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Register now! This landmark collaborative event incorporates the 14th Australian Food Microbiology Conference (AIFST) and the 2nd IAFP Asia Pacific Symposium on Food Safety (Australian and International Associations for Food Protection), with the participation of the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF). Hear from over 50 speakers in 13 sessions covering a full range of issues facing the food industry and its food safety and microbiology professionals today and into the future including:
oils+fats 2011 At this year’s three-day International Trade Fair for the Technology and Trade of Oils and Fats, around 70 exhibitors will be presenting the latest trends and technologies in the sector, with an emphasis on practical benefits and applications for the manufacture, processing and trade of fats and oils. The organisers are hoping to attract around 1300 visitors from 60 countries and recommend the event to producers of crude and/or refined fats and oils, fatty acids, margarine, nutraceuticals, edible oils and fats, feed stuff, biodiesel etc, oil and fat traders and agricultural associations. Exhibitors will be representatives from production and processing – plants and machinery (present and future), components and equipment, and consulting and investment services; process and quality assurance – analyticals, sensory testing, laboratory technical equipment and certification/HACCP; raw materials – raw and auxillary materials and contract crop growing/crop growing development; logistics – packaging and storage; research – planting breeding; and institutions and publishers – educational and training institutes, associations and publishers and suppliers of technical literature. In addition to the exhibition, there will be a
two-day short course on the processing of oil and oilseed (www.smartshortcourses.com),
as well as a Workshop on new materials and technologies for packaging
edible oils and oily foods (www.eurofedlipid.org). Healthy Bodies of Law: Food or Therapeutic? This half-day event presented by Food Legal will explore the practical advantages or disadvantages in choosing between the Food or Therapeutic regulatory routes. It is aimed at anyone interested in food or therapeutic products, particularly the marketing, formulation or regulation of products such as special purpose foods, functional foods, energy drinks, supplemented foods, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, sports drinks, weight loss products, foods with health claims, and foods with nutritional and therapeutic properties. Such a wide range of product categories can mean a complex system of rules, regulations and regulators and enforcement policies. Experts from government, industry specialist consultants and technical legal experts will provide insights into current issues associated with choosing between food or therapeutic regulatory routes such as novel food classification, marketing of products as a food or as a complementary health product, the pros and cons of classifying products as a therapeutic good or as a food, when to use therapeutic and health claims, relevant regulators for different product classifications, illegal mispresentation associated with claims and claim substantiation and regulatory opportunities and challenges for weight loss products, among others. The presenters include Dean Stockwell, General Manager (Food Standards) for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ); Joe Lederman and Charles Fisher of FoodLegal providing expertise in food regulatory compliance and opportunities; Robert Forbes, one of Australia’s leading compliance specialists in Complementary Health products compliance; and Professor Dr Tom Faunce of ANU Law School with a case study of nanotechnologies illustrating a cutting edge area of innovation interfacing with regulation in the food and therapeutic sectors. Pre-booking is required. Further information or registration is available at http://foodlegal.com.au/symposiums/10-2011/healthy-bodies-of-law.html. The event is sponsored by Advancing Food Safety and SAI Global. Public health promotion and consumer behaviour: the
role fo food labelling The aim of this symposium is to explore food labelling within the health policy context, including the methodology and challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of food labelling. The symposium will be opened by Dr Dave Roberts, President, ILSI, followed by a presentation by Professor Simon Pettigrew from the University of Western Australia on Potential policy framework, Blewitt’s Brave New World by Chris Preston, Legal Finesse, and Is there evidence that food labelling has driven consumers to better food choices? by Associate Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu from the University of Auckland. The morning session will close with presentations by Dr Jo Wills, European Food Information Council, on Methodologies and challenges of research in nutrition labelling for health promotion and Michelle Gosse from FSANZ on Use of consumer behaviour by FSANZ for predicting likely effects of food labelling changes. Christopher Zinn from Choice will look at Consumer perspective – is it a right to know issue?, while Bill Shrapnel, Consultant Nutritionist, Goodman Fielder, will provide insights on Is labelling a driver to a healthier food supply: Insights from yellow spreads and Geoffrey Annison, Australian Food and Grocery Council, will address the Appropriateness of legislation for health promotion in food labelling. The symposium will close with a panel discussion chaired by Dr Roberts. ILSI SEAR Australasia
IDF World Dairy Summit 2011 Dairy nutrition, sustainability and environment and analytical strategies are some of the topics to be explored in the IDF World Dairy Summit being held on 15–19 October in Parma, Italy. Full information is available at www.wds2011.com. Dairy nutrition New to the program this year is a conference exploring Sustainable Public Health and Dairy Nutrition Economics (19 October), in particular how a greater awareness of the nutritional benefits of dairy products can improve nutritional status and reduce healthcare costs. The interplay between economic systems and the nutritional value of food is particularly relevant today with increased longevity and attempts to improve public health across the globe. A series of prestigious speakers will present recent findings and initiatives within this emerging science. In addition, the conference Dairy Products: A Healthy Choice (16–17 October) will focus on leading science projects in the health and nutrition area. Presentations will cover the positive nutritional impact of dairy products, healthy aspects of specific nutrients in dairy, and how to address age-related nutritional needs. The Marketing Conference (18 October) will showcase new thinking in dairy marketing following the theme Conveying the Benefits of Dairy to Consumers. Presentations will concentrate on new strategic communication techniques such as social media, suggesting innovative ways to deliver positive dairy nutrition messages. Through exploring approaches followed in current and future campaigns this conference aims to develop a united approach and to make the dairy sector be once again top of mind for consumers. Sustainable dairy products As knowledge of the health benefits of dairy products improves, alterations to processing procedures become inevitable. Participants will benefit from presentations focusing on how novel technologies, such as non-thermal processes and hurdle technologies, help maintain nutritive value. Registrants will also be able to attend a session themed Working Together Towards a Sustainable Dairy Supply Chain (16 October) as part of the Global Dairy Roundtable on Supply Chain Issues. The objective of the session is to encourage a moderated and open dialogue among representatives from various segments of the supply chain and regions across the globe, including dairy producers, dairy processing companies and cooperatives, input suppliers, distributors and consumers. Facilitator Alessandro Plateroti, Deputy Director of the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24Ore will challenge panellists to address three key areas under the sustainability theme: private vs government set standards on sustainability in dairy; producing more with less: Are we ready?; and where does a sustainable global dairy industry fit within a new bio or green economy? Also to be held on 16 October is the World Dairy Leaders’ Forum which will focus on the trends, changes and challenges taking place in the marketplace and the implications for industry players. CEOs from across the industry supply chain will discuss the strategies and rationale for their business in a panel discussion. Among the topics to be discussed will be all aspects of sustainability and food security, from the perspective of institutions, producers, consumers and all industry stakeholders, in order to gain a better understanding of the future needs and expectations of the agricultural sector and to put forward proposals ensuring agricultural sustainability. The IDF/FAO conference exploring the theme The
Global Environmental Footprint of Dairy Products (19 October)
looks at one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy industry –
increase production while keeping environmental impact to a minimum.
A number of international speakers will present achievements that
have already been made at farm and industry level, showing how the
dairy sector is improving its carbon footprint. In the afternoon session, participants will benefit from an FAO report on the new developments in their work to monitor the environmental sustainability of the livestock sector. In addition, scientific experts will be explaining recent progress in research programs, covering more globally the fields of environment and sustainability, with topics such as biodiversity, economic and social indicators and water quality. IDF and the global dairy sector recognise the seriousness of the environmental challenges and through initiatives such as the Global Dairy Agenda for Action (GDAA), they are moving forwards with concrete programs providing tangible results. The first reporting session Real Achievements for a More Sustainable Dairy Sector: the Global Dairy Agenda for Action will showcase the dairy industry’s initiatives to meet its voluntary commitments under the GDAA. This major session will review the sector’s initial commitments which are embedded in the Declaration on the Global Dairy Agenda for Action and the supporting Green Paper. Developments in analytics Approved Persons Course for Thermal Processing of Low-Acid
Foods This course, approved by AQIS, will provide participants with the necessary skills to design a safe and commercially viable thermal schedule for the processing of low-acid food products in hermetically sealed packaging. The course involves four days of lectures in thermal processing, practical heat penetration work, process calculations, tutorials and preparation for exams. Two examinations will be given on the fifth day, which will cover theory and practical thermal calculations. Participants who successfully pass the examination will be authorised to submit new thermal process schedules for approval by AQIS. Diana Castree, CSIRO Australian Society of Baking The Australian Society of Baking has assembled a respected and exciting group of presenters who have been selected to address this conference. They include Arthur Shelly, founder of The Organizational Zoo Ambassadors Network and author of The Organizational Zoo & Being a Successful Knowledge Leader who will speak on Intelligent Answers; Nicky Sheed, Sales & Marketing Manager (foodservice, bakery, industrial) Barkers Fruits on Fruit products and health benefits; Kate Hurley, Category Development Manager & Shannon O’Connell, National Sales Manager Retail and Foodservice, Allied Mills on Overseas tradeshow and market trends; and Bernard Parker, Managing Director Bakels Research who will speak on The Process of R&D. There will also be a pre-conference study tour on 18 October to a number of specialist bakeries and the Chairman’s Dinner at the Marina Room RIVA St Kilda at the conclusion of the conference. AIFST is the PCO for this Event. Register with
Food Regulations and Labelling Standards Conference The theme of this year’s event, the 13th in the series, is Towards consistent, coherent and user friendly policies. Industry representatives will provide a platform for discussion and debate of current issues in the food regulations and labelling sector, offer insights into developing technologies, consumer groups and consumer demands and changing government policy, and discuss regulatory issues from their own sector perspective. There will also be a focus on the main issues associated with the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy. The two-day event will comprise 15 topic areas: Mandatory Reporting; Product Recalls; Government Funding; Food Security, Availablity and Affordability; Nutrition Policies; Health Claims; Front of Pack Labelling; Preventative Labelling; Home Brands; Country of Origin Labelling; Alcohol; Consumer Information Requirements; Green Manufacturing; International Trade and Sustainability and Security of Food Production. Dr Bernd van der Meulen, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and Member of the Global Harmonization Initiative, Austria, will speak about Global harmonisation of food policies and labelling and Dr V Prakash, President, Nutrition Society of India and Council Member of IUFoST, will address Travel of agricultural materials from farm to folk. Other features of the conferences are a keynote address by Ruth Mackay, General Manager, Product Safety Branch, ACCC, who will provide an overview of mandatory reporting; a presentation by Professor Simone Pettrigrew, University of Western Australia and member of the Panel for the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy, on Should alcohol be regulated as food?; a number of case study presentations dealing with Compliance and mandatory reporting, Australia’s food recall and incident system, Personalised food and nutrition: science-practice-regulations, Environmentally responsible manufacturing and Securing outbreaks and minimising damages and two panel discussions. The first panel discussion will review the Mandatory reporting guide and will feature Ruth Mackay, Kim Leighton, Director, Food Policy and Regulation, AFGC and Fiona Fleming, Group Quality and Corporate Affairs Manager, George Weston. The second panel discussion will debate Daily intake guide (DIG) versus Traffic light labelling (TLL), with Peta Craig, Manager for Nutrition Policy and Codes, AFGC, advocating DIG and Dr Rosemary Stanton, OAM, and Angela McDougall, Food Policy Advisor, Choice, providing arguments for TLL. There is also a separately bookable pre-conference workshop entitled Australian Consumer Law Masterclass, to be held on 8 November. The workshop will be facilitated by Madeleine Kearney, a solicitor from Clayton UTZ, and will cover various aspects of Australian Consumer Law including mandatory injury reporting, consumer guarantees, enforcement and remedies (including substantiation notices, civil pecuniary penalties and penalty notices). Informa 2nd National Food Futures Conference Organised by the Public Health Association of Australia, this event looks at the policy and leadership needed in Australia to ensure better health outcomes for the community. With the theme Safe and Healthier Food for All Australians, the conference will bring together international and national experts in a series of lectures, panel discussions and roundtable workshops reviewing topic areas such as food policy, food security, linking agriculture and health, food retail, social inclusion and achieving healthy eating. The Basil Hetzel International Health Oration will be presented by Professor Barrie Margetts, University of Southampton, UK and Foundation President, World Public Health Nutrition Association. He will be discussing Secure, Safe and Healthier Food for All – what does this mean? Other speakers include Professor Aleck Ostry, University of Victoria, Canada, presenting his views on Food Initiatives & Governance, and Professor David Adams, Chair, Tasmanian Food Security Council, speaking on Social Inclusion and Community Action. Further information and registration is available
at www.phaa.net.au/
ConTech 2011 – a report From the latest in confectionery colouring, legal requirements for manufacturers and the future of cocoa, attendees were given a range of knowledge to help them better engage with consumers and compete in the local market. Delegates were advised to be aware of the power of celebration by social analyst David Chalke. According to Mr Chalke, consumers still enjoy celebrating milestones, despite the fast-paced life they lead, and so manufacturers should be aware of this when marketing their products. He also pointed to the rise in convenience shopping and popularity of products that perform more than one function or offer an additional benefit. The rise in service stations with supermarkets attached is evidence of this on-the-go trend. The proposed changes to the labelling laws dominated discussions on the first day of the conference. The proposed traffic light labelling would allocate red, yellow and green on confectionery products based on their nutrient profile (or ingredient composition). The changes proposed by the Blewett Report from the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy are currently being considered by the Australian Government. Simon Talbot, Director Corporate Affairs ANZ, Kraft Foods, used his presentation to discuss the impact of the proposed changes on the industry. He spoke of the negative impact on the confectionery aisle and the fear of long-term effects, such as advertising restrictions, if the industry cannot to find an alternative solution. The Ai Group Confectionery Sector is leading the sector’s efforts in finding ways to better use the industry-created Be treatwise initiative to inform consumers about confectionery products as an alternative to the recommended traffic light labelling. In regards to labelling more generally, Christopher Preston, food lawyer with Legal Finesse, spoke about the importance of getting the correct information on labels. Areas that particularly spark the interest of the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission include ‘100%’ type claims, origin claims such as ‘Australian made’, fruit depictions, pseudo-science and green or environmental claims. “Don’t show fruit on labels or claim fruit unless there is at least 5% fruit in the product,” said Mr Preston. Other than new provisions to substantiation notices, Mr Preston also pointed to new requirements relating to unfair contract terms and reporting of safety notices under the new Australian Consumer Law. The new safety notification means suppliers have 48 hours after becoming aware of an incident where a person has suffered death, or serious injury or illness, which was caused by, or may have been caused by, a product it supplied, to provide a written report to the Commonwealth Minister. While labelling also generated discussion during the CEO session, innovation was also a focus. The forum included the leaders from GKC Foods, Koko Black and Suga, Nestlé Confectionery and Snacks, Manildra Group, the event’s principal sponsor, and The Wrigley Company. The need for more investment in R&D and even a ‘university of confectionery’ were among the items on the leaders’ wish list. Delegates also heard about the future of cocoa and the need for certification to help with future supply. With 45% of cocoa coming from the Ivory Coast and with each pod producing just 40 g of cocoa beans, it takes 25 000 pods to produce one tonne of cocoa beans. Indonesia, Ecuador, Vietnam and the Philippines are expected to be the next big cocoa suppliers; however, questions remain about whether they are willing and ready to join the supply chain. Confectionery expert, Indonesian-based Andy Van den Broeck, supported by the Victorian Government’s Department of Business and Innovation, headlined the technical aspect of the conference. His presentation focused on chocolate shelf life and variables with a focus on factors that cause chocolate decay on a microbiological, chemical and physical level and tips on how to retain and extend shelf life. Mr Van den Broeck’s post-ConTech practical workshop included techniques on how to take popular hand-made chocolates and transform them into semi-industrial products with longer shelf life and without the use of additives. The latest developments in natural colouring, as well as arguments for the switch from artificial colouring, were other technical features of the conference. Success for SIAL China 2011 The organisers have claimed that SIAL China 2011 has consolidated its position as the largest food and beverage trade show in China following the success of the 12th such event in May in Shanghai. Some 1520 exhibitors from 76 countries and regions filled 60 000 m2 of exhibition space, up 15% and 25% respectively on 2010. The 19 international pavilions included Korea (Guest Country of Honor), France, USA, Taiwan Region, Malaysia, Brazil, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Portugal, Argentina, Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Greece, Germany and Italy plus 28 Chinese provinces and regions. There were nine Products Zones: Wine & Spirits, Dairy, Sweets & Confectionery, Organic, Gourmet, Tea & Coffee, Halal, Frozen Food, Canned & Preserved food. A total of 33 265 visitors (up 9% from 2010) attended the three-day event. The Opening Ceremony was supported by a large delegation of Ministers, Ambassadors, Consuls and Trade officers, including the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as the French Ambassador and Consul. Korea was represented by its Vice-Minister for Food and Fisheries. In partnership with Escoffier, more than 30 International Chefs competed in the 4th La Cuisine du SIAL in the Cooking Trends Area. On 19 May, they awarded the Thai Candidate, Pichaya Utharntharm, the title of the “Best Asian Young Hope Chef” ahead of seven other candidates. The 7th Trends & Innovations competition showcased the latest food and beverages exhibited in SIAL China with 25 innovative products from more than 15 countries worldwide. Two special prizes were awarded to Shijiazhuang Junlebao Dairy, China, for its Lajoul’s Manor yoghurt, and Sanmark Crop from China for its Infant Formula Oil. Wine World Shanghai, the largest international Wine exhibition in China, had more than 300 exhibitors from many countries around the world. The 3rd Wine Innovation Forum, dedicated to the wine culture, was considered a great success. More than 12 conferences and tastings attracted an audience of 3000 visitors. The 12th Wine competition was also held. A panel of 21 judges of wine buyers, sommeliers, bar tenders from hotels and restaurants and journalists from professional media performed a blind tasting of the wine and spirits submitted by the exhibitors, which were evaluated on their value for money ratio. Twelve prizes were awarded in different categories with Australia Nardone Barker Wines Wara Manta reserve Shiraz from McLaren Vale judged the best still wine over €7. Other winners were from France (3), Italy (3), Spain (2) and Greece (1), with two special categories created for Korean Soju and Rice Wine. The SIAL China 2012 will also be held in Shanghai 9–11 May (www.sialchina.com).
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Confectionery
companies across the supply chain joined together at the Ai Group
Confectionery Sector’s premier event annual event, ConTech
2011 held in Melbourne at the end of May. This year’s ConTech
was themed Keeping ahead of the pack.
