Privilege to promote yogurt

For the past 18 months, I’ve been working behind the scenes to help Danone, Emmi, Lactalis Nestlé, Müller and Yoplait form the Yogurt Council with the aim of promoting yogurt as an important part of a balanced diet.

The Yogurt Council launches today and I am delighted to have been appointed as its Chairman.

I have always been a fan of yogurt. It was my regular office lunchtime dessert for many years. Now it is an essential part of my daily diet, with muesli and fruit every breakfast.

The full Yogurt Council announcement is printed below and gradually content will build up on the aptly named website loveyogurt.org.

London, 30 September 2013

YOGURT INDUSTRY JOINS FORCES TO PROMOTE THE YOGURT CATEGORY

Five of the leading yogurt companies on the UK market – Danone, Emmi, Lactalis Nestlé, Müller and Yoplait – have launched the Yogurt Council, the first ever UK industry body dedicated to promoting yogurt.

The Yogurt Council will be led by its newly appointed Director, Jo Sweetman, a Registered Nutritionist. The organisation will work to raise awareness about yogurt being a delicious and nutritious food and an important part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Its aim will be to provide credible information and advice about yogurt, leading to improved growth of the category. The Yogurt Council will be based at offices in Clerkenwell, London.

“The industry recognised there has been no collective voice for yogurt’s benefits and the initial five members of the Yogurt Council very much hope membership will grow to represent other business over time”, said Richard Hall, Chairman of the Yogurt Council.

The Yogurt Council has established a new website, loveyogurt.org, and a Twitter feed, @YogurtCouncil. The website will act as a central hub of information on yogurt and will include information about the heritage of yogurt and its nutritional profile, and the latest relevant academic research and factsheets on yogurt.

“The launch of the Council is a very exciting moment for the UK yogurt industry. Yogurt is a delicious food with many nutrition benefits.” commented Jo Sweetman, Director of the Yogurt Council.

The Yogurt Council plans to host a series of events for consumers and stakeholders as part of its awareness raising campaign. The organisation will also form an Expert Group, which will advise on all nutrition information provided to consumers. It will support the creation factsheets and these will be published on loveyogurt.org. The Expert Group will also keep abreast of academic research and trends.

Speaking about the launch of the Yogurt Council, British Dietetic Association Chief Executive, Andy Burman, said:

“It is always a positive development when members of the public and, indeed, health professionals, can have easy access to information and the evidence and science behind the various foods consumed in a diet. Yogurt is a common food eaten by many in the UK and comes in many varieties with varied nutritional information per product. The Yogurt Council will be welcomed as a resource where people can access to get clear and simple nutrition messages about the products they consume.”

About the Yogurt Council

The Yogurt Council is the first ever UK industry body dedicated to yogurt. The Yogurt Council will work to raise awareness about yogurt being a delicious and nutritious food and an important part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle by providing credible information and advice about yogurt. The organisation was founded by five leading UK yogurt companies – Danone, Emmi, Lactalis Nestlé, Müller and Yoplait. All members of the yogurt business in the UK are welcome to join. The organisation will be led by its newly appointed Director, Jo Sweetman, RNut, MSc, BSc, a Registered Nutritionist. The Yogurt Council is also putting together an Expert Group which will validate all the advice provided on yogurt.

The Yogurt Council has launched a new website loveyogurt.org whose aim is to act as a single source of information on all things yogurt. The website contains information on the benefits of yogurt, the history of yogurt, how yogurt is made and will also host links to academic research and downloadable fact sheets. Loveyogurt.org will also be a great resource for information on Yogurt Council activities and upcoming relevant events.

Follow the Yogurt Council on twitter at @YogurtCouncil.

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