Enterprise Ireland to launch innovative forum to boost food sector

ENTERPRISE IRELAND is to launch a National Functional Foods Forum to drive the strategic development of the growing sector.

Membership will include representatives of industry; the Irish Dairy Board; the departments of Agriculture and Food; Enterprise Trade and Employment, and Health and Children; the universities; Teagasc; Bord Bia; IBEC and ICOS. Joseph F Harford, president and chief executive officer of Yamanouchi Ireland and chairman of IBEC's energy policy committee will be the chairman.

Enterprise Ireland executive director for food Mike Feeney announced the move at a Food for Health event in Fermoy, Co Cork, yesterday. The event discussed the opportunities presented by the increased demand for healthy foods.