Layoffs are rippling through the food industry as legacy brands and major manufacturers grapple with shifting consumer demand and financial restructuring.
According to a recent BBC report, Nestlé plans to cut 450 jobs from its sites in the UK.
The food manufacturing firm has two main sites in York and Gatwick. The York factory currently employs 2,000 people with at least 160 being affected by the coming layoffs.
A Nestlé spokesperson says it announced plans to "reduce our global workforce by 16,000 roles" last year and details of any changes would be shared with staff affected first.
In Oct. 2025, CNN reported that 12,000 white-collar workers would be affected by job restructuring as Nestlé targets operational efficiency. The other 4,000 layoffs were anticipated to affect manufacturing and supply chain roles in a measure to improve productivity.
The cuts reflect a broader pattern across the food industry.
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The 140-year-old Del Monte similarly announced extensive layoffs as the company shuttered a key California plant, eliminating 765 jobs.
The CPG had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025 as part of a plan to sell its assets and strengthen its financial position. ProFood World previously reported that Del Monte was able to find buyers for most of its operations.
But the California food processing plant didn’t secure a backer and as a result closed, laying off 765 employees.
Together, the cuts at Nestlé and Del Monte point to a broader recalibration across the food industry.
CPGs are under increasing pressure to streamline operations, invest in automation and respond to consumers trading down or shifting preferences. While restructuring may improve long-term efficiency, the immediate impact is being felt by workers and the communities tied to these facilities.
