Food producers focus on consumer rights

On behalf of Carlsberg, Danisco, Danish Pig Producers and Slaughterhouses and Arla Foods, Mr. Alf Duch-Pedersen, CEO of Danisco, presented the ten consumer rights on 30 May, when the Danish Pavillon was presented to the press and to Danish Minister of Business and Industry, Ms. Pia Gjellerup.
Arla Foods has joined forces with Carlsberg, Danisco and the Federation of Danish Pig Producers and Slaughterhouses to highlight consumer rights at the world exhibition, EXPO 2000 in Hannover. The event is the first time for Denmark's leading food producers to collaborate at an international exhibition. Instead of promoting their respective products, however, the four have opted to present a number of statements.
To highlight the joint interests of food producers and consumers the four companies have formulated a 10 point consumer rights programme:-
"You have a right to choose freely. 2)"You have a right to enjoy life." 3) "You have a right to be heard." 4) "You have a right to expect innovation." 5) You have a right to understand the broader picture" 6) "You have a right to good craftsmanship. 7) "You have a right to tasty food." 8) "You have a right to fresh food." 9) "You have a right to safe food". and 10) You have a right to environmental-friendly produced food."
"We've decided to focus on consumer rights in order to create international awareness of the ongoing dialogue we have with consumers in Denmark - a dialogue that ensures that quality, safety, health and variety continue to be key concepts in Danish food production," said Danisco's CEO Alf Duch-Pedersen in his presentation to the media on 30 March. EXPO 2000 opened on June 1 and will run until the end of October.
The consumer rights will be illustrated through films, displays, folders and postcards. Visitors wanting to communicate with the four companies on the spot will have access to PCs that enable them to e-mail their comments and questions.