Calorie labelling included in CIEH Food Safety Conference 2022 agenda

Obesity and how it is being targeted by initiatives such as calorie labelling on menus is reportedly one of the many issues that will be discussed at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) 2022 Food Safety Conference.  

The conference will take place across two half-days and aims to “offer vital updates and guidance” on a range of areas related to food safety. It will be held online from 9.30am to 1.30pm on 28 and 29 June. Tickets are £99 for CIEH members and £199 for affiliate and non-members. 

The latest changes to eating out that were made mandatory on 6 April 2022 for businesses will reportedly be discussed during the conference, along with other guidance produced by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The conference aims to “further the discussion on public health” and will provide expert-led sessions on the disparities found in the government’s delayed restrictions on the promotion of food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt. 

The CIEH Food Safety Conference is aimed at anyone working in food manufacturing, food retail, catering and hospitality, as well as environmental health practitioners (EHPs) in local authorities and food safety officers in the private sector. 

A presentation on a mandatory food hygiene rating scheme in England will reportedly open the event, followed by a panel discussion on food imports and exports in the UK. Day one will also include an evaluation of food safety culture in SMEs. The packed agenda will also include updates on the risk of food crime and fraud, as well as an insight into the way businesses are tackling sustainability and food waste management. 

Kate Thompson, director of CIEH Wales, said: “The government published its obesity strategy in July 2020, noting that around two-thirds of adults are above a healthy weight and one in three children leaving primary school are overweight or obese. 

“There is, therefore, an urgent need to tackle obesity and everyone in the food industry needs to be aware of the role they play in helping to improve the nation’s health. Tackling obesity is one of many aspects we will discuss in what will be one of the busiest Food Safety Conferences to date.”

She added: “From managing food waste, to food hygiene, attendees will be able to access the latest updates in all aspects of food safety making this a worthwhile event for anyone interested in this area.”