Speciality Food Magazine June 2024

7 specialityfoodmagazine.com Leading voices from across the UK food and drink industry have responded positively to recent clarification from government on timelines for the DRS (Deposit Return Scheme), but with some concerns around the scope of glass. All four nations were consulted on plans for single-use drinks containers, with costly delays to Scottish implementation (poised to begin in 2021) causing outrage. A later date of October 2025 was set for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but this has now been set back to a revised date of 2027, giving businesses more time to prepare. In a joint policy statement, the government said the new deadline aims to allowmore time for consumers, retailers and producers to understand the DRS, while recognising devolved waste and recycling policies. Clarifying its position, the government said PET (polyethylene terephthalate) drinks bottles and metal drinks cans sized 150ml to 3litres will be in scope across the UK, and will be excluded from disposal fees and labelling obligations, while the position on glass bottles will be set out by each nation individually. Defra has confirmed they will not be in scope in England, while the Welsh government has restated that Wales will consider glass bottles in scope. Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said though the organisation is happy with the decision to delay the DRS, it is disappointed by the moves from Welsh government to keep glass in scope, adding that it’s “vital that the DRS scheme is aligned as far as possible across the UK to keep business costs down and maximise the benefit for consumers, whilst allowing clear messaging across the whole of the UK about how the scheme will function.” The DRS will target single-use drinks containers, with government saying it will work with industry to support voluntary trials of reusable and refillable bottles and cartons. Deposit Management Organisations (DMOs) will operate on behalf of drinks packaging producers, with consumers being charged a small deposit when they purchase a drink in an in-scope container. This will be refunded only when the consumer returns the container to a designated collection point, fromwhere it will go on to be recycled. Dr Joshua Wells, principal political consultant for the environment and climate change said implementing the scheme is vital for the UK to achieve its ambition of moving towards a circular economy, but recognised attempts so far have faced numerous obstacles – notably a disagreement between Scotland and England over the scope of glass. “Questions will remain about the fate of glass containers, which each administration will address in separate statements. Once these statements are made, the glass debate, which divides industry and stakeholders on grounds of cost, practicality, and environmental benefit, is likely to continue,” he said, pressing how urgent it was for the UK to catch up with other countries, such as Norway, Denmark and Sweden “all of which have had DRS for decades”. Karen Betts, CEO of Food and Drink Federation echoed Dr Wells’ concerns, saying it is critical for UK governments to work closely together now, to ensure the scheme is “easy to use and understand, operating under the same rules and with the same labels across the four nations. A consistent, UK-wide approach is the best way to ensure value for money and to drive up the UK’s disappointing recycling rates.” “The rest of Europe has moved with the times to create a circular economy for drinks containers, so it’s only right that the stopwatch starts again in the UK’s race to build an effective Deposit Return Scheme,” adds Carol Robert, COO of Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland. “As well as long term benefits such as reduced litter and increased recycling rates, a DRS is also a critical step for businesses, and the UK, to achieve net zero. We’ve seen a positive start for Ireland’s DRS and it is now essential that we work on an interoperable UK-wide approach with detailed, prescriptive and consistent DRS regulations. SBF GB&I has been poised on the starting line and we’re ready to give our full backing to make DRS a reality and a contributor to our goal of achieving 100% sustainable packaging by 2030.” Industry welcomes news of DRS delay HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS HUNGRY FOR AUSTRALIAN SUPERFOODS Austrade reveals where flexitarian, plant-based and keto consumers can get a taste of Australia’s trendiest newproducts H olland & Barrett and Harrods are just two of the top retailers where health- conscious consumers can try innovative and delicious Australian health foods newly available in the UK. Thanks to the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement eliminating tariffs on over 99% of goods between both nations, more Australian companies are targeting the UKmarket and tapping into high demand for functional foods with natural ingredients. Similar to Australia, the number of meat-free consumers in the UK is soaring. Currently 16% of the population follow a meat-free diet As a result, high protein foods are increasingly popular. Waitrose revealed in its 2023 Food & Drink Report that consumers aged under 35 years rated ‘high in protein’ as the most important health quality in a food, while a third of all survey participants sought out high protein foods. Alongside natural health foods, there has been a wave of new and exciting premium products gaining new UK customers for their uniquely Australian flavours and provenance. PHYCOHEALTH’S CRUNCHY SEAWEED GRANOLA Stocked at Holland & Barrett, PhycoHealth uses sustainably farmed Australian seaweed to create seaweed pasta, muesli, kombucha and fruit straps. In March 2024, PhycoHealth won the IFE Food Manufacturing Ingredients Award for most innovative protein source. Its product, PhycoTein, is the world’s first green seaweed protein-rich ingredient, packed with essential amino acids, iron, and B12 – nutrients that are often rare in plant-based proteins. FABLE FOOD’S MEATY PULLED MUSHROOMS Fable Food is reimagining mushrooms. It is made from Shiitake mushrooms whose dense, fleshy fibres and umami flavours are naturally meat-like. Fable’s plant-based meaty pulled mushrooms have the texture of slow-cooked ‘beef’. Fable is available in shops across the UK, including at Holland & Barrett and Planet Organic. The brand has also partnered with restaurants such as Honest Burgers and Côte Brasserie. KEEP KETO’S GARLIC BREAD CRACKERS Global interest in the ketogenic diet is expected to continue growing, with the market projected to reach $12 billion by 2028. Keep Keto was founded in 2017 by pharmacist and medical scientist Katherine Kwee. Its vegan keto crackers, relishes and jams are low carb, keto, gluten free and refined sugar free. Keep Keto is rapidly expanding internationally with a presence in the US, the Middle East and Asia, and now looking at expanding into the UKmarket. The delicious snacks have already attracted significant interest fromUK retailers. AUSTRAL FISHERIES’ GLACIER 51 TOOTHFISH Austral Fisheries’ Glacier 51 Toothfish is a truly unique product. In the past, people have compared it to Chilean sea bass, but its taste, texture, and flavour profile is very different. It has been recognised by renowned chefs around the world and is served at high-end restaurants such as Nobu, Sexy Fish and Rockpool. Glacier 51 Toothfish is currently available in Selfridges and Whole Foods Market. The brand is exploring other major UK retail channels. YARRA VALLEY CAVIAR’S SMOKED SALMON ROE Yarra Valley Caviar recently launched its high quality First Harvest Salmon Roe, Smoked Salmon Roe and Trout Roe at Harrods. The product range is also available through UK-based independent retailer Fine & Wild. Located at the base of the Rubicon River in the Yarra Valley region of rural Victoria in Australia, Yarra Valley Caviar uses a bespoke breed of Atlantic salmon, purely bred to be humanely hand- harvested once a year, creating bright, plump pearls. It is already the salmon roe of choice for leading restaurants worldwide and the brand was most recently selected by chef Miller Prada of one Michelin starred restaurant and wood-fired dining concept HUMO in London's Mayfair. The number of Australian products available in the UK is likely to continue rising as word spreads throughout the market and demand grows among consumers for premium offerings that are a bit out of the ordinary to them. Discover the latest Australian suppliers and products entering the UK - contact the Food & Beverage team at the Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade) at london@austrade.gov.au .