Experts from the Federation of Bakers, Modern Baker, and The Co-op are set to dive into the discussion on ultra-processed foods (UPF) as part of a free webinar hosted by British Baker.
The webinar, sponsored by AB Mauri and Ulrick & Short, is titled ‘How are the UPF and clean label movements shaping bakery?’ and will take place at midday on Wednesday 16 October.
It’s a complex topic. Clean label remains a key talking point for the baking industry as it looks to balance consumer wants and needs with production methods and shelf life. This is even more pertinent as the debate around UPF comes to the fore. Notably, both clean label and UPF lack universally accepted definitions but often come back to whether or not the ingredients included are ‘store cupboard friendly’ and the nutritional benefits of them.
The panellists will explore what these conversations mean for the baking industry, particularly those who have built their business models around large-scale production. They will also dive into how businesses can make the most of the conversation around ingredients and processing methods.
There will also be a live Q&A session in which the audience can submit questions to be answered by the panel. These can be submitted during the webinar or as part of the sign-up process.
Meet the speakers
Amy North, editor, British Baker (moderator)
Amy North is responsible for leading and developing all aspects of the brand’s editorial coverage, from breaking online news to in-depth features and analyses. She has more than a decade of experience as a journalist, seven years of which have been spent at British Baker. Prior to that, she spent several years on The Grocer. Casually known as the Duchess of Doughnuts, her passion for the baking industry has seen her chart the evolving trends playing out in the market, interviewing CEOs, and getting to grips with all aspects of the industry from craft and plant bakers through to ingredients and equipment suppliers.
Andrew Pyne, chief executive, Federation of Bakers
Pyne was appointed as the chief executive of the Federation of Bakers in April 2022, where he represents the Federation’s interests of the baking industry to government, regulators and stakeholders. He was also elected as board member to the International Association of Plant Bakers (AIBI) in June 2022. He previously held a number of senior roles in the Food and Drink Federation, including head of corporate affairs and director FDF Cymru. Prior to that, his career spanned over 20 years in the breakfast cereal industry with Nestlé Cereals, where he held various communication roles with responsibility for UK and European corporate and public affairs.
Kevin Sargent, senior product development manager, The Co-op
Kevin Sargent is a seasoned expert in food development, with over two decades of experience driving innovation in the retail food industry. His career has been marked by a passion for transforming emerging food trends into market-ready products that not only resonate with customers but also enhance brand loyalty. As a senior product development manager at The Co-op, Sargent has honed his ability to navigate the complex world of food retail, where ultra-processed foods are one of the emerging challenges. His deep understanding of customer needs, coupled with a sharp eye for innovation, has led to the successful launch of numerous product lines. His experience spans various categories, including bakery, chilled prepared meals, dairy, and grocery.
Leo Campbell, co-founder, Modern Baker
Leo Campbell is co-founder of Modern Baker. The company recently signed a brand licence agreement with Hovis to bring its clean label, nutrient-dense Superloaf to major UK retailers. Dubbed by the media as the ‘world’s first healthy UPF’, Superloaf is the result of five years of lab research supported by six Innovate UK grants and produced on the same high-speed CBP machinery as much of the world’s industrial bread. Often perceived as anti ‘big food’, Modern Baker’s mission is in fact to work collaboratively with industry leaders. Before Modern Baker, Campbell had a successful career in the creative industries.
The webinar is free to attend – simply sign up here.
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