Fedima published its latest digital report for 2023-2024, highlighting its community work and latest projects. For the past year, the organization’s Technical Committee carried out work on labeling in an effort to find a common approach to Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL).
In addition, Fedima’s Enzyme Expert Group created documentation on the benefits of enzymes in the bakery industry, in collaboration with AMFEP. The objective is for the one-pager to be used for engagement and awareness-raising purposes with EU decision-makers and external stakeholders, Fedima emphasizes.
The topic of contaminants was also on the agenda, as the past year has seen highly anticipated developments in mineral oils, including the regulatory follow-up on mineral oils’ maximum levels.
This year, Fedima also continues to endorse its “Understanding Sourdough” paper, most recently backed by its German member Backzutatenverband e.V., who joined the other five National Associations already endorsing the paper.
Fedima’s Sustainability Committee focused its work on responsible sourcing, promoting its Code of Conduct for Responsible Sourcing in-house. This committee’s bi-annual data collection was also shared, to provide better insight into the sustainable development of the industry.
Thomas Lesaffre, the organization’s President, shared his overview of the ingredients market and Fedima’s work in the current environment: “The year 2024 is also extraordinarily shaped by the 2024 European elections, a crucial moment for all European citizens and industry representatives such as Fedima to stop and think about what we want to achieve in the next five years. But the EU elections are only the beginning: their outcome changes the regulatory landscape we navigate, a new European Parliament and a new European Commission are forming, and we must be ready for a renewed wave of legislation that will impact our sector greatly and shape the transition of our European food system. From technical matters to sustainability, circularity and nutrition, the coming months will be dedicated to making our vision come to life by raising the visibility of Fedima even more as an expert voice in the sector and as an active partner in the development of a resilient but sustainable food system.”
The full report is available for consultation online.
Fedima is the Federation of European manufacturers and suppliers of ingredients to the bakery, confectionery, and patisserie industries. The Association represents the interests of almost 27,000 direct employees across Europe. Fedima’s membership comprises national associations in 13 European countries and represents around 200 companies across Europe, with a combined turnover of EUR 7 billion.
Photo: Fedima Annual Report