15 January 2014

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The Food and Drink Federation's (FDF's) Director of Regulation, Science Health, Barbara Gallani, has been recognised by the Science Council[2] as one of the top 100 leading professional scientists in the UK[3].

In yesterday's announcement, the body celebrated Barbara's leadership on scientific, technical and regulatory issues in food safety and food policy in the UK. She was named one of the ten leading monitor / regulator scientists practicing in the country, one of ten scientist 'type' categories identified by the institution.

In her role at FDF, the voice of UK food and drink manufacturers, Barbara leads the development, implementation and promotion of FDF's policy with respect to issues as varied as food hygiene and food contact materials, to nutrition and labelling.

The Science Council launched this nation-wide search for the top 100 leading professional scientists in order to better illustrate the variety of ways that they contribute to UK society and the economy. Last August, Science Council members and partner organisations were invited to nominate individuals who were later judged by a panel chaired by Science Council President Sir Tom Blundell[4].

Richard Evans, FDF President and President of PepsiCo UK Ireland, said: “Barbara's unshakable determination to use the best available science to inform policy decisions and industry action have made her the ideal person to lead our work on health and food safety. Equally her clear commitment to promoting and building understanding in science is demonstrated by her efficacy at explaining complex topics to different audiences. Barbara is a fantastic ambassador for the industry and we are all very proud of what she has achieved.”

Barbara Gallani, Director of Regulation, Science Health at FDF, said: “I am very pleased for the recognition that this accolade gives to the work I have been doing on science and evidence based food legislation over the past fourteen years. Careers in science can be very different and are always rewarding.

"There are many exciting career opportunities on offer in food and drink, with food scientists making a very real contribution to driving healthy innovation within the industry. I am sure that this Science Council's initiative, which captures the very wide range of possible careers in science, will inspire students to think more broadly about their development, their aspirations and the contribution they want to make to society.”

Note for editors

1. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector.
2. The Science Council is a membership organisation that brings together learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications
3. Access the full list of the top 100 scientists here: 100 leading UK practising scientists
4. A judging panel was chaired by Science Council President Sir Tom Blundell and included Joanne Hodges, Head of Science and Society Team at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); Dr David Evans, formerly BIS, Technology Strategy Board and a former trustee of the Science Council; Lady Carolyn Roberts, widow of the Science Council's founding President, Sir Gareth Roberts; Ben Meghreblian, young scientist and representative from Sense about Science; Katherine Mathieson, Director of Education at the British Science Association; Nick Ross, journalist and broadcaster; and Diana Garnham.
5. Short biography: Educated at the University of Pavia in Italy and University College London, Barbara studied particle physics and radiation protection, and started her career in the nuclear industry, working on the development of radiation detection probes for British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) at Berkeley Centre. For the last fourteen years Barbara has been firmly embedded in the world of food safety and food policy working for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), including a secondment to the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) of the European Commission, for the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC), for the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and more recently for the Biscuit Cake Chocolate and Confectionery (BCCC) sector and for FDF.
6. Nominees were judged overall on their contribution to the practice of science in the UK. The panel looked at the extent to which they are able to demonstrate leadership and example in at least three of the following areas:
   • The exercise of their professional skills and judgment to the best of their ability
   • Undertaking their professional responsibilities with integrity, serving as an example and leader to others
   • Regard shown to the public interest
   • How they have used their influence to ensure that their personal professional activities, or more generally the activities of their profession, have contributed to increased health and safety in the community
   • They exercise their professional opinion with objectivity and reliability
   • The contribution they have made to advancing their personal knowledge, understanding and competence and that of their profession
   • How they have promoted the interests of and maintained the dignity of their profession through their leadership, volunteering, and mentoring activities: Science Council 10th Anniversary competition to find 100 of the UK's leading professional scientists

More information

Anna Taylor on 020 7420 7118 Email: Anna.Taylor@fdf.org.uk

Helena O'Neill on 020 7420 7140 Email: Helena.ONeill@fdf.org.uk

Avni Raval on 020 7420 7131 Email: Avni.Raval@fdf.org.uk

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