Sainsbury’s, Bidcorp & Kerry Foods execs among industry veterans leading UK’s new food strategy board

The UK government has assembled a Food Strategy Advisory Board (FSAB), convening leading figures across the food system on its “Plan for Change.” Forming a new advisory board, senior leaders from across the industry are now in talks to improve access to affordable healthy food and boost food security against climate and geopolitical risks, among key targets. 

The plan also focuses on the environmental impact of food production next to ways to drive economic growth through new innovation and investment in the sector. It comes as the first step in a wider engagement strategy that will include roundtables with academics and planned citizen engagement sessions.

“Reports and recommendations might be the start, but we need action to swiftly follow deliberation. Mobilizing the established highly competent Food Sector Council to help deliver those plans is just one way to get things done,” says Tim Smith, chairman of food producer Cranswick.

Timely amid blanket policy reforms

The UK food landscape is slated for an overhaul as sweeping regulation updates are on the table this year, including national advertising restrictions on junk food. Previous blanket policy reforms included a successful soft drinks levy, which prompted the WHO to advocate a similar policy enforced on a wider variety of sugary products.

With British snack labels coming under increasing scrutiny, one report issued this month exposed that “worst offenders” can sometimes contain up to 3.6 g of salt per 100 g — an amount that is saltier than the concentration of seawater.

The UK food landscape is slated for an overhaul as sweeping regulation updates are on the table this year, including national advertising restrictions on junk food.“Unhealthy diets are driving skyrocketing obesity rates, food security is under pressure from climate change, and the way our supply chain works means some farmers are struggling to make a profit,” flags Zeichner.

“Our cross-government food strategy will make sure our food system can continue to feed the nation, realize its potential for economic growth, protect the planet, and nourish individuals, now and in the future.”

New board of food industry veterans

The new board, tasked with shaping the nation’s food strategy, boasts a diverse lineup of industry heavyweights and public health experts. Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, will act as chair, with the first meeting held tomorrow (March 26).

Zeichner will lead the charge alongside the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, bringing crucial health perspectives.

The board also features key figures from the food industry, including Andrew Selley of Bidcorp UK, Dalton Philips of Greencore, and Simon Roberts of Sainsbury’s, providing vital insights into supply chains and retail.

Adding to this expertise are representatives from major food producers like Ash Amirahmadi of Sofina Foods, Jillian Moffatt of McCain Foods, and Flor Healy of Kerry Foods, ensuring the board has a comprehensive understanding of the food production landscape.

Anna Taylor from the Food Foundation adds a critical civil society perspective, advocating for public access to accessible and healthy food.

The board was set up by the UK’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) and will initially meet monthly, as part of a multi-stage stakeholder engagement cycle up to the summer. The IGD will act as a co-secretariat for its meetings, acting as a neutral convenor.

Alongside the board’s work, insights provided by the Food and Drink Sector Council, as well as regular engagement with trade bodies such as the National Farmers Union, Food and Drink Federation, UK Hospitality, and British Retail Consortium will advise the new food strategy.

“By bringing together expertise from across the food chain, this new Advisory Board will help us build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for everyone. I look forward to chairing these vital discussions and working together to deliver meaningful change,” Zeichner concludes.