Why do so many people have such a downer on the idea of food 'processing'? Why are they so quick to blame it for all the environmental and health problems facing the nation (and the planet)?

History shows that the population only started growing food once man had mastered the basics of preservation and processing which improved safety and allowed food to be stored for longer. The fact that our ancestors applied this knowledge in exciting new ways such as brewing beer and fermenting grapes only made life taste even better!

Processing has always been good for us. It's thanks to the efforts of an ever-more efficient manufacturing sector that today's shoppers have access to a wider choice of safe, nutritious and affordable food than at any time in history.

So how did we allow 'processing' to become synonymous with 'junk' in discussions about food?

We have all allowed the debate to be dumbed down so that the critical role our sector plays in ensuring food security is taken for granted or dismissed. And we haven't always helped ourselves with marketing efforts that fuel the impression there is something bad about processed foods.

We must all rebalance the debate. Before it's too late.

Julian Hunt is director of communications at the Food and Drink Federation.