and commercial strategy aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. Biffa is committed to enabling a circular economy and delivering more sustainable solutions to help combat the UK’s waste challenge, and Company Shop Group plays a vital role in leading surplus redistribution and supporting us to deliver on our sustainability strategy. Chris’s extensive experience in driving business growth and enhancing customer propositions will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as the UK’s leading surplus redistributor.”

Chris added: “Company Shop Group is a brand that I’ve long admired, leading the charge in surplus solutions and continually investing in innovation to support the industry long-term. The organisation plays a vital role in the FMCG retail and manufacturing supply chain, helping manufacturers and retailers to solve their surplus challenges, while providing our members with quality products at discounted prices. I am thrilled to be taking the helm and I look forward to working with the team to further develop our offer and expand our impact for people, the planet and our stock partners.”

Company Shop Group handles surplus across all categories and in any format, from work-in-progress to finished products, providing financial, social and environmental returns. If you have surplus stock, contact the team now at companyshopgroup.co.uk.

 

In response to the number of detections of Avian Influenza in kept and wild birds, as of noon on Monday, February 10^th, gatherings of poultry (including ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl) have been banned in England, Scotland and Wales.

Gatherings include (but are not limited to) bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales. In addition, vehicles used to transport live birds where the birds are brought together from multiple premises are also considered gatherings.

You can read more here about what counts as a bird gathering

Businesses should check GOV.UK, GOV.SCOT and GOV.WALES for further information.

In addition, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory biosecurity measures is in force across Great Britain and a regional Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) with mandatory housing and biosecurity measures is also in force and covers the following:

North Yorkshire York An area in Shropshire The East Riding of Yorkshire The City of Kingston upon Hull Lincolnshire Norfolk Suffolk.

All bird keepers in these areas must keep their birds housed to protect them from bird flu. This applies to pet birds, commercial flocks and just a few birds in a backyard flock. These housing and biosecurity measures are to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

Disease control zones can be checked on the avian influenza interactive map to see what restrictions are in place and biosecurity guidance and additional information is also available on GOV.UK.

Safeguard declarations have been published to suspend commercial imports of

• hay and straw originating in Germany, and

• certain animal by-products of susceptible animals, where the animal by-product originates from Germany.

Full details of the restrictions and a list of impacted products are provided in the following declarations:

• Foot and mouth disease – declaration of special measures: importation of certain products from Germany (England)

• Foot and mouth disease – declaration of special measures: importation of certain products from Germany (Scotland)

• Foot and mouth disease – declaration of special measures: importation of certain products from Germany (Wales)

These safeguard measures apply from 7 February 2025 and will continue to apply until they are revoked or amended.

If you have consignments affected by this suspension, please contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority (PHA/LA) at the consignment’s point of entry into GB. Find the Border Control Post and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.

Imports from Hungary into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) of the following sheep and goat commodities are suspended following an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR):

• live animals

• germplasm

• raw milk and raw milk products (including raw colostrum)

• untreated wool and hair

• fresh or chilled (untreated) skins and hides

 

Further information is available on GOV UK and in the Hungary section of the following lists of EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain:

• live ungulates

• ovine and caprine ova and embryos

• ovine and caprine semen

• milk and milk products

 

Safeguard declarations for untreated wool and hair and fresh or chilled (untreated) skins and hides from Hungary have been published at  Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues.

 

Individuals cannot bring any sheep or goat milk and milk products from Hungary into Great Britain for personal consumption.

 

If you have consignments of Hungarian commodities affected by this suspension, contact the Port Health Authority or Local Authority (PHA/LA) at the consignment’s point of entry into GB. Find the Border Control Post and the PHA/LA contact information on this map or list.

Staple Food Group is turning up the heat with its latest launch, Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli (225g), perfect for foodservice, retail, wholesale, and cash & carry customers. This exciting new product combines the authentic, PDO-certified creamy texture of traditional halloumi with a subtle chilli kick, bringing a bold new dimension to an established favourite.

 

A highly versatile ingredient, Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli is perfect for grilling, frying, or baking—delivering the same satisfying golden crispness that halloumi lovers crave, now with an added depth of spice. Ideal for restaurants, cafes, and caterers looking to offer something unique, as well as retailers keen to meet growing consumer demand for premium, high-flavour cheeses.

 

Why Choose Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli? 

• PDO Certified – Authentic halloumi, made to strict quality standards.
• Spicy, Creamy & Delicious – A modern twist on a classic favourite.
• Perfect for Foodservice & Retail – Convenient 225g format for easy portioning.
• Versatile & Easy to Prepare – Grill, fry, or bake for delicious results.

 

“Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli is an exciting addition to our range, offering chefs, retailers, and food businesses a way to differentiate their menus and product offerings,” said Chris McNally, Sales Director at Staple Food Group. “With the growing consumer appetite for bold, flavourful cheeses, this new halloumi variety is set to become a firm favourite in both professional kitchens and home cooking.”

 

Kouzina Halloumi PDO with Chilli 225g is now available form Staple Food Group.

 

For full range details and order enquiries please contact us at sales@staplefoods.co.uk

IFE 2025, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, is set to return to Excel London on 17-19 March, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers for a packed and diverse programme of thought-provoking content.

Central to the event is the Future Food stage, where an array of panel discussions will delve into the pressing issues and transformative trends shaping the future of the sector.

Among the highlights of the seminar programme is a timely discussion on ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The session, titled ‘Ultra-Processed Foods: Do We Need a Tighter Definition?’, will explore the evolving debate around UPFs and the implications for product development and consumer understanding.

Moderated by Siân Yates of FoodBev Media, the panel features experts from across the industry, including Jessica Stansfield of Huel, Kerri Fidler of Greencore, Peter Noy from the Food Systems Institute at the University of Nottingham, and Sarah Bull of Bakkavor.

Another key session, ‘State of the Vegan-nation’, will address the rapid growth of the vegan and plant-based market, examining how brands, retailers, and consumers are adapting to this shift. Freya O’Mara from Ocado will moderate the discussion, with contributions from Indy Kaur of Plant Futures, Karen Spinner of the Vegan Society, and Toni Vernelli of Veganuary.

Commenting on her participation, Spinner said: “IFE is a fantastic opportunity for brands, buyers and retailers to discover the latest innovation and trends in the vegan and plant-based sector. As the market continues to evolve and reach new consumers, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to take part in what promises to be a lively and informative panel discussion.

“As the world’s leading vegan certification standard, the Vegan Trademark has unique insight into how the market is developing – and how brands need to position their products to resonate with an ever-growing audience.”

Innovation will also take centre stage with the session ‘Revolutionising Retail: How Accelerators and Incubators are Shaping the Future’. Moderated by Theadora Alexander of YF, the panel will feature Andrew Allen from Bidfood and Melanie Harris from Iceland, exploring how these programmes are enabling emerging brands to scale, innovate, and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

Harris comments: “Excited to join this event and discuss how Brands On Ice is at the forefront of bringing innovation to Iceland shoppers, and the success and future opportunities within this accelerator.”

As the importance of digital channels continues to grow, the discussion ‘Online Shopping as a Trend Predictor in the Food & Drink Industry’ promises to offer valuable insights into how online shopping data can forecast trends and drive product innovation. Moderated by Debbie Davies of Contigo Management Limited, with panellists Louise Armour of Rosetta Brands and Stephen Minall of FDReviews, the session will challenge conventional thinking and provide actionable takeaways.

Davies shared her excitement: “With our great panellists, this session should provide food for thought and a great debate. As always with IFE panels, we aim to challenge current thinking and spark meaningful discussions.”

These panel discussions represent just a small selection of the rich and varied content programme planned for the Future Food stage at IFE 2025. Across three days, the stage will host a series of talks, panels, and presentations from industry thought leaders, providing attendees with unparalleled insights into emerging trends, sustainable solutions, and the future of food and drink innovation.

New Products Tasting Theatre

The New Products Tasting Theatre at IFE is the ultimate destination for discovering something new. It’s a chance to meet the passionate people behind our Start-Up Market brands, hear their stories, explore their product ranges, and learn about their future plans while tasting their fantastic creations.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and learn with a New Product Showcase from the Isle of Man, a Charcuterie Masterclass with FICT – Les Entreprises Françaises de Charcuterie Traiteur, and a tasting with the Free From Food Awards, introducing award-winning producers and industry-leading allergy-friendly products.

As part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, IFE 2025 will run alongside IFE Manufacturing, The Pub Show, HRC, and International Salon Culinaire, creating a comprehensive showcase of the best the industry has to offer.

Register now at ife.co.uk for your complimentary trade ticket and join the conversation shaping the future of food and drink.