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The Farmers' Union of Wales has demanded more focus from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on tackling fraud and mislabelling after supermarket beef products were found to contain horse meat. FSA is also asking consumers to look for logos to assure them of the origins of meat products. 

The call comes after the FSA published its protocol for a UK-wide survey of food authenticity in processed-meat products, drawn up in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "The Welsh livestock industry has been disgusted by the recent revelations that horse meat has been found in products sold as processed beef and similar stories, and the FSA's publication of a meat testing protocol is welcome. "Those involved and those who have profited from fraudulent mislabelling at every level of the supply chain should be punished."

Mr Jones said the revelations highlight concerns, expressed by the FUW over many years, that the FSA has been preoccupied with issues which should not fall within its remit while allowing disturbing practices such as this to go on undetected.

"For many years the FUW has expressed concerns regarding the FSA's drive to see products which form part of a healthy diet, such as red meat, cheese and Marmite, branded as unhealthy," he said.

He also highlighted the pressures exerted on suppliers of local food such as small abattoirs and butchers during the FSA review of its charging arrangements.

Mr Jones added: "Businesses are already paying huge charges to comply with food standards requirements and if these were increased they would have a catastrophic impact on small and medium sized businesses, including local butchers.

"Ironically, such charges play straight into the hands of those who have been found to be producing and selling inferior mislabelled products, as they are undermining the viability of those who produce fully traceable and local Welsh food." NFU president Peter Kendall said farmers were "rightly angry" that the integrity of stringent UK-farmed products was being compromised by cheaper imported alternatives, which did not meet our standards.

Mr Kendall said: "We need to move this debate on to find lasting solutions by putting an end to commingled products which mix UK meat with imported meat, as well as clearer labelling of all ingredients in products to ensure consumers can make a conscious buying decision.

"All retailers need to engage better with Red Tractor assurance, increasing the use of the logo on pack, and focusing on the longer term sustainability of their UK supply chains. These changes would benefit retailers, farmers and most importantly, the consumer."

Ceredigion MP Mark Williams said retailer confidence must be restored.

"That's the real issue here, whether inappropriately or criminally, products have been labelled and a fraud has been perpetrated across the country," the Liberal Democrat said.

He added: "There is a fundamental issue of trust that people should expect.

"When they make a purchase, when they eat something which is said to be something, it is that, and not some substitute.

"I'm surprised there are five abattoirs in this country processing horse meat. But misleading labelling, that's the issue most people across the country will be concerned about. We need that speedy resolution, for far greater, robust labelling of processed foods."

Red meat promotion agency Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), is advising shoppers to "look for the logos," to ensure they get what it says on the packet. Welsh lamb and Welsh beef both have the European Union's Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark. PGI guarantees that only lamb and beef which has come from livestock born and reared in Wales and slaughtered and processed at an approved abattoir or processor can be called Welsh lamb and Welsh beef.

Any product containing authentic Welsh lamb or Welsh beef will be labelled with the PGI mark and the Welsh lamb and Welsh beef logos. HCC's Chairman, Dai Davies, said "If you see these logos on a product you can be assured that you are getting what you are buying."

Emyr Jones said: "PGI assures consumers Welsh lamb and Welsh beef have full traceability and are guaranteed to be sourced from lambs or cattle born and reared in Wales."

Meanwhile speaking in response to calls for more focus on mislabelling FSA chief executive Catherine Brown said: "We are now requiring a more robust response from the food industry in order to demonstrate that the food it sells and serves is what it says it is on the label."

OM Comment
The horse meat scandal has revealed the convoluted length of supply chains for meat products in Europe. In the drive for efficiency, retailers and food companies have lost sight of the farms where animals are reared. With calls for greater traceability and provenance, major changes are expected in supply chains for meat products. OM expects a greater emphasis on localism whereby meat is produced and consumed within regions / countries.

The Sustainable Foods Masterclass will focus on supply chains and food authenticity. Taking place in Amsterdam on June 5th, the masterclass will discuss methods of improving controls in supply chains to prevent fraud and mislabelling. More details are on the webpage.

Source: Western Mail / Organic Monitor
 

Fairtrade product sales increased by 19% in the UK last year to reach £1.5 billion (EUR 1.8 billion), despite the UK's continued economic problems.

The Fairtrade Foundation said sales were also increasing around the world, showing that consumers had an appetite for food traded on fairer terms.

The data has been revealed to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight. The foundation states that a growing number of firms are selling or increasing their commitment to fairly-traded products, including the Co-op, Nestle, Divine, Tate & Lyle, Liberation Foods and Greggs.

Michael Gidney, chief executive of the foundation, said: ``Support for Fairtrade shows that, despite the economic recession, the public have an appetite for more traceable food that is traded on fairer terms with farmers, and smart companies are recognising this.

``People are voting with their shopping baskets, and forward thinking businesses are responding to this.''

The Co-operative reported that total sales of Fairtrade products in its stores had increased by 20%, helped by a switch last year to 100% Fairtrade bananas, and a 40% increase in Fairtrade wine sales in the last quarter of 2012.

Earlier this month, The Co-operative Food became the first retailer in the UK to switch all own-brand bunches of standard roses and single stem roses to Fairtrade, sourced from Fairtrade-certified growers in Kenya.

Steve Murrells, The Co-operative Food chief executive, said: "These tough economic times are making people think very carefully about how and where they spend their money."

"Our customers can see the benefits of buying Fairtrade, and the difference it can make in tackling global poverty, but they also know they are purchasing great-tasting products which provide great value.''

Sustainable Foods Summit
Fair trade and ethical sourcing will be featured in the upcoming Sustainable Foods Summit, taking place in Amsterdam on June 6-7th. The summit will look at methods of improving the social dimension of food products: by undertaking fair trade sourcing projects, CSR initiatives and sourcing locally. More details are on the website

Source: News Release / Organic Monitor

The organic baby food company Plum UK has been acquired by US-based Plum Organics.

The acquisition signals the start of international expansion for Plum Organics. According to the company, the move also positions the firm as a "leading kids nutrition brand" and the first to offer premium products for infants, toddlers and schoolchildren on an international scale.

The combined Plum product portfolio now comprises over 150 products with distribution in over 13,000 stores worldwide. The company will now have retail sales in excess of US$ 120m.

"From the beginning, both companies were inspired by love to improve the health of our little ones by making great tasting organic food a part of a family's busy lifestyle," said Neil Grimmer, CEO and Co-founder of PlumOrganics. "Like Plum Organics, Plum UK is a 'David versus Goliath' brand filled with passionate people that are inspired to use the power of business to make a difference in the world. We're excited to continue this mission together."

"Plum Organics is known in the US as a game-changing innovation hothouse," said Scott Wotherspoon CEO of Plum UK. "The success of their expansion into the toddler and kids categories proves the strength of the Plum brand. We can't wait to capture some of that momentum by bringing their products to little ones in the UK and beyond."

With this partnership, the companies said, Neil Grimmer will maintain his role as CEO for the new entity doing business as Plum Inc., and Scott Wotherspoon will continue to lead the UK business. The company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area will employ 88 people including offices in London and New York.

OM Comment
Plum Organics is the latest American natural & organic food company to make an investment in the UK market. Like others before it, Plum Organics plans to use the UK as a springboard for the European market. However, a number of American companies have discovered the European market is a difficult market 'to crack' because of many market entry hurdles.

Source: News Release / Organic Monitor