< Previous40 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netMEAT, POULTRY & SEAFOODan opportunity for informationgathering and networking.The poultry industry is in two mindsas to their situation at the moment.Bird flu continues to spread acrossEurope and Asia, causing many to cullmillions of infected birds – and the USmight also soon be threatened by avianinfluenza. That said, the industry itselfis expected to be profitable in 2017 dueto an increase in demand across theglobe. China’s poultry industry has been theworst hit by the epidemic, with manysuggesting that a change in the waythe country handles its industry mightbe necessary. Live poultry markets havealready been closed in an attempt tocontrol the disease – and it may betime for these to be removed entirely ifthey helped the spread of the infectionin the first place. Farmers are now looking towardsmore sustainable – and hygienic –methods of rearing and keepingchickens, with many suggesting thatthe situation was exacerbated by thepoor conditions many animals findthemselves within. An infection doesspread easier, after all, if the victims arecramped into enclosed spaces withlittle room to breathe or move.The seafood industry remains astrong force in the food and drinkindustry, with salmon alone scoring asBritain’s highest export good – with£636 million worth of the fish soldacross the globe. £500 million of whichcomes from Scottish waters. The US remains the top exportdestination for Salmon, buying almost£215 million. Closer to home however,France recorded a 55% jump in theirdemand for British Salmon, importing£110 million worth. A newer market forthe fish, China also showed a 40%increase in demand, with £65 millionbeing exported to that part of Asia. Waters have begun to show lessyield when it comes to seafood,however, leading to difficult politicalstruggles such as that in China.Sustainable initiatives are beingproposed by many, but unlessindividual fishing companies take thesteps themselves, these are unlikely togo anywhere. The question becomesthen, how far-sighted these companiescan be. They already face lesser yieldsand tighter profits but a continuedrefusal to acknowledge the problemwill inevitably lead to their owndemise. 38-41_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:16 Page 3Food & Drink International 41www.fdiforum.net38-41_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:16 Page 442 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netFLAVOURING AND COLOURINGFor shoppers, the first interactionwith a product is visual, and dependingon its aesthetics, the taste, perceptionand relationship with that product canalter wildly. Ipso facto, refining aproduct’s visual profile pays lip serviceto the idea that you only ever get onefirst impression. It’s certainly true forfood products, as one bad experienceor purchase is enough to turn aconsumer to a competitor. It’s forexactly this reason that the foodindustry has again landed in hot wherecolouring is concerned. Popular foodshave been revealed to be dyed, andconsumers aren’t happy. The industry itself isn’t totally toblame, with consumers plying themwith tremendous pressure. In short,shoppers want the holy grail of superiorquality (or the perception of it) withoutthe associated high prices. The markethas become saturated with suchexamples, where desirable products arebeing sold at marked down prices. Oneof the most telling examples is smokedsalmon. Once the preserve of the socialelite, or a Christmas luxury, smokedsalmon has become a popular foodamong people of all walks of life. Thereare a number of varieties pertaining tobe ‘premium’ but with a price thatmakes that claim impossible to back up.Last year, discount supermarket chainAldi was selling what appeared to befresh salmon but was, in fact, farmed.The discrepancy came to light after afish monger called out the price, whichwas simply too low to be fresh withoutmaking a significant loss on theproduct. The majority of these cheaperoptions will be comprised of farmedfish, fed a pink dye to ensure their fleshconforms to the colour consumers havecome to expect. Wild salmon gains itspink/orange colour from its diet, in thesame way that flamingo feathers arealso a vibrant hue. Without this naturalpart of its diet, salmon flesh is grey, anunappealing colour for customersexpecting premium. Instead the naturalpigment astaxanthin is addedto farmed salmon feed toensure the desired colour ispresent. At 20 per cent oftotal expenditure, this addedpigment accounts for the single mostexpensive component of farmedsalmon’s diet. Without, it would be evencheaper to produce and could thereforebe sold to consumers at a lower rate.But expecting shoppers to opt for greysalmon over pink varieties would beunlikely at best, so producers are simplyoffering the people what they want. Salmon is hardly the only popularfood product to use dyes to offerconsumers products that appearpremium at low cost. Food companiessometimes spray colourants onto freshfruits and vegetables so that theyappear more in line with expectation.Red dye, for example, is sprayed ontoapples and added to maraschinocherries. Yellow dye, on the other hand,is added to some green products, suchas pickles and preserves, to make themappear more verdant,and convey a message ofhealthier, morewholesome produce. The negative press andscientific evidence stakedagainst artificial food colouring hasseen consumers move away from Enumbers and make more informedpurchasing decisions. Though thereported link between these additivesColourpalate44 ÁAny chef or food marketer will agree that weeat with our eyes, so ensuring a product isappealing is paramount. 42-44_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:18 Page 1Food & Drink International 43www.fdiforum.netFLAVOURING AND COLOURING42-44_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:18 Page 244 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netFLAVOURING AND COLOURINGand ADHD in children threw up a media storm some tenyears ago, the recent rise in clean eating has done more toshift the industry paradigm to more natural alternatives.Of course, natural colourants have been used in food forcenturies, such as saffron and turmeric. The latter is evenenjoying a recent renaissance as an on-trend food due toits supposed anti-inflammatory properties. Spirulina has been getting a lot of attention lately dueto its natural origin and its superior colouring attributes.Back in 2013, it was approved by the US Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) as a source of blue colour in candyand gums, offering US food producers a natural alternativeto the artificial FD&C Blue #1 – the ubiquitous ‘brilliantblue’. Since then, it has also been approved for use inconfectionary, frostings, ice creams, deserts, yoghurts,gelatin and more. Spirulina is extracted from a blue-greenalgae that occurs naturally in freshwater as well as marinehabitats. It is able to provide a ‘true blue’ colour in foodsand beverages without any green or purple undertones. Ithas been embraced by consumers for its health benefitsand functionality, mixed into health shakes, sprinkled overbreakfast or used in a main meal. Elsewhere, the proliferation of natural colourings isevident. UK-based Kanegrade manufacture naturalcolours and extracts with the mission statement of beinghealthy as well as helping to make foods look their mostappealing to shoppers. Its exhaustive range is designedspecifically to enhance the visual profile of foodproducts, and, crucially, offer versatility. By their verynature, natural colourings can be more difficult to utiliseand harness especially when compared to the preciseengineering and scientific knowhow of artificialalternatives. Unlike colours, natural extracts are multi-functional as they combine colour with flavour andnatural antioxidants to create a well-rounded foodenhancing product. Companies like Kanegrade, however, have made usingthese natural colours a fine art, offering a truly flexible,versatile and successful portfolio. Each are available inwater soluble, oil soluble and spray dried forms, as well ascoming in a range of varying strengths, depending onneed, market and product. As long as food is sold, there exists the need to make itaesthetically appealing. With the food experience nowentwined with social media, with consumers snappingpictures of their snacks and meals and uploading themonline, the appearance of food has never been moreimportant. Although food colouring comes with a numberof unsavoury connotations, many of those are natural inorigin, while the industry itself moves into and exploresmore natural and beneficial varieties some of which, likeSpirulina, are functional products in their own right. 42-44_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:18 Page 3Food & Drink International 45www.fdiforum.netTHE NATURAL FOOD SHOWGrowing consumer awareness insustainability, provenance, authenticity,artisan methods, and local sourcing, hasbeen a big driving force behind the rise innatural, organic and special diet foodproducers entering the UK market in recentyears. The latest market research reportfrom the Soil Association shows thatsupermarket sales of organic increased by6% in 2016. Plus, almost half of consumers(47%) now want food to be all-natural (upfrom 44% in 2015), according to findings byEuromonitor. Part of Natural & Organic ProductsEurope, one of the Natural Food Show’sbiggest selling points is its comprehensivearray of new products. Hundreds of newlaunches (UK and international) are timedspecifically to coincide with the event,ensuring visitors can stay up-to-date withemerging trends. A world of innovationVisitors can discover the world on a platewith international pavilions from Italy, thePhilippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey,Greece, France, and the USA, as well as thenew Vegan World area (in association withthe Vegan Society). The returning GrowingOrganic Together pavilion – hosted by theSoil Association & Organic Trade Board, isnow 65% bigger.The popular New Product Showcase iswhere visitors can discover the very latestin food and drink innovation. In voting fortheir favourite products, they will becontributing to the coveted Natural &Organic Product Awards and will be able todiscover the winners on the showcase onMonday 3rd April.There will also be plenty of newinnovations to see and sample on the showfloor from market-leading brandsexhibiting from across the world.The rise of organic andveganThe Soil Association will behosting the biggest evergathering of certifiedorganic producers ever tobe seen at the event. Inaddition, they will bedelivering the full SoilAssociation market reporton Monday 3rd April –and with Supermarketsales of organic growingby 6.1% in 2016, this issomething that retailerscan’t afford to ignore. Vegan is another key trendfor 2017 and beyond (over 30%of registered visitors are lookingspecifically for these products). Theintroduction of Vegan World, supportedby the Vegan Society, will make the search forthese on-trend products much easier forvisitors to the show. This gathering of 45companies is just the beginning of whatwonderful, plant-based products can bediscovered throughout the Natural Food Show. New show features & speakersThe newest additions to the Natural FoodKitchen demo line-up include Gill Meller,head chef at River Cottage, andcelebrated Italian chefs andrestaurateurs Francesco Mazzei andAldo Zilli, nutritionists Christine Bailey,Oliver McCabe, and Nicky Clinch,Icelandic chef Solla Eiríksdóttir, DrRupy Aujla from The Doctor’s Kitchen(the show’s first GP chef).Natural FoodShow 2017Natural Food Show, the UK’s only dedicated trade event fornatural and organic food and drink, returns to LondonExCeL on 2-3 April with over 400 exhibiting companies.To register for a free ticket, please visitwww.naturalfoodshow.co.uk and enter priority code NPF43.45_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:20 Page 146 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netMAINTECRiAssure3Rittal can help you reduce down-time, equipment failure and energy use.POWER DISTRIBUTIONENCLOSURESCLIMATE CONTROLow-teepfaSee us on stand M169MAINTEC 201721 - 23 March NEC BirminghamNow under new ownership, the highlyanticipated Maintec 2017 promises newdevelopments and content as well as anumber of exciting new features. Herethe industry’s most respected voicescome together to share freshperspectives and new educationalcontent, ensuring Maintec is at theindustry’s cutting edge. Education is high on the agenda, with15 hours of free conferences andseminars lined up, with 30 outstandingspeakers, offering insights into thelatest trends and innovations. If thatwasn’t already enough, there are 100exhibitors and an impressive 5,000visitors expected to be in attendance,meaning you can’t afford to miss out. Among the topics explored at thisyear’s event – and indeed one of thetouchstones for proceedings – isIndustry 4.0. and how greaterconnectivity can lead to self-healingproduction systems. There’s alsoMaintec2017Taking placing from 21 – 23 March at NECBirmingham, Maintec is the UK’s premier eventfor the maintenance engineering and assetmanagement community. 46-47_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:22 Page 1Food & Drink International 47www.fdiforum.netMAINTECIT INFRASTRUCTURESOFTWARE & SERVICESeteeryy eRiAssure3RiAssure3emphasis on digital technologies andsmart maintenance, each key issues inthe current engineering landscape, aswell as important topics to harness forthe future. As engineering is one of thesectors which is suffering from skillsshortages, the first day of the eventsees a dialogue into addressing themaintenance skills challenge. 2017 will see a ‘new look’ educationalprogramme for the show featuring twonew theatres, Maintec Dialogue andMaintec Summit packed with keynotespeakers and high-level free to attendseminars.Through two new theatres, MaintecDialogue and Maintec Summit, theseminar programme will give attendeesbest practice advice on reducingdowntime, energy management andlowering repair costs.Topics have been carefully selectedduring extensive research for therecently commissioned WhitePaper which looks in detail at TheFuture of Maintenance Engineering withimportant contribution from EEF,IMechE, IET, Gambica, UKLA and manymore.For more information, toregister or book a stand, visitwww.maintec.co.uk, emailadmin@western-be.co.uk orcall 01342 314300.Rittal Rittal will be showcasing some of its leadingtechnology and much of its considerable expertise atMaintec 2017.Visitors to Rittal’s stand will be able to discuss theirrequirements for innovative enclosure systems and findout more about how the adequate provision of themaintenance and correct specification of systems canresult in substantial reduction in down time, energy useand equipment failure.Of particular note will be the presence of the multi-award winning Blue e+ climate control system whichwas launched in 2015 to great acclaim thanks to itsoutstanding energy savings and flexibility. Anyone keen to improve the long-term health of theirsystems can talk to Rittal’s expert team. Thesediscussions might range from possible remedial action,to optimum service programmes for maintaining systems viability. A Rittal RiAssure3 survey will identify the likely risk of a system overheating which could lead toequipment tripping or failing. It will then provide recommendations around remedial action.Tel: +44(0) 1709 704000 Web: www.rittal.co.uk Email: information@rittal.co.ukStand: M16946-47_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:22 Page 248 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netTHE HEALTH & SAFETY EVENTBeaverswoodBeaverswood, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of labelling and identification producers, willbe exhibiting their new products at the Facilities Management show. Come along and collectyour free copy of their new catalogue. The stylish, perfect bound catalogue includes many newproducts to offer the user an extensive portfolio of goods.The focus of Beaverswood’s stand is colour, particularly with the increase of 5S and leanmanufacturing systems; coloured identification focuses the mind of the importance and type ofmessage being displayed.Many of the core ranges have been extended to include a choice of colours together withseveral new products added such as new waste recycling sacks that are for use of rollcages andtrolleys, label holders, weather resistance document packets, stock level indicators, plus lots more.To see all the new products and to discuss the possibility of being a distributor, visitBeaverswood’s stand.Tel: +44(0) 118 9796096 Web: www.beaverswood.co.uk Email: sales@beaverswood.co.uk Stand: F102The Health & Safety Event has beendeveloped to suit anyone responsible forhealth and safety at work, while thismission statement is simple on thesurface, its repercussions are far reaching. Quality and accessibility are essentialin the workplace, which is why this eventis absolutely free to attend, and thevendors attendees will encounter areamong the most highly respectedoperating in the UK today. Safetyprofessionals and employees alike stressthe need for straightforward and reliableadvice, which is where this event excels. The event’s partnership with TheBritish Safety Council has helped tocurate an unrivalled educationalexperience for visitors. Alongside thefree conference content visitors havecome to expect as well as access to over400 vendors and suppliers across fourshows, there will also be a further fourfeatures. The Health & Safety EventCo-located with Maintec and Facilities Management, The Health& Safety Event returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 21 – 23 March,delivering the perfect education and networking opportunity forany responsible for running a safe and efficiency workplace.Fork Lift Truck Association, CharteredInstitute of Logistics and Transport andRTITB – formally the Road TransportIndustry Training Board. NEBOSH Education PavilionSupported by NEBOSH – the NationalExamination Board in occupationalSafety and Health – this new dedicatedfeature will provide direct access toadvice and guidance as well as marketleading vendors for those seeking toimprove safety standard of training andeducation in their workplace. BSIF Safety AwardsThe prestigious BSIF SafetyAwards recognise excellencewithin the safety industry,excellence in customer service,product innovation and have thekey goal of improving overalloccupational health and safety.This year’s awards will beannounced at the Health & SafetyEvent, providing the perfect place forthe awards as it highlights andcelebrates the innovation found withinthe UK safety market.Facilities Management As well as being co-located withMaintec, the event also runsconcurrently with FacilitiesManagement. Its range of conferenceand seminar topics are designed toinspire attendees and offer realworkplace enhancement. Delivered byengaging and thought provokingindividual speakers, as well as carefullycreated expert panels, FacilitiesManagement is dedicated to all facilitiesprofessionals in all sectors and deliverswhat the industry needs. For more information, or to register inadvanced, visitwww.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk/event,or email the organisers atadmin@western-bp.co.uk. Safety DialogueThe Safety Dialogue Theatre offers aunique opportunity to ‘join the debate’and contribute directly to discussing thetopic of the day. Attendees areencouraged to share their experienceswith peers, and network with a panel ofrecognised authorities on each giventopic. Safer Logistics The Safer Logistics Seminar andFeature area is building on last year’sdebut with a better than ever line-up ofpartners to provide first classpresentations tackling key safety issuesin the world of warehousing andlogistics. The seminar brings togetherexpert guidance and advice fromleading industry bodies including the48_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:24 Page 1Food & Drink International 49www.fdiforum.netMULTIMODALNow in its tenth year andrepresenting every logistics sectorunder one roof, Multimodal is a uniqueand highly valued industry showcase. Shippers and cargo owners attendwith the aim of improving theirbusinesses, achieved through findingnew ways of moving their productsmore efficiently and by meeting andengaging with new suppliers. The event is characterised by keyvertical sectors, includingmanufacturing, retail, agribusinesses,FMCG, food and drink and many others,whilst horizontally, the show covers allmodes of transportation, including sea,road, rail, air and inland waterways. This matrix design makes Multimodalincredible valuable and accessible forshippers, whilst also affording them theopportunity to successfully meet andnetworking with peers from othersectors – another key motivator fortheir attendance. Multimodal 2017 has teamed up withthe Chartered Institute of Logistics andTransport (CILT), the United KingdomWarehousing Association (UKWA) andthe Freight Transport Association (FTA)to put together a three-day programmeof workshops, masterclasses, and paneldiscussions tackling the issues andtrends which affect supply chaindecision makers. There will also beholding special Brexit Briefings for ourvisitors. With Article 50 being triggered2 weeks before Multimodal - delegateswill be able to hear the most up-to-dateexpert analysis.The FTA Multimodal Awards Nightwill be held at the VOX at ResortsWorld at the NEC on the evening of 4thApril. Hosted by cricketer David GowerOBE, the Awards will host over 800contenders, VIPs and colleagues andwhat will be one of the industry’s mostmemorable evenings.This year, seminars cover thechanging market place for logistics, acontemplation of Amazon, thechallenge of city logistics, outsourcingand raising driving standards, amongmany other exciting topics. Multimodal 2017 will be co-locatedwith Internet Retail Expo and the e-Delivery Expo to ensure even greaternumbers of shippers attend.Multimodal 2017Multimodal, the UK and Ireland’s premier freight transport, logistics and supplychain management event, returns to NEC Birmingham from 4 – 6 April. For more information andto registers for free, visitwww.multimodal.org.uk, orfollow the event onTwitter @multimodal49_Layout 1 27/02/2017 10:25 Page 1Next >