AGP Executive Report

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.

Alcohol & Regulation: BuzzBallz has been warned by the Portman Group after launching a 10-foot “Gacha” vending machine on London’s South Bank that dispensed Labubu-lookalike toys and alcohol samples, drawing complaints from members of the public. Heatwave & Food Supply: The Met Office’s latest extreme-heat warnings come as drought bites harder, with research putting UK heatwave losses at £4.4bn so far and fresh pressure on crops and food prices. Livestock Disease: Bluetongue is spreading in Scotland, with a second farm in south-west Scotland confirming BTV-3 after the first case, triggering restrictions and euthanasia of affected animals. Packaging Rules: Landmark EU packaging and waste rules start to take effect, including early steps to curb PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in food-contact packaging. Pub & Hospitality Moves: JD Wetherspoon says it will open 11 new pubs before the end of November (with a full list), while Whitbread confirms 32 Table Table restaurant closures as it shifts focus to Premier Inn. A-level Food Perks: A-level results day is driving a wave of freebies and discounts across UK restaurants, from free gyoza and chicken to free starters and desserts. UK Chocolate: A Reading student has created a 100% British chocolate bar using locally grown cocoa, sugar and milk—highlighting how climate risk threatens cocoa supply. Brand Deal: Brookfield Drinks has acquired Crabbie’s alcoholic ginger beer brand, aiming to boost marketing and retail/hospitality presence.

Heat & Food Security: Andy Burnham is set to chair a COBRA meeting on Wednesday as extreme heat, wildfires and drought continue, with temperatures forecast around 33C and up to 38C—raising fresh pressure on farmers and water supplies. Farm & Supply Chain Pressure: A farmer warns the UK could face food shortages as drought and heat suppress grass and crop yields, forcing livestock onto winter feed early. Fans Call Out Prices: Supporters at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham have complained about steep food and drink costs at the stadium, including £18.50 for a BBQ pork roll and chips and nearly £4 for water. Livestock Health Alert (Scotland): Scotland has confirmed its first bluetongue case (BTV-3) in Dumfries and Galloway, with restrictions and testing under way. Nutrition & Health Research: A UK Biobank study links lower sugar intake in the first 1,000 days with a lower risk of later Alzheimer’s/dementia. Packaging & Industry Talent: Packaging Innovations & Empack opens entries for its Future Trailblazer Awards 2027, spotlighting early-career packaging professionals. Chocolate (UK-grown cocoa): Scientists at the University of Reading have created an all-British chocolate bar using Berkshire-grown cocoa.

Heat & Drought Watch: The Met Office says the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record, with amber “extreme heat” warnings and drought affecting nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales—raising risks for health, water supplies and food production. Food Prices & Supply: Retail demand cooled as temperatures soared, while producers warn heatwaves and drought could push food prices higher, with knock-on effects expected for next year’s barbecues. Weight-loss Drugs (Food & Drink Angle): MHRA has authorised Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 tablet Foundayo (orforglipron) for weight management and type 2 diabetes, with NHS access still pending NICE evaluation—another shift in how people eat and shop. Livestock Health: Further bluetongue vaccine supplies are expected to enter the UK as cases rise, including Scotland’s first detection. Packaging Rules: A new palm-leaf tableware report argues UK/EU rules are reshaping “compostable” vs “plastic-free” claims, pushing buyers toward polymer-free options. Hospitality Moves: Greene King is putting about 65 pubs up for sale in a portfolio reshuffle, while Popeyes confirms a Portsmouth opening with free sandwiches for early customers.

Heat & Water Stress: The UK is bracing for a fifth heatwave with amber heat-health alerts across most of England from 9am Tuesday to Friday, as drought now covers about 71% of England and “flash drought” conditions worsen. Food Security Warning: Analysts at Shore Capital warn wheat yields are down ~14% and oats down ~9%, with heat damaging harvests and pushing the UK further toward costly imports—raising feed costs and likely consumer prices. Food Recall: A.Vogel is recalling Rapunzel bioSnacky red clover seeds for sprouts/seedlings after STEC (E. coli) was found in the seed; customers are told not to grow or eat and to return for a refund. Retail Profit Watch: Spar owner Henderson Group reports profits up to £76m and sales up nearly 9% to £1.5bn in Northern Ireland, despite grocery inflation around 3.3%. On-the-go Food: Just Eat is rolling out its AI voice ordering tool across Europe after a UK launch, aiming to speed up ordering and boost recommendations. Public Health & Diet: Newcastle University research links daily 100% fruit juice or smoothies with lower depression scores in people with low fruit/veg intake.

Water Crisis: More than two-thirds of England is now in drought (71.3%), with Defra warning “nowhere” is at normal levels as a dry August follows the driest July on record; the Environment Agency says rivers, reservoirs and groundwater keep dropping, with fish rescues and navigation issues on waterways. Heat Health: UKHSA has issued amber heat-health alerts across most English regions (London and South East included) from Tuesday to Friday, urging hydration and extra checks on vulnerable people. Food Supply Pressure: Farmers and the NFU warn drought is already hitting yields and grass growth, raising the risk of food shortages and longer-term impacts on agriculture. On-the-go Food Retail: SpudBros is expanding its roadside model, opening a new Express outlet in Colne with free spuds for early customers, as it rolls out more forecourt locations. New UK Weight-loss Pill: MHRA has approved Eli Lilly’s once-daily orforglipron (Foundayo) for weight management and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, with no NHS availability yet.

Heatwave & Food Security: The UK is bracing for a fifth heatwave, with temperatures near 36C and drought conditions spreading, already cutting crop yields by 25–30% in parts of Suffolk and raising fresh food supply concerns. Retail Cold-Chain Stress: Co-op says about 10 fridges/freezers across Jersey and Guernsey were knocked out by “exceptionally hot weather”, with food safety protected and issues now resolved. Household Food Pressure: New figures for Carnegie UK’s Life in the UK Index warn nearly 2m households can’t afford enough food, with 6% unable to feed everyone at home. Gut Health & Diet Trends: A UK-led ZOE BIOME trial found a 30-ingredient whole-food plant blend shifted gut bacteria in low-fibre adults over six weeks, adding to the push for plant diversity. Brand/Business Watch: AG Barr reaffirmed full-year profit guidance after first-half revenue growth, but said supply chain disruptions cut Q2 availability and reduced revenue by ~£10m. Local Food Safety: Wales food hygiene rankings improved overall, but Blaenau Gwent stayed bottom. Community Food Support: Lounges and Kellogg’s are offering free children’s cereal breakfasts at Somerset sites during the school holidays.

Plant-forward diets & kidney health: A UK Biobank analysis of 179,508 people found sticking to plant-forward eating patterns (including the EAT-Lancet style) was linked to a 2.7% lower chronic kidney disease incidence over about 12 years, with benefits tied to lower sodium, higher fibre and less inflammation. Weight-loss science: A JAMA Network Open trial reported a low-fat vegan diet delivered weight loss comparable to semaglutide over 16 weeks, with participants cutting calories and losing an average 5.9kg. Soho pub licensing row: London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has ordered Westminster council to scrap a draft policy that would restrict “vertical drinking” (standing at the bar) and push table service, arguing it’s anti-growth and damaging to nightlife. Retail opening: Southern Co-op confirmed a late-October opening date for a new Maidenhead convenience store, featuring hot food, coffee and fresh orange juice. Food & drink on the move: Wagamama is set to open a renovated new site at Silverlink on 10 August, bringing its katsu and other menu staples to North Tyneside. Heatwave pressure on farming: Jeremy Clarkson says hot weather has wrecked the harvest at Diddly Squat Farm, warning of wider food-production impacts. Afternoon Tea Week deals: Aldi, Asda and Morrisons are among retailers and venues pushing Afternoon Tea Week savings and bundles. Food safety & hygiene: Manchester venues including a celebhaunt restaurant and a sports bar have received one-star food hygiene ratings, with bosses citing remedial training and audits. Outdoor drains tip: With heavy rain forecast in parts of the UK, advice highlights using washing-up liquid and hot water to clear kitchen-linked outdoor drains. Meta Glasses bans: Meta Glasses have been banned in 800+ pubs over privacy concerns, with some chains saying the rules may breach filming policies.