‘We need to bridge the gap between consumers and the food industry’
Anke Sentko, Beneo’s vice-president, regulatory affairs and nutrition communication, reveals a taste for fine fare and forest walks
Describe yourself in three words Listening, digesting, reacting.
What’s your biggest professional achievement? Isomalt (a sugar replacer made from pure sugar beet) approval on a global basis – this was the revolution of the sugar-free market that started 30 years ago.
How did you get to where you are today? Hard work, confidence in both myself and the work that I do, and self-motivation. Also, by having lots of patience, as global food legislation processes are really long term.
What are your pet hates? Unreliability.
Give us a positive prediction for the food industry over the next 12 months Food and health will become even more important issues, and consumer understanding will increase as a result.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader? The ability to convince and motivate individuals to create a team that is moving in the same direction.
Who do you most admire? Strong women. I’m thinking women’s emancipation here, and the debt we owe them.
Which people/organisations or companies are the ones to watch right now? Consumer organisations are definitely ones to watch. There is a need for more bridges between consumers, consumer organisations, food and nutrition research, and the food industry – including retail and ingredient manufacturers. We need to understand each other better than we do at present.
If you weren’t at Beneo, what else might you be doing? Being active in exactly the same field somewhere else. I find it one of the most interesting and exciting areas in which to work, and such activity is increasingly important for the food industry.
Tell us something about yourself that few people know I love driving 4x4s – especially on small tracks in the wilderness of southern Africa for animal-watching.
Any vices? Good food. I should probably eat out less often and go for smaller portions, though.
What single thing would most improve the quality of your life? Reduced working hours.
How do you relax? Nordic walking tours through the Black Forest with my dog, Nick, a bearded collie.
How would you like to be remembered? As someone you could talk to.
