African Excellence Awards 2019

MEAMARKETS / 2019 African Business Excellence Awards 9 , Nude Food (pty)Ltd Most Innovative Woman in Clinic Nutrition & Product Development - South Africa Drawing on the expertise of Founder ShirleyWittig, Nude Food (pty)Ltd offers a range of food and nutrient services designed to help companies create products that taste good and provide the best possible combination of nutrients. We invited Shirley to tell us more about the firm and howher own journey and experiences shape her work. Established in 2012, Nude Food was created with the intention to literally undress food and share with the world the information and expertise that Founder Shirley had learned through her personal health and food journey as a Food Scientist and Clinical nutritionist. As a specialist Food Consultant, as well as the production and supply expert, she created NUtritiously DEnse foods aka Nude Food to support a wide range of clients. Shirley explores her role in more detail and explains the importance of her role for both the companies she supports and the consumers who enjoy their food. “At Nude Food, we work with a variety of Cliental, from Retailers to Food Producers and then directly with everyday food customers. As part of my work, I support and promote Retailers in ethically sourcing and stocking a variety of NUDE (NUtrient-DEnse) Foods that are specifically clean label and delicious. Additionally, working directly with Food Producers, I encourage and insist on food production practices that are law-compliant, safe and ethical, with a focus on sourcing authentic and natural food ingredients to make products that are free from artificial preservatives or chemicals. “Fundamentally, everyday customers are the ones who drive me to keep doing what I do. I care about everyday people being supported and empowered to make better food choices for good health and wellness that is sustainable.” Such services are of vital importance in today’s food and beverage market, particularly in South Africa, as Shirley is keen to highlight. “Specifically, in relation to Food Production and Retail supply, the South African corporate landscape, from my perspective is in dire need of more support and education. Customer are generally not familiar with the basic laws that govern food supply and are very trusting of food producers and retailers alike - this trust is seriously taken advantage of. “The regulations South Africa has in place for Food Production, handling and commercial supply are not centralized or governed very well at all. Every region has its own set of requirements and way of working for food production and supply licensing, despite the regulations being nationalized. In general, there is a lack of understanding and basic knowledge of the regulations or legislations that are in place. Access to these regulations that govern all aspects of safe food handling and supply is incredibly difficult and compliance is based on the business owners ethical and honest will to run a food business that is authentic at its core. “Lack of food law enforcement and regulation compliance officers is another major concern and corruption is evident. It is usually only the larger food Retailers and food Producers who can afford to employ the services of a full time Food Technologist or Scientist who are legitimate and legally operating within the food world. These Retailers have to have their own in-house regulations to govern safe and ethical food supply simply because the national regulations are so poorly enforced. As such, my work at Nude Food is vital to ensuring consumers enjoy fresh, nutritious meals. I am passionate about supporting food business owners to launch themselves and their products into the food market.” With regards to the future, Shirley is very confident that her continued commitment to food standards and nutrition will drive her and Nude Food to even greater success, as she proudly concludes. “Over the coming years ahead, I will be working hard to develop an App to communicate my knowledge to Nude Foodie Customers. The aim will be to promote not only products but also Food producers and Retailers who care about their customers wellness. Using the App to educate simply and quickly will be the aim, with relevant and updated food information. If you know more about what is, and how to choose, better food, you will be more inclined to purchase better food and therefore be a better human and become a true Nude Foodie. Developing the information, I want to share and showcase on the App is underway and that means a serious amount of recipe development and planning and later some fun partnerships with Product suppliers and Retailers. “In addition, I also plan to relaunch my blog website and Nude Food Club in November 2019. The Nude Food Club is a project I started three years ago, and I now have a new plan for this arena to bring together ethical Food Producers and their ideal customers under one forum. This is where the intention will be for food production, supply and general product information be shared openly and new products researched, tested and promoted early in the product development stages to ensure best possible success and connection to ideal customers directly. These developments will drive my firm and I to even greater recognition and success.” Company: Nude Food (pty)Ltd Name: Shirley Wittig Address: 1 Kingscliff Road, Glenside,3247 Telephone Number: +27823375450 Web Address: www.shirleywittig.com May19052