Food safety conference helps plan for change

In this exclusive video, Barnes explained: “I am hoping people leaving the conference will have a better understanding of what changes are likely over the next one to five years and ways they might be able to prepare themselves for these changes.”​

The former FSA head of Local Authority enforcement said the UK’s changing food safety environment will be driven by a range of challenges beyond Brexit.

Challenges beyond Brexit​

Delivering a keynote address at the conference at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa on Thursday June 22, Barnes will focus on earned recognition.

“I want to give an idea of what’s driving​ [food safety] changes and the benefits that might accrue to consumers and industry from these changes,” ​he said.

UK food safety systems – which had been “in place for decades”​ – ​needed to be updating to reflect modern conditions.

“We need to gear the systems to recognise the successful and massive investment that the industry itself has made in assuring their food safety systems. And, in doing so, target the public resource to the best effect.”​

Meanwhile, this year’s conference will be chaired by Professor Steven Walker, director general, Campden BRI. The sponsors of this year’s event include: Checkit, which manages food safety with smart cloud-based systems, Dycem, the contamination control flooring specialist, Pal International, hygienic product specialist and the Westgate Group, a specialist in factory dividers.