Preparedness, Credibility and Speed Key in Food Crisis Communications
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Preparedness, Credibility and Speed Key in Food Crisis Communications
Being prepared, serving as a credible source of information and reacting quickly are key factors in successfully handling a food crisis situation, according to J. Van Der Stoep of Sound Counsel Communications during remarks at the California League of Food Processors (CLFP) recent annual board of directors meeting.
Once a crisis communications plan is in place, Van Der Stoep said companies need only spend as little as several hours every other year to prepare for a crisis communications situation. He added that credibility is "first and foremost a central point in a food safety crisis" and defined credibility as worthy of being believed. Speed in reacting to the situation also is crucial.
Van Der Stoep said it is also imperative to be prepared to own the problem and that saying nothing, which some companies might be inclined to do, can be extremely detrimental.
Van Der Stoep was one of several speakers addressing the CLFP annual meeting. Other speakers were Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, who spoke about the foundation’s work and Attorney Meredith Nikkel of Downey Brand LLP, who spoke about groundwater adjudications in the age of sustainable groundwater management. Dr. Anu Prakash, food science program director at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., discussed the university’s program.
CLFP’s board of directors also received updates on legislative, regulatory and other issues affecting the food processing industry from its Government Affairs Directors Trudi Hughes and John Larrea and its President Rob Neenan. Key legislative issues currently include groundwater, food waste, labor, proposed sugar sweetened beverage tax, regulatory reform, pesticides and natural gas pipeline safety. Board members also were provided an update on Proposition 65 and an air and energy regulatory outlook.
Being prepared, serving as a credible source of information and reacting quickly are key factors in successfully handling a food crisis situation, according to J. Van Der Stoep of Sound Counsel Communications during remarks at the California League of Food Processors (CLFP) recent annual board of directors meeting.
Once a crisis communications plan is in place, Van Der Stoep said companies need only spend as little as several hours every other year to prepare for a crisis communications situation. He added that credibility is "first and foremost a central point in a food safety crisis" and defined credibility as worthy of being believed. Speed in reacting to the situation also is crucial.
Van Der Stoep said it is also imperative to be prepared to own the problem and that saying nothing, which some companies might be inclined to do, can be extremely detrimental.
Van Der Stoep was one of several speakers addressing the CLFP annual meeting. Other speakers were Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka, president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, who spoke about the foundation’s work and Attorney Meredith Nikkel of Downey Brand LLP, who spoke about groundwater adjudications in the age of sustainable groundwater management. Dr. Anu Prakash, food science program director at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., discussed the university’s program.
CLFP’s board of directors also received updates on legislative, regulatory and other issues affecting the food processing industry from its Government Affairs Directors Trudi Hughes and John Larrea and its President Rob Neenan. Key legislative issues currently include groundwater, food waste, labor, proposed sugar sweetened beverage tax, regulatory reform, pesticides and natural gas pipeline safety. Board members also were provided an update on Proposition 65 and an air and energy regulatory outlook.
CLFP held its annual board of directors meeting in San Francisco, Calif., April 21-22.
Written by Lisa Jager, CLFP Marketing & Communications Director
