A seminar entitled 'Importing foods and ingredients: safety, quality and legal considerations' is to be held on 18 July 2002 at the Royal Institute of Public Health, London
Recent cases regarding safety and legal issues of imported food products has brought the issue to the forefront of government and industry thinking.
The Food Standards Agency recently asked all port health authorities and local authorities to check for illegal imports as part of their routine inspections.
In addition, a joint government task force has been initiated, headed by agriculture minister Joyce Quin, to investigate the particular problem of illegally imported meat.
The government have also introduced several regulations in the last few months dealing with specific issues.
Recent concerns over animal products and honey from China together with illegally irradiated spices, prawns, shrimps, and food supplements on sale in the UK has generated considerable concern.
But how easy is it to ensure that foods and ingredients imported from outside the EU are safe, of sufficient quality and legal? How can UK food companies ensure complete traceability of imported food products? The answers to these questions are not simple and require industry and government authorities to work together.
The continual globalisation of the food industry makes this issue increasingly important.
The days programme outlines the major issues surrounding the importation of foods and ingredients.
It also will provide tips on how to minimise the chances of getting it wrong together with where to go for support and information.
This seminar is aimed at companies actively involved in importing or considering the possibility.
Seminar Speakers.
Keynote paper: Legislative requirements for importers, Alison Reeves, head of illegal imports team, Defra.
The port health officer's view, John Ambrose, Port of London Authority.
The importer's view, Philip Ashurst, British Fruit Juice Importers Association. Quality and brand security: A challenging task for importers of ingredients and products, Richard Duncan, supplier development manager, Cadbury Trebor Bassett.
The food manufacturer's viewpoint, Bob Marsh, director of external scientific affairs, RHM.
Moving it across the world in containers - the cold chain, Mike Sanderson-Walker, consultant.
