Food retailers have committed to a programme that will aim to reduce salt in own brand processed foods such as soups, pizzas and ready meals. The 'minimising salt' framework, developed by the BRC (British Retail Consortium) is in response to the Government's call for all of the food chain to cut down on salt usage and the particular concerns over processed foods, raised by Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson.
The Food Standards Agency has published its fourth Consumer Attitudes to Food reports covering the English regions (Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West), Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The 2003 surveys highlight trends on issues including shopping, eating, labelling, and food poisoning.
They used to pile it high and sell it cheap. But with today's customers wanting more than just low prices, the major retailers are discovering more cunning ways of marching us up the aisle, says Andrew Purvis in the Observer.
The Office of Fair Trading's review of the supermarket Code of Practice has found that over 80% of suppliers believe that it has failed to bring about any change in supermarkets' behaviour.
Industry groups have welcomed the OFT's decision to audit the way major retailers deal with their suppliers
Sales rose by 46% last year for Fairtrade foods, according to the latest figures published by the organisation, which promotes fair wages and working conditions for producers worldwide. The market for Fairtrade goods is now worth £100m.
