The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

AIJN, the European Fruit Juice Association, celebrated its 50th anniversary in Brussels on 24 June with a symposium featuring a wide range of renowned industry experts.

The opening address was given by AIJN President Andre Biles, CEO of Gerber Emig Group, who discussed the Association’s history before outlining the “roller coaster” of challenges facing the industry and what the symposium had to offer. Talking through the day’s programme and looking to the last session of the day on the subject of sustainability, he said: “There is no downside to addressing any issue relating to sustainability”.

Robert Kay-Shuttleworth of Canadean then presented 'The world and European fruit juice industry in data'.

Looking at the important subject of 'The role of fruit juices in a healthy diet', Professor Teresa Nicklas of the Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, USA, presented some fascinating studies on the nutritional importance of juice.

Following a juice break, delegates returned to a round table session entitled 'The EU policy and strategy to improve healthy nutrition'.

The session was opened by Patrick Coppens, the Manager of Food Law at European Advisory Services, who looked at 'Key legislation affecting fruit juices'.

The lively round table debate was moderated by European Advisory Services Director Guy Valkenbourg. Representing the view of the European Commission was DG SANCO Eric Poudelet. The view from the European Parliament was given by MEP Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Dagmar Roth-Behrendt. The industry’s view as represented by PepsiCo-Tropicana UK & Ireland Nutrition Director Sue Gatenby; and representing the view of a Member State: France (incoming EU Presidency) was Francis Amand from the National Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control Investigation.

The afternoon began with a session entitled 'Where does our juice come from?', and included three presentations: 'The Brazilian FCOJ supply chain: its complexity and challenges' by Ivan Marie Schuermans, Customer Service General Manager of Brazil based Citrovita; followed by David Fox, Chairman of the British Fruit Juice Association and Global Strategic Account Director for Cargill, who spoke about 'The supply chain for non-orange fruit juices'; and Juan Podesta, Division Manager Food Processing Systems for FMC discussed 'Long-term challenges of raw material sourcing'. * Sustainability* The final session of the afternoon looked at 'Sustainability in the fruit juice industry' and was introduced and moderated by The Terrace Director Leontine Gast from the Netherlands. This was followed by a presentation by SAI-Platform Working Group Fruit Chairman Idwin Bouman who considered 'industry objectives and initiatives'.

'Challenges to the manufacturer' were examined by Ernesto Brovelli, Coca-Cola North America Juice Centre of Excellence Manager – Horticulture, Processing & Ingredients Innovation. Tetra Pak Environment Director Erika Mink discussed 'the role of packaging in sustainability', and to close the session, Joke Aerts, European Co-ordinator for the Rainforest Alliance, talked about 'Partnering with an NGO, creating real impact on the ground'.

The 50th birthday celebrations continued later that evening in Rubens’ Castle, Elewijt, where delegates practiced and then sang Happy Birthday to AIJN.