The highlight of the year for many in the Food Industry, The Society of Food Hygiene Technology (SOFHT) Luncheon where this year Dr Jon Bell delivered the SOFHT Lecture. The 2005 event was held on 17 November at the London Millennium Mayfair Hotel, with 300 guests including SOFHT members and their guests attending.
Dr Jon Bell from the FSA delivers the 2005 SOFHT Lecture
Dr Jon Bell, Chief Executive of The Food Standards Agency delivered the annual SOFHT lecture. Drawing on the Food Standards Agency's handling of issues such as BSE, foodborne illness and Sudan 1, Dr Bell gave an amusing and informative insight into the FSA's approach to crises from public relation through to how the media was handled. In his lecture he posed a number of thought-provoking questions: have we blown food safety out of proportion and do the ‘powers that be' overreact to food scares? And perhaps most controversially – why don't the regulators plan more and meddle less? Dr Bell's conclusion was that he believed organisations such as the FSA have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed in any crisis situation and to manage situations to ensure that crises do not develop into risks.
After question time, guests networked during the drinks reception, mingling with colleagues from the food industry.
 
After lunch, Snooker champion and now Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Dennis Taylor, gave an amusing insight into the world of Snooker.
Read Dr Jon Bell's Lecture 
View the picture gallery of the SOFHT Luncheon
View the results of the SOFHT Awards 2005
November 2005 |
