The British Hospitality Association (BHA) is setting up a Food Policy Forum, comprising representatives from all sectors of the food manufacturing and food service industry, to advise the BHA on matters relating to food.

Among those being invited to join the Forum Policy Forum are:

• Food manufacturers Nestle and Unilever • Food distributors 3663 and Brakes

• Major food retailers such as Debenhams and Marks and Spencer • Hotel groups such as Whitbread and Hilton

• Catering groups such as Mitchells & Butlers and Paramount • Motorway service area operators and food and service management companies Compass, Sodexho and Aramark

John Dyson, the association’s food and technical affairs adviser is also a member, and the acting chairman is BHA Chief Executive Bob Cotton.

“Just as the last few years have been dominated by matters relating to employment, the next few years will be dominated by food issues, which have taken on a European dimension with concerns relating to labelling, country of origin of meat, and the whole question of salt, sugar and fat content in dishes,” said Cotton.

“The wide-ranging nature of the forum’s membership – from manufacturing to food service – will ensure that the association will be able to establish policies and its approach to government in this critically important area.”

The forum is scheduled to meet at least twice a year initially, but more frequently if required.