“As an engagement partner to Courtauld 2025, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is pleased to see activity during the first year in a number of key areas, and specifically focused on food waste reduction. This is yet further evidence that voluntary action based on collaborative work across supply chains has the potential to deliver real benefits for the environment and for business.

“In particular, FDF is committed to helping WRAP achieve a 20% per capita reduction in UK food and drink waste by 2025 against a 2015 baseline. This includes both our work with WRAP to increase surplus food redistribution and our involvement as a partner in developing the ‘Your Business is Food; don’t throw it away’ campaign for manufacturing. We have also been working closely with WRAP, Defra and the Food Standards Agency on the development of updated guidance for business on date labelling and have produced our own separate guidance for food businesses on setting product shelf life.

“Furthermore, in October 2016 FDF launched its own set of sustainability commitments – Ambition 2025 – to further reduce environmental impacts, protect natural capital, and contribute to the development of sustainable food systems. Implementation of these commitments will in turn contribute to the Courtauld 2025 targets.

“Clearly there is more to be done to reach the overall goal of Courtauld 2025. That is why FDF will continue to work with its stakeholder partners in driving forward the changes needed across the whole supply chain in order to build a more sustainable food system for the future.”