AGP Executive Report

Animal Health & Biosecurity: Scotland is tightening bluetongue controls in Dumfries and Galloway, with new animal movement restrictions, same-day return rules, and vaccination starting 10 September after cases spread across multiple farms. Household Costs & Food Access: England’s free school meal eligibility is set to expand from September 2026 for Universal Credit households, removing the income earnings threshold and potentially adding hundreds of thousands of children to support worth about £505 per eligible pupil. Farmgate Economics: Northern Ireland farm income jumped 40.5% to £1.03bn, driven by higher milk, beef and pig prices, though farm groups warn pressures remain. Food Safety (Pets): UK subscription fresh dog meals are being recalled after reports of serious eye problems, with owners told to stop feeding immediately. Retail & Travel Food: M&S has opened an expanded airside Food store at Heathrow Terminal 5, adding fresh options, an in-store bakery and “on-the-move” meals for travellers. Industry Tools: AHDB has launched a new barley yellow dwarf virus management tool for winter wheat and barley, aiming to improve risk-based sowing and spray decisions. Prices Watch: Olive oil prices in Britain have more than doubled in five years, alongside big rises in eggs, beef/veal and chocolate. Local Food & Community: A Rochdale deli break-in saw thieves steal just a can of Fanta and cigarettes, while a Tynemouth nurdle clean-up campaign continues after a Port of Tyne spill.

Beauty-leaning grocery trends: Ocado data says UK shoppers are doubling down on collagen foods and related searches, with collagen searches up 38% year-on-year and beef bone broth and leafy greens surging. Home baking shake-up: British cocoa brand Food Thoughts is rebranding and launching a premium Sainsbury’s-exclusive home baking range, including cake mixes, frostings and new chocolate chips. Food safety pressure point: The FSA says 6 in 10 people have eaten food past its use-by date to save money, with the behaviour persisting even as food inflation eases. Salmonella outbreak watch: UKHSA reports one death and hundreds ill in a salmonella outbreak, with imported eggs the strongest suspected link and Scotland also reporting cases. Dairy squeeze: Milk deliveries are running below last year and prices could rise sharply as drought hits grass and forces supply shifts. Farm health: Bedfordshire farmers are being urged to vaccinate against bluetongue as cases rise. Retail/consumer confidence: A survey for the BRC suggests rising consumer confidence is giving Andy Burnham a “golden opportunity.” Hospitality/local food: A one-star food hygiene rating has been issued to a Runcorn Indian takeaway after an inspection flagged major improvements needed.

Salmonella Egg Alert: The Food Standards Agency says there’s “no evidence” UK-produced eggs are affected, after UKHSA linked a salmonella outbreak (one death, 207 cases) to imported eggs used mainly by food service; advice is to buy UK eggs with the British Lion mark/Laid in Britain and keep cooking eggs thoroughly. Food Safety Watch: A dog food recall hits a subscription brand after reports of suspected dry eye potentially linked to buckwheat. BSE Update: Scotland confirms a classical BSE case in Dumfries and Galloway; authorities say the animal didn’t enter the human food chain and there’s no wider risk. Retail & Pricing: Shore Capital reports supermarkets are absorbing cost pressures as food inflation eases to 1.3% in July, while overall inflation rises to 2.9%. New Openings: IRO Sushi prepares its first Scottish site in Glasgow, and a Japanese-Brazilian fusion restaurant is also set to open in Newcastle. Local Food Culture: Pembrokeshire County Show spotlights regional produce, while Stockport’s Foodie Friday expands with Street Food Awards judging.

Salmonella Alert: UKHSA says a deadly salmonella outbreak “may be linked to eggs imported from outside the UK”, with 207 confirmed cases (one death) and households urged to check eggs for a specific symbol plus an eight-digit code. Cost-of-Living Pressure: UK inflation jumped to 2.9% in July as Ofgem’s 13% energy price cap rise fed through to bills, with fears Iran-war energy shocks and heatwave crop strain could keep food prices under pressure. Brewing & Soft Drinks: Carlsberg lifted full-year profit expectations after faster-than-expected Britvic synergy delivery, while Coca-Cola teamed up with rapper Central Cee for a Premier League campaign track and limited-edition packs. Climate-Resilient Farming: Reuters profiles UK farmers using soil-building, pasture-based methods to stay productive through drought and heat, highlighting the growing push for resilience. Industry Watch: Watson-Marlow will showcase sanitary fluid-handling pumps for breweries and food production at PPMA 2026 in Birmingham. Local Food Scene: North Norfolk’s food and drink festival returns with dozens of artisan producers and chefs, betting on community tastings to keep demand strong.

Salmonella Alert: UKHSA says a salmonella outbreak has hit 207 people and caused 1 death, with the strongest link pointing to eggs imported from outside the UK; the FSA stresses there’s no sign UK-produced eggs are affected and urges careful egg handling and cooking. Public Guidance: The FSA and UKHSA are coordinating on the investigation, with hospital admissions reported for 38% of cases and severe bloodstream infections in two people. School Food Deals: Ahead of GCSE results day (20 August), chains including Nando’s, Bill’s, Pizza Express and Frankie & Benny’s are offering one-day freebies or discounted treats for students who bring their results. Water Disruption: South East Water warns some Kent homes still face low pressure or no water after critically low tank levels, urging customers to use water only for essential needs. Food Hygiene Map (NI): A new analysis of FSA scores ranks Mid and East Antrim highest and Belfast City lowest for average hygiene ratings across Northern Ireland. Retail Footprint: M&S has shut its Swiss Cottage Simply Food store after 20 years, citing an unsustainable site as part of its store rotation. Safety Enforcement (Overseas): Maharashtra FDA suspended licences for six Mumbai food establishments after hygiene and storage violations.

Wholesale & Promotions: Unitas says its March “One Week Special” with Carlsberg Britvic delivered a 312% sales uplift versus the prior six weeks, with beer up 367% and soft drinks up 309%—Pepsi and Lipton Ice Tea leading. Retail Tech Backlash: Sainsbury’s switched off live facial recognition at an East Dulwich store after a shopper was wrongly accused of shoplifting; the retailer apologised and sent vouchers. Foodservice & Drink Pairing: KFC is launching “Coq au Vin” in Shoreditch over the August Bank Holiday, pairing fried chicken with La Vieille Ferme “chicken wine”. Food Safety & Standards: A Halton takeaway, Turkish Delight/Viking, was hit with a zero-star hygiene rating after an FSA inspection flagged urgent improvement needs. Community Food Support: Morrisons in Kendal is backing holiday hunger relief with Kings Food Bank, plus £50,000 of food donations across the UK. Supermarket Shelf-Life Watch: Which? found Waitrose delivered the shortest average shelf life for fresh items (7.7 days), raising fresh-waste concerns. Agriculture Tools: AHDB launched a new BYDV aphid-risk tool for winter wheat and barley to help growers target sprays more precisely. Jobs: Morrisons reported nearly 5,000 job losses in the year to October, as it continues its turnaround.

Spirits Deal: Sazerac is set to acquire Welsh vodka brand Au Vodka in a reported ~£500m deal, aiming to deepen its UK presence. Retail & Jobs: Morrisons shed nearly 5,000 roles in its fiscal year to Oct 2025 as it restructures, while net debt rose. Food Industry M&A: Pilgrim’s Europe agreed to buy Walkers Deli & Sausage from Samworth Brothers, expanding its premium pork footprint (subject to CMA approval). Pricing Rules: Aldi’s boss backs a government crackdown on misleading supermarket promotions, including “was” prices and loyalty discount tactics. Water & Farming Pressure: Andy Burnham is reportedly considering tougher water-use restrictions as drought and low reservoir levels bite, with potential bans on car washes, private pools and even window cleaning. Drought Impact on Harvest: Farmers describe harvest conditions as “pretty dire”, with some already feeding winter silage early. Local Food Culture: Lavenham’s farmers market bounced from four to 80 stands, feeding into a new craft and foodie festival. Hospitality Openings: A new licensed restaurant and cafe is set to open in Wishaw after council planners approved change of use. Food Safety/Standards: A Cardiff Bay Turkish restaurant, The Sultan, overturned an earlier low hygiene rating on reinspection. Illegal Fishing: New research highlights how illegal and unreported fishing undermines seafood economies and food security.

Retail & Food Innovation: Nakey Bakey, an allergen-free granola and snacks brand, has landed a first major Scotmid Co-op listing and is expanding across Scotland via wholesaler J.W. Filshill, backed by a £100,000 invoice finance facility to boost stock and production. Packaging & Sustainability: London Packaging Week (16-17 Sept) spotlights how fine food and drink packaging is shifting toward lighter materials, mono-material recyclability, traceable formats and smarter features like NFC. Health & Nutrition Tech: Nestlé says GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are a “huge opportunity”, using AI and nutrition science to develop products for people taking Ozempic/Wegovy and to address side effects like muscle loss and “Ozempic face”. Food Safety & Fraud: A new study estimates food fraud costs the UK up to £2bn a year, highlighting how misrepresentation can hit consumers, legitimate firms and public health. Climate Pressure on Hospitality: Europe’s heatwaves are cutting hospitality turnover sharply, with insurers often not covering indirect disruption. UK Food & Drink Spotlight: Primrose Creamery, a Nottinghamshire raw milk cheesemaker, has earned top Great Taste honours, including Golden Fork nominations.

Wildfire Relief Feeding Crews: Rapid Relief Team volunteers are supplying food and hydration to firefighters battling major blazes across England, including Holme Fen and the New Forest, as crews endure “horrific conditions.” Wales Wildfire Update: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue says “significant progress” has been made containing a large Rhandirmwyn fire, but wind is driving flare-ups. Retail Shake-ups: M&S closes its Lewisham store; Whitbread confirms all Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites will shut; Magnet plans to close 15 stores. Vodka Deal Watch: Swansea’s Au Vodka is in advanced talks over a potential £500m-plus acquisition by Sazerac. Local Food & Drink Openings: Lidl breaks ground on a new Braunton store (jobs, bakery, solar) and Anderson’s in Glasgow has recreated the classic Double Nougat. Drought Pressure on Food: Coverage flags drought and heat as mounting risks to UK crops and the wider food system. Health & Food Safety: BHF warns ACE inhibitor users to watch salt-heavy foods that could counter drug effects.

Wildfire pressure on food & drink ops: Wales has deployed the military to support firefighters, with councils warning people not to fly drones and police arresting suspects over a “deliberate fire” as emergency alerts drove a surge in 999 calls—an indirect hit to hospitality and supply chains via disruption and staffing strain. Seasonal eating push: ZOE listed 46 foods “in season” for August, pitching seasonal fruit and veg as better-tasting and potentially cheaper, with a gut-health angle. Garden bird disease guidance: The RSPB updated advice on protecting garden birds from trichomonosis, warning feeders and congregation spots can spread the parasite and urging simple feeding changes. Supermarket competition watch: The CMA has provisionally moved to bring Aldi and Lidl under rules that restrict restrictive covenants, aiming to boost store competition and choice. Heatwave insurance gap (Europe-wide): Reuters reports heatwaves are cutting hospitality turnover and exposing an insurance protection gap, with outdoor seating hit hardest. Local hygiene spotlight: Walsall is flagged as worst in the UK for food hygiene ratings, suggesting more scrutiny for eateries and takeaways.

Drought & Food Security: Andy Burnham backed a £65m support package for drought-hit farmers, warning the UK must “guarantee our own food production” as dry conditions threaten yields and could lift supermarket prices. Wildfire Risk: A nationwide emergency alert told people not to light anything that could spark wildfires, while Wales’ Mid and West Fire and Rescue continued tackling a major blaze near Rhandirmwyn with renewed fire activity. Pub Sector Pressure: New BBPA figures show pubs closing at almost two a day in early 2026 as costs and tax burdens squeeze landlords, despite steady customer demand. Food Recalls: The FSA issued fresh “do not eat” warnings, including a listeria pasta salad recall by Asda/Morrisons and other retailer pull-backs. Local Food & Drink Openings: A new Hampshire restaurant, Latimers, launched with a short, seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients. Community & Farming Culture: Great Yorkshire Show’s cheese auction hit £70,000 over 14 years for Field Nurse and hospice support. Scotland Food Culture: A piece highlights Scottish dishes people love or hate, from haggis to offal-based classics.

Food & Farming Under Pressure: Drought and heat are pushing UK livestock farmers to breaking point, with some already feeding winter silage early and warning of wider feed shortages as dry conditions bite. Animal Health Watch: Bluetongue risk is rising again, with further potentially deadly cases confirmed in Scotland, adding strain to already stressed farms. Local Food Industry & Community: Aylsham Show at Blickling Park is set to draw thousands, with local food and drink stalls alongside livestock and rural displays. Food Safety & Compliance: A Birmingham pizza takeaway faced court action after staff struggled to describe allergens and ingredients, highlighting ongoing hygiene and labelling issues. Drink & Health: A new study using UK Biobank data suggests low-to-moderate alcohol risk varies by beverage type, with beer and spirits linked to higher death risk than wine. Hydration Trends: Electrolyte drinks are increasingly mainstream, with brands promoted for everyday hydration and performance. Hospitality Spotlight: Bolete’s owners—one self-taught chef and a former solicitor—credit seasonal, locally sourced cooking for earning a top Good Food Guide local restaurant spot. Food & Drink Culture: The Belfast Mela returns for its 20th anniversary, celebrating multicultural food and community. Dairy & Farming Policy: The UK’s drought response includes a new £65m package for farmers as heatwave conditions worsen.

Wildfire Alert & BBQ Ban: The UK Government sent emergency alerts to phones across England and Wales telling people not to light anything that could spark a blaze, citing a “very high risk of wildfires nationally” after major fires including one in Stourbridge that destroyed 19 homes; the same risk has driven a temporary ban on selling disposable barbecues. Livestock Health: Defra confirmed a third bluetongue case in Scotland (sheep, Dumfries and Galloway), with the chief vet urging farmers to consider vaccination. Food & Retail Business: Asda launches “Asda Convenience” via a three-store wholesale trial in Scotland with One-O-One, while KFC in Huntingdonshire seeks to extend opening hours to 5am. Industry Moves: Lactalis has agreed to buy Saputo’s UK operations for about $1.86bn. Awards & Openings: Hereford’s Frank’s Luxury Biscuits is shortlisted twice for the Great British Food Awards, and IRO Sushi opens a new Eltham branch with launch-day offers. Heat on the NHS: NHS England reports a “summer surge” in A&E corridor care as heatwaves push services. Food Safety/Standards: The Food Standards Agency says there’s “no clear evidence” non-stun slaughter is worse for animal welfare than stunned methods.

Japanese Ingredients Push: Empire Bespoke Foods has extended its S&B Japanese range with new Umami Toppings, Umeboshi paste and Yuzo miso paste, aiming at UK demand for Japanese flavours. Italian Pasta Distribution: Felicetti pasta appoints RH Amar as its exclusive UK distributor across retail, wholesale, foodservice and online. Heat & Work Safety: Unions and campaigners are pushing for legal maximum workplace temperature limits after another round of extreme heat, with many workers reporting dangerous conditions. Drought Hitting Food: Farmers describe crop damage and early harvests as drought tightens supply, with vegetables and brassicas under pressure and imports likely to rise. Food Waste Storage Tips: A food waste expert says some items are being stored wrong, including guidance that could shift how Brits refrigerate foods like potatoes and eggs. Retail Hygiene Watch: Supermarket hygiene failures in Birmingham and Solihull include multiple stores scoring below the pass mark in recent local authority checks. Food Prices Under Pressure: A cucumber price spike is being linked to wider climate-driven shocks across the food shop. US Policy Signal: The FDA and HHS in the US have increased regulations on food additives, with a focus on transparency and clean labelling.

Food Standards Agency: The FSA is urged to do more on ultra-processed foods, with letters calling for updated guidance and stronger action as manufacturers push back. Front-of-Pack Labelling: A look at Europe’s alternatives to Nutri-Score highlights how the UK’s traffic-light system sits alongside Nordic and other endorsement schemes. Packaging Rules: From 2027, EU takeaways must accept customers’ own containers, alongside new PFAS limits in food-contact packaging. Water & Food Security: Ofwat provisionally backs up to £3.4bn extra spending, allowing some firms to raise bills, as drought and heat intensify pressure on supplies. Heatwave Impact: The Met Office reports the UK’s hottest day so far at 38.1C, with drought warnings feeding into concerns over crops and ingredients. Drought & Livestock Health: Bluetongue fears grow as more cases are confirmed in England and Wales and farmers are urged to vaccinate. Retail & Hospitality: Aldi highlights foodbank donation needs for summer essentials, while Bob & Berts announces a new Warrington café opening. Awards & Drinks: Birchall Tea wins its 16th straight Great Taste award, and Cupper’s Journey’s Rwanda coffee earns a Great Taste 1-Star. Local Food & Drink Events: Worcester CAMRA’s beer festival returns with 180+ drinks and a food court.

Bakery Innovation: BAKO’s Young Bakers Initiative has selected Alessia Ferreira Kilicaslan to develop a new bakery product for commercial release across the UK, with a focus on healthier and more inclusive options inspired by her lactose intolerance. Food & Dementia Support: A NIHR-funded study by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies finds food-based activities help people with dementia feel connected, prompting conversations and shared memories; researchers created practical resources for community groups. Heat, Work and Policy: With another 38C-leaning heatwave, a YouGov poll for Friends of the Earth shows 79% of UK adults back legal maximum workplace temperature limits, as guidance currently lacks maximum protections. Food Inflation Watch: Reuters reports UK food inflation has eased to a near two-year low (1.7% to June), helped by supermarket competition and better supplier hedging. Local Food Aid: Aldi is urging Dorset shoppers to donate high-demand essentials to foodbanks ahead of summer holidays, including tinned food, UHT milk, cereals and baby items. Drought Pressure on Farming: Northern Ireland farmers are escalating tensions with agriculture minister Andrew Muir over cattle culls and wider nutrient-pollution handling, as drought and water concerns loom.