Impressions of Fi-SA and International Conference for Clinical and Functional Nutrition

Find below some impressions of the International Conference for Clinical and Functional Nutrition (Frei Caneca Expo centre) and FI South America (Expo Centre Norte).

Starting with Fi South America, a good show, with most of the big national and international players present. Some of the key trend this year:

• Stevia and natural sweeteners
• Food fortification
• (Natural) aromas
• Sports nutrition
• Beauty solutions

In addition to Brazil exhibitors (national and international), American, European, Chinese and Indian companies were relatively well represented at the show. Brazil is still pretty much a distribution market, with a relatively low level of national innovation.

The winners of the industry awards 2012 were:

Food ingredients: PuraQ®Arome NA4 Purac Sínteses

Food application: Bolo de caneca Dr. Oetker

Functional Food application: Piracanjuba Zero Lactose Piracanjuba

A much smaller event was the International conference of clinical and functional nutrition, held at the Frei Caneca Conference centre. Core of the event was the three day conference programme, focusing on many different topic in the area of dietary solutions, clinical food and preventive and health food for different age groups and sexes.

The exhibition side of the event was relatively small, with predominantly sport and performance nutrition companies, natural food companies and beauty solution companies. The number of innovative health food applications presented was fairly low. Nonetheless a good event to attend.     

Central America Agro-Food Sector

Every once in a while I will write about my experiences during my visits to Central America for the CBI Central America Agro-Food programma.

My first visits have really been a positive surprise to me. Some of the highlights for me were:

• natural beauty: it is a beautiful region with vaste natural resources
• pleasant business culture: many ambitious entrepreneurs with an open mind, pragmatic operating style and drive to make a difference in their community
• Well developed agricultural sector: a wide range of tropical fruits and vegetables, produced with respect for the natural habitat, rich in flavour
• A food ingredient sector in development, especially Guatemala has some excellent ingredient companies with top quality processed fruit and vegetables. One good example is the Pitaya smoothie mix produced by Burke Agro from Nicaragua. A wonderful tasty product with a clear organic and fair trade vision implemented.
• Honey from the region is marvelous, excellent taste and as important, directly contributing to the development of many poor (single parent) families

Some photo impressions below:

 honey processing area of LaDulcemiel of Nicaragua.

A bee hive from El Nogalar from Guatemala, close to the Mexican border.

The production crew of Burke Agro presenting themselves to the camera.  

   

Honey health regulation

Below some relevant articles about health regulation in relation to honey:

Testing of honey takes on new momentum in fallout from GM ruling
Work is under way by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre to identify appropriate sampling and testing methods for the presence of pollen in honey.
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/Testing-of-honey-takes-on-new-momentum-in-fallout-from-GM-ruling

Concern over children's exposure to toxins in honey
The EU food safety assessor has concluded that there is a possible health concern for toddlers and children who are high consumers of honey arising out of the possible presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA).
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/Concern-over-children-s-exposure-to-toxins-in-honey

GMO honey ruling can be challenged, claims legal expert
Honey producers and importers in the EU and elsewhere face legal and economic uncertainty arising out last autumn’s European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) ruling, claims a legal expert calling for an amendment of the Regulation to exclude honey.
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/GMO-honey-ruling-can-be-challenged-claims-legal-expert

Pitaya colourant

Pitaya fruit may offer red colouring for food The use of pitaya as a source of red colours for foods is in its infancy, but the potential of these fruits to offer alternatives to re beet is growing, say the German scientists working on bringing the pigments from the lab bench to industry. http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Pitaya-fruit-may-offer-red-colouring-for-food

Opening blog

Welcome to world of ingredients. Via this blog you will receive frequent updates on relevant developments in the food and beverage market. The blog will cover technological development, product launches, marketing innovations, consumer and retail trends as well as regulatory changes. You will find all about the latest industry events, company news and market developments. Extra focus will be given to the Latin American market. Interesting upcoming events in the coming month will be the International congress for Clinical and Functional Nutrition in Sao Paulo, The Food technology Summit & Expo in Mexico and Food Ingredients South America in Brazil later this month. You will read more about these events in the coming posts.