Behind the UK-US Trade Deal: Can Food Quality Keep Up?

As the UK and US edge closer to a new trade agreement, manufacturers in sectors like steel and automotive may be breathing a sigh of relief—but for the food industry, concerns remain. The spotlight is now on food standards, with many warning that the deal could pave the way for lower-quality imports or undermine the UK’s existing safety regulations.

Beef Market Access and the Hormone Debate

An element of the deal is mutual access to beef markets. UK farmers will be able to export up to 13,000 metric tonnes of beef tariff-free to the US. In return, US beef producers will enjoy the same level of access to the UK market. This seemingly balanced arrangement, however, has sparked widespread concern.

The primary worry? Hormone-treated beef. The practice is banned in the UK and across the EU due to health concerns. While the deal explicitly states that UK food standards must be upheld, critics argue that enforcing these standards in practice is another matter entirely.

Testing for hormone residues is not straightforward. It requires sophisticated analytical equipment, highly trained personnel and robust regulatory oversight. Given the cost and complexity of these tests, it is questionable whether border control and inspection agencies are adequately equipped to prevent the entry of hormone-treated beef without significant new investment. Without testing, there’s a risk that lower-standard meat products could slip through the cracks and onto British shelves.

Food Safety Concerns in the UK

While trade-related food safety risks are worrying, issues within the UK’s domestic food supply chain also paint a concerning picture.

In April 2025, Asda Stores Ltd was fined £410,000 after an investigation by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team revealed that 62 food items past their use-by date were being offered for sale at the company’s Penryn store, including several aimed at children. Among the items found were ready-to-eat foods such as children’s yoghurts that were nearly four weeks out of date. Asda are not alone in this, as most of the supermarkets have been involved in similar situations at one time or another.

This case underscores a broader issue: retailers also carry a huge responsibility to ensure that only products with valid use-by dates are offered for sale. Use-by dates are not arbitrary—they are legally enforced markers of food safety. Selling expired food, especially products intended for vulnerable groups like children, poses significant health risks and damages consumer trust.

According to recent case law, food sold past its use-by date is legally considered unsafe. Asda pleaded guilty to two offences under regulation 19 of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, resulting in additional prosecution costs of £20,582.70 and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

This incident illustrates the importance of not only robust internal quality control by manufacturers but also diligent oversight at the retail level. Ensuring that expired products are never displayed or sold is a fundamental requirement in safeguarding public health and maintaining integrity across the food supply chain.

Turning Pressure into Progress: Smarter Quality & Compliance Solutions

In response to growing external and internal pressures, food manufacturers are increasingly recognising the need for a more proactive approach to quality control. Meeting the stringent expectations of regulators, retailers and consumers requires more than just reactive fixes—it demands better education, training and integrated systems, designed to prevent issues before they put the consumer at risk.

A key shift lies in moving away from manual, paper-based processes toward paperless quality solutions and real-time traceability tools. These digital systems help reduce human error, improve data accuracy, and enable swift identification and resolution of potential problems—ultimately enhancing food safety and operational efficiency.

Autocoding solutions are central to this transformation. By automatically configuring date coders and barcode scanners, these systems ensure the correct information is printed on every label and applied to the right packaging—reducing the risk of costly labelling errors, especially during frequent product changeovers.

Together, these technologies form a powerful line of defence against both food fraud and operational mistakes. Harford Paperless Quality solutions and Autocoding solutions allow manufacturers to:

• Track and trace approved materials throughout the production process
• Detect and isolate non-compliant products early
• Ensure all product and outer case labels comply with regulatory and retailer standards

By adopting these smarter quality strategies, food manufacturers can turn the pressures of compliance into opportunities for improvement—reducing wastage, preventing recalls and strengthening trust in their brand across the supply chain.

Navigating the Future with Resilience and Responsibility

As the UK navigates its post-Brexit future and enters new trade agreements, food manufacturers face mounting pressure to uphold safety, meet retailer demands and maintain consumer trust. New trade deals must not come at the expense of food standards or public health.

With the right technologies and processes in place, food producers can not only tackle external pressures but also build a more resilient, transparent and trusted food supply chain.

To learn more about how Harford systems can help your business thrive, contact our team at info@harfordcontrol.com, or call us directly on +44 (0)1225 764461. We’d be happy to talk.