Honours for Northern Irish food figures

International food security expert Prof. Chris Elliott is among food industry figures in Northern Ireland included in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Prof Elliott, currently Director of the Institute for Global Food Safety at Queen's University Belfast, was awarded the OBE for his work in helping to identify and counter food fraud.

He led the UK government's independent review of food systems following the 2013 Horsemeat scandal and continues to advise on food supply chain issues.

His leading-edge research has helped to establish Northern Ireland as a global centre of excellence in food safety.

He is also one of the co-founding members of the International Drug Residue School in France.

Another Northern Irish OBE winner was Norman Lynas, the chairman of Lynas Food Service, one of the region's leading food distribution businesses. Lynas Food Service is a family company which has been in business for over 70 years.

Michele Shirlow, chief executive of Food Northern Ireland, received the MBE for services to the food and drink industry.

Mrs Shirlow was at the heart of last year's successful Year of Food and Drink showcase of the best of local produce.

Food NI has a successful track record in organising promotional activities for local food and drink including the annual Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show, Ireland's biggest agri-food exhibition.