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| Friday, May 15, 2009 | 09:06 |
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Company News
UK Food Industry Chief Outlines UK Stance on Health at Australian Conference
The issue of preventative health was a key topic of discussion on day one of the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Highlands Senior Executive Forum 2009 (1), currently taking place at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Queensland. Melanie Leech, Director General of the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF), told delegates how industry and Government are working together on improving the health of the nation.
Melanie Leech said:
“The UK food and drink manufacturing industry is the fourth largest food and drink manufacturing industry in the world. It directly employs about 440,000 people and represents 15% of the UK’s total manufacturing sector. Health is an increasingly important issue for people in the UK and so it’s important that the Government and the food and drink industry work together to help tackle growing problems like obesity.
“Our industry works with Government closely on a range of initiatives, and perhaps the most notable one at the moment is the Change4Life campaign, which several of FDF’s members are involved in. This campaign is a country-wide movement encouraging people to eat more healthily and be more active, and is aimed initially at parents of families with young children through a wide range of initiatives – from broadcast advertising to printed leaflets and an interactive website, and working with a wide range of partners from multi-national companies to healthcare practitioners and schools, and grassroots local organisations such as clubs and charities.
“The food and drink industry is also working to improve the health of people in the UK by offering a wide range of portion sizes; providing clearer nutrition labelling on both the front and back of packs; encouraging companies to implement workplace wellbeing schemes; and through voluntary principles on marketing and promotions of certain foods to children.
“So far, industry’s efforts have led to the reformulation of £15bn worth of food products to contain less salt, fat or sugar; and the provision of £11.5bn worth of new products which are ‘lower in’ versions of foods. Research has also shown that Britons bought 3,794 tonnes less salt in five food categories between September 2006 and September 2008, and that intake of trans fats in the UK is just 1% of the total energy intake. This is lower than the Government’s recommended maximum intake of 2%.
“For the UK industry’s relationship with Government to continue to be successful, it’s vital that we maintain a longer term view of the issues; make sure to monitor and report on achievements and next steps; make sure any campaign messaging resonates with consumers; and ensure messages from all sectors are consistent. That way we hope to be able to make a real difference to the health of our nation."
For more information, please contact Keren McCarron, Sarah Lovell or Rebecca Wilhelm on 020 7420 7132/31/40.
Notes to Editors
1. Melanie Leech was speaking at the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Highlands Senior Executive Forum 2009, entitled ‘Changing Today, Winning Tomorrow: Doing Business in Tough Economic Times’, which took place from Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 May at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Queensland.
2. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk.
Contact
| Name: Nicki Hunt |
| E-mail: Nicki.Hunt@fdf.org.uk |
| Web: http://www.fdf.org.uk |
| Company: Food and Drink Federation (FDF) |
| Address: 6 Catherine Street - WC2B 5JJ London |
| Country: UNITED KINGDOM |
| Phone: +44 (0)20 7420 7132 |
| Fax: +44 (0)20 7836 0580 |
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