The first staging of SNACKEX in Asia will take place in Beijing over three days between 25-27 May 2010.

Exhibitor booking has been fantastic and

top companies are adding their names to the rapidly growing exhibitor list with bookings and enquiries continuing to grow as companies finalise their marketing plans for 2010. The show is sure to be a sell-out.

Companies wishing to book a booth or space are urged to book now to avoid being wait listed.

Visit the dedicated Snackex Asia 2010 website for everything you need to know.

Savoury Snacks Production Course - Part II -29-31 March 2010

Following the highly successful first three-day snacks production course held by ESA in 2008, the second in the series will take place 29, 30, 31 March 2010 in Barcelona.

The intensive three-day course will provide attendees with an in-depth understanding of snacks flavouring to end of line processes.

Book now to be sure of one of the last remaining places.

Complex Supply Chains

ESA is concerned that the recent calls for mandatory country of origin labelling fail to acknowledge the complex supply chains involved in the production of processed foods such as savoury snacks.

Any move to enforce mandatory origin provisions would cause severe difficulties for manufacturers who buy ingredients from multiple sources, according to factors such as availability or seasonal variations.

It would increase costs significantly without providing any benefits of value for consumers.

As savoury snacks are popular with consumers across a range of eating occasions, it is crucial that information on healthier options remains available at first glance. ESA considers that the nutrient profiles proposed by the European Commission should provide a framework to encourage innovation in all product groups through promoting healthier consumer choices.

We welcome DG SANCO’s decision to create categories that reflect the importance of a balanced diet instead of stigmatizing individual foods which play an important role in the diet. Potato crisps are potato based products that have their place in the 'fruit and vegetable' category established in the nutrient profiles. To stimulate innovation, thresholds need to be challenging but achievable. 

ESA supports the current draft profiles which if applied would only permit a few best-in-class products of the savoury snacks sector to meet the criteria and be able to bear claims.