Today (25 March), we’re proud to launch our first-ever UK Food System Transition (FST) Spotlight, assessing how 20 UK food companies are working towards building a future-fit food system that delivers for animals, people and the planet.

A joined-up approach to food system transition

Developed by our Food Business team, the FST Spotlight evaluates company performance across three interconnected areas, key for meaningful food system transformation:

Animal welfare
Protein portfolio rebalancing
Shifting towards positive, nature-friendly farming systems

Recognising that these three pillars cannot be pursued in isolation, the Spotlight offers a national-level snapshot of how businesses are beginning to adopt and integrate this holistic approach.

All the companies assessed received the full set of Spotlight questions and scoring criteria, which will be made publicly available for the next iteration. Companies were selected based on their size, sector representation (retail, food service and restaurants), and / or demonstrated leadership in this space.

Find out more about the FST Spotlight Methodology.

Meaningful food system change requires a holistic approach to animal welfare, protein portfolio rebalancing and nature-friendly, resilient farming. These are not separate ambitions, but interdependent pathways to delivering positive outcomes for animals, people and the planet. This Spotlight shines a light on corporate progress towards a joined-up approach that delivers much needed change.”

Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming

Key reflections on food systems change

Whilst results to this first iteration are not in the public domain at company level, there were encouraging signs that meaningful progress is being made across all three pillars—however progress remains uneven, fragmented, and too slow to meet the urgency of today’s food system challenges.

To accelerate this transition, we are committed to working with businesses beyond scoring alone—facilitating deeper engagement, hosting shared learning spaces, offering bespoke workshops, and working collaboratively to identify barriers and solutions together.

The FST Spotlight provides a clear framework for food businesses seeking to improve joined-up progress across animal welfare, protein portfolio rebalancing and positive farming systems. Our goal is to help businesses turn ambition into action.

Take a closer look at the 2025 FST Spotlight results.

Looking ahead to the Food Systems Transition Spotlight 2026

Assessments for the next iteration will take place in October 2026. Companies are advised therefore to update their websites by end of September 2026.

Updated FST Spotlight results are scheduled for release in Spring 2027, giving companies time to respond to the findings and strengthen their approach to holistic food system transition. Company-level results will be shared publicly in the next iteration.

Forward‑thinking food businesses have a unique role to play in shaping resilient, profitable and future‑proofed supply chains. By embracing this transition—and supporting the farmers at its heart—they can help improve the lives of millions of farmed animals each year, while building a community of companies that is actively leading the shift toward a more ethical and sustainable food system.

New Spotlight measures corporate progress on Food System Transition