The future of food is about to shift in a revolutionary direction, and it might just happen right here in the UK. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently announced that cell-cultivated meats – lab-grown steak, chicken, beef, and even foie gras – could be on British shelves within a few years. This pioneering leap into the world of lab-grown meat is aimed not only at providing new food options but also addressing critical issues around sustainability, food safety, and animal welfare. Here’s a closer look at how this transformative food technology could redefine how Britons eat.

In the coming weeks, Westminster may witness an unusual spectacle: convoys of tractors filled with disgruntled farmers protesting through its stately streets. These farmers say they have reached their limit. The recent change in inheritance tax, announced in the government’s budget, has struck a nerve—although it’s only the latest in a series of blows dealt to the agricultural community. Many now feel they can take no more.

Beef imports into the UK have seen a notable increase in 2024, with Ireland emerging as the dominant supplier. However, a variety of factors have helped offset the impact of this rise, particularly through positive trends in exports from Great Britain (GB). According to Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) latest analysis, the first five months of 2024 have revealed a complex and dynamic beef market.

In 2023, the UK beef market experienced a slight dip, with volumes declining by 1% compared to the previous year, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board's (AHDB) annual beef outlook report. This decrease continues a trend seen since 2020, though forecasts for 2024 show a potential recovery of 1%. However, beef volumes will still remain 5% below pre-pandemic levels.

Food startup Gourmey has applied to UK regulators for authorisation to market its cultivated foie gras. The company has also submitted applications in Singapore, Switzerland, the USA, and with EU authorities.

A recent study by the Universities of Cambridge and Bristol reveals that adolescents derive nearly two-thirds of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). By analysing data from four-day food diaries of almost 3,000 adolescents collected in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey from 2008/09 to 2018/19, researchers found that on average, 66% of adolescents' energy intake came from UPFs during this period.

A new artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tool has identified five emerging flavour trends to look out for during the summer of 2024.

The meat processing industry has presented its top ten priorities for the upcoming UK government in light of the elections on 4th July.

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has outlined a comprehensive set of proposals addressing the industry's key concerns, ranging from reforming veterinary control systems to shielding British consumers from substandard imports.

The UK has taken a monumental step forward in animal welfare with the Royal Assent of the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act. This new law mandates that animals must be slaughtered domestically, effectively putting an end to the exportation of live animals for fattening and slaughter.

In a bold and ambitious move, Heineken UK is set to invest a substantial £39 million into revitalising the British pub scene. This investment will see the refurbishment of hundreds of older venues and the reopening of 62 previously closed pubs, aimed at attracting a growing customer base accustomed to working from home.