21/06/2010

The President of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), Roberto Sabrido, and the President of the Foro Interalimentario (Food Industry Forum), Ramón Calbet, today signed a collaboration agreement by which they commit to providing information and education in the areas of food safety, nutrition, environmental questions and animal welfare to consumers, institutions and professionals working in the sector and society in general. In addition, both organisations will provide training for public sector and private professionals on these topics.

The Agreement, which is valid for two years, also includes the possibility of promoting and carrying out scientific-technical studies relating to the application of innovative food technologies, from the food safety and nutritional perspectives. The ForoInteralimentario will support AESAN activities in the area of food risk assessment, including offering advice on risk management in both the public and private sectors.

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) is an Autonomous Organisation attached to the Ministry for Health and Social Policy, and whose mission is to guarantee the highest possible safety and to promote public health, working towards:

• Reducing the risks of foodborne illnesses or those linked with food;
• Guaranteeing the effectiveness of food control systems;
• Encouraging the consumption of healthy foods, and providing accessibility and information;
• Planning, coordinating and developing strategies and actions which provide information, education and health promotion in the area of nutrition and, in particular, in the prevention of obesity.

The Foro Interalimentario (Food Industry Forum) is a multidisciplinary association of companies and scientists involved in improving training and information in food and nutrition to consumers and society in general. It brings together industry experience and scientific knowledge in order to observe and recommend healthy food habits, informing and guiding the public on the production, purchase and consumption of healthy and high-quality products. The ForoInteralimentario was born out of its members’ wish to communicate to the wider society the key issues on food with regard to nutritional needs, food quality and safety, production techniques and the commitment to protecting the Environment.