In this issue

Many of our readers will find themselves perusing this magazine from home, with the Covid-19 outbreak disrupting normal routines and operations. It's now clear that the impact around the world will be larger, and more permanent, than many predicted only months ago.

With the food industry disrupted as much, if not more, than many other sectors, in this issue, we highlight the current landscape in our Covid-19 briefing pages, and hear from a selection of SMEs about how they are adapting to new circumstances.

We also look into how technology is helping businesses adapt to the ongoing disruption through our coronavirus case studies; and we talk to the COO of the Food and Drink Federation about how the food supply chain has coped so far, as well as the broader implications for the industry moving forward.

Elsewhere, as concern over the environmental impact of food supply chains increases, we delve into the world of vertical farming, asking if the practice can become more established. In a similar vein of consumer awareness, with the continuing growth of the plant-based category we also take a look at the growing number of faux-fish products entering the market.

One sector more established than faux-fish is CBD food, and though some may be starting to view it as the norm, the sector is still a relatively young and rapidly growing one. We glance at the outlook for CBD in Europe, following recent comments from regulators. We also hear from those in the supplement and nutraceutical sector, who highlight what the key trends to expect in 2020.

As well as all of this, we also hear from the SMB director at Columbus UK, as they highlight their thoughts on recipe management, and how automation and agility are key for businesses, enabling them to pivot in response to new regulations or consumer desires.

To round things off, we look into the precedent set by a recent ruling by the Supreme Court over the Morrisons data leak case, and why businesses should not be lulled into a false sense of comfort when it comes to cybersecurity.

Peter Nilson, editor