NEWS

ADNEC TO HOLD VIRTUAL EVENT UNDER SIAL ME AND ABU DHABI DATE PALM EXHIBITION BANNER THIS YEAR

ADNEC Group, part of ADQ, in collaboration with Comexposium, one of the world’s leading event organisers, have developed a unique one-day event that will bring together C-suite

UNILEVER AND ALGENUITY PARTNER TO EXPLORE USE OF MICROALGAE PROTEIN

Unilever and biotech start-up Algenuity are announcing a new partnership to delve into the huge potential microalgae bring in innovating future foods for Unilever’s plant-based portfolio. Algenuity, which specialises in developing microalgae for use in consumer products, will work with the R&D team within Unilever’s Foods and Refreshment (F&R) division to explore ways of bringing foods made with microalgae to the market.

Developing alternative protein sources like microalgae represents a significant step forwards in the critical shift needed to an equitable and resilient food system. By 2050, the world will need to produce 70% more food to feed a growing population of 10 billion people. These foods will need to meet a high nutritional standard, while reducing their impact on the environment.

Unilever and Algenuity recognise the key role that diverse, plantbased proteins like microalgae will play in transitioning towards this new food system. Chlorella vulgaris, a widely recognised (micro)algae, is a nutrient-rich, plant-based source of protein and fibre, with a low environmental footprint. Chlorella possesses a number of additional beneficial nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. It has been consumed globally for many years, yet its high chlorophyll content, which gives plants their green colour and a bitter taste and smell, has proven a barrier to its inclusion in mainstream diets.

Algenuity has developed an innovative technology to overcome this limitation. Its Chlorella Colours ® palette significantly reduces the chlorophyll content of microalgae while still allowing them to retain their natural nutrients. This unlocks a wealth of potential applications for microalgae in the food and beverage sector. It brings the opportunity to develop a sustainable source of protein that meets increasing consumer demand for nutritious foods that taste great. executives from the UAE and abroad to a virtual gathering on 23 November 2020. The event, titled F&B Networking Hub by SIAL Middle East - E-summit & Meetings, organised in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Virtual Platform, held under the supervision of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, will enable entities working in the food, beverage, hospitality, and date palm production industries to continue to meet, engage, and do business.

The format of this year’s event comes in response to the impact of the global outbreak of COVID-19. ADNEC has specifically developed the unique format of the event in response to ongoing international travel restrictions. The event will include talks and meetings being held virtually, in order to adhere to ongoing health and safety measures implemented to mitigate against transmission of COVID-19.

In 2020, the virtual event will include live sessions for industry leaders focused on the challenges which the food and beverage sector and date palm production will face after the pandemic over the upcoming 24 months. In particular, discussions will focus on current strategies and policies required to maintain national effort toward the National Food Security Strategy 2051.

The virtual event comes as ADNEC Group and the global organiser of SIAL events, Comexposium, have decided to postpone the 11 th edition of SIAL ME, which was due to take place from 8 – 10 September 2020. SIAL ME is a truly international exhibition which delivers a high level of economic impact. However, ADNEC has been in touch with exhibitors, partners, and suppliers to provide them with support in making this decision.The 11 th edition of SIAL ME and the 15 th edition of Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition will return on 7 th – 9 th September 2021.

NUTRICAL, THE REGION’S FIRST FOOD DATA INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE LAUNCHES IN THE UAE

NutriCal, UAE’s first food data intelligence software launches in the region with a vision to equip food businesses with pertinent information they can use to attract and retain

customers. With dynamically changing trends in the consumer preferences and increased competition in the food industry, the recipe management software serves as a beneficial and differentiating tool.

Ideal for a wide range of applications, NutriCal can be easily integrated by restaurants, cloud kitchens, food delivery companies, aggregators, food manufacturers and brands. The web portal provides automatically generated nutritional fact labels as per FDA guidelines in English and Arabic, macros in the menu and break-up of each of the recipes on the menu. In addition, with digitization and online being the core focus of the sector currently, F&B companies can also use NutriCal to create new products, conduct recipe costing and design relevant social media. Another added advantage is that NutriCal perfectly complements the growing demand for healthy eating and immunity bolstering with the calorie count meter that helps customers to make a calculated decision.

The user-friendly system has data and intelligence of over 25,000 ingredients from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other international databases with the capability of being integrated into the business’s existing tech platforms such as websites and POS systems.

Aligning itself with the UAE’s National Agenda for 2021, NutriCal is launched with an objective to enable F&B industries to be more conscious about the food they have to offer, while ensuring customers are making more well-informed choices to suit their changing lifestyles.

SUPER TASTY DAIRY-FREE ICE CREAM TO THE UAE

The Brooklyn Creamery, already making waves in the local ice cream sector with its bold innovative approach to healthy desserts, is now launching a dairy-free range of exciting, healthier ice cream.

The new vegan range, made using almond and coconut milk instead of cow’s milk, makes it suitable for people with intolerances, health concerns and those following a vegan diet. The Brooklyn Creamery blends ice cream mastery and a rich array of world-class flavours with the need for an anytime, guilt-free snack.

The Brooklyn Creamery range is currently exclusively available via pandemic-aware Deliveroo home delivery in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi you can find The Brooklyn Creamery via Talabat and Deliveroo or in the aisles of Souq Planet stores.

Vasco Valenca de Sousa, food engineer, ice cream expert and chief Innovation officer, says: “The Brooklyn Creamery was launched in 2015 as a small New York parlour. The dynamic duo

ARLA FOODS INGREDIENTS LAUNCHES ITS FIRST ORGANIC INGREDIENT

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched the first ever organic micellar casein isolate, helping manufacturers meet demand for organic, natural and functional protein products.

Micellar casein isolate is a new ingredient which is rich in native milk proteins. It is extracted from milk using gentle processing without the addition of acids. The protein maintains its chemical structure, allowing the creation of products that are as close to nature as possible.

Arla Foods Ingredients’ new micellar casein isolate, MicelPure™, contains a minimum of 87% native protein. Suitable for food, functional health foods and active nutrition applications, it is low in lactose and fat, heat-stable and taste-neutral.

In a milestone for Arla Foods Ingredients, it is also the company’s first ingredient to be offered in an organic version, made from certified organic milk from Denmark.

As the first ever organic micellar casein isolate on the market, MicelPure™ Organic meets a clear need. Research shows that European consumers consider organic products healthier, tastier and more nutritious, with one in three saying they would buy more organic, high-protein snacks if they were available.

Research shows that “healthy” and “natural” are the two most important characteristics for consumers of food products. Because it is rich in native protein, MicelPure™ also helps manufacturers respond to these needs.

Samples of MicelPure™ are available for food applications such as cooking-stable cheeses, yogurts and ice cream and puddings, as well as health and performance applications, such as ready-to-drink highprotein beverages and powder shakes. that started the company wanted to provide a healthier alternative to ice cream, creating a range that allowed more health-conscious people to indulge their ice cream cravings without the guilt.

“We are proud to offer this revolution in healthy eating right here in the UAE. Launching a vegan range is a logical extension of that desire to make incredible ice cream that meets the needs of modern consumers, and we know our customers will go crazy for our wonderful flavours.”

While more and more people turn to a healthier vegan lifestyle, it’s always good to reach out for an indulgent treat. The Brooklyn Creamery’s vegan range means dessert fans can dig into a pot of fantastic funky-flavoured goodness guilt free.

The range includes classic chocolate and vanilla with a funky Brooklyn Creamery twist, berry and fruit flavours, nuts and fudge and all the ingredients you’d expect in the most indulgent of desserts.

The lactose-free and dairy-free range comes in six decadent flavours – with more launching soon!

THE MIDDLE EAST’S FIRST INSTANT SPECIALTY COFFEE

Launching the Middle East’s first Instant Specialty Coffee product, Três Marias Coffee Company is bringing a new meaning to great coffee and making specialty coffee accessible to all coffee lovers.

A perfect mix of high-quality whole roasted coffee beans and Três Marias proprietary brewing process which consists of large-batch brewing at a percentage packed in a filter profile and then freeze-dried to offer you the perfect cup of coffee whenever you need it.

You’re go to instant coffee for when you’re on the go or to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend, each box includes five sachets of 300ml of delicious and aromatic brewable coffee. In addition, all Três Marias Instant Specialty Coffee sachets are made from eco-friendly and compostable material.

Maria Eduarda Becker Pavani, founder of Três Marias Coffee Company said “Coffee is a passion for me and the Três Marias family from the farmers, and roasters to the coffee drinkers and through Três Marias Coffee we are able to have a platform to share our passion with everyone.”

The Três Marias Instant Specialty Coffee comes in three flavours, from the caramel sweetness of Colombian coffee, the citrusy and fruity flavour of Rwanda coffee to the chocolaty and nutty flavor of Brazilian coffee, offering coffee lovers a variety of choices.

DUBAI’S SEAFOOD SOUQ HELPS HORECA COMPANIES WITH COST EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGY

Seafood Souq, a new, free online marketplace for businesses in the UAE, is a one-stop-shop for all Seafood products. Restaurants, supermarkets, retailers and processors can choose where their seafood comes from with an online catalogue of international and local sellers. By creating a digitized supply chain and connecting buyers direct to the source, Seafood Souq eliminates unnecessary steps in the cold chain, giving buyers the best value for money.

Transparency is a key component to the Seafood Souq mission, especially when it comes to pricing. Buyers can see and compare real market pricing of products giving them the ability to choose the best value products for their business.

With 1 in 5 seafood products mislabeled globally, Seafood Souq’s mission is to eliminate the worry of businesses receiving lesser value products or fish that can be damaging to consumer’s health. 100% traceability is a fundamental component of the Seafood Souq platform.

This traceability is delivered to buyers through complete tracking and visibility of the supply chain from how the product was produced, when and how it was harvested, packaged, all the way through to delivery.

“The core aim of Seafood Souq is to revolutionize the seafood industry through digitisation, we’ve used technology to improve

the efficiency of the value chain from Sea to B giving buyers a transparent and traceable way to source products and ultimately improve yet simplify their procurement process,” commented Sean Dennis, CEO and Co- Founder of Seafood Souq.

By offering cost efficiencies to HORECA companies, Seafood Souq provides the added benefit of ensuring every stakeholder

BIDFOOD UAE SIGNS EXCLUSIVE FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH CORNISH SEA SALT

Bidfood UAE – the country’s leading dedicated multi-channel foodservice provider of international F&B brands and part of the Bidfood Middle East group – signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Cornwall sea salt company, Cornish Sea Salt. A successful partnership debut at Gulfood 2020 – Cornish Sea Salt was featured in Bidfood Middle East’s regional stand – yielded rave reviews from customers and trade show attendants, a positive overture to the company’s foodservice range in time for the market launch in the UAE via Bidfood’s sales, marketing, and operational forces.

Commenting on Bidfood UAE’s latest partnership, Bidfood ME’s Chief Commercial Officer, Wael Al Jamil, said: “With a company as passionate and as invested in their products and vision as Cornish Sea Salt, it was an easy decision to make for us – we know that onboarding the brand would only add value to our portfolio. In today’s world, cheaper table salts are taking a back seat to artisan salts with both the health benefits and culinary versatility. We are excited to take sea salt to great new heights together with Cornish Sea Salt’s team.”

Echoing Al Jamil’s sentiment on the partnership, Cornish Sea Salt Group Sales Director, Suzanne Skerry, said: “Meeting the Bidfood team at Gulfood back in February, I immediately knew that our product was in good hands for its introduction to the Gulf. We look forward to making the most out of Bidfood UAE’s network of chefs, culinary professionals, and foodservice outlets to grow the brand and to help people ‘sea’ salt differently.” is receiving better-priced products and with the traceability documentation to verify it’s efficiency and quality which can be passed all the way to the end consumer.

INTERTEK LAUNCHES PROTEK IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WINS MULTIPLE CONTRACTS INCLUDING SAUDI ARABIAN ALBAIK RESTAURANTS

Intertek has recently announced the launch of Protek, the first health, safety and wellbeing assurance programme in the world, which is intended to protect people, workplaces and public spaces, including its POSI Check audit solution which helps in the Prevention of the Spread of Infection (POSI). Protek is the first comprehensive offering of assurance services designed to provide businesses across all industry sectors, employees, and consumers the confidence they need to operate in the post-COVID-19 ‘new normal’.

Intertek recently signed a contract to provide its Protek solutions to ALBAIK Group, one of Saudi Arabia’s most popular fast food chains. Companies from across industries have been reaching out to Intertek to provide its Protek assurance solutions in their organisation, with multiple contracts recently signed.

As part of Protek, Intertek Cristal which focuses on quality, safety and risk management for the hospitality sectors, will provide the POSI Check audit solution to ALBAIK Group to help in the Prevention of the Spread of Infection (POSI) for their 100+ restaurants Quick Service Restaurants. The solution is designed to formulate and monitor an effective response to communicable infections.

Further, Protek Dine Check protocol will ensure that cleanliness and hygiene levels spanning the kitchens, furnishings, washrooms and surfaces in every restaurant meet the most stringent standards for guests and employees alike. Considered together, both POSI Check and Dine Check will provide independent assurance that ALBAIK is fulfilling its duty of care and providing employees and customers with the confidence they need to return to their favourite restaurants. POSI Check and Dine Check accreditations will be made visible in the form of signs and certificates across the premises.

AUTOMATION ENABLES MAI DUBAI TO MEET SOARING DEMAND FOR BOTTLED WATER

Mai Dubai, a bottled water company fully owned by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), revealed that it has been able to successfully address more than 15 per cent increase in demand for bottled water, thanks to the company’s advanced technological capabilities and a fully automated production unit. With eight fully automated production lines that are seamlessly integrated to two high bay warehouses, one for raw material and the other for finished goods, Mai Dubai has taken the lead step in technology adoption in the bottled water industry.

The operations of the facility are fully automated, starting from the arrival of raw material in the warehouses till the very end, contributing to 100 per cent hands-free operations. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Warehouse Management System (WMS) platforms are smartly integrated to ensure smart and smooth intra-logistics. Digitally operated crane systems, lifts, monorails and conveyors receive the packaging material and store them in high bay warehouse to be issued to the production lines when demanded by the ERP. The finished goods are then collected from the production lines and stacked in high bay warehouse.

Alexander van ‘t Riet, CEO of Mai Dubai, said: “We have been able to effortlessly address the increasing demand for our products with highest efficiencies, optimized transactions, improved productivity and highly streamlined operations, thanks to our commitment to technology adoption. We are currently witnessing a ‘flight to quality’ as consumers prefer a trusted brand, like Mai Dubai during

challenging times such as this. The advanced, flexible technical robotic solutions that we use give us a competitive advantage, helping us achieve fast turnaround times, full traceability and error free transactions.”

“Artificial Intelligence-enabled and powered with smart data, our facility continues to run at a production capacity of over 1.5 million units per day. What’s more, the fully automated

BUNGE LODERS CROKLAAN EXPANDS GLOBAL INNOVATION NETWORK WITH THE OPENING OF ITS CREATIVE STUDIO IN ISTANBUL

As part of its focus on Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC), a world leader in edible oils and fats, is expanding its worldwide innovation network with its first Creative Studio in the region to serve its customers in the region. The studio will be adjacent to the Bunge Turkey office.

“Our goal is to be close to our customers and work with them to streamline product development and time-to-market,” says Renee Boerefijn, Director of Innovation EMEA for Bunge Loders Croklaan. “Whether pioneering products with a balanced nutritional profile or creating more indulgent treats, our Creative Studios help our customers stay ahead of the competition. They are the physical representation of the concept, ‘Let’s create together,’ which is fundamental to who we are as a company and to our commitment to innovation. A number of new studios are in the pipeline, all designed to guide our regional customers toward effective translation of ideas into winning new products.”

The state-of-the-art studio is a dynamic workshop environment that provides on-site support to regional confectionery and bakery manufacturers to co-create innovative new products with sensory appeal, vibrant new flavors, and enhanced total nutritional value while staying ahead of constantly evolving trends, supporting them in the design of exciting new solutions to meet regional tastes.

The official opening ceremony of the new studio is scheduled for October, 2020. The company is looking forward to meeting both its new and existing regional customers at the event. The site has been sterilized and workshops will take place in accordance with all Covid-19 directives. facility eliminates the need for human touch, from the receipt of packing materials all the way to the issuance of product to the sales vehicles,” he concluded.

The Mai Dubai plant is powered with an 18.1 MW capacity roof top solar system, which is the highest solar capacity used in the global beverage industry. The company strives to provide innovative, safe, and efficient products and services while remaining socially and environmentally responsible.

ZAKI GROUP LAUNCHES LOCALLY PRODUCED LIQUID DAIRY IN SIG COMBIBLOC OBEIKAN’S FAMILY SIZE COMBIDOME CARTON BOTTLE IN IRAQ

SIG Combibloc Obeikan, one of the world’s leading systems and solutions provider for aseptic packaging and filling machines for food and beverages, and Zaki Group, one of the leading food dairy and beverage companies in the Iraq, launch the first UHT liquid dairy locally produced product filled in SIG’s 1 litre combidome carton pack in the Middle East and Africa region. The new premium family size pack under the “Qirat Iraq” brand will cater for 3 product categories: full fat, low fat and fat free white milk. This announcement represents a continuation of the group’s strategy after recently launching the first locally produced single serve dairy product in Iraq.

Bahaa Zeidan, General Manager, Zaki Group: “With our new packs, we are presenting UHT milk products that are unique and premium and shifting our strategy to cater to a rising demand in family size products in the market. SIG’s carton pack combidome is an innovative pack that looks and handles like a bottle, while at the same time offering all the benefits of a carton pack as far as environmental and logistical advantages are concerned. The aseptic process ensures that consumers can rely on high-quality, tasty beverages with all their natural nutrients, vitamins, flavour and colours. The carton structure blocks light and air, ensuring that products can be stored for a long time without refrigeration or preservatives. With this new market launch of milk beverages in combidome for the first time, we are marking a milestone in the Iraqi market with locally

produced products. We are confident that by choosing combidome, we are setting ourselves up for clear differentiation in the dairy segment with high quality products specially localized for our customers”.

Combidome, the carton bottle from SIG, combines the best features of a carton pack with the best features of a bottle, making it different from anything that has ever been seen before in food packaging. In 2014, the exceptional design of combidome has been recognised with one of the world’s most important design accolades: the iF Design Award. The carton pack’s remarkable design also creates numerous logistical advantages with which substantial savings can be achieved in total system costs.

NATUREX INTRODUCES ULTIMINE™ ZINC – THE WORLD’S FIRST WHOLEFOOD FERMENTED ZINC FOR IMMUNE HEALTH SUPPORT

Naturex, part of Givaudan, is expanding its Koji minerals portfolio with the launch of Ultimine™Zinc. Developed in partnership with Cura Global Health, this latest ingredient solution for supplements, food and beverages is the perfect complement to the range’s existing offer of Ultimine™ Iron and Ultimine TM Multi 7. Available in powder and granule form, Ultimine™Zinc is suitable for use in tablets, capsules and gummies, and guarantees compliance with Non-GMO, Kosher Pareve, Halal and vegan labelling. Ultimine™Zinc offers an excellent source of zinc, delivering an 11mg dose in a 200mg serving. It is produced using a patented fermentation process, during which koji culture biomass incorporates food grade zinc. The resulting product is a dried biomass, rich in protein that naturally encapsulates the zinc – responding to growing demand for mineral ingredients from wholefood sources.

In December 2019, Ultimine™Zinc as well as other Ultimine™ mineral products obtained Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for legal use in a wide range of applications, including beverages marketed as functional drinks, fruit juice, breakfast cereals and bars, meat substitutes, rice and pasta. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) responded to the company’s GRAS Notice (GRN) with a ‘no objection letter’, thereby agreeing with the safety assessment under the condition of use.

Known as the ‘miracle mold’, koji is a culture that is widely used to make fermented products such as soy sauce, miso, amazake and sake. It has enjoyed a higher profile in recent years as a result of growing consumer interest in fermented foods and beverages, including kombucha, kefir, kimchi and vinegar.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA IS ON THIS NOVEMBER

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA is pivoting to an exciting new digital format in November 2020. It’s called ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA ON

and it’s the place where Asia’s fresh produce business meets online. It will give thousands of exhibitors and visitors the best platform for them to connect, do business and to continue to grow their business in Asia this season.

“ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA ON (18-20 November 2020) has arisen out of the of COVID-19 challenge,” explains Will Wollbold commercial director of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. “Especially after the past months, you will know that there’s a solution for every problem in business, and ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA ON is

HOUSE OF POPS: A BRAND OF HAND-CRAFTED, ALL-NATURAL, HEALTHIER ICE POPS SPREADING NATURAL HAPPINESS!

Dubai is about to get a whole lot sweeter, and healthier! Introducing House of Pops: an all-natural, environmentally-friendly, quirky, and fun way of eating fruit. A concept originating from and inspired by Mexico’s paletas, House of Pops is an indulgent, healthier alternative to your average ice cream. Closest to a ‘fruit-on-a-stick’ as one can find, House of Pops’ popsicles boast of being 100% natural, and free of the nasties!

House of Pops was born with a mission of bringing the UAE a healthier alternative to the already available, refined sugar-packed, preservative-heavy ice creams flooding the majority of supermarkets today. With many adopting healthier lifestyles and in the search for cleaner, more natural foods, House of Pops joins the movement by developing an entire line of hand-crafted, vegan pops featuring only five ingredients with fruit outranking all, essentially making it a ‘fruit-on-a-stick’. This has in-turn produced a winning formula: ‘all-natural, refined sugar and preservative-free, clean label product’, defining the brand’s commitment to purity and wellness. With the content of the pops being up to 94% fruit, the nutritional value of House of Pops’ lollies has been able to level up to the recommended intake of fruit within a regular diet.

our solution for you to achieve your business goals in Asia. It has become clear now that we can’t host our physical event in Singapore in November, so we’re working hard with a specialist software company based in Asia to develop ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA ON as a digital alternative.” Andrew Phua, Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board, adds: “ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA continues to be a valued partner for Singapore, and we are proud that they have teamed up with a leading Singapore tech company to build their digital event. This demonstrates the full range of innovative solutions that Singapore has to offer to the MICE industry, as we reimagine what safe and high quality business events could look like.”

Asia is the world’s fastest growing market for fresh fruits and vegetables and crucial to the growth of the fresh produce business around the world. ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA has helped promote this growth in Asia as the primary meeting point for global suppliers and buyers from across Asia for more than ten years. This will also be the case in 2020.

“It’s important buyers and sellers come together in Asia this year too,” explains Wollbold. “Of course, we’re disappointed, we’ve worked very hard with our expo partners in Singapore, but all over the world borders are closed and business travel is very difficult. So ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA ON is our response to these challenges. It’s in the very best interests of every single exhibitor and trade visitor at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA.”

GENERAL MILLS AWARDED ASIA’S BEST WORKPLACES 2020 BY GREAT PLACE TO WORK ®

General Mills Middle East – part of US-based Fortune 500, General Mills, Inc. – has been recognized among Asia’s Best Workplaces 2020 across Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) by the prestigious international consulting firm Great Place to Work ® (GPTW) Institute.

With a 150-year-old legacy, it is one of only three CPG/FMCG companies in the top 25 list.

The Great Place to Work ® Certification is the most definitive ‘Employer-of-Choice’ recognition and is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ in recognizing Great Workplace Cultures. The assessment process includes key

factors that define and compare the culture of an organization with that of its competitors.

The award recognizes General Mills’ culture of collaboration and commitment across AMEA that consistently scores highly on the GPTW focused areas of Respect, Camaraderie, Credibility, Pride and Fairness. Even during the ongoing pandemic, General Mills has ensured smooth transitioning to working from home for its employees and innovating to meet emerging consumer needs.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Balki Radhakrishnan, Vice President and Managing Director – AMEA of General Mills said, “The recognition is a testimony to our culture of collaboration, reflected in several winning initiatives undertaken by the company. General Mills’ purpose is ‘Making Food the World Loves’ and the commitment demonstrated by our co-workers to delight our consumers while building an inclusive equal opportunity workplace is something we are collectively proud of.”

“At General Mills Middle East, we blend our heritage and experience of over 150 years, with the agility and vitality of a startup. It is a blend of best global practices with local insights and strategies, developed by a diverse and committed team. Such balance is particularly important now, as employees and organizations wrestle with disruptive macro-economic challenges as an outcome of COVID-19,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

Previously, many of General Mills markets in AMEA have also been individually recognized as a Great Place to Work as well.

MEKITEC RELEASES A NEW X-RAY INSPECTION SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGES, LIQUIDS & SOLID FOODS

Mekitec Group, a global manufacturer of innovative food quality control systems based on X-ray technology, announces the launch of a completely new X-ray inspection system, SIDEMEKI TM , targeted for the product safety and quality control needs of food and beverage producers worldwide. Mekitec describes their newest system model to continue delivering the company’s commitment of providing the best value also for these types of food applications, including liquid foods and beverages in taller than wider retail packages. The SIDEMEKI TM system is targeted for food producers acknowledging the importance of overall quality inspection, demanding total pack-for-pack traceability and not settling for foreign object detection only, Mekitec states.

A side-shooting X-ray inspection system has been on the company’s radar for a long time but Mekitec decided to take the time to perfect the solution, making sure it complies with the real customer needs and provides the best value.

“When we first started to specify the system features, we took our time to learn about the unique challenges, needs and desires that food producers have with these types of products and inspection systems. We took on to those challenges, needs and desires and created the

possibility of having the sharpest X-ray image and enabled valuable quality inspection functions even for the tallest food products without compromising the foreign object detection performance,” says Mr. Mikko Nuutinen, Director, Product Creation at Mekitec.

According to the company, the existing inspection systems targeted towards these food and beverage applications have either been too complicated and expensive, or too simple with limited benefits for the food producers.

PALSGAARD INVESTS €100M IN DANISH FACILITY TO MORE THAN DOUBLE PRODUCTION CAPACITY BY 2024

Emulsifier manufacturer Palsgaard A/S has announced the investment of 750 million Danish Kroner (100 million Euro) to more than double production capacity at its Danish facility by 2024.

A new spray cooling tower will add a minimum additional 30,000 tonnes to the company’s spray capacity and will be fully operational by first quarter 2023. This facility will be supported by the construction of multiple new reaction, distillation, and esterification plants.

The expansion adds to the recently installed emulsifier pellet line with a capacity of 10,000 tonnes which is currently being commissioned.

Jakob Thøisen, Palsgaard’s CEO said: “This project is another major milestone in our development. By 2024 we will be able to double our current production capacity – something which took over a century to reach. It is the result of a decade of significant global growth for our business.”

In 2019, Palsgaard was the first global emulsifier producer to achieve CO 2 -neutral production across its global facilities, leading the way for the food ingredients industry. In line with Palsgaard’s commitment to sustainability, the new production capacity will not compromise the company’s CO 2 -neutral status. This is something that Mekitec wanted to change by developing the SIDEMEKI TM system.

“We believe, that the system will be excitedly welcomed and take its place in the market. Our partners and customers have expressed strong interest towards the system and its benefits thanks to the total traceability and imaging capabilities that offer tremendous value to the food producers. It is obvious that the food industry has been waiting for a solution like SIDEMEKI TM to bring the best value for food producers globally,” summarizes Mr. Juho Ojuva, Director, Global Sales and Customer Care at Mekitec.

WORLD CHEESE AWARDS IN OVIEDO RESCHEDULED, WITH COMPETITION RETURNING TO SPAIN IN 2021

The Guild of Fine Food has announced that the World Cheese Awards will not take place in Spain this year, amid ongoing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, instead opting to extend Oviedo’s tenure as host city into 2021. Now set to take place between 3-6 November 2021, the 33 rd edition of the competition will assemble the global cheese community at Oviedo’s Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos a year later than planned, as part of the Asturias Paraíso Natural International Cheese Festival 2021.

Following many months of discussions between the Guild of Fine Food, the Principality of Asturias, the City Council of Oviedo and the Instituto del Queso, the decision was taken in order to ensure the safety of judges, organisers and the general public, while preserving the unique nature of the competition and allowing the region to make the most of its moment in the global spotlight. Set to welcome judges from over 30 different countries, cheese from six continents and followers from every corner of the planet, Oviedo will be at the centre of the cheese world for four days like no other, so the organisers felt that the city should be given the opportunity to recover and use the event as a catalyst for the revitalisation of its restaurants, food producers and tourism industry.

Having explored all available options to hold the World Cheese Awards in some form this year and provide a much needed boost to cheesemakers everywhere, the Guild of

Fine Food has determined that the restrictions imposed by health and safety concerns would risk compromising the inimitable characteristics of the event. With people and place at its heart, including the face-to-face discussions between trained palates from over 30 nations, the decision has been reached to delay the event’s visit to Asturias and commit to staging the world’s largest cheese-only competition, in all its glory, in 2021.

NEW INGREDION STARCHES THAT SUPPORT SIMPLER LABELLING

The new NOVATION ® Indulge 3620 and 3820 starches by Ingredion meet consumers’ demand for clean and healthy eating while providing sensory attributes like smoothness, creaminess and a rich mouthfeel. The co-texturisers are suitable for a variety of instant beverages and semi-solid applications such as 3-in-1 coffee, ready-to-drink canned coffee, canned milk, flavoured milk drinks, soups and sauces.

Our study revealed that 84% of AsiaPacific (APAC) consumers find it important to recognise ingredients in food and beverage products. Additionally, consumers are increasingly recognising the influence of texture on food and beverages, allowing a heightened sensory experience and often a greater feeling of indulgence. A different study revealed that 19% of consumers chose a natural claim while 18% of the consumers chose an indulgence claim as the most important factor influencing their decision when purchasing hot coffee. Consumers want clean label versions of their favourite products, but expect that the mouthfeel and texture are not compromised.

NOVATION ® Indulge 3620 and 3820 starches can help food and beverage manufacturers achieve their desired sensory profile with smoothness, creaminess and a luxuriant, rich mouthfeel — with the benefit of having clean and simple ingredient lists. These starches also enable the development of healthier products, such as reduced-sugar or reduced-fat, as they can build back the texture.

“Our extensive expertise in clean-label texturisers enables manufacturers to reformulate allowing consumer-friendly frontof-pack claims. This is especially relevant for the APAC market where instant products

HOBART’S TLW WINS GOLD IN COOKING AWARD 2020

Intelligent and powerful washing on two levels: HOBART, the commercial warewashing specialist, recently won gold in the Warewashing category of the COOKING AWARD 2020 for its first-in-theworld innovation, the TWO-LEVEL-WASHER. The award is presented annually by the trade magazine COOKING + CATERING INSIDE, which distinguishes 24 different groups with a bronze, silver, and gold award.

Professional chefs all over Germany voted for their favourites among the convenience products and kitchen equipment launched in the previous year. Repeating its distinction from 2019, HOBART was once again among the top providers of warewashing technology – this time for the TWO-LEVEL-WASHER, which has been on the market since the middle of last year.

Two in one: the first TWO-LEVEL-WASHER in the world

With the TWO-LEVEL-WASHER, HOBART introduced the first commercial dishwasher to the market with a second wash chamber for simultaneous washing. Whether for plates, coffee cups or gastronorm pans, the HOBART TWO-LEVEL-WASHER not only increases the holding capacity but also the flexibility in terms of different types of dishes. By increasing the capacity per wash cycle, HOBART is sure to significantly relieve the dishwashing staff’s workload. This dish and utensil washer is not only extremely efficient, but it also has a very small footprint, making it equally suitable for smaller kitchens. Despite the second washing level, the TLW does not take up any more space than a conventional dishwasher, thanks to its compact design. Easy-to-clean stainless steel surfaces also make routine dishwasher tasks easier. Another time-saving feature is the USB interface which greatly simplifies data transfers for HACCP documentation in line with DIN SPEC 10534 for operating logbooks.

like 3-in-1 coffee have always thrived and consumers are becoming more conscious of what goes into their food and beverages,” added Eric Weisser, senior director, growth platforms, Ingredion Asia-Pacific.

TUTTOFOOD TO BE THE HUB AS AGRIFOOD RELAUNCHES IN 2021

It’s time to look ahead. Many analysts estimate that recovery will already begin at the end of this year, though they agree that the real relaunch will come next year. TUTTOFOOD,

POSIST TECHNOLOGIES TO EMPOWER RESTAURANTS AND CLOUD KITCHENS IN THE GULF

POSist, a leading cloud-based restaurant technology platform serving over 8,000 restaurants in 20 countries, recently announced the release of its latest technology featuring Digital Ordering and Industry-First Digital Postpaid Dining to help accelerate technology adoption in restaurants. The technology stack will assist restaurateurs to minimize physical interactions between patrons and the servers in a dine-in setup.

Launched in 2012 in India, POSist offers scalable, reliable, and easy to use point-of-sale technology. POSist enables restaurants to automate operations, integrate with aggregators, delight guests, and grow revenue. The Gulf market is among the fastest-growing regions for POSist. Countries like the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are primary markets for the company. In this region, POSist serves some of the leading restaurants like Food Tailors, Kava Noir, Pizza Di Rocco, Carnival by Tresind, A Cappella, Barbeque Nation, Jamie’s Italian, Punjab Grill, l among others.

POSist can be used by restaurants of all formats and sizes including, Fine-Dine Restaurants, Casual Dining Restaurants, QSRs, Hotel Restaurants, Food Courts, Bar & Breweries, and Cloud or Dark Kitchens.

Commenting on the launch, Ashish Tulsian, co-founder and CEO, POSist Technologies said, “When we started working on the technology stack, we took into account the feedback received from our customers across regions. From the collective feedback, it was evident that the restaurant industry cannot be contactless, however, by using technology interventions at the right touchpoint, we can at least put ‘less contact’ in practice. That became the core essence of what we are releasing as our technology suite for the new normal.”

the exhibition dedicated to quality Italian and international food&beverage, is already working hard to prepare its 2021 edition – set to take place at fieramilano from 17 to 20 May – that will see exhibitors and buyers travel from all over the world to Italy, where they will focus on innovation, strategies and the future of the supply chain.

Initiatives to guarantee a real network of direct relations with key stakeholders on the market are already under way, with scouting activity to increase the number of hosted buyers from countries of particular interest such as Singapore, Japan, the USA and Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Spain, The Netherlands), but also planning strategies to involve an increasing number of bloggers, influencers and trend setters. Focus on the USA, Canada and the Middle East continues with the involvement of associations and chambers of commerce.

A growing internationalisation that is also confirmed among the exhibitors. To date, more than 550 names are already confirmed from countries including Belgium, Germany, Greece, Ireland, The Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the United States, Switzerland and Taiwan, as well as Italy. One new feature is TUTTOFRUIT, an area dedicated to fresh fruit and vegetables and innovation in the IV and V ranges, which value fruit and vegetable products with high service content. The 2021 edition also focuses on an organic development of the latest sectors launched – TUTTOWINE, TUTTODIGITAL and TUTTOHEALTH – as well as on consolidating more traditional sectors.

With this growth, and as a showcase for the Made in Italy on global markets, TUTTOFOOD continues to strengthen its position as a hub where international companies can meet their stakeholders in a qualified way, within the context of the Italian agrifood ecosystem, focused on quality, innovation and food safety.

TERRA INGREDIENTS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH IYA FOODS WITH INITIAL LAUNCH OF FONIO FLOUR

Terra Ingredients, supplier of organic and nonGMO ingredients, announced a partnership with IYA Foods, a Chicagoland food business known for its exceptional taste through the use of authentic, African-inspired flavors.

IYA Foods has launched a new rice flour

alternative, fonio flour, made with 100% Terra provided fonio from West Africa. Fonio flour is a plant-based, gluten-free, and non-GMO flour substitute with a higher nutritional value. Being the smallest seed of all millet species, fonio is an incredibly versatile ancient grain that has been cultivated and consumed for centuries in West Africa.

Terra Ingredients, the only company able to supply fonio at a significant volume and scale, is excited to partner with brands like IYA Foods to take the supergrain mainstream. “At Terra Ingredients, we seek to partner up with dynamic, well-run food companies to introduce fonio to US households while still valuing the origins of the grain and promoting sustainable agriculture,” says Malick Diedhiou who manages Terra’s brand partnerships. “IYA Foods shares these objectives and works tirelessly to provide innovative, high-quality products to their customers.”

The partnership between IYA Foods and Terra Ingredients will ultimately include the launch of multiple co-branded products. Currently working together to incorporate fonio into all of IYA Food’s standard flours and baking mixes, the duo anticipates reinventing traditional household staples in a familiar and instinctive fashion.

DMK GROUP FURTHER EXPANDS ITS MILRAM BRAND BUSINESS

The DMK Group has repositioned itself as part of its “Vision 2030”. Based on a deep understanding of consumers, the company consistently focuses on its customers’ needs. In this context, the range of high-protein Milram brand products was successfully placed under a common concept umbrella as early as May 2020. As of September, Germany’s largest dairy cooperative is extending this approach to two further product groups using the slogan “For smart guys and gals”: with “Skyr cheese” and “Skyr & Smoothie” desserts, Milram is now creating one of the broadest product lines for high-protein chilled retail products.

The DMK Group’s focus on product solutions that offer real added value is already bringing success, especially in the domestic market. Lifestyle and healthy nutrition, like protein, are important trends that lead to a growing market for protein-rich products. What was once a niche topic for sports enthusiasts has now become a major food trend. The DMK Group is providing fresh impetus in this growth market with the Milram brand’s new protein range. Rather than emphasising topics such as muscle-building in expanding its portfolio, Milram has decided to focus on what is ultimately the main purpose of combining exercise and good nutrition: to look good and to show it. “We celebrate that with the north German expression, ‘Für schmucke Deerns und Kerls’, which means ‘For good-looking young men and women’, as the claim on our products. In combination with a fresh, Nordic design, our protein range appeals to a broad target group who pay attention to their diet and enjoy exercising,” explains Matthias Rensch, COO of the Business Unit Brand at the DMK Group. “In doing so, we are taking the topic of ‘protein’ out of its niche and showing that our strategy can boost the market in many categories and reach new, younger target groups.”

The company shows how this works with Milram Skyr cheese. With its 30 percent protein content, this is the champion among the protein-rich Skyr products. The sour milk cheese with Skyr cultures will appear in two practical formats: as a block to slice for bread and salad or as minis for a healthy snack between meals. By embedding it in the new protein range, Milram is appealing to new, younger buyers in the market for traditional sour milk cheese, which is actually currently stagnating. While the general sales volume decreased last year, products with a focus on protein were able to increase their sales significantly.

In addition to Milram Skyr cheese, Milram Skyr & Smoothie brings another innovation to the protein market: with lots of protein, no added sugar, no flavourings and no additives, these superfood smoothies in the doublechambered cup also aim to win over the health-conscious. The new products are being introduced to a high-growth market. This is because products in the category of fruit quark with protein grew disproportionately in 2019 at 27 percent and now account for 29 percent of the total fruit quark market. In addition, this category is recording double-digit growth rates in terms of buyer households and purchasing volume.

In conjunction with POS campaigns, PR, online and social media, Milram intends to continue the positive development of the new umbrella concept “For smart guys and gals”.

TETRA PAK INTRODUCES FIRST-OF-ITSKIND LOW ENERGY PROCESSING LINE FOR JUICE, NECTAR AND STILL DRINKS

Tetra Pak has launched a new, first-of-its-kind low-energy processing line for juice, nectar and still drinks (JNSD) to take beverage processing to a new level of efficiency. Innovatively using a unique combination of Pasteurization, Filtration and UV Light technology to treat beverages in two separate streams, which are aseptically blended together into the final beverage.

Instead of pasteurizing the whole volume of the product, the new production line separates out water and pasteurizes only the concentrate. Water is treated separately with Filtration and UV Light which requires a lot less energy. In the new JNSD line customers reduce energy consumption up to 67% and water consumption used for cleaning-inplace, sterilisation and product change-over is cut up to 50%.

Maria Norlin, Subcategory Manager JNSD & Other Beverages, Tetra Pak said: “We realised that we needed to rethink JNSD processing and find a more sustainable solution, that at the same time still provides a high level of food safety & quality assurance for our customers. The launch of our new low-energy JNSD processing line, ‘Best Practice Line for JNSD with Aseptic Blending’, illustrates how we are innovating with traditional processing methods in pursuit of more sustainable and efficient solutions. Our decision to split the existing JNSD line into two separate processing streams for treatment allows us to offer our customers processing options that can help them achieve their climate goals, and enables the industry to contribute towards global sustainability efforts.”

“After many years of low growth, we see new opportunities for our customers on the horizon, as people increasingly search for ways to lead a healthier lifestyle, and this trend has accelerated during the spread of Covid-19. We hope this new production line can help customers capture the growth opportunities in a more cost-efficient way” added Norlin.

HIPERBARIC REAFFIRMS ITS WORLD LEADERSHIP AS A PROVIDER OF HPP EQUIPMENT WITH THE ACQUIREMENT OF ITS 300 TH MACHINE BY CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

Calavo Growers, Inc., a leading global avocado and guacamole producer, has acquired Hiperbaric’s 300 th high pressure processing (HPP) machine, to be installed in Mexico. The Hiperbaric 300 is one of the most economically competitive HPP machines, with a capacity of 3,100 lbs. per hour. With this additional capacity, Calavo Growers, Inc. is able to continue scaling and increase its avocado operation.

Hiperbaric, the global leader in HPP technology, reaffirms its leadership, as it holds the largest portfolio of HPP machines installed worldwide, with more than 250 customers and 60% market share. Equipment reliability, personalized attention by its technicians, after-sales and applications departments, as well as extensive product research and engineering developments, has positioned Hiperbaric as a global leader in HPP technology.

In addition to this milestone, Hiperbaric recently celebrated the January 2020 installation of the first Hiperbaric 525 Bulk Hiperbaric’s exclusive HPP technology for beverages - at the French company Ateliers Hermes Boissons (AHB), and the November 2019 expansion of its facilities in Burgos, Spain.

“We are proud of this accomplishment and that Calavo, one of the pioneers in the avocado industry, trusts Hiperbaric as their HPP partner. As a former professional in the avocado industry, I am proud to see the growth and solidification of this industry, as well as advances in avocado preservation. Hiperbaric’s HPP technology allows producers to create safe, great-tasting, nutritious products, without preservatives, while extending shelf life,” says Roberto Peregrina, director, Hiperbaric USA.

Calavo Foods, the company’s processed products division, manufactures nearly 100 patented brands and flavors of freshfrozen and refrigerated guacamoles using high pressure processing technology in its 90,000-square-foot facility.

CARGILL’S NEWEST ADDITION TO SWEETENER PORTFOLIO OFFERS FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURES LABEL-FRIENDLY 30% SUGAR REDUCTION

Food and beverage manufacturers in Europe who are looking for label friendly, reduced sugar options can look to Cargill’s newest sweetener C TruSweet ® 01795 to enable a 30% sugar and calorie reduction in beverages and other food applications via lower usage levels.

“Soft drinks and sugar-laden foods have come under regulatory scrutiny, and with the establishment of various national sugar taxes, manufacturers are looking for simple, innovative solutions, without impacting the sweet taste consumers expect,” said Phillippe Chouvy, Cargill’s business development manager for sweeteners in Europe.

Cargill’s C

TruSweet ® 01795 is a 95% pure fructose syrup that is characterized by a naturally higher relative sweetness than sucrose. It delivers the same sweet taste at lower usage levels therefore enabling the 30% sugar and calorie reduction and an even further reduction when combined with high-intensity sweeteners. As fructose is a natural occurring sugar, and often referred to as fruit sugar, it answers consumer demand for nature-derived, recognizable ingredients--its fast sweetness onset enhances freshness and it boosts fruity flavor notes, making it a perfect match for fruity beverages and food, such as fruit preparation and fillings, ice creams, dairy and sports nutrition products.

‘With Cargill’s already extensive naturederived sweetener portfolio, from full- to no-calorie solutions, adding more simple solutions that enable sugar reduction to our portfolio enhances the offerings we can make to our customers in Europe. Combined with our application, formulation & technical expertise in beverages and food, we can now better support our customers’ needs, whether it’s reformulation or new product development projects,” continues Chouvy.

As stevia-based sweeteners have quickly become a favorite high-intensity sweetener, Cargill’s C TruSweet ® 01795 can also deliver greater sugar and calorie reduction

BRANBOX – ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, COMPOSTABLE, LEAK-PROOF AND DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINERS MADE FROM AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY WASTE

The goal of BRANBOX is to offer a highly scalable solution to replace conventional single-use takeaway containers by smart, biodegradable containers providing water tightness for at least 48 hours.

In 2015, global plastic production was 448 million tonnes, including more than 161 million tonnes of disposable packaging, takeaway containers, plates, cutlery and cups. Only 3% of disposable tableware and takeaway food packaging is recycled, while the rest is burned and landfilled, polluting both soil and water. The Biotrem technology uses the chemical composition and physical properties of organic raw materials, waste or by-products such as wheat bran, corn bran, cassava by-products or algae to produce plates, bowls, cups, without plasticizers or other chemical compounds. By using Biotrem technology, BRANBOX goes further and offers ecological, compostable, watertight and disposable food containers. Highly scalable and customizable, the BRANBOX solution can be rapidly deployed to meet the global challenge of plastic pollution.

targets of 65% when combined with stevia. The combination works well as fructose is fast in sweetness onset and stevia creates more lasting sweetness. Furthermore, in comparison to crystalline fructose, C TruSweet ® 01795 is a ready to use syrup that offers manufacturers significant cost benefits for their sugar reduced formulations.