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.     

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