15 November 2016

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Small and medium-sized food and drink producers can receive guidance on sugar reduction, labelling and claims at an upcoming seminar run by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Leatherhead Food Research (LFR). The free event will be held on 24 November 2016 at Food Matters Live in Excel, London.

This summer, FDF published a sugars reformulation guide for SMEs developed by LFR which is freely available to all companies. It offers guidance on sugars reduction in three categories: dairy desserts, baked goods and soft drinks.

With a growing number of consumers looking for lower sugars products, the session at Food Matters Live is ideal for small businesses that are thinking about reformulation but are not too sure where to start. There is also a significant Government drive for food and drink manufacturers and caterers to lower sugars in their products, a key strand of the recently launched Childhood Obesity Plan. Experts in the area will give an overview of the basics including relevant regulatory considerations, where to access resources, and how to take the first steps.

The seminar, at 12:00 on Thursday 24th November 2016 has the following agenda:

• Kate Halliwell, FDF Nutrition and Health Manager, will introduce the event
• Helen Munday, FDF Chief Scientific Officer, will explain rules around labelling and restrictions on the health claims companies can make
• Leatherhead Food Research will provide an overview of the sugars reformulation guide
• Delegates can take part in a Q&A discussion with the expert panel

The session is free to attend, includes lunch, and will take place in Gallery Room 10 at the ExCel centre, London.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ian Wright CBE, FDF Director General, said: “Sugars reduction for food and drink products – particularly in response to consumer demand - is a major focus for our members. FDF is committed to fully supporting businesses undertaking those challenges. As regulatory and public conversations about sugar continue, this event is an opportunity for small and medium businesses to hear from experts in the field on the responsibilities and opportunities ahead of them.”

Jenny Arthur, Head of Nutrition and Product Development at Leatherhead Food Research, said: “The reformulation of products is a challenging process, as sugars are multifunctional ingredients with a range of roles across products. This event will help companies become more familiar with the sugars reduction guide and the resources available to them to deliver the products their consumers are looking for.”

More information

For more information, please contact Anna Taylor or Skye Oudemans on 020 7420 7118/7120.

Notes 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. View the sugars reformulation guide
3. Leatherhead Food Research provides science-inspired product innovation and market advisory services to the food & beverage sector.
4. FDF staff will also be speaking at several other events at Food Matters Live:

• Tuesday 22 November - Ian Wright, Director General, will be speaking at the opening talk of the conference - 'Tackling Britain's obesity crisis' (10:45-11:45) - Kate Halliwell, Nutrition and Health Manager, will be chairing a discussion on the future of sugar, salt and fat in the fight against obesity (10:45-12:15, gallery room 3)
• Wednesday 23 November: - Tim Rycroft, Corporate Affairs Director, will be chairing the session 'Examining the impact of the sugar tax' (16:00-17:00, gallery room 3)
• Thursday 24 November - David Thomson, Chief Executive SFDF, will be chairing 'Sugar in the news: Is it improving public health?' (14:30-16:00, gallery room 3)

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