AGP Executive Report

Leeds Beer Festival: The Leeds International Beer Festival returns to Kirkstall Abbey from September 3–6 for its 14th year, with UK and international craft beers, street food and live music. Belfast Mela Food Scene: Thousands packed Belfast’s Botanic Gardens for the 20th anniversary Mela finale, with global music, dance and food stalls bringing communities together. Manchester Pride Weather Disruption: Manchester Village Pride was temporarily halted after thunderstorms and lightning, with attendees told to take shelter while organisers paused acts. Wagamama Secret Menu: Wagamama is offering a limited “swicy” secret menu with Buldak sauce drizzles on select drinks and desserts (including an iced matcha + strawberry latte and coconut reika ice cream) until October. Award-Winning Coffee: Welsh roaster Scout Coffee’s Basecamp Espresso won a two-star Great Taste Award, with judges praising its flavour depth and crema. Local Food & Drink Wins: Teesside bottled cocktail maker Prohibition Cocktails picked up a Great Taste star for its Espresso Martini. Food Safety Recalls: Shoppers were urged to check July recall notices, including pasta salads and other recalled items, after product safety alerts. Street Food Events: Street Food Circus is set for Saundersfoot Harbour (Sept 4–6) with international street food, local Welsh produce and family activities.

Front-of-pack warning labels: India’s Supreme Court has pushed FSSAI to act on mandatory red warning labels for high sugar, salt and saturated fat foods, with the regulator now proposing labels after criticism over delays. Local food safety: A Birmingham supermarket boss pleaded guilty after admitting failures to prevent rodent infestation and protect food from contamination, with charges tied to hygiene, pest control and premises maintenance. Food retail wins: New Forest Shortbread and Hockey’s Farm Shop & Farmyard Cafe picked up major Great Taste awards, including a two-star win for the bakery and multiple stars for the farm shop. Dining spotlight: Jinseon Korean BBQ in Coventry was named West Midlands winner in Uber Eats’ Restaurant of the Year 2026 awards, moving to the UK finals. Sunday roast culture: Greater Manchester’s best Sunday roast picks are highlighted as autumn approaches, with city and country pub options. Food industry & health: A report flags younger-onset cancer risk linked to faster biological ageing, pointing to diet, activity and lifestyle factors. Drought pressure on farming: The NFU warns drought-hit farmers face a financial crisis point, calling for government-backed loans to protect next year’s food production.

Food safety spotlight: Morrisons in Cheltenham has been hit with a one-star Food Standards Agency hygiene rating, with “major improvements” needed for hygienic food handling and food safety management, after a customer reported frozen items were “soft and defrosted.” Diabetes warning: Experts say UK type 1 diabetes cases could rise by a third by 2050, with researchers pointing to environmental triggers rather than obesity alone. Health drink caution: Electrolyte drinks are under fire for high sodium levels, with experts warning they could worsen blood pressure and kidney strain for at-risk people. Policy debate: The Green Party is pushing “rationing” of meat, dairy and fuel (plus flying) to cut emissions, while Asda’s boss argues the UK needs a clearer growth plan. Local food culture: Bolton Food and Drink Festival draws huge crowds for chef demos and street-food favourites, while Uber Eats named Liverpool’s Nashville Cluck its North West takeaway champion. Food & drink events: Big Feed’s Family Day Out returns to Govan Graving Docks on Sept 26 with street-food brands and Disney character meet-and-greets.

Retail Value Push: Sainsbury’s confirms Nectar Prices changes: half-price deals on selected fruit and veg for Nectar holders run until Monday (Aug 31), as part of four weekend events through late August and September. Community Dental Access: mydentist Foundation and Dentaid launch a £1m mobile dental unit for people facing homelessness, addiction and other barriers, starting October with volunteer dentists and nurses. Food Safety/Recalls: Tesco is recalling a mozzarella pearls and pesto orzo salad over possible E. coli (STEC) contamination, urging shoppers to check fridges and freezers. Pub & Local Food Culture: Tom Kerridge says he’d never serve “exotic-style meats” like ostrich or crocodile, pointing to his focus on British ingredients. Leisure with Food & Drink: Leicester Restaurant Week returns for a two-week run with deals across chains and independents, including discounts and family offers. Bank Holiday Treats: Shandy Shack reports a shandy revival, with a “Shandy Strip” of top cities and big sales days ahead of the weekend.

Food Safety Alert: UKHSA says salmonella cases (474 confirmed, one death) are linked to imported eggs used in catering, with more cases expected until the source is pinned down—UKHSA urges extra caution with runny eggs outside the home. Water & Utilities Risk: The NCSC warns UK water suppliers face heightened cyber threats after Iran-linked attacks on US drinking and wastewater systems, targeting automation sensors and valves. Hospitality & Alcohol Licensing: Whitley Bay councillors will decide next week on a fast-food restaurant’s seven-days-a-week alcohol licence, with residents raising anti-social behaviour and waste concerns. Retail & Cost Pressure: Asda chair Allan Leighton warns Andy Burnham’s Budget could be a “tipping point” for UK business confidence, urging reforms that don’t pile more costs on firms. Industry & Jobs: Diageo plans to cut 305 roles at its World Trade Center hub as alcohol consumption slides. On-the-ground Food Culture: Bolton Food & Drink Festival returns for its 21st year with 200+ vendors and 500,000 expected visitors.

Salmonella Alert: UKHSA says nearly 500 people have fallen ill in a salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs, with two deaths reported; health chiefs urge only thoroughly cooked eggs for higher-risk groups. Food Waste Policy: A petition backed by nearly 15,000 people pushing for a blanket supermarket edible-food ban has forced a government reply, but ministers stopped short of banning anything, pointing to the food waste hierarchy and existing redistribution expectations. Retail & Supply: Lidl Ireland will stock two Donegal suppliers—Little Mamas Gelato and Corveenglean Meats—across its 236 stores from Sept 10 as part of its Kickstart programme. On-the-go & Energy: New Spitalfields Market in London has installed a 2,730-panel rooftop solar system to cut energy costs and emissions. Local Food Culture: Leicester’s Ragin Bird wins Uber Eats UK’s East Midlands Restaurant of the Year, backing its Nashville-style hot chicken brand. Public Health & Safety: Campaigners and police chiefs press for mandatory alcolocks for repeat drink-drivers, citing support and reduced reoffending claims.

Food & Drink M&A: Unilever is putting Colman’s Mustard up for sale ahead of its planned merger of the UK food business with McCormick, with regulators pushing for a carve-out to avoid a mustard monopoly. Retail & Supply: Lidl Ireland says a “Smarter Travel Initiative” document cited by Roscommon County Council in its Monksland store refusal doesn’t exist, as it appeals the planning decision. New Product Launch: FREEE expands its gluten-free oat bars with Organic Coconut & Chocolate Oat Bars, positioned as a free-from snacking option. Hospitality & Dining Concepts: John Lewis is rolling out its new “Platter” restaurant concept across all 32 department stores, starting with Oxford Street, adding pizza, deli and dessert counters plus an in-store roastery. Food Safety Watch: UKHSA reports giardiasis cases in England hit 6,069 in 2025, the highest since 2016, with travel and contaminated water flagged as key risks. Cyber & Customer Data: Manchester Airports Group says a cyberattack compromised data for 8.7 million customers across three UK airports, without affecting flights or payments. Food Industry Jobs/Assets: Dairy Farmers of America is marketing the former Guida dairy plant and seven other New Britain properties for $15.5m, with the site still suited to food production.

Emergency Preparedness: The UK government is preparing a “war book” style campaign telling households to stock up on tinned food and bottled water amid fears over extreme weather and cyber attacks, with Cabinet Office ministers coordinating cross-department resilience planning. Food & Drink Investment: Scotland is awarding nearly £6m in capital funding to 28 food and drink firms to boost production, add jobs and improve capacity, including automated packing and cold storage upgrades. Retail & Eating Out: Taco Bell is opening in Darlington at the former KFC site, bringing its core menu and a “Bell Code” treasure hunt for rewards. Local Food Culture: Pershore’s Plum Festival runs through the bank holiday weekend with a plum cider event, family fun day and a food village. Industry/Trade Finance: Aberdeenshire shortbread maker Dean’s of Huntly has secured a £1m export-backed trade loan to scale production for overseas markets. Food Safety/Health: UKHSA parasitic stomach bug warnings are circulating as cases rise, with travellers urged to take precautions.

Food & Drink Business: Newcastle Michelin-star chef Kenny Atkinson’s Solaya (art’otel London Hoxton) is set for a one-night takeover by his quayside team from House of Tides on 7 October, with a five-course tasting menu. Functional Alcohol-Free: Collider functional beer is landing in Morrisons from 7 September, with Collider Lager in 227 stores and Session IPA in 127, both in the alcohol-free aisle. Retail & Jobs: KFC opens its third Ashford site at Waterbrook Park in Sevington, creating 40 jobs and running a 75-cover restaurant plus drive-thru. Food Security & Resilience: UK government messaging is expected to push households to stock up on tinned food and bottled water amid extreme weather and cyber-attack fears, shifting responsibility onto families. Health & Nutrition Research: A UK Biobank study links higher flavonoid-rich diets (citrus, apples) with lower breast cancer risk, especially for women with higher genetic susceptibility. Environment & Farming: Bristol Botanic Garden’s Bee and Pollination Festival returns 5-6 September as heat and drought threaten native pollinators and, by extension, food security. Global Food Policy: EU talks with Brazil are “ongoing” ahead of a potential halt to Brazilian beef and poultry exports over antimicrobial compliance.

Food Safety Recall: Tesco has recalled Tesco Finest Mozzarella Pearls & Pesto Orzo Salad (215g) over possible E. coli (STEC) contamination, with use-by dates Aug 25–27; customers are told not to eat and to return for a refund. Baby Food Warning: UK experts warn some baby pouches are “equivalent to fruit smoothies” and may be too sugary/low in protein for under-ones, urging regulators to review how they’re sold. Alcohol & Health: Drinkaware’s survey suggests Scots drink less often than the UK average but consume more units per session, while Alzheimer’s Society research finds one in four over-40s can’t name a dementia risk factor. Cost-of-Living Pressure: Trussell reports nearly 200,000 young people in Scotland (16–25) cut food spending due to money worries. Resilience & Supplies: Government plans a “War Book” style household resilience push, urging families to stock tinned food and bottled water for disruptions from extreme weather, cyberattacks and hostile states. Local Food Support: A “social supermarket” (SE Kitchen) is set to open in Chatham, Kent, redistributing surplus food and offering low-cost groceries plus wraparound support.

Food policy & health: The Royal College of Physicians backs England’s National Planning Policy Framework move to block new hot food takeaways within 400m/5 minutes’ walk of schools, but warns the distance may be too short to tackle “obesogenic” food environments. Beverage labelling debate: Reuters reports Fanta’s UK and India formulas differ sharply, reigniting the fight over India’s front-of-pack warnings after FSSAI dropped colour-coded labels and faced Supreme Court scrutiny. Retail & training: Booths wins a Princess Royal Training Award for its specialist Cheese, Butchery and Fish academies, designed to preserve skills and improve product knowledge. Aquaculture innovation: Scotland-headquartered WellFish Tech says an interim financing round is “significantly oversubscribed” after regulatory approval in Norway and a partnership with Salmon Group. Holiday hunger support: Akshaya Patra UK expands its Holiday Hunger Programme across 30 boroughs, delivering fresh meals to children missing free school meals. Local hospitality disruption: A Lancashire pub, The Royal Oak in Aughton, reports targeted window smashing after a £667k refurbishment.

Hospitality Tech: HeyGuest has partnered with OpenTable to help restaurants capture bookings by tackling the 43% of calls that go unanswered during service. Coffee & Consumer Watch: Which? found Costa cappuccino caffeine at 325mg—nearly 3.5x Starbucks’ 89mg—sparking fresh questions about drink strength. Food Safety & Enforcement: Enfield’s council fined FoodArt UK £18,335 after cat faeces and urine were found in a warehouse storing drinks and bottled water. Retail & Community: Sainsbury’s Newport cafe space is being prepped to reopen after closing in 2025, while Whitbread is shutting Bar+Block and other sites in a cost-cutting push. Dairy & Business: Brownes Dairy is going to market as ownership changes loom, with export growth a key driver. Health & Drink Policy: A review revisits the “J-shaped” wine-health debate and how stricter alcohol guidelines are interpreted. Travel & Tourism: Türkiye’s European tourism demand looks flat, with the UK among markets seeing double-digit declines. Sustainability: InterContinental Phuket Resort has achieved GSTC certification, highlighting responsible gastronomy and waste work. Local Food Culture: A new Vietnamese cafe/restaurant and cocktail club is set to open in Manchester’s Spinningfields.

Pub Policy & Alcohol Culture: England fast bowler Brydon Carse has been dropped from the second Test vs Pakistan after a Derby nightclub incident, with the Cricket Regulator investigating reports he was “drunk and disorderly” and filmed in handcuffs. Food Safety Watch: A UK-linked Salmonella outbreak affecting multiple European countries may have spread to chicken, with UKHSA noting no confirmed link to UK eggs/poultry yet and ECDC pointing to imported eggs as the suspected source. Caffeine & Consumer Habits: Which? has ranked caffeine levels across UK coffee chains, with Costa topping a medium cappuccino at 325mg. Premium Hot Drinks: Hotel Chocolat is bringing back resealable drinking chocolate pouches in four flavours from 17 August. Local Food Security: Colchester Foodbank has secured a permanent home at a former confectionery site, aiming to move in around January. Council & Farm-to-Table: Reform councillors in Worcestershire propose schools should serve food sourced from local farmers where possible. Animal & Rural Health: DAFM is monitoring a new midge-borne Shamonda virus in cattle across Europe, with potential impacts on unborn calves.

Premier League Soft Drinks Push: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners launches “Taste Every Second” for the 2026/27 season, putting Coca-Cola Zero Sugar at matchday retail with Central Cee-led film, sampling and watch-party activations. RTD Coffee & Health-Forward Drinks: Nurishment adds Coffee Caramel (20g protein) as UK RTD coffee keeps growing, while Aapa enters soft drinks via Asda and WHSmith with 49 calories, 7g fibre and real fruit juice. Competition Watch: The CMA orders Vandemoortele to divest its Worcester laminated-dough plant and Staines sales operation after concerns over reduced competition in frozen viennoiserie. Food Safety & Supply Chain: UK reports lead a multi-country Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak (suspected linked to imported eggs), with UKHSA citing 207 confirmed cases over the past year. School Food Scrutiny: Bite Back finds most English secondary schools are breaking healthy food rules; the Department for Education promises stronger enforcement from September. Drought Pressure on UK Food: Suffolk farmers warn drought is leaving British food “rotting in the ground” as water shortages hit harvests and yields. Supermarket Price War: Morrisons pledges it won’t be beaten on price for hundreds of essentials, including fresh produce and Market Street counters. Weight-Loss Pill in Pharmacies: Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 Foundayo (Orforglipron) launches in UK pharmacies, with MHRA approval and counterfeit warnings.

Pet Food Recall: Years Fresh Meals is issuing a UK-wide voluntary recall after reports of dry-eye symptoms in about 57 dogs (0.1% of customers), linked to buckwheat; the firm has paused subscriptions while lab testing continues. Food Supply Risk: The Food Foundation warns UK shoppers could face price shocks as climate-vulnerable countries supply most fruit and vegetables, with only some key items (like apples and strawberries) able to be grown at home. Water & Food Security: Somerset is funding £300,000 of river maintenance after Environment Agency cuts, highlighting how water management pressures can ripple into farming and local food systems. Climate Health Watch: Wales’ historic metal mines and smelters are leaving toxic contamination with “health consequences,” raising long-term risks for land and livestock. Hospitality Closures: Whitbread is shutting multiple restaurant brands and diners have days left to use loyalty points before sites close. Alcohol & Industry Mood: CAMRA says it’s had a tough year financially as membership and cask volumes decline, even as festival income rose.

Retail Price Cuts: Co-op is rolling out “Fresh Mondays”, cutting selected fruit and veg by up to 50% across lines like cherry tomatoes, blackberries, apples and potatoes. Food Safety & Recalls: Fresh food shoppers are being hit with fresh warnings and recalls over E. coli concerns, including reports tied to runny eggs and specific snack products. Health & Travel Prep: Pharmacists are warning UK travellers using GLP-1 pens to protect them from heat damage on holiday, with storage guidance to avoid overheating. Food Prices & Climate Pressure: El Niño-linked forecasts are raising alarms about extreme UK weather and potential food price pressure, while heat is already affecting farming and supply. Spirits & Pensions: Diageo’s whisky-backed pension plan is in focus after the scheme moved into surplus, easing pressure on the group’s finances. Cyber & Infrastructure: Iran-linked hackers are reported to have shut down a UK power plant for four days, prompting renewed scrutiny of critical infrastructure security. On the High Street: Otley is highlighted for strong independent retail and low vacancy, bucking wider town-centre decline. Dining & Culture: A new neighbourhood brasserie, Luna in Belfast, leans into relaxed European-style comfort food and wine.