The Takeaway - January 2026
Welcome to the January edition of The Takeaway! It’s a new year, and though post-Christmas blues and bad weather don’t make this a particularly popular period, there’s been plenty going on in the food industry to distract us. Here’s the biggest stories catching our eye this month…
New School Meals Accelerator launches to feed 100m children
First up, something global and good - the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation, the Development of Germany (BMZ), Novo Nordisk Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and the World Food Programme (WFP) are teaming up to help provide an additional 100 million children with nutritious meals. Public Sector Catering has the full story…
Read the whole story here.
Why 2026 is the year of the protein product
It’s diet season, but it's looking like for many, healthy eating habits will extend much further than the usual post-Christmas boom - according to the Grocery Gazette, research from Ocado Retail recently revealed almost half of consumers upped their protein intake last year and consequently Retailers are expanding and launching new products within their protein lines.
Read the whole story here.
Labour shortages to worsen under new immigration plans
Immigration is a controversial topic, but in terms of the food industry, according to UK Hospitality changes to the immigration system lately announced will ‘further shrink’ the talent pool hospitality businesses are recruiting from and contribute to greater shortages, adding to the UK’s labour market shortages.
Read the whole story here.
UK junk food advertising ban comes into force
HFSS (see our article on it here) has been top of the food industry agenda for years, and now a new UK ban on junk food advertising before 9pm and online is targeting childhood obesity and forces change across food marketing. New Food Marketing reports..
Read the whole story here.
Just Egg has still not launched in the UK – here’s why
Veganuary may be drawing to a close, but the egg substitute Just Egg remains one of the most anticipated products this side of the Atlantic. But the the UK launch of the mung bean-based vegan egg alternative that’s taken the US by storm has been delayed again. Vegan Food and Living knows why…
Read the whole story here.
