Member Services and Sector Groups

FDF policies are developed through industry-wide consultation channelled through its governing Council, advised by specialist committees/panels and informed by sector networking groups. You can download FDF's Organisational Chart (pdf, 11kb).

Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Group

The BCCC Group represents the specific interests of UK biscuit, cake, chocolate and confectionery manufacturing/supplying/marketing companies. The Group is the representative and influential voice of the biscuit, cake, chocolate and confectionery sector, promoting the industry and representing its viewpoint to government, to all relevant regulatory, scientific and enforcement authorities and other public bodies. In addition, the Group is the UK representative body on the EU organisation representing the product sector i.e. CAOBISCO, so as to play a full part in influencing EU policy matters which impact on the sector.

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Chief Executives Forum

FDF has set up a Forum exclusive to its member company Chief Executives/Managing Directors. The Forum provides a valuable opportunity to network with industry colleagues, receive FDF briefing on and make inputs into key industry initiatives and issues and to debate with guest speakers.

The Forum meets twice a year over dinner. There will be a programme of dinner speakers relevant to the industry issues of the day.

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Frozen Food Group

FDF's Frozen Food Group was established in 2005 to represent the specific interests of the frozen food manufacturing industry towards relevant regulatory, scientific and other public bodies.

It encompasses frozen food and ice cream producers across all sectors and aims to be the authoritative voice of the industry. It also acts as an interface with other organisations in the supply chain exploring issues of common concern. Key issues in which it is currently engaged include consumer perception of frozen food and the possible extension of retail ready packaging to the frozen food category. The Group's sub-committee structure is evolving and it has established a Frozen Vegetable Committee to represent the specific interests of manufacturers of frozen green vegetables and vegetable products.

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Grocery Trade Liaison Committee

FDF's Grocery Trade Liaison Committee comprises senior company representatives, mainly Sales Directors, who review issues and formulate policy to do with manufacturer/retailer relationships and Competition Policy. The committee invites to its meetings the Chairmen/Chief Executives of the leading multiple retailers and receives presentations from them to keep abreast of major trade developments.

To support its work there is a sub-committee which deals with the supply chain.

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Meat Group

FDF's Meat Group has represented the specific interests of FDF members manufacturing meat preparations and products on technical, legislative, regulatory and supply issues since its establishment in 2003.

It aims to be a central point of contact for Defra, the FSA and other public bodies on those issues and is an active member of the European Meat Processing Association, CLITRAVI.

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Organics Group

FDF's Organics Group was established in 2002 to represent the interests of FDF member companies operating in the organic food and drink sector.

The Group plays an important role in assisting FDF in developing policy in the organic sector. The Group works closely with all the key organic certification bodies in the UK and has forged close links with a number of international bodies including the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements and the US Organic Trade Association. The Group also makes a direct contribution to the work of the Defra Organic Action Plan working alongside other key stakeholders including the National Farmers Union and the British Retail Consortium. The Group hosts an annual seminar focusing on the latest developments in the organic farming and food sector.

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Out of Home Group

FDF's Out of Home Group is made up of senior company representatives and formulates policy on manufacturer/distributor and end-operator relationships. The Group invites to its meetings representatives from the various food service sectors to keep abreast of major trade developments. Working groups are set up to deal with specific issues as they arise.

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Seafood Group

The FDF Seafood Group represents the interests of FDF companies on all technical, legislative and regulatory issues impacting the seafood industry. The Seafood Group is an integral part of FDF's structure and provides members with a collective voice when inputting into FDF strategy and activity in specific areas of interest.

The Seafood Group is the authoritative voice for the UK seafood processing industry and represents over £1.9 billion worth of turnover covering whitefish, shellfish, nephrops, salmon, tuna, pelagic and canning, and looks to extend its seafood representation and portfolio wherever possible. The Seafood Group comprises a Shellfish Committee; Tuna Committee; Salmon Committee; and Fish Committee.

The Seafood Group liaises with key stakeholders and officials within the European Commission, DEFRA, FSA, each of the UK Devolved Administrations, NGO's, Fisherman's Organisations and Producer Organisations (PO's). We also work closely with the European Processors Federation (AIPCE); of which the Seafood Group Chairman is Vice-President. We are also members of all Seafish Industry Authorities (SIA) Advisory Working Groups and sit on both the Executive Committee and General Assembly for both the North Sea and North Western Waters Regional Advisory Councils (RAC's).

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Vegetarian and Meat-Free Food Industry Group

FDF's Vegetarian and Meat-Free Food Industry Group was established in 2004 to represent the interests of FDF member companies operating in the vegetarian and meat-free sector.

The Group has a key role supporting FDF to develop policy in this sector. The Group works closely with the UK Vegetarian and Vegan Societies and the Food Standards Agency. The Group has developed a section within FDF's website carrying key information on vegetarian and meat-free foods and hosts an annual seminar focusing on the latest developments in the vegetarian food sector.

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Yoghurt and Chilled Dessert Group

FDF's Yoghurt and Chilled Dessert Group was formed in April 2005 to provide a representative and influential voice for those involved in the manufacture, sale, distribution and marketing of yoghurt, yoghurt-based drinks and chilled desserts in the UK.

The Group will, through the mechanisms of FDF, pursue the industry's interests in its relationship with Government, all relevant regulatory, scientific and enforcement authorities and other public bodies, and where appropriate with commercial organisations.

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Last reviewed: 21 Dec 2007