Professor Werner Bauer, Nestlé's executive vice president and chief technology officer, received the award on behalf of the company, which was specifically praised for its leadership in providing quality, safe, nutritious food products and services and in particular its food safety efforts and support of young scientists in IUFoST.
Prof Bauer said, "Food safety is non-negotiable. We have a global network of specialists, including the people in our factories who, every day, deliver around 200 000 analytical results for product release. This commitment to food safety is essential for gaining the trust of our consumers, and for establishing and maintaining our global leadership."
Prof Bauer gave the Ernest Newberry Memorial Lecture at the congress, exploring how food science and technology can help to bridge local and global nutrition needs. At the heart of the keynote address was the issue of micronutrient security (meeting the dietary needs for vitamins and minerals). An adequate and balanced micronutrient intake is vital for good health. However, micronutrient deficiencies are still a huge problem in many parts of the world. In particular, a large proportion of the world's emerging consumers are afflicted by the consequences of deficiencies in key micronutrients such as iron, zinc, iodine and Vitamin A.
Food science and technology play a key role in developing fortified products. Food scientists provide the skills and expertise to ensure that micronutrients are stable in different kinds of food products, and that the nutrients are available to the body after consumption (bio-available). At the same time, fortified products must taste good and be affordable for consumers.
The company's R&D programme is global, but its fortified foods and beverages are tailored to deliver local solutions according to the specific nutritional needs and circumstances of local consumers. "We have to find solutions to nutrient insecurity in the many parts of the world where it exists - with science and technology. We also have to put in place a sustainable and cost-effective method for implementing the solutions that we find," concluded Bauer.
