Unity to combat food safety

On the same day that we report on the slow installation of the European Food Safety Authority - suffering from a lack of unity at a European level - the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) gives a clear sign that it believes unity to be the best way to tackle food safety. Speaking at the annual FDF president's dinner in London yesterday FDF president John Sunderland stressed the need for industry partnerships, not isolation.

Sunderland told senior food and drink manufacturing industry executives, politicians and senior food chain players that the FDF "works in partnership with other key players in the food chain to help ensure the food we make is safe, and that consumers can have confidence in it."​

But food safety was not the only issue highlighted by Sunderland. He maintained that partnerships are also the best approach to tackle the challenges facing industry and government on nutrition, obesity and other public health concerns.

As consumer groups lay the rise in obesity and the increase in salt intake at the feet of the food industry, Sunderland responded yesterday that manufacturers shared concerns with the UK government on the issue of obesity and emphasised the industry's commitment to working with the Food Standards Agency on the reduction of sodium in foods.

Commenting on the proposed EU reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) he called for, 'an end to the tyranny of the developed world's artificial support for its own agricultural produce at the expense of the developing world,'​.

And on the topic of Sir Don Curry's report, the Policy Commission's blueprint for the future of UK farming and food, Sunderland said he was, "entirely supportive of Sir Don Curry's view that there are significant opportunities to improve efficiencies in the food chain,"​ and he endorsed the Commission's vision of "a more profitable and sustainable food and drink industry in this country serving its consumer base with the products they want."​