Ethics and food and drink labelling will be under the spotlight

Groundbreaking new research on food and drink labelling and marketing ethics will be presented to delegates by Thomas Brown, CIM’s associate director, research and insights.

Groundbreaking new research on food and drink labelling and marketing ethics will be presented to delegates by Thomas Brown, CIM’s associate director, research and insights. Thomas will reveal findings from a research project that has just concluded entitled ‘Responsible Marketing & Food Labelling’. The study has been undertaken by YouGov, on behalf of CIM supported by The Marketing Trust.  It is nearly a year following the roll out of the introduction of the voluntary ‘traffic light food labelling system’, designed to help consumers understand fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt and calorie content in food and drink products. This unique research study explores both sides of the equation from; consumer perceptions, attitudes and behaviours to responsible marketing policies and practices by brands and retailers.

CIM SW board chair, John Taylerson himself a food manufacturer and marketer, explains: “The research gives a good insight into whether consumers are able to make informed choices about food and drink purchases, based on clear, unambiguous nutritional and product information. It demonstrates consumers want more information and the industry needs to explore its ethical responsibility and better ways of communicating to the consumer – so they can make informed decisions.”

To help food marketers keep on the right side of the law; Bath based Patent Attorney, Ceris Humphreys, from Abel & Imray will present on ‘Labelling and IP Rights – Synergy or Contradiction?’ Ceris explains: “I will explore some areas at the interface between IP rights; such as trade marks, designs and geographical indications; and the statutory restrictions on claims that can be made on food and drink products.”

Other speakers at the half-day event include: Chris Smith director at Marshfield Bakery, producers of handmade cakes, snack bars and biscuits; Shaun Halford, environmental health officer at South Gloucestershire Council Food Fraud Advisory Unit and Tim Finney, managing director at Eastbrook Farms Organic Meat. The conference will be chaired by Pat Tomlinson of Old Mill Group, who is also sponsoring the event. There will be a plenary session for delegates to quiz the panel on issues close to their own business. To book your place visit: http://www.cim.co.uk/events/61182