back to menuWorkshop Leader Catherine Reynolds of the Institute of Food Research
"For Instance one sees UHT treated products, which keep without refrigeration, displayed unnecessarily in cold cabinets for marketing, not for preserving reasons."
"The basic conflict. We as shoppers/consumers demand freshness and wholesomeness, but only want to shop once a week, if that, and as cheaply as possible."
Catherine Reynolds first described the not-so new technologies, such as suspended animation to give, for instance, tomatoes at Christmas, and the gradual removal of preservatives which has a knock-on effect (acidity in tomatoes holds off botulism, so now keep them in the 'fridge, and eat them soon, and don't forget the tomato ketchup as well!). There were many more, and some of them were not properly exploited.
She then described some state of the art processes being developed:
Organic Foods. Can we trust the sellers that their food is truly organic? It seems, in general, -that we can. There are certification schemes and risk of prosecution for those making false declarations. What about risk of infection from organic food because of the use of untreated farm manure; is e-Coli-0157 a risk? There is a risk of e-Coli-0157 turning up anywhere, but food safety officers are constantly testing and checking. There does not seem to be an extra risk with organic produce.
Genetic Modification. GM technology is crop technology, not food technology. From a food point of view GM tomato purée is better than the unmodified variety; there is less water leaching and the cells stay whole. The 'terminator gene' is a cause of concern in that seeds saved will not germinate but, again, this is plant technology, not food technology. Lady Wilcox pointed out that fruits and vegetables and of course domestic animals have been bred for change in their genes since time immemorial. Dick Mackie did not trust scientists who said testing of GM crops would not result in any danger of cross pollination if a six-metre space was allowed between planting. Bees often flew half a mile and pollen could travel on the wind for several miles.
Allergies. With the exception of peanut allergy, these are not on the increase. Cases of food intolerance are on the increase. Evelyn Smith pointed out that, despite their name, peanuts are not actually nuts. Allergies are very specific and in Scandinavia, for instance, birch allergies are common, as are allergic reactions to apples, the allergies being related.
Food Standards Agency. UK consumers do not trust food regulatory bodies, following the BSE and CJD scandals. The FSA is going to have an uphill task to re-establish trust. The FSA will be strongly against such claims as "27% less fat". Less than what? Health claims are not allowed at all.
Workshop Leader, Christine Farnish of the Financial Services Authority.
The FSA is an amalgamation of nine Financial Regulatory Bodies. Its importance can be gauged by the fact that financial services account for 6% of GDP.
The Bill to set it up is likely to receive the r Royal Assent at Easter and there will be at least a six-month period during which the Treasury sorts out the enabling legislation and regulations. It faces a big challenge - to be seen to be independent, though funded by the industry, and to be seen to be the consumers' champion.
It will be a public body which could be challenged in the courts by judicial review. It will have powers to make rules which will be supported by delegated legislation.
The FSA will have a duty to give advice about both regulated and non-regulated providers of financial services (ie mortgage lenders).
Among its concerns are those financial contracts that do not run to full term and cost a lot to terminate. It is also concerned (as is NfCG) about contracts that are difficult to understand and the use of terms that are not understood by the consumers.
#There will be an FSA helpline soon and a website by Christmas.
Workshop Leader Diana Whitworth of the Carers' National Association.
The Association is a charity, which has both advantages and disadvantages. It has to campaign within the Charity Commissioners' rules.
It is campaigning for recognition for Carers and for changes to rules and regulations to improve their situations.
A Carer's situation often goes unrecognised. There are the huge pressures of round-the-clock caring, made worse by lack of co-ordination with doctors, consultants and the Health Service in general.
Then there is the thorny question of the complex range of benefits to which an invalid may, or may not, be entitled - not just money.
As with financial services contracts, the regulations are difficult to understand, even for the professionals, and many people do not get their full entitlement.
The Association is pressing strongly for a draft Bill to give rights to carers.
Workshop Leaders Helena Twist and Lindsey Squires
Lindsey introduced the White Paper and circulated an excellent handout which highlighted the main areas and issues of concern. The long awaited White Paper, while welcome, contains much that seems to be wishful thinking. Great reliance is placed on Trading Standards Departments, expanded Citizens' Advice Bureaux, and Advice Centres carrying out the aims of the White Paper, yet all are woefully underfunded. The extra money promised in the White Paper, mostly for training, is quite inadequate and will not allow the employment of any new staff.
There also seems to be a gap at the top. When matters go wrong between a trader and a customer where does the customer go? Usually to the Trading Standards Department. But if the TS department is unable to resolve the difficulty, what then? There is nothing new in the White Paper to help at this stage.
It is unclear how consumers of public utilities and railway services will be affected.
Sue Payne asked the Bromley TS Department about the White Paper. They needed money for automation to enable them to deal speedily with the increased numbers of enquiries, and the money promised would provide this - but no extra staff. Malcolm Mathias, Consumer Protection Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, thought the White Paper did not go far enough. Chief TSO's had been hoping for a statutory advice service but it did not happen. There is a national shortage of Trading Standards Officers and the extra money promised will not correct this; it is just a drop in the ocean compared to the numbers of complaints they were already having to deal with. In order to meet the public expectations created by the White Paper and subsequent legislation, TS Departments need many more resources. It is now up to the Government to put the money where its mouth (in the form of the White Paper) is.
The White Paper also puts emphasis on Codes of Practice. These can be effective when they have tough rules and are properly enforced, but the White Paper does not emphasise the enforcement aspect. Government Codes of Practice such as Charter Marks are not trusted by consumers, who find them ineffective. Trade Associations will have to set up self-financing bodies with Codes of Practice; associations which will be expensive to join. Many traders will not join and they will become clubs for the big boys. Perhaps they will also become a means to drive the small operators out of business.
Anne Attlee may have summed up the general feeling when she said that the White Paper did not inspire in her the confidence that it would all happen as outlined - and that was perhaps the trouble, it was all outline.
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