Expo and packaging
Among the initiatives undertaken by Federalimentare to “fill” Expo 2015 with ideas and content, many converge - directly or indirectly - on packaging, fundamental in the fight against food waste and useful tool to combat the phenomenon of counterfeiting and the “Italian sounding”.
In view of Expo 2015, the Italian food industry takes the field, determined to showcase the expertise of an industry that operates with advanced technologies and to highlight the quality of its national products, backed by protective regulations that are among the most advanced in the world. At stake a deserved return of image and a strong boost to international expansion.
Here are the latest initiatives involving the Italian sector federation Federalimentare.
The Milan Charter. The drafting of the protocol, open to all countries, which will define the objectives of the millennium in terms of food and nutrition, is well on its way. A contribution to proceedings has come from the event “The EXPO of ideas” (February 7, Bicocca Hangar, Milan), that gathered together proposals and suggestions from the political, institutional and entrepreneurial world. Federalimentare took part in 6 of the 41 thematic groups hosted in the area of Kiefer’s “Seven Heavenly Palaces”, where 700 experts of the sector met up and exchanged opinions. Among the topics discussed, agri-food exports, the fight against counterfeiting, correct eating habits, wastage, food logistics and production innovation in agriculture.
Food and art. Federalimentare presented the corporate pavilion “CIBUSèITALIA”, which will house 12 supply chains and three thematic areas, with a total presence of 400 companies representing around 1,000 brands of Italian food. Applications to join the undertaking far exceed availability, proof that the industry has grasped the commercial and image potential of the event. Designed by Francesco di Gregorio, the structure will be decorated on the outside by the best Street Artists who will be rotated every two weeks to renew its look.
The challenge of traceability. The path towards Expo, initiated by the Federalimentare Young Entrepreneurs along with ANGA - Confagricoltura, CNR, National Networks of Agrarian (Renisa) and Hotel Institutes (Renaia), includes a stop in Florence (March 5), dedicated to a crucial theme, which directly involves packaging: “The challenge of technological systems: traceability of supply chains and its impact on the international trading system”.
Counterfeiting. This was discussed on February 10, at the conference “Counterfeiting and Traceability Technologies for Monitoring Consumer Products.” Between 2001 and 2010, the phenomenon is considered to have increased by 180%, fuelling a turnover of about €60 billion, or about half of the turnover of the Italian food industry and double sector exports. EU Regulation 1169/2011 on information to consumers, which requires the disclosure on the label the origin of the food when “the omission of such information could mislead the consumer” has been fruitful. Apparently more complex, however, the action that affects third countries and one cannot do without inserting provisions to protect the products (brands, Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications) in bilateral free trade agreements.
