London Food Commission Organisation and Activities
- Date:
- 1984-1990
- Reference:
- PP/TLA/B
- Part of:
- Archive of Professor Tim Lang
- Archives and manuscripts
Collection contents
About this work
Description
This section contains material on the establishment, structure, philosophy, policy, activities, funding and administration of the London Food Commission. The organisation's closure in 1990 is also covered.
Publication/Creation
1984-1990
Physical description
4 boxes
Biographical note
The London Food Commission (LFC) was a non-governmental organisation formed in Dec 1984. It was set up by the Greater London Council (GLC), following a series of reports on food and nutrition published by the GLC's Economic Development Unit. It was supported by a GLC grant of £1 million over a period of five years from Apr 1985, its official launch date. It ran for six years and was wound down in 1990, becoming the Food Commission (UK).
The LFC functioned as an independent public group, a "think-tank, strategic campaigner and public education point"(1). Founding members were Tim Lang, Robin Jenkins, Eric Brunner, Lesley Gillham, Susan Dibb and Peter Snell. Tim Lang was its Director from 1984-1990. Staff included nutritionists, psychologists, scientists, journalists and science campaigners as well as administrative support staff, volunteers and student placements. The Commission was primarily involved in in social, economic and technological aspects of nutrition and food, general food policy, consultancies, education and training. It produced numerous reports as well as courses and books; held meetings and launched campaigns which generated wide-spread publicity; contributed to the cross-party political and environmental frameworks which led to the Food Safety Act 1990; educated the public on myriad food and health matters which have since gained and retained unprecedented place in the field of public interest and concerns.
Notable areas of activity were in food production and preparation standards, cook-chill catering, food poisoning 'scandals', food irradiation, BST, BSE, food poverty, school meals, additives, food adulteration, pesticides, food labelling, fast food, consumer protection, food supply for ethnic minorities and food economics.
Further information on the history and achievements of the London Food Commission can be found in Tim Lang's chapter in David Smith's book Nutrition in Britain, (Routledge, 1997).
(1) Tim Lang, from his chapter in Nutrition in Britain edited by David F. Smith (Routledge, 1997), p.247.
The LFC functioned as an independent public group, a "think-tank, strategic campaigner and public education point"(1). Founding members were Tim Lang, Robin Jenkins, Eric Brunner, Lesley Gillham, Susan Dibb and Peter Snell. Tim Lang was its Director from 1984-1990. Staff included nutritionists, psychologists, scientists, journalists and science campaigners as well as administrative support staff, volunteers and student placements. The Commission was primarily involved in in social, economic and technological aspects of nutrition and food, general food policy, consultancies, education and training. It produced numerous reports as well as courses and books; held meetings and launched campaigns which generated wide-spread publicity; contributed to the cross-party political and environmental frameworks which led to the Food Safety Act 1990; educated the public on myriad food and health matters which have since gained and retained unprecedented place in the field of public interest and concerns.
Notable areas of activity were in food production and preparation standards, cook-chill catering, food poisoning 'scandals', food irradiation, BST, BSE, food poverty, school meals, additives, food adulteration, pesticides, food labelling, fast food, consumer protection, food supply for ethnic minorities and food economics.
Further information on the history and achievements of the London Food Commission can be found in Tim Lang's chapter in David Smith's book Nutrition in Britain, (Routledge, 1997).
(1) Tim Lang, from his chapter in Nutrition in Britain edited by David F. Smith (Routledge, 1997), p.247.
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Identifiers
Accession number
- 1093