Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Retailer perspective - Global supply chain best practices

2^nd International Conference on Food Safety and Regulatory Measures

June 06-08, 2016 London,UK

Jackie Healing

Coles Supermarkets, Australia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Food allergies continue to be one of the greatest causes of product recall and withdrawal globally causing financial and emotional burden to retailers, manufacturers and consumers. Mislabelling is all too commonly the cause of product being removed from sale and yet we, in the industry, could be accused of making the situation worse by taking a very risk adverse approach to the subject of allergen labelling. The VITAL (Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling) tool, developed by the Allergen Bureau, gives a standardised allergen risk assessment process for the food industry. It provides manufacturers, retailers and consumers with practical scientifically based allergen labeling guidelines taking into account the allergen thresholds. It also gives a clear recommendation for allergen labeling warnings which means a consistent approach is used on all products easing decision making both for manufacturers and customers. Customers appreciate the increased product choice they have as a result and the industry benefits from a more pragmatic approach. Overall cost savings result through the reduction in number of unnecessary product withdrawals. In this short presentation you will hear how the tool works in practice with some examples taken from Jackieâ??sâ?? experience managing food safety for retailers globally.

Biography :

Jackie Healing recently returned to the UK from her position as General Manager – Quality and Responsible Sourcing with Coles Supermarkets, Australia with over 25 years of experience in food retailing globally. She specialises in the development and implementation of retail change programs with growers and manufacturers who support the retailers’ private label offer. Her focus is on developing differentiated products which are sustainable and deliver exceptional quality and value to customers. She works collaboratively across a wide stakeholder group of government, regulators, manufacturers and consumer groups. Her recent achievements include the development of a higher platform for quality management and measurement of retail supermarket suppliers; the launch of a dedicated training academy for supermarket suppliers, leading the change programme in labour hire practice for the Agricultural industry in Australia, etc. She has firsthand experience of the application of the VITAL tool in determining relevant risk assessed allergen labelling requirements and believes this to be an approach that others should follow. During her collegiate career, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Agriculture from the University of Reading UK, graduating with Honours. She moved back to England from Australia in January this year and is currently looking for her next professional opportunity.

Email: jackieintribe@gmail.com