Food and drink expo highlights sustainability

The Food and Drink Technology Africa (FDT Africa) trade fair and conference started on Tuesday, 18 March, in Johannesburg and focuses on all aspects of the food and drink processing value chain, including sustainability.

Food and drink expo highlights sustainability
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According to Elaine Crewe, CEO of MMI South Africa, “Beverages and foodstuffs will be produced and consumed in Africa and that requires technically solid, efficient and reliable machinery and plants; the exhibitors at FDT Africa can provide exactly this”.

“Globally, most industries are moving towards increased sustainability, including the sustainable use of resources, and the food and drink processing industry is no exception.”

According to Sustainanalytics, a global sustainability researcher and analyst, sustainability needs to be addressed in all sectors of the South African economy due to the increase in consumer awareness and concern.

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“This makes it necessary for local food and drink industries to consider increasing sustainability in the form of sustainable packaging, recycling, and the sustainable use of resources,” said Richard Clemens, managing director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation).

The Sustainable Development Index, ranked SA last out of the 31 countries assessed.

“These results are evidence of a greater need for events such as FDT Africa, in order to further educate the various sectors on the importance of sustainability and how this can be achieved,” said Monika Dech, business unit director, Messe München International.