STEPS TO CHANCE

摘要

HE FOOD INDUSTRY IS Or HUCE importance to the UK economy. Total consumer expenditure on food, drink and catering in the UK in 2015 was estimated by Defra to be worth ￡ 196.6bn. This made the 2013 discovery ot horsemeat in processed beet products, sold by a number of UK supermarket chains, all the more worrying as consumers became the victims of food fraud. 'Horsegate' saw companies across Europe, including Findus and Nestle, recall beef ready meals and consequently an independent inquiry led by food safety specialist Professor Chris Elliott was conducted. The report highlighted that too olten food crime is only identified once the food has been distributed and eaten, which Elliott noted is "too late in terms of risk to consumers and the loss of confidence in food supply networks". Since the scandal broke, the pressure has been on the food industry to improve processes, gain back consumer trust and improve the industry's reputation for food safety.