PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 1 February 2026
Website: www.foodcouncil.uk

The UK Food Council (“UKFC”, “we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and safeguard personal data when you visit www.foodcouncil.uk, register with us, attend events, subscribe to communications or otherwise engage with our activities. We process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who We Are

The UK Food Council is a national industry body supporting stakeholders across the UK food industry, including foodservice, grocery, manufacturing, supply chain and policy communities. For the purposes of data protection law, the UK Food Council is the data controller of your personal data. Contact: secretariat@foodcouncil.uk

2. The Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity and Contact Data

Name, job title, organisation, postal address, email address and telephone number.

Professional Information

Industry sector, business interests, event participation details, and areas of engagement relevant to UKFC activities.

Technical Data

IP address, browser type and version, time zone setting, device information, operating system, and website usage data.

Communication Data

Information provided when contacting us, registering for events, subscribing to updates, participating in research, or responding to surveys.

We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal data unless voluntarily provided and necessary for a specific, lawful purpose.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We collect information through:

• Online forms (registration, newsletter sign-up, event booking, contact forms)
• Direct correspondence (email, telephone, in person)
• Event participation and membership engagement
• Cookies and analytics technologies (see our Cookie Policy)
• Publicly available professional sources where relevant to industry engagement

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

• Consent (for newsletters and marketing communications)
• Legitimate Interests (to operate and develop the UK Food Council and engage industry stakeholders)
• Contractual Necessity (where you register for paid events or services)
• Legal Obligation (to comply with regulatory or statutory requirements)

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data to:

• Respond to enquiries and provide requested information
• Manage registrations for membership, events and briefings
• Circulate newsletters, insight reports and industry updates
• Conduct research, surveys and sector analysis
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Maintain security and prevent misuse
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties.

6. Sharing Your Information

We may share personal data only where necessary and proportionate:

Service Providers

With trusted third-party providers who support website hosting, email distribution, analytics, payment processing or event management. These providers are contractually required to safeguard your data.

Event or Research Partners

Where you participate in collaborative industry initiatives, and only where relevant to that activity.

Legal and Regulatory Authorities

Where required by law or to protect the rights, safety or integrity of the UK Food Council.

7. International Transfers

Where service providers process data outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying legal, accounting or reporting obligations. Inactive contact records are periodically reviewed and securely deleted where no longer required.

9. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
• Object to or restrict certain types of processing
• Withdraw consent at any time (for marketing communications)
• Request data portability where applicable

To exercise your rights, contact:
secretariat@foodcouncil.uk

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): www.ico.org.uk

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or loss. Access to personal data is limited to authorised personnel and service providers operating under confidentiality obligations.

11. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality and analyse site usage. Please refer to our separate Cookie Policy for detailed information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect legal, regulatory or operational changes. The updated version will be published on this page with a revised effective date.

13. Contact

UK Food Council
Website: www.foodcouncil.uk
Email: secretariat@foodcouncil.uk

The UK Food Council is committed to responsible data stewardship and maintaining the confidence of the UK food industry community.