Six New Year’s resolutions for food manufacturers
Among the resolutions featured in this selection include: the introduction of an effective Groceries Code Adjudicator, a concerted effort to plug the skills gap by recruiting a new generation of young talent and renewed efforts to tackle food waste.
We will be reporting more New Year’s resolutions later this week.
Meanwhile, if you would like to make three resolutions on behalf of the UK food and drink manufacturing sector, email them to Michael.stones@wrbm.com. Please include your name and job title.
Happy New Year!
Dr Paul Berryman, chief executive, Leatherhead Food Research
Resolution one: “Will somebody please get a positive EFSA opinion on probiotics? There’s so much good science out there.”
Resolution two: “We saw far too many allergen-related product recalls in 2011. Please let us check your labels.”
Resolution three: “Splash out your Christmas money on a Leatherhead Food Research membership. You won’t regret it!”
Terry Jones, director of communications, the Food and Drink Federation
Resolution one: “Ensure that government keeps on track to introduce an effective Groceries Code Adjudicator to enable the fair operating of the food supply chain.”
Resolution two: “Increase the number of apprentice opportunities in our sector and improve our image to raise our profile to potential entrants.”
Resolution three: “Work with government to maximise opportunities and support for food and drink businesses looking to export.”
Jon Poole, chief executive, the Institute of Food Science and Technology
Resolution one: “For all of us – professional bodies, employers, trade associations, training bodies etc - to work in a more concerted way in order to attract bright young people into the sector.”
Resolution two: “To help consumers make intelligent and informed choices about the food they buy and eat through effective and clear communications relating to the food we produce.”
Resolution three: “Recognise those working as technicians in the sector when we launch the new professional registration of technicians in the spring.”
Brian Young, director-general, British Frozen Food Federation
Resolution one: “The western world gets serious about the huge amount of food we waste, while a billion people in the world go to bed hungry each night, and begin to embrace the benefits that frozen food can offer in helping to find a solution.”
Resolution two: “Retailers grab the opportunity to widen their ranges of frozen food with more premium offerings to take advantage of more shoppers visiting the freezer aisles in these difficult economic times.”
Resolution three: “We stop using SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] as easy credit sources for the bigger players and legislate to make everyone settle their debts in 30 days.”
Jess Haliday, researcher at the Purefood Project, City University, London
Resolution one: “Keep talking about food policy – while delivering on responsibility deals and beyond. Some of the conversations around Food 2030 and the future of sustainable food are hushing up as the Coalition distances itself from Labour’s strategy. But maintaining dialogue with other stakeholders is crucial - no matter who is in No.10.”
Resolution two: “Ensure your supply chains are squeaky clean. Unethical behaviour, be it social, environmental, or financial, is unacceptable to your customers and to consumers – and that means making sure your suppliers are good guys too. You are being watched.”
Resolution three: “Be nice to your employees. When everyone’s feeling the squeeze, a few perks at work go a long way. Think you can’t afford it? It’ll cost a lot more if you lose your best talent to the competition in these tough times.”
Tim Sutton, coach/mentor, business advisor, commercial and marketing consultant
Resolution one: “Consolidation [of the UK food and drink industry]”.
Resolution two: “Pass true inflationary costs through supply chain to consumer.”
Resolution three: “Recognise and celebrate the most advanced and efficient supply chain on the planet.”
