PMMI at Anuga

Today (28 March) at Anuga Food Tec, President and CEO of PMMI Charles Yuska discussed “trends and issues affecting the global food chain”. This turned out to be a truly time-warped, US-centric experience.

Yuska talked about the US Food Safety Modernization Act and its implications for those exporting food to the US. He claimed that the US imports about 15% of its food, including 80% of its fish, 50% of its fruit and 20% of its vegetables. He also stated that 70% of the packaging equipment sold in the US goes to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

He went on to explain how the implementation of HACCP programs will improve food safety and specifically mentioned the benefits of stainless steel over galvanised steel for food equipment construction. Further to this, he suggested equipment should be easy to clean and not have any nooks or crannies where grime and bacteria can accumulate. All of this will make food safer, he said.

As I mentioned, this part of Yuska’s presentation was bizarrely simplistic and retro. Of much more interest was his promotion of PMMI’s exhibition, Pack Expo 2012, that is to take place next October in Chicago. With 1300 companies already confirmed as exhibitors, the food and beverage processing and packaging event should be worth attending.

By Janette Woodhouse