Business Leaders’ Forum

Jamie Oliver ‘deserves food manufacturers’ thanks’

By Michael Stones

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Exclusive video interview Nutrition

Food and drink manufacturers should thank celebrity chef and anti-sugar campaigner Jamie Oliver for focusing attention on their contribution to healthy eating, according to Geoff Eaton, chairman of New England Seafood International.

“Jamie brought attention to a very important issue and the food and drink industry needs to take leadership on the health of the nation,”​ Eaton told the Food Manufacture Group’s Business Leaders’ Forum (BLF) in central London last week.

Manufacturers’ should do more

In this exclusive video interview filmed at the event, Eaton told FoodManufacture.co.uk that food and drink manufacturers should do more to help their customers eat a healthy diet.

“Manufacturers can do more​ [to help educate the public about health eating]. That requires strong leadership and a higher purpose for the industry, which is fundamental to the health of the nation.”

Food reformulation also offered potential to improve diets. “We have made tremendous progress in reducing salt content and I think we can do more in terms of reducing sugar content.”

A spin off benefit to be gained from helping to improve the nation’s diet would be to enhance the industry’s appeal to young people, he added.

‘A stand on healthy living ‘

“They​ [young people] want to join an industry that makes a stand on healthy living. We will be more successful in educating and attracting people to the industry if we show leadership on this issue.”

Thanks Jamie

“Jamie brought attention to a very important issue and the food and drink industry needs to take leadership on the health of the nation.”​ 

  • Geoff Eaton 

In a wide-ranging interview, Eaton also commented on how the EU referendum might impact food manufacturers and the prospects for food and drink industry growth this year.

The forum was held at the office of host  sponsor law firm DWF at the Walkie Talkie building in central London on Wednesday January 20.

The other sponsors of the event – chaired by food industry business guru Paul Wilkinson – were ALcontrol Laboratories and insurance firm RSA.

Meanwhile, don't miss our exclusive video interview with Greencore ceo Patrick Coveney on what he believed would be the far-reaching consequences​ of a UK vote to quit the EU. 

  • This video was produced by Laurence Gibbons.

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1 comment

On top of the trends we face with potential customers

Posted by Udi Alroy,

Thanks Mike for a straight to the point issues we face with many manufacturers facing an ever more knowledgeable consumers that demand much more than less of and free off's

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