Food scares ‘can destroy reputations’

ONE food scare associated with a product can destroy brands and reputations that take years and huge resources to build, the head of the European Food Safety Authority warned yesterday.

Dr Patrick Wall said, in an increasingly competitive global market place, Ireland can differentiate itself by producing premium quality products supported by robust policies, procedures and processes.

“When people think of ‘Ireland the Food Island’ they should think not only of top quality food but of quality processes and the best science,” he said.

Dr Wall was speaking at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast at the launch of TraceAssured, an online food chain traceability initiative aimed at providing the global food industry with the ability to trace the source and content of food product ingredients.

He said the system, which can provide an instantly transparent food chain from farm to fork will put Ireland up in lights internationally.

“In today’s sophisticated food market, consumers have increased concerns regarding food safety, allergens, ethics and product integrity, and the traceability of food can be the make or break of a food company,” said First Minister Dr Ian Paisley said.

Dr Ken Baird, one of the North’s leading food industry experts, pioneered and developed the system.