[dropcaps style=’2′]Six years since its introduction, the SAVE FOOD initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, organizer of interpack, has grown into a broad-based international coalition with more than 850 international members covering relevant industries, associations, non-governmental organizations and research institutions. SAVE FOOD premiered as a special theme at Shanghai World of Packaging (swop) 2017 and was featured within the exhibition area in Hall W2 along with an international summit on the second day of the show.[/dropcaps]
[infobox style=’regular’ static=’1′]swop 2019, to be held from 25-28 November, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, is under planning and will introduce innovative themes with expanded pavilions.[/infobox]
Vincent Martin, China and North Korean representative from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, was invited to visit the scene and deliver a speech on “Reducing global food waste through innovation and partnership.” Martin pointed out that “the lack of proper and sustainable packaging solutions in the Asia Pacific region is one of the major causes of food waste and packaging is critical to reducing that. In order to do so, the food industry must work closely with the packaging industry.”
At the same time, Multivac exhibited its ‘MultiFresh’ skin packaging, an emerging packaging that affixes film as tightly on the surface of the product as a layer of skin, keeping the original product’s shape intact which is especially suitable for packaging fresh meat. TOMRA Sorting showed how to significantly reduce losses, save costs and improve profitability of food companies through fast and energy-efficient sorting technology. The US MOCON, Xiamen Changsu and Beijing Lantsai shared the modified atmosphere packaging testing equipment, high-barrier BOPA, smart labels and other cutting-edge products and technologies from the perspective of improving packaging and extending food shelf life. The international summit debut in China attracted nearly 200 professional participants from the food industry and the event was spoken of highly.
Pranay Mathur