Top-tier experts connect at Asia Food & Beverage Summit 2015

RINGIER Trade Media Ltd, leading B2B industrial information company and its partner in Thailand, Media Matter, a pioneer in industrial-science media successfully conducted the Asia Food & Beverage Summit on 18-19 May 2015 at the Pullman Bangkok King Power in Thailand.

The conference gave over 50 participants the opportunity to interact with a diverse panel of experts from Taiwan, Indonesia, France, Thailand, China, India, and the Philippines who specialize in various fields related to the food & beverage industry. The panel shared with delegates recent developments in food safety and regulation, quality management, as well as new trends in packaging, functional foods and innovative ingredients. Delegates walked away with a clearer perspective on certain issues linked to the ASEAN economic integration and regional trade.

The event offered delegates prospects to explore including areas in health & nutrition which is one of the fastest-growing segments globally. Dr Lee-Yan Sheen, the president of the Taiwan Association for Food Protection gave a thorough discussion of health foods and functional foods, including the different categories for safety assessment of health food products.

From China, Miss Ze Ke and associate James Yao of Guangzhou Flower Flavours & Fragrances Co., Ltd highlighted ingredients that are currently in use in a variety of food and beverage products across Asia and Europe. Some of these products also offer some health benefits. These days products that target the health and beauty segments always have a good chance in the market, noted Mr Yao.  At the event, delegates had a taste of some of the company’s novel ingredients incorporated in yoghurt and cookies.

Miss Ze Ke and James Yao

For his part, Danone Corporate Quality General Manager Yves Rey shared his views on how manufacturers can feed a growing world population with safe and affordable food. He emphasized that manufacturers, governments and consumers share the responsibility to achieve this and to overcome challenges that threaten food security.

Mr Yves Rey

Harjanto Hanawi, Corporate Affairs director of PT Smart Tbk in Indonesia compared the ASEAN consumer and the global consumer of food and beverage. Mr Hanawi who is also the vice chairman of the Permanent Committee of Food Security in Indonesia, spoke extensively on this topic.

Mr Harjanto Hanawi

From India, Market Development manager of Printpack Inc., Dr Ilias Ali presented the many packaging technologies available to help protect and extend the shelf life of food and beverage. He explained the benefits of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), form-fill-seal, hot-fill sterilization, retort, hot water sterilization, and Mw assisted thermal sterilization.

The National Food Institute, an influential agency for Thailand’s food & beverage, were represented by executive vice president, Orawan Kaewprakaisanngul, who shared a case study of the Phu Fa Development Center in Nan Province; and Ms Ornanong Mahakkapong, a senior researcher who discussed import and export regulations in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Ms Orawan Kaewprakaisanngul

Also from Thailand, Pravate Tuitemwongse, president of AOAC International Thailand Section introduced the role of this agency and spoke on key regulations for food manufacturers.

The Philippines sent four experts to this summit. Dr Elaine Borazon, a professor and food safety management consultant in the Philippines, spoke on how to maintain quality in the supply chain and explained the importance of sustainability. Also on quality, Dr Miflora Gatchalian, the CEO of Quality Partners Company Ltd, introduced the value of using sensory evaluation in food and beverage development and cited companies that successfully used this technique.  Dr Ida Dalmacio, a professor from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, discussed the role of microbiology in the production of safe food. Also on food safety, chairman of Quality Partners Company Ltd, Dr Jose Gatchalian underscored the importance of workplace cooperation and communication in fostering food safety practices in the company.

Dr Miflora Gatchalian

Most delegates said they found these topics relevant, stimulating and invaluable and the event itself fast-paced. Ample time was provided to share and network in between the sessions. Most speakers said the event was “very good”.

The Asia Food & Beverage Summit was sponsored by Guangzhou Flower Flavours & Fragrances Co., Ltd, a leading flavors and fragrances company in China; KL Group Co., Ltd, expert in hygienic materials research and manufacture; Printpack, a family-owned packaging solutions provider with expertise in flexible packaging; DTS Food Industry Equipment Co., Ltd, a provider of sterilization equipment; and Kinn Shang Hoo Iron Works, which offers turnkey solutions, and with capability to design and manufacture to customer specifications.

Among products on showcase at the event: Printpack's range of food & beverage packaging

To know more about the topics taken up at the conference, go to http://www.ringierevents.com/10195/download.html