Whose responsibility? Food, diet and sustainable business

Last year, the US House of Representatives passed the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act that prevents any action against the food industry holding them liable for obesity, diabetes and other health problems. This is in line with US government criticism of the WHO draft report Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health for its lack of emphasis on individual responsibility.
Community and food manufacturers alike increasingly recognise the seriousness of the rising incidence of obesity and related health problems in society. In Australia between 50 and 60 per cent of adults are overweight, around 20 per cent of adults are classified as obese and our rate of obesity has more than doubled in the past 20 years.
There is no simple solution to the problems associated with diet and obesity and all involved (individuals, industry, community groups and government) have a role to play. Join us at the 16th Sustainable Business Forum as we hear from industry representatives about the ways in which business is taking a lead in addressing these issues. We’ll also learn from a consumer representative about the roles and responsibilities individuals should take and what they might expect in return.

Forum Program

6.00pm	Doors open and refreshments served
6.30pm	Welcome and introduction
6.40pm	Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, Chair in Human Nutrition in the School of Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney – Market mechanisms: how science and consumers can meet in the shopping aisle
6.55pm	Clare Hughes, Senior Food Policy Officer, Australian Consumers’ Association – Drawing the boundaries: the expectations and obligations of consumers and companies
7.10pm	Stacey Lord, National Operations Manager, Bakers Delight – Not by bread alone: The BD experience and lessons learnt balancing market demand and healthy eating
7.25pm	Q&A
8.00pm	Drinks and nibbles
8.30pm	Forum closes

The SBF wishes to thank the Sustainability Programs Division, Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) for its support.

$20.00 entry fee payable at the door (cash or cheque only, payable to UTS).
RSVP essential: To reserve your seat, please register by Friday 7 October at www.sbf.net.au or send an email to register@sbf.net.au or call Megan Lewis on 02 9571 5566

The Forums are organised and hosted by a team of committed sustainability practitioners from the Faculty of Business UTS, the Institute for Sustainable Futures UTS, KPMG, Dowse CSP and futureffect.

In 2005-2006 the Forums are presented in partnership with the Business Partnerships Section, Sustainability Programs Division, Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)

Our Forums draw a diverse audience representing business, academic, community and practitioner interests. To maintain this vital mix we encourage you to invite colleagues from other sectors or interest areas. The Sustainable Business Forum aims to foster sustainable business.

NOTES ON SPEAKERS
Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, University of Sydney
Professor Jennie Brand-Miller holds a Personal Chair in Human Nutrition in the School of
Molecular and Microbial Biosciences at the University of Sydney. Jennie is recognised internationally for her work on carbohydrates and diabetes, particularly the glycemic index of foods and her books under the series title “The New Glucose Revolution” have sold over 2 million copies world wide and appeared in 11 languages. Jennie was instrumental in the creation of the Glycemic Index (GI) Symbol Program – a food labelling program launched in 2002 that helps people make informed food choices. Jennie holds a special interest in evolutionary nutrition and the diet of Australian Aborigines and has taught nutrition to graduate and undergraduate students of nutrition, dietetics and medicine for over 26 years. Jennie is the current President of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Chair of the Nutrition Committee of the Australian Academy of Science and is the Director of Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service.

Clare Hughes, Australian Consumers’ Association
As senior food policy officer, Clare is responsible for ensuring that the interests of consumers are considered during the food policy-setting and regulatory processes. She engages with State and Territory and Commonwealth governments, and interacts with industry and regulators. ACA works with other experts and academics in the field of nutrition, dietetics, food science and health, in order to advance the interests of consumers in the area of food regulation. Clare’s areas of responsibility include obesity and nutrition issues, nutrition, health and related claims, fortification, food labelling, genetic modification, and food regulation and standards development. Clare currently sits on a number of regulatory advisory groups, including the FSANZ Standard Development Advisory Committee on Nutrition and Health Claims. Clare also represents the Australian Consumers’ Association on the Coalition for a Health Australian Food Supply and the
Coalition on Food Advertising to Children.

Stacey Lord, Bakers Delight Australia
Stacey Lord joined Bakers Delight in 1980, working as a part time sales’ assistant in their very first bakery. Over the last 25 years, Stacey has been instrumental in pioneering the expansion of Bakers Delight outside of Victoria culminating in her current role as General Manager of Operations for Australia. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (First Class Honours). Bakers Delight is Australasia’s largest and most successful bakery retail group with approximately 15,000 employees in almost 700 franchisees across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. According to Roy Morgan Research (2005) Bakers Delight holds a 15.5 per cent share of a $2.5b bread market in Australia and a 13.8 per cent share of a $600m market in New Zealand. Bakers Delight and their franchises are committed to playing a key role in each local community and make it their responsibility to provide a variety of both traditional and gourmet speciality breads which satisfy the needs and tastes of their customers.