University News Last updated 14 March 2013
Following the current and ongoing horsemeat scandal, Birmingham City University and The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) will host a free event this month exploring food safety and brand protection.
‘Flogging a Dead Horse; Where’s the Beef?’ takes place on Wednesday 27 March at the University’s City Centre Campus at Millennium Point and will include presentations and discussions led by experts in consumer and food law and policy.
Speaking at the event will be Jessica Burt, Consultant Food Lawyer at CMS Cameron McKenna and Peter Shears, Professor of Consumer Law and Policy at Plymouth University. Jessica will be discussing food safety requirements and responsibilities as well as highlighting the importance of protecting your brand and managing crisis situations. Peter will be sharing information on the rights of consumers and the consequences of consumer feelings of being scammed.
Peter Carroll, event organiser and Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment, said: “Quality management is fundamentally about consumer affairs. Both businesses and consumers lack knowledge of the law. Often blind ignorance doesn't seem to be a problem, but short-term thinking can lead to long-term regret. We only have to think of the banking crisis of the last few years or the thalidomide scandal of the sixties, not to mention beef burgers.
‘Act in haste, repent at leisure’ is as true today as it ever was. This event is relevant to everyone as we are all consumers and we all earn our living serving the consumer.”
Also speaking at the event will be Simon Feary, Chief Executive of CQI, who champions CQI’s role as the leading professional body for quality for UK plc.
The event runs from 3pm until 7.30pm at Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus at Millennium Point on Wednesday 27 March. Book your free place here.