Dear All,
Detailed below are links to guidance on face masks, governments obesity strategy , CBI and HSE updates and New FoB Associate Food Paper.
Have a good week.
Gordon Polson
Chief Executive – Federation of Bakers Ltd
FOB Chief Executive’s Weekly News for 27th July 2020
Governments Obesity Strategy: This is a link to the government’s Obesity Strategy https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-obesity-government-strategy which launched today (27 July).
The strategy outlines a new package of measures and ‘Better Health’ campaign to help people lose weight, including:
- Ban on TV and online adverts for food high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm
- End of deals like ‘buy one get one free’ on unhealthy food high in salt, sugar and fat
- Calories to be displayed on menus to help people make healthier choices when eating out – while alcoholic drinks could soon have to list hidden ‘liquid calories’
- New campaign to help people lose weight, get active and eat better after COVID-19 ‘wake-up call’
A link to the press release can be found here:
CBI Update: On Friday, it became mandatory, in England, to wear facemasks in enclosed public spaces such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways. It was also announced that the police can hand out fines of up to £100 to those who do not comply. Businesses know that the return to offices must not risk an infection spike. Firms can be knocked down once, not twice. So, this announcement marks a further step taken to ensure the safety of employees and customers.
Building on the CBI’s work on how we can build back better, on Friday the CBI published a report, Valued Partnerships, which showed that there is widespread agreement between business, charities and the public sector on the importance of embedding social value in central and local government contracts. However, the report argues that progress is being hamstrung by complexity and confusion around how it is being applied. Reducing complexity and increasing consistency in how social value is measured across the UK’s regions and nations will boost competition, allowing businesses of all sizes to compete. With a new social value model expected from central government later this month, the CBI argues there is no better time to be driving the social value agenda forward at speed.
On Wednesday, the CBI, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, published a report on the decarbonisation of heat. The report outlined the colossal challenge of decarbonising heat in the UK, what the challenge means for businesses, consumers, and communities. Heat accounts for over a third of UK carbon emissions and is the most difficult challenge we face on our route to net-zero by 2050. Heat is generated locally in homes and businesses, meaning that any transition requires over 20 million individual interventions that will need to be coordinated nationally, regionally, and locally. This stands in contrast to recent success in decarbonising the power sector, which has relied on comparatively little consumer and business action.
As the government looks towards the next phase of its reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rebuild, it must ensure that it is a green recovery. The forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy is a prime opportunity for the government to show this and to show that it has listened to businesses on what they require in the transition to low-carbon heat.
On Tuesday, I penned an Op-ed, published in the Financial Times, arguing that the United Kingdom cannot afford to self-isolate from China. Rightly, British business takes its lead from government when it comes to matters of national security. Companies also understand wider political concerns about China’s actions. But alongside a security and diplomatic strategy for China, there also needs to be a thoughtful economic strategy. The reason: future British jobs and prosperity. This is not the only goal for a nation, but it is an important one, particularly as we face tens of thousands of job losses in the wake of the pandemic. China is the second largest world economy, the strongest motor of global growth, and a significant contributor to British jobs.
Inevitably, policymakers and business will face the tension between commerce and values not just in China but also in other countries. A set of agreed principles, balancing the interests of citizens on many dimensions, will act as a bedrock for the UK as it forges its independent trading role in the world post-Brexit.
Finally, we will be taking a break from our webinar series during the month of August. However, I am pleased to announce that we will re-launch the webinar series in September. More information will be provided in due course.
Face coverings mandatory in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and enclosed transport hubs:Face coverings must be worn in additional enclosed public spaces from 24 July in England, as the government takes further steps to help curb the spread of the virus. The government has set out a list of face covering exemptions here, and additional guidance from the Cabinet Office is attached.
You can also find guidance on when to wear a face covering and how to make your own here.
Booking process for Covid-19 Tests: DHSC has digitised the process for booking Covid-19 tests. The portal enables individuals to book a test themselves, accessible via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/
Alternatively, employers can refer staff using an employer portal. Accounts for this portal can be requested by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk
UK Government launches consultation on 2025 Border Strategy: On Wednesday 22 July, the Government published a public consultation to invite businesses and industry to share ideas and evidence to help develop a 2025 UK Border Strategy. The goal is for this Strategy to set out how we will transform the UK border into the world’s most effective and efficient by 2025, and we would welcome your input. The consultation is open for 6 weeks and ends on 28 August 2020
The Federation of Bakers (FOB) is delighted to welcome Food Paper as a new associate member: Food Paper is a trading style of Linwood Raker Ltd, a UK based manufacturer of direct food contact paper products. They are suppliers and manufacturers of innovative, sustainable food paper and packaging solutions for the food manufacturing and food retail sectors. They supply food paper that uses specialist coatings which resist high temperatures and remain strong when ‘wet’ and reduce the need for fats and oils which leads to a purer taste. Food Paper is proud to be a quality-led company with BRC accreditation.
Food Paper’s new website launched recently and has been designed with a focus on informing the food industry and individuals about how they can transform their day to day practices with the right ‘food paper’.
Government consults on post-Brexit UK internal market proposals: The UK Government is consulting briefly on White Paper proposals that set out its proposals for the post-Brexit UK internal market. The proposals are based on 2 key principles: mutual recognition and non-discrimination. The deadline for comments is 13 August 2020. The Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, made a statement to MPs about the White Paper on 16 July and was then questioned on it by the Labour Shadow Business Secretary, Ed Miliband, and other MPs.
Revision of EU rules on food contact materials: The European Commission (EC) is preparing to modernise the EU rules on food contact materials in order to ensure food safety and a high level of public health protection. It wants to reduce the presence and use of hazardous chemicals; take account of the latest science and technology; and support innovation and sustainability by promoting safe reusable and recyclable solutions and help to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. It expects to seek feedback on its proposals soon and plans to issue a formal consultation in the first quarter of 2021. [Source: EC website July 2020]
Other Novel Foods and Ingredients – Consultation on Draft EFSA Opinion on Chia Seeds EFSA has published a Consultation on the draft Scientific Opinion on the safety of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) subject to thermal processing in relation to the formation of process contaminants as a novel food for extended uses. This draft Opinion discusses the safety of chia seeds for extended uses when subject to heat treatment at temperatures above 120°C, which may result in the formation of concerning levels of the process contaminants. All comments must be submitted by 4 August 2020.
Guidance on UK Exit from the EU Various Government departments have published the following guidance in relation to the UK leaving the EU: • Trading CITES-listed specimens through UK ports and airports from 1 January 2021; • Prepare to import goods from the EU to Great Britain from 1 January 2021; • Prepare to export goods from Great Britain to the EU from 1 January 2021; • Getting someone to deal with customs for you; • Export licences and certificates from 1 January 2021; • Import licences and certificates from 1 January 2021; • Importing and exporting plants and plant products from 1 January 2021; • Importing animals, animal products and high-risk food and feed not of animal origin from 1 January 2021; • Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021; and • Labelling and marketing standards from 1 January 2021.
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