Today (25 April), the issues of rising food prices, carbon footprints and energy waste took centre stage in debates among UK bakers and confectioners. Here are some key quotes from day two of the UK Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery conference.

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“If the consumer doesn’t like what you do you can forget it, you are dead before you begin.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.


“In the next 50 years we expect the population to grow by another 50% and we don’t expect production to keep up with that.” Erich Dumelin, consultant on ‘The impact of biofuels on the food chain and environment’.


“We have seen an unprecedented increase in our input costs and in many ways we have had a ‘perfect storm’. In the last year we have seen droughts, floods and an increase in demand for meat in developing countries.” Godfrey Rowland, BCCC chairman.
“Success is about moving innovation to the market place and not doing science for science’s sake. When we do develop new products we have to ensure they are superior.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.


“We could well see conflicts arising around the availability and ownership of water.” Godfrey Rowland, BCCC chairman.

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“We are developing new market channels and we currently have venture capitalists working to see if we can market in new channels.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.


“Retail chains are now starting to change their perception and position themselves more correctly. You will hear them shouting buzz words like “carbon neutral”.” Devlin Lane, The Carbon Trust.


“It’s all about hitting the innovation sweet spot and meeting what is needed by consumers. It’s not just about testing but consumer orientated research, like the interaction between nutrition and the brain.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.


“In the next 50 years we expect the population to grow by another 50% and we don’t expect production to keep up with that.” Erich Dumelin, consultant on ‘The impact of biofuels on the food chain and environment’.


“We have seen an unprecedented increase in our input costs and in many ways we have had a ‘perfect storm’. In the last year we have seen droughts, floods and an increase in demand for meat in developing countries.” Godfrey Rowland, BCCC chairman.


“Success is about moving innovation to the market place and not doing science for science’s sake. When we do develop new products we have to ensure they are superior.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.


“We could well see conflicts arising around the availability and ownership of water.” Godfrey Rowland, BCCC chairman.


“We are developing new market channels and we currently have venture capitalists working to see if we can market in new channels.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.
“Retail chains are now starting to change their perception and position themselves more correctly. You will hear them shouting buzz words like “carbon neutral”.” Devlin Lane, The Carbon Trust.


“It’s all about hitting the innovation sweet spot and meeting what is needed by consumers. It’s not just about testing but consumer orientated research, like the interaction between nutrition and the brain.” Clive Barnes, Nestec SA.

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