AGP Executive Report

EU Plastics Policy: The European Commission has adopted new rules for recycled-content PET single-use beverage bottles, setting a standard way to calculate, verify and report chemically recycled material to boost transparency and investment confidence. Food Delivery Shake-up: Uber has paused most of its planned Europe food delivery expansion, scaling back launches in five of seven target countries as it pushes harder to buy Delivery Hero. Farm-to-Table Spirits: Barman’s, a grain-to-glass vodka brand from Rochelle, is launching premium and naturally infused wheat vodkas made with locally grown winter wheat. Food Safety Alert: A Europe-wide salmonella scare is linked to flavoured noodles, with more than 100 infections reported. Heat & Alcohol: Coverage highlights how Europe’s extreme heat is changing drinking habits and forcing producers and retailers to rethink summer demand. Heritage & Food Traditions: Croatia’s protected heritage register adds items including a traditional sweet wedding bread-making practice, underscoring how food culture is being formally preserved.

Food Delivery Shake-up: Uber has paused most of its planned European food delivery expansion, dropping launches in Austria, Norway and Greece as it continues to pursue a takeover of Delivery Hero, per the FT. Agri-Food Water Rules (Northern Ireland): Northern Ireland is set to consult on a new Nutrients Action Programme from 2027 to 2030, with proposals aimed at cutting nutrient losses and improving water quality across farm systems. Food Safety & Health: A Japan Supreme Court ruling in the DABUS patent case clarified that AI can’t be named as an inventor under Japanese patent law, adding pressure for how food-tech and R&D teams file IP. Heat & Consumption Context: Multiple Europe heatwave guides (including Dublin, Athens, Rome, Paris and Malta) highlight how extreme temperatures are reshaping daily life and travel planning, with knock-on effects for food and drink routines. Brunch Inspiration: Norwegian-style eggs Benedict swaps bacon for smoked salmon and rye bread, a simple summer menu idea. Trade & Exports (K-food+): Korean “K-food-plus” exports hit a record $7.05bn in the first half, with instant noodles among the fastest risers.

Heatwave & Alcohol: Research suggests Europe’s extreme heat can flip the usual “hotter weather = more drinking” pattern, with consumption dropping past an upper temperature limit. Food Safety Alert: A salmonella-linked flavoured noodles incident has sickened at least 106 people across 14 European countries, raising questions about enforcement and traceability. Travel Rights: For UK/EU flyers, guidance outlines when delays or cancellations trigger refunds, rebooking and possible compensation. Hospitality Deal: Marriott ends a 30-year Pepsi partnership and moves to Coca-Cola as its global beverage provider, rolling out across thousands of properties. CAP Policy Watch: Ireland’s farmers push to keep “active farmer” status age-neutral in the next CAP proposals. Local Food Culture: A London opening (Impala) leans into a cross-regional, harissa-led style, with a deliberately hard-to-pin-down concept. Health Story: A father-of-three in Scotland was given nine months to live after swallowing problems led to terminal oesophageal cancer.

Heat & Health: France’s heatwave has reignited the air-con debate after a sharp rise in deaths among people 75+ and major excess-death figures, with schools and hospitals lacking cooling. Organic Price Pressure: French consumer group Que Choisir Ensemble says supermarkets mark up organic fruit and veg far more than conventional, leaving farmers with a smaller share. Food Safety Alert: An urgent recall was issued for cheese sold in an Irish supermarket with a “do not eat” warning. Climate Watch: The UN’s WMO says El Niño conditions are set to “strengthen rapidly,” raising the odds of heatwaves, drought and heavy rain across coming months. Food & Travel (Local): A Kent Polish Cultural Festival in Tunbridge Wells spotlights pierogi, bigos and regional products. Hospitality & Community: Dorset Seafood Festival adds a new community partner, Precision Engineering Ltd, backing the July 4-5 event at Weymouth Harbour. Drinks Culture: A look back at the 1990s alcopop boom and how it shaped drinks trends.

EU Agriculture Policy: France’s main farmers’ union FNSEA says it’s “counting on Ireland’s negotiating capabilities” as the Irish EU presidency steers talks on the next CAP budget and structure, pushing for a bigger envelope to protect food sovereignty. Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to flavoured noodles has spread across Europe, with cases rising to 106 in reports. Packaging & Waste: A UK pilot with major brands including KFC, McDonald’s and Nestlé reports a 16% cut in food-and-drink litter, while the Roundtable for Reusable Containers urges the EU Circular Economy Act to prioritise reusable transport packaging over recycling-only approaches. Trade & Markets: The EU is set to liberalise almost 80% of Armenia’s exports via “autonomous trade measures,” including tariff-free access for much of its fresh produce and beverages/spirits. Heat & Drinks: Extreme heat is reshaping how Europeans think about alcohol and hydration, with governments and hospitals bracing for further heatwave impacts. Retail & Food Shopping: Savills data suggests Britain’s out-of-town retail parks are effectively at capacity, reinforcing demand for one-stop shopping that also supports food and drink purchases.

Salmonella Alert: ECDC reports 106 Salmonella cases across 14 European countries linked to flavoured instant noodles, with 49 hospitalised; authorities warn recalled products may still be in cupboards and could keep causing illness. Food Safety Systems: A new review urges countries to treat food safety as core health infrastructure, warning pandemics could disrupt supply chains and weaken preparedness. Novel Foods: The EU has authorised inulin propionate ester (IPE) for use in foods and supplements, aiming to help regulate appetite and prevent gradual weight gain. Packaging & Compliance: The EU moves to tighten recycled-content rules for plastic bottles, while separate coverage flags rising concern about hidden plastics in food packaging. Heat & Health: Europe’s extreme heat continues to hit public services and daily life, with reports of cancelled events due to cooling limits and mounting health strain. Agrifood Innovation: WFP seeks a women-led enterprise to run a food-processing facility producing fortified complementary foods under an EU-funded infant nutrition project. Wine & Dining: Bordeaux restaurants face pressure to serve more local wines, as the city tries to revive its wine image.

EU Antitrust: The EU’s top court has upheld Google’s €4.125bn Android antitrust fine, keeping pressure on how phone defaults steer consumer choices. Food Policy & Waste: California’s new law standardises “BEST if Used by” vs “USE by” date wording and bans consumer-facing “sell by” labels to cut waste. Retail Pricing: Aldi is trialling earlier store closing times in the UK to protect low prices. Food Safety: UK authorities warn of instant-noodle links to a salmonella outbreak, “mostly affecting children,” with dozens reported sick. Health & Nutrition: A large study links coffee drinking with lower liver disease and liver cancer risk, even for people drinking five-plus cups daily. Food Innovation: Nestlé confirms it’s changing the KitKat recipe across Europe, adding a “third level” for a more complex crunch and hazelnut taste. Packaging: Scanfill launches a food-contact plastic foil made with 30% post-consumer recycled PP, aiming to meet upcoming PPWR rules. Agriculture Support: Ireland’s potential €15.3m share of an EU fertiliser aid package is branded “derisory” by farmers’ groups. Heat & Endurance: Experts share guidance for endurance events in excessive heat as Europe’s summer temperatures keep climbing.

Eurozone Inflation Watch: Eurozone inflation cooled in June to 2.8% as energy prices stabilised, with food/alcohol/tobacco up 1.6% and services around 3%, keeping pressure on the ECB’s next moves. Heatwave Readiness in Hospitals: Paris-area hospitals used supermarket and restaurant ice to cool patients during a record heatwave, and are now ordering dedicated ice machines—another sign climate shocks are reshaping foodservice-adjacent emergency operations. Food Safety Labeling: Denmark’s DTU-backed proposal would add a voluntary “STABILIZED” label for ready-to-eat foods where Listeria can’t grow, aiming to help shoppers reduce risk. Grocery Budget Hacks: Too Good To Go’s “surprise bags” are spreading across Europe, offering steep discounts on mystery food categories to cut waste and help consumers stretch budgets. Functional Ingredients Push: Jungbunzlauer is promoting bioavailable chelated magnesium for gummies and functional drinks, while market reports flag fast growth in functional mushrooms. Retail Price Fight (France): French supermarkets and food brands are trading barbs over a proposed “emergency law” that could change supplier price negotiations, with shoppers caught in the middle. EU Import Rules: The EU is tightening duty-free and customs treatment for low-value parcels, affecting cheap imported goods.

Heat & health: Europe’s deadly heatwave is pushing hospitals into emergency mode, with Paris medics even sourcing ice to cool patients as the “new normal” of extreme temperatures takes hold. Regulation & safety: The EU starts charging a €3 customs fee on low-value parcels (up to €150) from outside the bloc, aiming to curb non-compliant imports after checks flagged widespread label and ingredient problems. Grocery affordability: Circana says the average European shopping basket hits €95.35, up 5.4% since 2023, with the UK seeing the biggest jump—keeping pressure on food budgets. Protein supply risk: A report warns EU soy dependence is “structural and severe,” arguing for protein diversification to cut imports by 20% by 2035. Food industry & marketing: Lay’s PepsiCo CMO discusses how the World Cup is reshaping snack marketing and fandom in the US. Sustainability & farming: Cocoa prices remain crushed after the 2024 spike, deepening poverty for West African smallholders. Food culture: Chefs are bringing back Roman garum as fermentation-driven flavour building spreads through fine dining.

World Cup food culture: Bosnian fans in Northern California are turning Euro Grill into a home-away-from-home ahead of Bosnia vs the U.S., with cevapi and burek drawing crowds and long-distance supporters. London dining spotlight: Tresind lands in London’s Mayfair, bringing its theatrical modern Indian menu and “extraordinary diversity” message to a new European audience. UK retail sweet spot: Vanilla Coca-Cola returns to UK shelves after eight years, but only via Iceland stores and online. Farm supply-chain pressure (UK): The government’s Farming Roadmap promises fairer contracts and new protections for egg and fresh produce growers, as farmers push back on cancelled deals. EU food safety: The European Commission tightens tahini and halva Salmonella checks from Syria, adjusting control rates for other foods. Heatwave reality check (Europe): Record-breaking European heat is linked to major health strain and deaths, with guidance focused on staying safe as extreme temperatures persist. Agri-food investment (Africa): Kenya unveils a Sh1.081trn agri-food systems investment plan for 2026–2030 to boost food security and agro-processing. Heritage & food venues (UK): SAVE Britain’s Heritage adds 14 Welsh buildings to its at-risk register, including an old Leeds pub tied to 1760s-era trade.

Heatwave & food supply strain: Europe’s record heat is pushing health, rail and power systems, with warnings that fresh food availability could take a hit as temperatures soar. EU farming policy: Ireland’s MEP Ciaran Mullooly says the post-2027 CAP must commit real money to young farmers, arguing for 10% of the budget. Beverage M&A: Refresco has agreed to acquire insolvent German mineral water and soft drinks producer Rhenser Mineralbrunnen, boosting mineral water capacity. Alcohol taxes: Germany proposes a 20% spirits tax rise from 2027, with knock-on pricing concerns for spirits and sparkling wines. Brewing growth: Spain’s Damm targets doubling revenue by 2030 via international expansion, acquisitions and manufacturing investment. Retail & product buzz: Protein is everywhere at the Summer Fancy Food Show, from protein ice cream to protein-boosted jam. Hospitality & dining: A Glasgow pizzeria, Paesano Pizza, was named Scotland’s top pizzeria at 50 Top Pizza Europa 2026. Travel with food focus: Celebrity River Cruises is adding “before and after” city stays for 2027, with culinary hosts and cooking-led experiences.

EU trade & food supply chains: The European Commission has submitted proposals to sign and conclude CEPA and an Investment Protection Agreement with Indonesia, cutting tariffs on 98.5% of tariff lines and simplifying exports including agri-food. Climate pressure on food systems: Europe’s record heatwave is driving health and infrastructure strain, with knock-on risks for agriculture, energy and daily life. Plant-based reality check: A new comparison of plant-based vs animal foods found plant-based products carry about twice as many additives, especially in meat, fish and dairy substitutes. UK grocery affordability: UK households are spending nearly £119 a week on food, with many families cutting back as costs bite. Animal welfare policy delay: Campaigners mark five years since the EU’s “End the Cage Age” push, arguing Brussels has dragged its feet on cage phase-outs. Food safety & recalls: Multiple urgent snack recalls in the UK and EU cite potential contamination concerns, keeping regulators and retailers on alert. KFC supply watch: Collins Foods says it’s prepared for bird flu disruption, noting heightened biosecurity at its European chicken supply.

Heatwave & Food Supply: Europe’s deadly heatwave is pushing temperatures toward 40C in the Balkans, with authorities urging people to avoid peak sun and drink more—while France reports major knock-on impacts for food and work, including chicken deaths spiking and some boulangeries shutting due to oven heat and lack of air conditioning. Household Budgets: Spain’s latest figures show housing and food now swallow nearly half of household spending, with food costs rising sharply—raising pressure on supermarket baskets. Plant-based Meat Labeling: Spain’s Barcelona court backs Heura’s right to use meat-linked terms like “burgers” and “sausages” for its plant-based products, provided “100% plant-based” is clearly shown. Aquaculture & Invasives: Greece will pay professional fishers to catch invasive pufferfish in Crete and the South Aegean, aiming to protect nets and equipment while using EU funds. EU Trade & Retail: From July 1, the EU will add a customs charge on low-value parcels, targeting cheap imports that have surged via platforms like Temu and Shein. Food & Drink Retail Deals: UK chain ASK Italian launches a £3 “Aperol Hydration Break” during the World Cup period, alongside new summer menu items. Wellness & Food Anxiety: A report highlights growing fear-based eating trends, with experts warning that obsession with “healthy” diets can tip into harmful behaviour.

UK Food Supply: Britain is bracing for a possible chicken shortage as a new heatwave could push temperatures above 40C, with warnings that heat stress can disrupt livestock transport and farming output. Europe Heat Impact: Record-breaking temperatures across Europe are already damaging crops and livestock, adding fresh pressure to food supplies as extreme weather becomes more frequent. Food Safety & Retail: Urgent recall alerts have been issued for products sold at major UK supermarkets, including Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, highlighting ongoing risks in the supply chain. Packaging & Convenience: A disposable food container maker is expanding sustainable packaging options, pointing to growing demand for greener takeaway materials amid tighter plastic rules. Trade & Food Policy: EU-Thai free trade talks are entering a sensitive phase, with sticking points including agriculture and sanitary/phytosanitary measures. Market Infrastructure: Demand for mezzanine floors is rising on the back of e-commerce and warehouse expansion, supporting logistics capacity for food distribution.

Heatwave hits UK food supply: Britain’s biggest supermarkets shut chilled and frozen sections as fridges failed in record June heat, leaving shoppers unable to buy meat and dairy. Extreme heat across Europe: Germany, Czechia, Poland and Hungary sweltered past 40C, with WHO reporting 1,300+ excess deaths since June 21 and more disruption from storms and fires. Food safety watch: EU authorities exchanged 10,000+ food-violation alerts in 2025, with listeria-linked cheese outbreaks underscoring the need for fast recalls. Retail pressure in the UK: Sainsbury’s faces a consumer-confidence test in its trading update as food inflation risks return. Food & drink culture: Asti’s DOCG pushes back on the “sugary dessert” myth, stressing natural sweetness and balance. Aquaculture expansion: Oman’s NSA shrimp farm plans 3,200 tonnes of white shrimp in 2026, targeting new export markets. Cooking basics: A guide on how to boil eggs perfectly.

Extreme Heatwave: Europe is baking again, with record temperatures pushing health and infrastructure to the limit across Germany, Denmark and beyond, as heatwaves intensify and recovery gets harder with warmer nights. Food Safety Crackdown: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency seized nearly five tonnes of food in Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas over expired shelf life, bad labelling, missing traceability and storage/production non-compliance. EU Emergency Response: The European Commission is sending rescue teams and activating Copernicus emergency mapping after deadly earthquakes hit Venezuela, with EU funding earmarked for relief partners including the World Food Programme. Trade & Animal Welfare: UK Labour has reportedly backed away from a foie gras import ban carve-out after EU rules blocked cherry-picking, meaning imports continue while domestic production remains banned. Heat on Farms: Italy’s Po River is running low under the heatwave, letting seawater push inland and threatening irrigation and farmland in the Po Delta. Food Culture & Learning: A viral “olive oil” how-to video highlights how consumers are hunting for cooking confidence as prices rise, while a wine training piece focuses on building aroma recognition.