Food and Drink Innovation Showcased to Parliamentarians
Press release
Food and drink manufacturers launch over 6,000 new products every year and the
scale of the research and innovation that takes place in the industry was
showcased to Parliamentarians today (10 May).
The All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink Manufacturing Group met to hear about
the important innovations being developed by key member companies such as
apetito, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Kraft Foods UK Ltd and McCain Foods (GB) Ltd.
Addressing the meeting were Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under Secretary for
Business Innovation and Skills, Jim Moseley, FDF President and Managing
Director
of General Mills, and John Stevenson MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary
Group.
The work of FDF members forms a key part of the public health agenda and
companies are using increasingly innovative techniques to meet challenging
targets on
salt and saturated fat reduction. Delegates heard details about the latest
reformulation and health projects and also about new innovations in sustainable
packaging and science and research.
Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Business Innovation and
Skills said:
“The food and drink industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in
the
UK. It has a strong track record in innovation and is recognised and supported
by the Government as offering opportunities for growth.
“The Government is helping research and innovation in the sector through the new
Global Food Security Programme. This is a joined up approach between public
sector bodies involved in delivering agri-food research and innovation, working
alongside the private sector and consumers to add value.”
John Stevenson MP Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Food and Drink
Manufacturing Group said:
“Innovation lies at the heart of future growth and competitiveness of the
UK's
food and drink industry. Due to the highly competitive nature of the industry,
there are over 1,500 new products introduced each quarter. The innovations
showcased today by Apetito, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Kraft Foods UK Ltd and
McCain Foods
(GB) Ltd demonstrate the commitment of the sector to bring health and
environmental benefits to the consumer, through product reformulation,
sustainable
packaging and science and health innovation.
"We are delighted that Baroness Wilcox, Parliamentary Under Secretary
for
Business, Innovation and Skills was able to support this event and hear
first-hand
from the industry what they need from Parliamentarians to support future
innovation
and growth.”
Jim Moseley said:
“Innovation keeps our industry fresh, dynamic and
competitive, allowing us to respond to rapidly evolving consumer demands, and
enabling us
to grow and keep pace in a global marketplace. Being innovative allows us to
make
the discoveries that are transformed into new products or better ways of doing
things, delivering value and benefits for consumers as well as opening up new
markets.
“The Government must do all that it can to remove barriers that prevent advanced
manufacturing sectors, such as the food and drink industry, from reaching their
full potential for growth. Today we are calling on Parliamentarians to support
the food and drink industry, encourage innovation and access to innovative
technologies to ensure we are able to remain competitive.”
More Information
- FDF Press team
-
Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
-
Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk
-
Sarah Jenkinson or 020 7420 7131 - sarah.jenkinson@fdf.org.uk