Ferré & Consulting Blog (English Version)

On his visit to Fi Europe 2011 in Paris last week Charles Rivkin, the US Ambassador to France and Monaco, chose to emphasise the importance of the food industry to the global economy in this time of austerity.

“In today’s economy there’s nothing more important than having shows like this to promote trade,” he said.

He reaffirmed his country’s belief that there is an enormous opportunity for trade between the EU and America when it comes to agricultural products.

“It’s agricultural exports that America excels in and they are central to our National Export Initiative,” said Rivkin. “We have some of the best growers and producers on the planet, and focusing on the things that we do well is central to our national economic strategy.”

Source: Ingredients Network

Events Fi Europe, food ingredients

For its 7th edition in Bangkok, Food ingredients Asia 2011   attracted over 9’000 visitors and generated approximately one billion THB in business for exhibitors. The event was held on 21 to 23 September at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in the heart of the Thai capital.

M. Gandhi, Managing Director UBM Asia (Thailand), the event organiser, noted that the exhibition hosted more than 489 companies from over 34 countries. «This was the biggest event since the show began and we are delighted with the results. On behalf of everyone who has helped bring Fi Asia the success it enjoys today, we extend our grateful thanks», Gandhi said.

Fi Asia 2011 showcased ingredients innovation from regional and international food ingredients manufacturers. By bringing the value chain together, the show has provided important networking opportunities and facilitated exchange of knowledge within the industry. «Fi Asia is a must-do event and an important part of our growth strategy in the regional food business line under the NutriLife brand», said Jorgen Lundgaard, Regional Sales Director, Jebsen + Jessen. «We have already booked a booth at the Fi Asia 2012 in Jakarta, where JJ Indonesia will be exhibiting on behalf of our regional food business line, and a booth at Fi Asia 2013, when the show will return to Bangkok», he added.

The 2011 event was supported by the Food Science + Technology Association of Thailand, the National Food Institute, the Food Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Food Processing + Packaging Association, which had its own special pavilion at the show.

Thai VIPs praise the event

Prapat Vanapitaksa, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Thailand´s Ministry of Industry, who opened the exhibition, noted that the food industry has played a very important role in building the Thai economy. «We have implemented a 20-year plan which will include upgrading industry clusters, expanding manufacturing network opportunities abroad and enhancing support for integrated management in Thailand», he said. «The plan will also enhance co-operation within the ASEAN community for a sustainable manufacturing system by 2050».

Dr. Petch Chinabutr, President of the National Food Institute, who, together with UBM, organised the seminar: «The Impact of AEC 2015 on the ASEAN Food Industry», said that the seminar would help to increase recognition for Thailand´s growing food industry. The seminar featured speakers from Thailand and the region, and was part of a special conference programme that included presentations by the Food Science + Technology Association (FoSTAT) and the Federation of Institutes of Food Science + Technology, (FIFSTA).

The organiser and official partners have expressed their warm appreciation to all visitors and exhibitors for making the 2011 show a great success. Fi Asia 2012 will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 03 to 05 October. Fi Asia will return to Bangkok on 11 to 13 September 2013. For more information please visit http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/Asia-Indonesia   and http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/Asia-Thailand

Source: Bakenet

Events Fi Asia, food ingredients

The perspective of food manufacturers and other stakeholders on the costs and benefits of enforcement provisions for the new EU Regulation on food flavourings is being sought from the UK Food Standards Agency during a three month consultation phase.

The EU flavouring regulation 1334/2008 was adopted at the end of 2008 and is due to fully replace directive 88/388/EEC from 20 January 2011.

Inconsistencies in the regulation of flavourings and food ingredients with flavouring properties in the bloc along with differences regarding the application of maximum levels of certain biologically active principles (BAPs) which may be present in flavourings and food ingredients have created the need for uniform EU controls.

The controls aim to “ensure the free movement of safe and wholesome food, and to take into account the new scientific and technological developments for flavourings,” reports the FSA.

Natural compliance

One major change is the new and more detailed labelling requirements for natural flavours, and the reclassification of nature identical and artificial flavours as ‘flavouring substances’.

These new requirements need to be on labels and in documentation by the January 2011 enforcement date. However flavour firms’ regulatory and IT teams have been working on making sure the raw materials are classified for compliance for some time.

Labelling costs

The UK watchdog said it is now seeking an industry response on the familiarisation, enforcement and relabeling costs associated with the new regulation. “Information on the frequency at which businesses re-label products in this category is limited,” said the FSA.

However, it reports that discussions between it and stakeholders have indicated that a relabelling cycle of three years would be a reasonable assumption, and relabelling costs would tend to fall in the range of £1,500 to £3,000 per product.

There are new controls establishing maximum levels of BAPs in certain foods and the UK food agency comments that “in practice, the food manufacturing industry may well choose to move to the use of liquid flavouring extracts made from herbs and spices because the levels of BAPs will be more easily controlled.”

The FSA said that the deadline for receipt of industry comments on the proposals is 14 October 2010.

EFSA assessment

New flavouring substances proposed for foods, under the regulation, will have to go through a risk assessment procedure, and petitioners will have to supply data to allow the European Food Safety Authority to form an opinion.

EFSA is currently reassessing flavouring substances that are already in use in the EU, numbering around 2,800 in all. A definite list, as part of the new law, needs to be adopted by the end of 2010.

The FSA draft consultation document can be read here .

Food Safety, Ingredients biologically active principles, flavouring regulation, food ingredients, labelling requirements

Enzymes derived from snakes, spiders and carnivorous plants may soon be used as food ingredients.

The Danish Council for Strategic Research is looking into their potential to be used in everyday products such as food and laundry detergents.

Among the companies taking part in the research is Danisco, a world leader in food ingredients enzymes and bio-based solutions.

Charlotte Poulsen, an enzyme development specialist at the firm Danisco said the research would centre around the “highly effective” digestive qualities of enzymes such as the kind a spider injects into its prey to liquefy it.

The commercial possibilities are endless, Ms Poulsen noted.

She explained: “The highly potent enzymes may be used in for instance food ingredients, detergents, animal nutrition and a long list of other applications in which enzymes can perform their function as process catalysts.”

The research project has already begun and will run for a period of four years.

Source:  Ingredients Network

Ingredients Danisco, enzymes, food ingredients