The ongoing challenge of food authenticity: ‘Porkgate’ on the horizon?
In the latest issue of Food & Drink Technology, Tony Hines discusses the problems surrounding food authenticity, and judging by news that has emerged in the past week – most notably, that ‘pork’ may be the next ‘horse’ – it appears that the issue is going is going to run and run.
The UK’s National Pig Association (NPA) has expressed concerns that the foundations for the next food scandal are already being laid by some retailers, as they edge away from the shorter supply chains they promised following Horsegate. NPA has noted a number of pork, bacon and gammon lines being switched back to imported product, because it is marginally cheaper.
Britain currently imports around 60% of its pork and pork products, and the NPA believes this could be reduced if all retailers were genuinely committed to building shorter supply chain agreements with British producers. However, with cost-saving measures the order of the day, it remains to be seen whether these promises will be kept.
In a separate development, the new head of a children’s farming education charity has this week stated that more needs to be done to teach the country’s youngsters about where their food comes from.
Incoming Farming & Countryside Education (FACE) chief executive Dan Corlett says the challenges of food security are vital and that it is essential that youngsters are educated to base decisions on how their food is produced.
FACE has been working with farmers, schools, Government and industry partners to include education on food and farming within the curriculum since 2001, and Mr Corlett now plans to build on this success.
“I’m really impressed by what FACE has achieved since it was started in 2001, but if anything, the need has become even greater. Never has it been more important for young people to understand where their food comes from, and make choices about how it is produced and how they consume it.
“Food security will be one of the defining issues of this century and it is essential that we develop tomorrow’s leaders and citizens to understand the scientific, economic, ethical, political and social issues surrounding food production, and stewardship of land-based resources.”
– Simon Rowley
