In the new era of safety and health, how can enterprises transform and innovate

Our reporter Lian He

Entering the post-epidemic era, the market demand, development concept, and development model of China's food industry have been rapidly adjusted.

From September 27th to 29th, the 2021 International Food Safety and Health Conference co-hosted by the China Society of Food Science and Technology and the International Food Science and Technology Alliance was held in Beijing.

The transformation of traditional enterprises has become a trend

Under the guidance of health and safety goals and the combined efforts of the "hand of the market", the structural transformation of China's food industry is taking effect in the form of value enhancement

Liu Chunxi, vice president of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co.

"Quick-freezing processing technology can effectively reduce the activity of water in the food matrix, inhibit the activity of microorganisms and many enzymes, and maximize the preservation of the original freshness, color, flavor and nutrition of the food without any preservatives and additives.

On February 1 this year, the former DuPont Nutrition and Health and the former International Flavors and Fragrances merged to form the International Flavors and Fragrances Corporation (IFF), which further expanded its business segments and dimensions.

Digitalization is a hot topic in recent years.

Consumption upgrade provides huge space for innovation

The food industry is full of innovative vitality

Sun Wei, Vice President and Head of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs of Nestlé Greater China, said that the latest Chinese consumption trends show that consumers' demands for food health have shown an unprecedented increase, and innovations in the direction of health in the food field are also emerging one after another.

　　Sun Wei pointed out that as a food company, it should focus more on consumers' needs for nutrition and health, pay more attention to scientific and technological research and development, develop more marketable products more flexibly, and fully explore the inherent strength of food itself, so as to always satisfy every consumption.

　　Tingyun Kong, senior vice president and president of Greater China of Ecolab Group, also expressed a similar view: "The report shows that nearly 70% of consumers choose low-sugar products when purchasing beverages, and functionality and health have become their criteria for choice

　　Although marketing and consumption patterns are constantly changing, products and technologies are still the foundation of an enterprise, and innovation is the first driving force for development

　　"For enterprises, insisting on making good products is always the first priority.

　　The COVID-19 epidemic has changed the whole society.

　　"Our R&D center not only conducts research on infant formula milk powder, but also explores adult nutrition

　　Liu Chunxi said that from collective innovation to individual innovation, the entire food industry has been solving the problem of "stuck neck" through innovation

　　Qiao Quansheng said that today's China's food industry has entered an unprecedented situation of innovation
.
With the popularization of urbanization and changes in lifestyle, the way of eating and places have also undergone tremendous changes, especially the epidemic has accelerated consumers' attention to food safety and health
.
The formation of a new generation of consumers XYZ—not only the emerging Gen Z, but also the healthy aging Gen X, and the Y generation that plays an important role in the healthy choice of food and beverages in the family—has brought about an increase in demand.
Diversity provides huge space for innovation
.
The reform and innovation of China's food industry is synchronized with the world.
With the focus on health and functionality, the business of protein and probiotics has developed rapidly.
While pursuing naturalness, there is a new demand for sustainable development
.
In the pursuit of health, reducing sugar, oil and salt has also become a global innovation trend
.
The reform and innovation of Chinese food and beverages have distinctive characteristics.
With the arrival of plant-based meat products in China, dozens of new categories have been born, including a series of new products such as plant-based meat products and snacks
.
Technological progress, financial support, innovation conditions under the blessing of Internet development and production capacity, as well as the rich variety of food and beverages, provide fertile ground for vigorous innovation and development
.

Food enterprises practice social responsibility in multiple dimensions

　　Corporate social responsibility is a systematic project, involving the core values ​​of corporate strategy, which needs to be implemented in all aspects of production and operation, and has a multi-dimensional form of expression
.
The fulfillment of food corporate social responsibility can be reflected in many aspects such as food safety, environmental governance, energy conservation and emission reduction, employment solutions, charitable donations, and social relief
.

　　As the largest yeast producer in the world, Lesaffre uses yeast in different fields such as baking, ingredients, food flavor and more
.
Bogdan, President of Lesaffre Group Greater China, said that in recent years, Chinese consumers have put forward higher requirements for food quality, flavor and nutrition.
In order to meet the needs of Chinese customers, Lesaffre has also developed products that meet the needs of Chinese Localized products for eating habits, and also work closely with government and industry organizations to participate in standards and regulatory revisions
.

　　In the post-pandemic era, Lesaffre will develop and provide healthier ingredients and solutions for the food and other industries, such as clean label and salt reduction alternatives
.
In terms of food safety, Bogdan said that Lesaffre will continue to provide high-quality products and use QR codes on products to provide relevant information that customers need
.
At the same time, Lesaffre also focuses on blockchain technology to provide products with clearer traceability, and to find a balance between regulations and innovations, to provide safer and healthier raw materials, and to further improve the level of food safety
.

　　Kong Tingyun said that the cross-border integration of the food industry, the upgrading of consumers' requirements for food quality and the diversification of consumer experience have brought new challenges to the food industry.
These challenges may include new processes in the innovation process, For raw materials, labels, packaging, etc.
, enterprises should think about how to ensure food safety in the entire industry chain process and minimize risks
.
The epidemic has made many people realize the complexity of cleaning and disinfection
.
In the food industry, the hidden dangers that cannot be seen are more microorganisms, and how to ensure food safety is very important
.

　　Regarding food safety in the full range of supply chains, Tingyun Kong said that Ecolab emphasizes the overall food safety value chain from farm to table, and has a full range of complete solutions at every node of the value chain
.
In May 2020, Ecolab acquired a Belgian cleaning and disinfection company that focuses on pasture farming.
The customers it serves can also cover every link from farms, logistics distribution, food factories, catering supermarkets, central kitchens and consumers, forming a complete chain
.

　　Xiong Tao said that last year, small packages of yeast were hard to come by, and there were more fakes
.
In July this year, there was a flood in Henan.
In order to prevent the flooded products from entering the market, An Qi immediately recalled the flooded products, scrapped and disposed of goods worth 13.
6 million yuan in half a month, and protected the interests of consumers.
It also purifies the market
.

　　In terms of energy conservation and emission reduction, China has put forward the goals of carbon peaking in 2023 and carbon neutrality in 2060, from relative emission reduction to absolute emission reduction, and then to zero emission, which is China's solemn commitment to the world
.
Data released by Forbes Research shows that 60% of consumers are willing to buy products from companies that are socially or environmentally responsible
.
Sun Wei said that for enterprises, they should focus on developing environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging to reduce food waste.
In addition, they should use technological means to promote the transparency and traceability of the entire supply chain to build a sustainable society
.

　　"China Food News" (September 30, 2021 04 edition)

(Editor in charge: Zhou Yan)