Keeping the Customer Informed explores the issues raised when seeking to establish effective controls on the provision of food information to consumers. It is often stated that consumers have a ‘right to know’ what is in their food. Consumers, however, are interested in different things based on their culture, preferences, socio-economic standing and background. Unlike much of food regulation where risk analysis can be used to determine appropriate safety controls, the amount of information that is legally required relating to composition and quality is more a political or societal choice. In addition, there are many opportunities for products to be marketed with much more detailed information than the legally required minimum, but that information still needs to be accurate.
On completion of this course you should be able to:
- Comply with food labelling requirements
- Effectively communicate with marketing personal on the validity and appropriateness of planned marketing campaigns
- Establish company policies for responding to consumer requests for information on products
- Appreciate the context in which food labelling and marketing rules are determined and be able to contribute to their future development
- Be aware of that in different jurisdictions around the world, there are varied and different requirements