Throwback Thursday: Food safety; Swiss Re’s promise
Insurance Post’s Throwback Thursday steps back in time to October 1990 to remind you what was going on this week in insurance history when hopes were high the Food Safety Act 1990 would reduce contamination claims.
11 October 1990: Food for thought
Post reported the last 18 months had its fair share of contamination claims, which was why the insurance industry was hopeful the Food Safety Act 1990 would improve matters.
The legislation:
- Makes it illegal to sell or process food that’s harmful to health.
- Requires businesses to ensure that food is safe for consumption and is presented accurately.
- Expects businesses to carry out their activities in a hygienic way.
The Food Safety Act 1990 is the foundation for all subsequent food legislation in the UK.
Swiss Re’s 1990s promise
Swiss Re’s advertisement promised when it comes to reinsurance “no one combines the qualities you need better than Swiss Re”.
The advert, titled For Reinsurance There’s a Natural Selection and featuring images of a variety of animals, also stated: “In a world which allows the survival of only the fittest, you’ll find we have the qualities to take you through the nineties.”
And beyond… as shown by Post’s Top 50 Reinsurers list.
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: https://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
More on Claims
Trump’s stance pushes insurers to soften Net Zero goals
More than a quarter (27%) of the UK’s major general insurers have noted Donald Trump’s stance on climate change has had some negative impact on their organisation’s Net Zero strategy in 2025.
Why can’t the FCA see and act on the full claims picture?
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues the Financial Conduct Authority can either continue to defend its frameworks after Which?’s super-complaint or accept that collecting data is meaningless unless it triggers earlier, tougher and more visible intervention against providers that repeatedly fail policyholders.
Four biggest challenges facing insurers in 2026 revealed
Insurance Post reveals the four main challenges general insurers face in 2026 and the solutions experts from EY, the International Underwriting Association, AM Best, Moody’s, S&P, KPMG, Pathlight Associates and Sicsic Advisory say will matter most in the year ahead.
Forces set to reshape home insurance pricing into 2026
From climate impacts and subsidence surges to fraud trends, electric vehicle fire risks, regulation and artificial intelligence, Peter Farrelly, chief operating officer of Sedgwick, outlines the key forces set to shape home insurance pricing and development in 2026.
What Christmas movie cars teach us about windscreens today
As festive film viewing turns our minds to cinematic car icons, Auto Windscreens managing director James MacBeth assesses how the DeLorean, Kitt and James Bond’s Lotus would cope with modern windscreen demands.
Navigating the Arbitration Act 2025
Lydia Savill, partner of Hogan Lovells, outlines what the Arbitration Act 2025 means for insurers.
Diary of an Insurer: Charles Taylor Adjusting’s Matthew Calveley
Matthew Calveley, technical director (metallurgy) at Charles Taylor Adjusting, swaps the Monday morning school run for a flight to Turkey to get to grips with the technical aspects of a manufacturer's claim and moves on to a specialist recycling centre in Germany.
Why Which?’s super-complaint is a turning point for insurance
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, explains why the Financial Conduct Authority’s agreement with its super-complaint marks a critical moment for home and travel insurance, and why swift regulatory action is now essential to improve consumer outcomes.