How safe is your maize flour?
Basillioh Mutahi BBC News, Nairobi Getty Images Several well-known brands of maize flour have been taken off supermarket shelves in Kenya, after a warning about unsafe levels of a poisonous substance known as aflatoxin. This has led to widespread concern, as maize is the country’s main staple. The flour is used to prepare ugali, a […]
Post-Brexit food worker shortage plan needed, warn AMs
BBC The importance of identifying food as Welsh was stressed to the committee Welsh ministers must clarify “as a matter of urgency” how they will address any reduction in EU workers in the food and drink industry after Brexit, an assembly committee has said. Meat Promotion Wales (MPW) said more than 50% of meat processing […]
Covid staff shortages will continue into New Year
Getty Images Staff shortages continue to blight retailers and hospitality firms, with one warning of closures if Covid absences worsen. David Josephs, boss of food importer and retailer All Greens, told the BBC he could be forced to temporarily shut outlets and redeploy remaining staff. The chief executive of pub group Fullers said things are […]
Dara Ó Briain on why comedians are reluctant to do Mock The Week
Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter BBC Hugh Dennis and Dara Ó Briain have appeared in every episode of the show since its 2005 launch Mock The Week has been a TV comedy staple for well over a decade. But, its host explains, comedians aren’t always enthusiastic to appear. BBC Two comedy panel series Mock The Week […]
Isle of Man gift card launched to boost hospitality sector resilience
Isle of Man Government The government has earmarked £0.5m for incentives offered through the card scheme An Isle of Man gift card aimed at boosting winter spend will help the hospitality sector be more “resilient”, the enterprise minister has said. The scheme offers shoppers discounts, credit and deals at local bars, restaurants and hotels. Alex […]
UK economy slows as car sales fall
Getty Images Growth in the UK’s economy has slowed as car sales fell and the manufacturing sector stalled, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. The economy grew by 0.4% in the three months to October, slower than the 0.6% in the three months to September. The UK’s trade deficit also widened as imports […]
Supermarkets warn pet boom causing food pouch shortages
BBC UK supermarkets have warned of a shortage of some dog and cat food products following an “unprecedented” rise in pet ownership during lockdown. Sainsbury’s has apologised after running out of dog and cat food pouches due to a “national shortage”, although tinned and dry food are unaffected. Morrisons said it might not have “full […]
Canada authorises Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11
Getty Images Canada’s vaccination rates have slowed for several months Canada has authorised the use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Trials of the vaccine children showed similar safety and efficacy results to those recorded in trials among adults 16 to 25, according to Pfizer. Health Canada […]
Recycling clothes for London Fashion Week
Michael Cowan and Owen Kean BBC Victoria Derbyshire programme BBC Could Marcus Rudd swap a love of high-priced fashion for vintage and charity shop clothes? After a damning report from MPs on the clothing industry’s environmental credentials, how can we make our wardrobe more sustainable? Two students took up the challenge of repairing, reusing and […]
Brexit questions: Poultry edition
KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND Why did the chicken cross the Channel? Well, it’s slightly complicated. We’ve heard a lot about food imports in the discussion about the potential fallout from a no-deal Brexit. The risk is that disruption at borders, and particularly on the crucial Dover-Calais route, could mean shortages of fresh produce brought in from Europe. […]