Professor Margaret Patterson was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the agri-food industry, particularly relating to food safety and quality.
Paterson – who is the principal scientific officer at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute – said she was “totally surprised but absolutely delighted” to receive the honour.
‘Absolutely delighted’
A fellow of the IFST and a chartered scientist, Patterson began her two-year term as president of the institute last year. She has also previously served as president of the Society for Microbiology. Watch her exclusive interview with FoodManufacture.co.uk here.
Earlier this year, Paterson was included in the Science Council list of top 100 practicing scientists in the UK. She also serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee of Safefood – a group which promotes food safety throughout the island of Ireland.
Other roles included a secondment to the International Atomic Energy Agency as a food safety expert, and has also carried out food safety training for the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
Chocolate maker
The IFST boss shares her recognition with a range of other food industry figures. Fellow recipents of OBEs included a chocolate maker and three nutritionalists working in nutrition science at home and abroad. See list below.
Three food industry figures were awarded a Member of the British Empire Award (MBE). Recipients included an educationalist and a defence cater.
Two food industry figures received the British Empire Medal (BEM). Those were a broadcaster in Northern Ireland and fishing co-operative manager.
OBEs
- Chantal Jane Coady for services to chocolate making
- Susan Jennifer Hattersley for services to the improvement and development of UK food allergy policy and research
- Professor Joseph Strain for services to nutrition research and higher education
- Anna Kim Taylor for services to tackling global undernutrition
MBE
- Anne Hornigold for services to education in the sea fishing industry
- Richard Bertrand Player for services to defence catering
- Ailsa Helen Stewart Proverbs for services to the food industry in East Lothian, Scotland
BEM
- Jennifer Ann Bristow, chef and broadcaster, for services to the broadcasting and the food industry in Northern Ireland
- John Melia McAvoy, manager Maryport and Solway Fishing Co-operative, for services to the Cumbrian fishing industry and the community in Community
Meanwhile, the IFST has joined forces with the Food Manufacture Group to stage a free, one-hour webinar to explore the causes and remedies of the UK’s burgeoning obesity crisis. Book your free place at the online seminar on Thursday July 3 at 1100GMT here.
The webinar is supported by both the British Dietetic Association and the Nutrition Society.