FPA issues guidance on packaging claiming to be ‘plastic-free’

The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has issued key guidance to address the claims made by producers of ‘plastic-free’ packaging.

In response to the big increase in foodservice packaging claiming to be plastic-free, linked with the confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the validity of plastic-free packaging claims, the FPA has published a list of requirements to help inform packaging buyers conducting due diligence prior to  purchase.

“Our members, foodservice retailers and the general public need clarity”, says Martin Kersh, Executive Director at the FPA (pictured.) 

He went on to say: “FPA members need to know what evidence they should be looking for to validate packaging, while foodservice retailers must be confident they're making buying decisions based on evidence that's valid in the UK.

“Having board-based packaging that can hold hot fluids, sauces and oils in safety, without some form of plastic lining or coating, is a huge attraction for retailers”, Kersh continues. “However, while plastic-free packs don’t contain the polyethylene (PE) or PLA most often used to make packs effective, many do use other plastics, like acrylic, as part of what's known as a dispersion coating. As such, there are packs that claim to be plastic-free, when they're not."

There is much confusion regarding the certification used to evidence claims of ‘plastic-free’ and symbols used to demonstrate conformity. Some certificates are produced by organisations that aren't  recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) – and there are other symbols which are totally fictitious and are a total and clear breach of the Competition & Markets Authority Green Claims Code.

The FPA guidance for plastic-free packaging is summarised below:

1. Plastic-free must mean 100% plastic-free – with no intentionally added plastic present – either in the principal substrate or within the lining/coating.

2. The finished pack (not only the material it consists of) must be independently tested and certified to be 100% plastic-free by a certification body recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

3. The testing must identify the presence of any plastic, and not just those plastics that might be present in the packaging the ‘plastic-free’ pack is seeking to replace.

4. Certification issued by a country outside the UK does not necessarily validate a claim made in the UK. The due diligence for packaging being marketed in the UK needs to ensure the evidence/certification is accredited by UKAS.

5. The only symbols shown must be those of the UKAS-accredited certifying body, accompanied by a license number.

“The guidance for plastic-free packaging falls into the same category as that required for all other claims regarding the origin and credentials of the certifying body”, adds Kersh. “All our members are required to operate their businesses in accordance with the FPA Code of Practice, which expressly forbids the use of any unsubstantiated claims”.

A full copy of the FPA guidance can be viewed at the FBA website. Businesses seeking certification can visit the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) website to source accredited organisations. UKAS is appointed by government to assess and accredit organisations providing certification and testing facilities.

https://foodservicepackaging.org.uk

Spanish dining proving a hit with Waitrose shoppers

With the warmer, summer weather hitting the UK it seems that living the Mediterranean lifestyle is proving popular, with Waitrose reporting an increase in demand for Spanish dining. 

Spanish tapas is also a top pick during the heatwave, with #SpanishTapas gaining 10.4 million views on TikTok and 57k views in only the last 30 days. On Waitrose.com searches for ‘Spanish tortilla’, ‘patatas bravas’, and ‘manchego’ are up 82%, 20% and 50% respectively. 

Said Jane Whitehead, who is the Waitrose deli buyer: “As soon as the temperatures begin to rise we see many of our customers heading straight to our deli section to create the perfect tapas style dinner, or ‘picky tea’ as some people like to call it. 

"95% of the range on our deli counters are exclusive to us, with flavoured hams and olives proving especially popular at the moment as our customers create tapas boards for their alfresco dining experience.”

Sales of gazpacho have also risen by a staggering 146% in the last week alone as more and more of opt for lighter and more refreshing lunches. Paella is also on many menus with searches on Waitrose.com for their Chicken & Chorizo Paella recipe up by an impressive 89% over the last month, and sales of their paella rice are also up by 16% compared against last year.  

Jamie Matthewson, their head of wine buying, recommends the Loved & Found Treixadura as the perfect paella pairing, with its floral aromas and citrus notes matching perfectly with the rich chorizo flavours.

Why might this be happening? That's Food and Drink can think of two explanations. People wish to recreate their Spanish holiday meals at home. And others are aware that due to the fact that Spain is much warmer than Britain all year round, Spanish cuisine is more suited to being eaten during warmer weather.

Lidl is extending Prevented Ocean Plastic™ to its water bottle packaging

From next month, July, Lidl's San Celestino Italian sparkling mineral water bottles will incorporate the ocean bound plastic.

The permanent change will prevent the equivalent of nearly 4 million plastic water bottles from entering the ocean annually.

Also Lidl's changing all milk caps from coloured to clear, further boosting their recyclability.

Lidl GB has announced it will be incorporating Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into its water bottle and is the first UK supermarket to make this change.

Appearing in store throughout July, Lidl’s 1 litre San Celestino Italian Sparkling Mineral Water bottles will contain a minimum of 30% Prevented Ocean Plastic™,  plastic which would otherwise have ended up in the ocean.

With 12 million bottles of the everyday item sold annually, this initiative is expected to save nearly 100 tonnes of plastic from entering our oceans annually, per year, equivalent to almost 4 million plastic water bottles.

The move builds on Aldi's previous efforts in being green. Lidl has been leading the way since 2020, when it became the first UK supermarket to introduce food packaging using Prevented Ocean Plastic™. 

Since then, it's been rolled out across a range of Lidl’s own-brand fresh fish, breaded poultry, sausage and fresh fruit products, meaning Aldi's already prevented the equivalent of in excess of 15 million plastic water bottles from entering the ocean.

Doubling down on their commitments, Lidl is also taking steps to improve the recyclability of its plastic. Last year, the discounter transitioned its semi-skimmed fresh milk with supplier Müller over to clear caps from coloured.

Over the next two months, in partnership with both Müller and Cornish Farm, it's transitioning its entire milk range to clear caps.

The rollout of colourless milk caps this year will support industry wide retention of 4000 tonnes of bottle top material to be used again within the food sector.

Shyam Unarket, who is the Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl GB, said:  “Ocean plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern, it is expected that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. 

"As pioneers of integrating ocean bound plastic into our packaging in 2020, we have been consistently building and improving on our efforts since, and are proud to now extend Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into water bottles. Through this latest product development, we hope to inspire wider efforts across the industry.”

Prevented Ocean Plastic™ packaging, supplied and developed in conjunction with Bantam Materials, is made from discarded water bottles found in Southeast Asia within 30 miles of a coastline or major waterway that feeds into the ocean. This waste is then sorted and processed before being used in packaging. The entire process is fully traceable with a robust documented chain of accountability.

https://www.aldi.co.uk

Peanut Butter whiskey liquor launched at Aldi

At a mere £12.99, clever Aldi shoppers can save 43% when compared against the alternative brand Sheep Dog.

It will be available in Aldi stores from 29th June. The latest addition to Aldi’s award-winning line-up offers a unique and joyful take on an Irish classic. 

Boasting the comforting and delicious taste of peanut butter with the complex flavours of a classic aged whiskey, this is a deliciously nutty tipple that is both smooth and also sweet.

Smart shoppers might spot similarities to the popular Peanut Butter Whiskey brand, Sheep Dog. However, with savings of up to 43%, whiskey fans will be running, not walking to Aldi to stock up on their new favourite tipple!

Incidentally if you have never tried any peanut butter whiskey, may I suggest that you nip into your nearest Aldi branch and buy a bottle or two? Incidentally, my favourite way of drinking this is served over ice and with a strong ginger beer, such as Old Jamaica.

Co-op expands Goose Island partnership with launch of two frozen pizzas

The Co-op has announced it's set to expand its popular Goose Island frozen food range with the launch of two new exciting pizza flavours, taking the total number of products in the collaboration to a magnificent seven.

New additions to the bar snacks range include a Double Pepperoni Pizza (515g) and BBQ Cheese Feast Pizza (510g), which have both been developed with the bold American flavours from Goose Island’s IPA to enhance the takeaway style home dining experience with authentic Italian cooking methods.

A testimony to Co-op’s commitment to high-quality produce, the pizzas are actually made in the heart of Italy, hand-stretched with 24hr leavened dough and baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, thus ensuring a light and airy crust. 

Comprising of a deep pan pizza base topped with Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce, the Double Pepperoni Pizza is nicely finished off with mozzarella and pepperoni pieces whilst the Cheese Feast Pizza combines mozzarella, Emmental, provolone and Italian hard cheese.

Targeting foodie customers who are seeking out quick and easy dinner solutions, the new pizzas are an ideal match for the brewery’s beers which includes Goose Island IPA Single Can (330m) and Goose Island IPA Cans (4 x 330ml). The pizzas also join the existing line-up of Goose Island snacking SKUs which launched back in 2021 and are infused with the brewery’s iconic award winning IPA. The five “finger-food favourites” includes: onion rings, halloumi fries, mac ‘n’ cheese bites, chilli cheese bites and loaded fries.

Rebecca Oliver Mooney, who is the Head of Commercial at Co-op, said: “We’ve seen a phenomenal response to our bar snacks collaboration with Goose Island and the new pizzas are the perfect way to add innovation to the popular range as they continue the food and beer pairing.

“We are focused on providing our members and customers with convenient solutions, so we’re confident our members and customers will buy into the range even more so with these new additions which provide shoppers with a complete ‘fakeaway’ range to conveniently cook up at home."

Olivia Moore, Goose Island Brand Manager said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing this new addition, which gives consumers the opportunity to perfectly match their pizza and beer. The Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce is infused with our award winning IPA, the flavours from which bring something really special to the range.”

The pizzas are available now in the frozen food section across 816 Co-op stores and online at shop.coop.uk, priced at £3.75 each.

Taking Dad out for Father's Day? Here's an idea! A Wetherspoon lunch

Every Wetherspoon pub in the United Kingdom (852 of them!) will be having one very special item returned to the Wetherspoon menu only for Father's Day 18th June. 

The menu item is the Wetherspoon Brunch Burger. 

The Brunch Burger is made up of a three-ounce beef burger, American-style cheese, maple-cured bacon, free-range fried egg and topped with a hash brown.

With a soft drink it costs £7.15 and with an alcoholic drink the cost is £8.55.

Obviously other meals are available including steaks, curries, burgers, vegan burgers, salads, etc.

So, why not take Dad out to your local Wetherspoon pub for a Father's Day lunch?

By the way, this isn't a sponsored post. I'll probably be enjoying a Wetherspoon brunch burger myself, tomorrow!

Shopping at Waitrose just got a bit cheaper

Waitrose has reduced the prices on over 200 everyday, summer favourites as part of a £100m investment to lower customers’ bills. 

The new lower prices are to be found in every aisle and include cupboard staples like British butter and tomato ketchup to Fairtrade golden caster sugar, plus as British cocktail sausages, salads and ice cream for your summer barbecues and picnics.

Half of these products are now at least 10% cheaper than previously. The price cuts have been made without compromising on the usual exceptional quality or Waitrose values, which include sourcing higher welfare meat and commitments to our British farmers.

A spokesperson said: "This is the second time we’ve lowered hundreds of prices this year. In February, we cut prices on over 300 products at the start of a record £100m investment. This move has already attracted new customers to shop with us."

Charlotte Di Cello, Commercial Director for Waitrose, commented: “We’re investing millions in lowering the prices of everyday food across our aisles so our customers will benefit every time they shop with us. 

“But it’s summer, so our customers are telling us they also want delicious treats for picnics and barbecues to be more affordable, so we’ve lowered the prices of British double cream, ice cream, ice lollies, and meringues made with free range eggs.

“We’ve made these cuts with absolutely no compromise on the high quality, high welfare, and delicious recipes our customers expect from us. 

“We’ll still react to any drops in food inflation and pass on savings to our customers as soon as the prices we pay begin to fall, and we’ll continue to pay farmers a fair price for their products too.

"Besides our investment in prices, our Essential Waitrose range of over 900 products is the largest value range of any UK supermarket."

www.waitrose.com

Looking for Father's Day gifts? Asda has the answers!

For those looking for perfect Father’s Day gifts, Asda has revealed a series of wonderful products and deals, from confectionary to booze, and everything in between.

Finding a gift for the father-figure/s in your life can be a bit difficult, so Asda is offering deals including bargains on beer and whisky, a range of sweet treats and savings on your steak dinners.

Father’s Day Steak Deal

Until Thursday 22nd June, shoppers can treat dad to a steak dinner – rump, sirloin or ribeye - plus a Viaplay Sport Streaming Voucher, for just £8.00. Some of the delicious steaks included in the mouth-watering deal are the ASDA Flavoursome Beef Rump Steak, 255g at £4.75 each, ASDA Succulent Prime Beef Sirloin Steak, 227g at £4.60 each and ASDA Ribeye Steak, 227g, £5.20 – or 2 for £8.00.

Father’s Day Pizza

For Father’s Day, Asda's launched a special Father’s Day Pizza at its Pizza Counters too, until Sunday 18th June. The Detroit Base pizza with BBQ sauce, cheese, pepperoni, meatballs & spicy beef topped with jalapenos and a bourbon whisky BBQ drizzle costs only £5.00.

Amber Pepper, Product Development Manager at Asda, said: “We know our customers love an Asda Pizza Counter creation, and this is no different. This Father’s Day special is a great option to treat dad. If you’re lucky, he might even give you a slice!”

Gift of Booze

Whisky is a staple gift, with big savings up to £17.00, to be made on branded favourites until Wednesday 21st June 2023. Great deals include but aren’t limited to:

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, 70cl, £18.00 (WAS £26.00)

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire Whiskey, £17.00 (WAS £26.00)

Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky, 70cl, £20.00 (WAS £30.00)

Talisker Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl, £25.00 (WAS £42.00)

Glenmorangie The Original Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl, £27.00 (WAS £37.00)

If Dad's more of a beer drinker, customers can pick up cases of Birra Moretti Premium Lager Beer Bottles, 18x330ml, for just £20.00 (WAS £23.00).

The supermarket is running 2 for £20 deal on selected favourites too, such as –

Corona Extra Premium Lager Beer Bottles, 12x330ml, £14.00 or 2 for £20 – a saving of £8.00

Magners Original Apple Irish Cider Cans, 18x440ml, £14.00 or 2 for £20 – a saving of £8.00

Stella Artois Unfiltered Lager Beer Bottles, 12x330ml, £14.00 or 2 for £20 – a saving of £10.00

Doom Bar Amber Ale, 10x440ml, £11.50 or 2 for £20 – a saving of £3.00 (ends 21st June 2023)

Sweet treats

For those father figure/s who’d prefer something sweet to nibble on, Asda has some delicious treats too. Toblerone Chocolate Large Bar, 360g, just £4.00 whilst Cadbury Roses Chocolate Carton, 290g, are £3.50 – both with 50p in Asda Rewards cash pots, too.

If dad prefers sweets over chocolate, then Barratt Wham with Sour Crystals, 300g, Barratt Liquorice Novelties Pick 'n' Mix Sweets Carton, 400g, are just £2.50 each (WAS £3.00 each.)

Some other fantastic deals on sweets include, previous sweet deals and the ones below run now until 18th June:

Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Pralines Gift Box 16 Pieces, 200g, £4.50 (WAS £5.75)

Toblerone Orange Twist Sharing Chocolate Bar, 360g, £4.00 plus 50p in Asda Rewards cash pot

Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Pralines Gift Box 24 Pieces, 300g, £6.50 (WAS £9.50) plus 50p in Asda Rewards cash pot

Cadbury Heroes Chocolate Carton, 290g, £3.50 plus 50p in Asda Rewards cash pot

NEW Guylian Temptations Mixed, 200g, £4.50 (WAS £6.00)

Toblerone White Sharing Chocolate Bar, 360g, £4.00 plus 50p in Asda Rewards cash pot

Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Large Gift Bar, 360g, £3.50 (WAS £4.00) plus 50p in Asda Rewards cash pot

Maltesers Chocolate Box, £2.50

NEW Guylian Seashells Dark 225g, £4.50

Terry's Chocolate Orange Milk, 157g, £1.50

Hundreds of products are Price Locked at Asda this summer until 31st August, providing customers with value for money on key summer favourites across chilled, frozen, produce, drinks and more. Price locked products include Asda 4 Strawberry & Vanilla Ice Cream Cones (£1.45), Asda Beef Burgers (£3.00) and Asda Juicy & Sweet Pineapple Chunks (£2.00). Find out more here - https://groceries.asda.com/cat/price-locked/1215686354018

Shop in store and online now for all your Father’s Day needs at www.asda.com/fathersday before 18th June.

Asda partners with Avery Berkel and Hanshow to promote refillable solutions for UK supermarket shopping

Asda is embarking on a strategic project to create their first sustainability trial store, and Avery Berkel, a long-standing partner and leading provider of retail scales, was obviously a natural choice for the collaboration. 

Avery Berkel's team and its digital labelling solution partner Hanshow worked very carefully and closely with Asda to develop a sustainable solution for the Middleton-based store, leveraging their expertise in retail scales and unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

The collaboration has resulted in a successful solution that will have the potential for a meaningful impact on the retail industry and the wider environment.

Although zero-waste stores are gaining popularity amongst independent retailers and smaller chains on our high streets, they're still viewed as a niche concept in the market of larger consumer stores. 

Asda recognised the significance of this trend and aimed to develop a solution that will assist customers in the initial stages of their sustainable shopping journey. The result is a truly remarkable achievement brought to fruition by the combined efforts of Asda, Avery Berkel, and Hanshow, marking a milestone in the pursuit of sustainability in the retail sector.

The Avery Berkel Solution.

To advance the zero-waste solution and cater to shopper's needs, Avery Berkel partnered with Asda to develop a bring-your-own-container solution. Drawing on their specialised knowledge and expertise, Avery Berkel's team developed a comprehensive solution which includes customised enhancements to meet Asda's specific requirements.

This holistic solution comprised of weighing solutions, Avery Berkel’s enterprise scale management system, and electronic shelf labels powered by Hanshow. 

All three components were designed to work seamlessly together, providing shoppers with an enriching refill experience. 

Compared to standard printed shelf and product labels, the total refill solution presented additional product information, such as refill instructions, ingredients, allergens, and storage details to name but a few.

The simple, intuitive shopper interface was accessible to customers who might not have previously engaged in this kind of technology. To further support the shopper experience and deliver reassurance messaging, Avery Berkel also created a sophisticated set of screen graphics that can be used to deliver messaging direct to the consumer and which would remind them of the effect of their behaviour change.

Asda's concept store in Middleton was the site of the initial consumer trials for their zero-waste solution, which received highly positive customer feedback following its installation in 2020. Within just over a year, three more stores were added to the green roster. Asda continues to support and develop these refill trials, using Avery Berkel technology, with the goal of reducing the amount of single use plastic their customers take home as part of their overarching ambition to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2040.

(EDITOR: Personally I am excited in this opportunity to help protect our environment by how we shop.)

Don’t Forget About Dad on Father's Day

Give your Father a gift that he will absolutely love, if he is a foodie. Tickets to the Great British Food Festival. 

With a fantastical array of top chefs, artisanal bakers and musicians from across the whole of the UK, he'll have the time of his life!

From brownies to cheese, noodles to churros, they have it all at the Great British Food Festival.

They'll have hundreds of top artisan producers, street food stalls and bars (including vegan and gluten free options)

Choose from 6 beautiful UK locations, create some priceless memories and show your Dad some proper foodie fun! With up to 35% OFF on our website and delivery by email in less than a few minutes, it's a no brainer for your Fathers Day gift!

https://greatbritishfoodfestival.com/tickets.php

Locations are: Knebworth House, Hardwick Hall, Wentworth Woodside, Margam Park, Borde Hill and Arley Hall.