Consumers, retailers, importers, producers all want sustainable products, but is anyone really ready to pay the cost? On the latest episode of FTTLG, we discuss ethical consumption and discover how food fraud undermines sustainability in the sector.
Brazilian-Israeli food industry entrepreneur Celso Khalili says many people don't quite understand the multiple facets of sustainable products, especially when it comes to the food we eat.
”Everybody wants to be sustainable.The consumers want, they demand sustainability, the retailers demand sustainability. We as the importers, the brand owners also demand sustainability. The question is, who's ready to pay the price for it?”
According to Khalili, sustainability involves more than care for the environment. He noted that in the food industry, it touches everything from paying a fair price to products, having fair relationships with the supply chain, customers and employees. The beverage importer shared with FTTLG that his work ensuring sustainability in the meat production industry ultimately led him to become a vegetarian.
“I am not saying to people what to do … but if you have been to slaughterhouses the way I did, hundreds of times, you start having a little bit of conscience problems when you start cutting your steak on the plate.”
Food fraud is pricey business
The Finnish Food Authority, Ruokavirasto has said that food fraud costs the EU between 8 and 10 billion euros annually. A separate Helsinki University study concluded that food fraud in Finland happens on a regular basis, something that Khalili said was not at all surprising.
“In my industry specifically, we deal a lot with natural beverages and we have seen in the last 12 years, but mainly in the last five years, a lot of problems with some products that came to the market,” he added.
Khalili called on consumers to be vigilant and to ask tough questions if they doubt the integrity of any product.
“If you doubt ... the integrity of any packaging or any product, you can first of all address the producer, the supplier, or the supermarket, and ask the questions, ask them to investigate.”
Listen to the full episode and follow and subscribe to Finland: Through the looking glass on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor.fm). Remember to like, share and rate the show and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Audio production was provided by Travis Glossop and the podcast was recorded at Enchanté Café in Helsinki.
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