Further restrictions?
Sir, The government’s childhood obesity report reiterates its commitment to the introduction of some form of sugar tax but, disappointingly, there is no detail on how it will be levied.
However, the government has indicated that the overall strategy is not limited to soft drinks. Progress in reducing sugar content by 20% in the nine priority categories (including biscuits, cakes and puddings) will be monitored by Public Health England.
There is a threat of further action if insufficient progress is made by 2020. There is also to be a review of the current nutrient profile to update it with the latest scientific advances.
This, together with the recent Committee of Advertising Practice consultation on advertising, may mean greater restrictions on advertising HFSS foods to children are introduced.
Susan Barty, partner, CMS Cameron McKenna
Producers under pressure
Sir, I read with interest (but not surprise) the analysis of lamb prices (‘Fewer lamb slaughterings drive up prices’, 20 August, p17). This coming a few weeks after you reported milk prices rising and the number of UK dairy cows was in decline. I suspect this is a trend we will see across most if not all agricultural commodities.
In most sectors, agriculture producers have been receiving a price below their cost of production for many months and, in some sectors, years. This is not sustainable. Whilst every business in the supply chain needs to make a margin and return on their capital, at present insufficient returns are making it down to the producer and, as such, reduced production and rising prices is a likely outcome.
If subsidies were to significantly reduce post-Brexit, producers would come under even greater pressure.
Doug Jackson, director, food and farming, Savills
Feeling the pulse
Sir, With regards to the Focus on: Rice and Noodles (13 August), at Merchant Gourmet we’ve made a close study of the Kantar data which says Brits have forked out an extra £9.4m on pouched rice in the past year, with growth of 5.4% on volumes up 8.3%. Our data tells us this positive figure is bolstered by sales of pouches that include grains, particularly quinoa. In fact, quinoa-based pouches have grown by +129%, an additional £7.8m year on year (IRI 52 w/e 16 July).
This highlights the strong - and growing - consumer appetite for healthier ready to eat alternatives including pulses and grains. In coming weeks, we’ll be revealing an exciting new development.
Sanjay Davda, sales & marketing director, retail, Leathams
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