Thank you, Basil: Industry pays tribute to diplomat's immense international legacy

The industry luminary fulfilled a 32-year career at the European Commission (EC), including heading the EC’s DG SANTE food legislation unit for nearly a decade and leading the EU Delegation in the Codex Alimentarius Committees on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) and Food Labelling.

A few of his high profile contributions to the industry during his time at the EC include securing the game-changing vote from member states to create the Article 13 list of health claims, steering the Food Information for Consumers (FIC) regulation through the European Council and Parliament and working on the revision of the Foods for Particular Nutritional Uses (PARNUTs) legislation.​

His determination to remain highly active in the industry after his official retirement in 2015 showed his personal passion for the work he did. He continued to work as a consultant and spread the word about how food legislation is done in the EU while advising officials in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) via training workshops in Laos, Thailand and Malaysia.

Many colleagues have paid tribute to him and his initiatives which span almost 40 years and have contributed ensuring consumer access to healthy and fair products.

Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) gave tribute to a "brilliant and guiding figure at the national, regional and international level with a true passion and deep knowledge of food legislation and nutrition."

"Basil had an extraordinary commitment, expertise, warmth and solution-focused approach but most importantly, a noble stance, openness and availability to truly listen were amongst his strongest strengths," the organization told NutraIngredients (NI).

"We want to express our heartfelt sympathies and offer our most sincere and deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with Basil's family and friends, as he will be greatly missed. He leaves an immense legacy for his leadership in the world of food legislation in Europe and beyond, may he rest in peace."

Patrick Coppens, Director, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs at Food Supplements Europe, said FSE has known Basil for over three decades and "his work has meant so much to our sector".

"As the architect of the food supplements Directive he has created a space for a category of products that was emerging to support peoples’ health and wellbeing, which at that time, over 30 years ago, was a completely new concept," he told NI.

"His vision and perseverance over more that 10 years have finally been rewarded with the adoption of the food supplements Directive in 2002 and over the next 20 years he has worked in the same spirit of progress with care for consumer protection that has enabled companies to build a successful market of products that are safe and beneficial for consumers. His legacy and warm personality will remain in our memories forever."

David Pineda Ereño, MD and consultant on strategy, policy and regulation at DPE International Consulting, added his condolences, telling NI: “Basil’s contribution in helping to shape food regulatory harmonization is unparalleled. I have had the great fortune to share space with him at events, learn from him and see him in action guiding experts in different parts of the world.

“Basil leaves an immense legacy for his leadership in the world of food law in Europe and internationally and for being a great man who left his mark on our hearts. I have had the honor of collaborating with him on many occasions for which I am very grateful. We will miss him very much. May he rest in peace.”

Dirk Jacobs, director general at FoodDrinkEurope, Brussels, describes Mathioudakis as a friend of the organization.

"Basil left an impressive legacy in shaping the EU and international food law we know today, particularly in the space of food labelling, nutrition and health claims and nutrition," he told NutraIngredients. "He was a fine diplomat, open to be convinced by sound argumentation and always striving to find a good solution for all. He will be missed by many in the European food and drink industry."

Giving their tributes via LinkedIn, several colleagues described him as an inspiration to their careers.

Christophe Leprêtre, regulatory and scientific affairs executive director at Keller and Heckman LLP, in Brussels, posted: "Some EU officials like Basil leave an indelible mark on people who crossed one’s path."

He added: "Basil was knowledgeable, smart, tough, humoristic and a highly skilled negotiator. He will always be remembered for his oratory joustings with Barbara Schneeman from the U.S. delegation in Codex Alimentarius CCNFSDU meetings during several decades. Basil also had the longest ovation a Codex delegate ever received by a Codex member before retiring. It was in Bali in 2014. Dear Basil, from where you are laughing at now, be resting in full peace now and for the eternity."

Barbara Schneeman, PhD, of the University of California Davis, said he leaves a significant legacy in many accomplishments within Codex as well as the EC.

"His skills in coordinating the EU delegation and being able to effectively put forward their positions were extraordinary and contributed to significant initiatives accomplished during this period," she wrote. "At times in many of the Codex meetings, we seemed to be in conflict, but I was always confident that we would find a way forward. May he rest in peace."

Angelika Mrohs, MD at the German Association for Food Law and Food Science, posted: “Basil was already a recognized expert in food legislation when I started my work for the German industry more than 30 years ago. I remember many discussions about (nutritional) labelling. Of course sometimes we had different views but Basil was always open for arguments and ready to fight for good solutions when convinced. I remember many issues around Codex where he was deeply engaged to get good solutions. We will miss personalities like him now and in future. Thank you Basil!"

Aurélie Perrichet, regional director for Europe at The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) added: “Basil leaves behind an impressive legacy in the field of food law, both at the European and international levels. He embodied the spirit of Europe, valuing collaboration and integrity throughout his career. He will be greatly missed, not only for his professional contributions but also for the remarkable person he was.”