The Leclerc cases, Coca Cola and palm oil
23 January 2016 - It started from the analysis of some concrete cases like the ones they concerned Leclerc, Coca-Cola and more recently palm oil, the cycle of seminars for students of the Master's Degree in Food and Human Nutrition Sciences UCBM on current topics related to the food world. Andrea Camaiora, journalist and spin doctor in charge of the communication agency Spin, spoke of the role of consumers and of their "right, now expressly recognized by Community legislation, to be 'informed' about the characteristics of foods in order to be able to make informed choices". Finally, the speaker analyzed the methodologies adopted by the companies mentioned to illustrate some basic principles of communication and marketing of agri-food products.
Genomics lecture from Arizona State University
From the Arizona State University it came instead Daniel Manzella, second guest of the meetings organized by the professor of food law UCBM Francesco Bruno, to talk about genomics, sector of molecular biology that deals with the study of the genome of living organisms. Focusing in particular on the state of the art of legislation, the US university legal expert offered a global overview of the discipline without neglecting central themes in the food and nutrition sector such as GM and the relationship between States and multinational companies that do research. Finally, the property rights of the communities interested in genetic and plant genetic resources were also discussed, as well as the role of international bodies in the discipline.
The recycling of food waste
The third meeting instead saw the lawyer as the protagonist Gianpaolo Mocetti, Director of Legal Affairs of Acea spa, who dealt with the delicate issue relating to relationship between food production and environmental protection, particularly relevant in a period in which - with increasing difficulties - attempts are made to combine the needs of production with sustainable development. “Conservation of ecological resources and ecosystems must be taken into account, as well as trying to reduce the harmful effects of climate change caused by human activities,” she explained. The central point of mediation, from the debate that took place during the seminar, would seem to be that of directing public policies (national, European and international) in support of a energy production that can use residues from the food chain, in order to reduce costs for businesses and at the same time guarantee fewer and fewer negative effects for the community.
