Dominique TAEYMANS Director Scientific & Regulatory Affairs 5th European Health Forum

1. The perspective of the food and drink manufacturing sector Meeting consumer needsResponding to new challenges Dominique TAEYMANS Director Scientific & Regulatory Affairs 5th European Health Forum Gastein, 26 September 2002

2. Our Mission • CIAA is the voice of the food & drink industries producing in the EU • CIAA represents these industries in areas of common interest with a view to creating the most favorable environment possible for their development • In its leadership role, CIAA promotes the image of the f&d industry in contacts with European and international institutions and with relevant interest groups

3. Our Members • National Federations 15 EU + 1 EEA + 5 CEECs • 35 European Sectors • Committee of Companies

4. The Food Chain The food industry is only one element of the food chain. CIAA represents the food and drink industry, nor the supply sector neither the retail sector or catering sector.

5. A few snapshots • Eating habits become increasingly more individual, not family based • Growing demand for convenience • Increasing awareness of diets • Eating-out and ethnic food are rising tendencies

6. Meeting Consumer Needs

7. Meeting Consumer Needs • Food security • Food regulatory framework • Food safety • Health and nutrition • Food quality

8. Food Security

9. Food Regulatory Framework

10. EU Regulatory Environment 2000 White Paper on Food Safety 2001 Commission proposal laying down the General Principles and Requirements of Food Law, establishing the European Food Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food

11. EU White Paper on Food Safety • Basic principles • Highest level of protection • “Farm to table” approach • Prime responsibility lies with producers • Legislation sets objectives • National control systems and FVO • Control on imports

12. EU White Paper on Food Safety Action Plan on Food Safety • Establishment of a European Food Authority • Ambitious legislative programme • establish general food law principles • extend food safety legislation to cover feed • veterinary legislation • food legislation (safety, labelling, GMOs) • Establishment of a EU Food Policy (including nutrition)

13. Regulation 178/2002 • Objectives • Need • Contents • Scope and definitions • General Food Law • European Food Safety Authority • Rapid Alert System, Crisis Management and Emergencies • Procedures and Provisions

14. Food Safety

15. The Food Industry’s Five Key Points as regards Food Safety • From quality control to quality assurance • Traceability along the whole food chain • Crisis management • Research on emerging food safety risks • Information and communication on food safety risks

16. From Quality Control to Quality Assurance • Quality control • HACCP • Codes of Good (Hygienic) Practice • Quality Assurance • Training

17. Traceability along the Food Chain • Traceability is a tool, not an objective • Central element of quality assurance • Traceability downstream and upstream • Responsibility of each link in the food chain • CIAA recommendations

18. Food Quality

19. Health and Nutrition

20. KEY MESSAGE The role of the food industry is to provideconsumers with safe, nutritious and tastyproducts taking into account a variety of factors including culture, dietary habitsand need for convenience. Labelling must allow consumers to make an informed choice.

21. Is there a need for an EU Nutrition Policy? It should respect: • free and informed choice • dietary diversity and cultural identity • need for a strong scientific basis • need for EU policy to give added value • principle of proportionality • need for all policy options to meet the goals set It should promote a healthy balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle

22. Be positive! Be attractive!

23. Food fortification

24. Need for harmonisation Legislation in some European Union Member States is disparate and prevents the sale of fortified foods available elsewhere in the Community. This situation restricts both freedom of choice for the consumer and the right of industry to benefit from a Single Market.

25. Objective A European regulatory framework on the addition of nutrients to foods is therefore required in order to ensure the highest level of consumer protection both in terms of: • Safety: by allowing every European consumer the same safe and beneficial access to fortified foods. • Information: by ensuring that communications on fortified foods, and in particular, product labelling allow consumer to make an informed choice.

26. KEY MESSAGE OFFERING CONSUMERS THE SAME SAFE AND BENEFICIAL ACCESS TO FORTIFIED FOODS • Vitamins and minerals are essential to health, well-being and life. • European consumers do not always achieve recommended intake levels in many vitamins and minerals, due to the constraints of modern-day lifestyles and the evolution of dietary habits (particularly the reduction of energy intakes).

27. Claims, including health claims

28. CIAA Position • All types of claims should be addressed • Legislation should be proportionate • Procedures should be in place to evaluate the scientific justification of the claim (future role of EFSA) • Scientific justification may be generic or product specific • Communication should le left to operators

29. Responding to new Challenges

30. Responding to new challenges • Availability of food • Emerging technologies • Promoting sustainable practices from farm to table • Improving communication/information in the food and drink industry