Sandhurst Fine Foods CEO responds to WHO warning against processed meats
QSR Media sits down with CEO Mimmo Lubrano to discuss the recent World Health Organization recommendation against processed meats and the current consumer.
QSR Media: What are your thoughts on the latest WHO recommendation regarding processed meats and the link to cancer?
Mimmo Lubrano: Clearly there has been some concerns over the levels of preservatives and additives in our foods. Much has been said about the use of Nitrites and Nitrates that are used to retain colour, preserve shelf life and generate some consistency in cold cuts.
Like most “Solutions” we look to the past before we look to the future. We know that good quality Jamon from Spain and Prosciutto from Italy has none of the additives if packaged and sold correctly.
This means that the only solution is to buy these products ‘off the bone’ so as to get the freshest result.
We as a family are trying to avoid the additives and we will be replacing Bacon and Ham with Jamon Iberico – preferably Pata Negra (Black Feet!) and Proscuitto Di Parma or San Daniele as a healthier choice.
Unfortunately, I cannot see what we buy in Supermarkets or “Cheap” offers in foodservice being healthy for us so we are changing our eating habits and encouraging others to do the same
QSR Media: Have you started to see any change in what your customers are asking for?
Lubrano: Its all about natural, raw and fermented foods.
Saeurkraut is taking pride of place as well as genuine fermented Polish Dill Cucumbers. Antioxidants and Polyphenols are high on the list so an exceptional quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil is still sought after.
Products such as olives and good quality Italian condiments like Mutti are in high demand and we are seeing the rise of casual dining away from QSR where the smaller QSR chains that we look after (Cherry Bean, Zambrero, Nadias etc) are reporting good sales due to their ability to respond to customer needs for low carb, low fat, high flavour and high protein meals that make the outlets some decent margin (Think Quinoa, Chick Peas, Lentils)
The recent addition of our bulk beans such as Cannelini and Borlotti in catering packs has been well received by the market.
QSR Media: Any other comments?
Lubrano: People are smarter, they understand more about food than they ever did. They have a choice and we all want to eat healthy and lose weight. We are bombarded by cooking shows and weight loss shows that tell us enough about what to eat and what to ‘occassionally’ eat.
For children we are seeing that sugar has now come under fire and surely by now we must realise that the hidden sugars in our ‘processed’ foods are the cause of some problems in our lives. My thoughts on Salt are contrary to most as I believe that it isn’t the Salt that is killing us. The mediterranean diet is predicated on reasonably high levels of salt but the consistently come up with good health stats due to low or no red meat, lots of seafood, vegetables and no processed garbage!
