News | Industry Updates


Start of ban on plastic straws and stirrers


The ban on supplying plastic straws and stirrers has come into force in England, marking yet another major step in the Government’s fight against single-use plastic waste to protect the environment and clean up our oceans. Not long after ministers confirmed the single-use plastic bag


charge would be increased to 10p and extended to all retailers, commencement of the ban is expected to further ensure the country builds back greener. It is estimated we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic


stirrers, and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds in England every year, many of which find their way into the ocean. By banning the supply of these items is expected to protect marine wildlife help in the drive to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste. Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Single-use plastics


cause real devastation to the environment and this Government is firmly committed to tackling this issue head on. “We are already a world-leader in this global effort. Our 5p charge


on single-use plastic bags has successfully cut sales by 95% in the main supermarkets, we have banned microbeads, and we are building plans for a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers.


“The ban on straws, stirrers and cotton buds is just the next step in


our battle against plastic pollution and our pledge to protect our ocean and the environment for future generations.” It is estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic


enter the ocean globally every year. However, the UK is said to be leading on a wide programme of overseas engagements, including through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance and the Commonwealth Litter Programme, aiming to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean in the first place. The Government is also committed to launching a £500 million


Blue Planet Fund to protect the ocean from plastic pollution, warming sea temperatures and overfishing. Other key government actions on plastics include a ban on


microbeads, consulting on introducing a deposit return scheme to drive up the recycling of single-use drinks containers and committing to a ban on the export of polluting plastic waste to non-OECD countries. The Government will also introduce a new tax on plastic packaging which does not meet a minimum threshold of at least 30% recycled content from April 2022 to encourage greater use of recycled plastic.


AVA responds to Trading Standards allergen investigation


The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) says it takes the issue of allergen labelling “extremely seriously” after a Torfaen Trading Standards report on milk content (and labelling) in ‘vending machines’. The investigation was reported in an article in Food Manufacture


stating that 10 outlets had been visited where ‘vending machines’ drinks, particularly black tea and black coffee were tested. It reportedly “found serious failings in the provision of allergen information and also cross contamination of milk products that did not contain milk as an intended ingredient”. The AVA has stressed that what is apparent is that these machines were table-top machines operated in catering outlets in cafés, supermarkets and other ‘on-the-go’ outlets – not traditional


vending machines in sites run by vending operators. It has responded as follows: “Members of the AVA are an


important part of the food service industry and have strict regulations and standards around allergen labelling. The AVA was involved in the preparation of the Food Information to Consumers Regulation on behalf of members and we continue to work hard with them to ensure they are compliant with these regulations. “For AVA members, appropriate labelling on machines is part of


their annual quality audit. The issue of allergen labelling is one we take extremely seriously. We will take this opportunity to once again remind our members of the need to provide current and comprehensive allergen information to consumers to ensure they make safe choices.”


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