Innovation in the food industry: Future visions and challenges!

Innovation in the food industry: Future visions and challenges!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The challenges of the supply chain are more pressing for the food industry than ever, especially against the background of the Covid 19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. In a huge symposium, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Nursing and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK), the University of Innsbruck and the Food Industry Association, the influence of new EU regulations was the focus of discussions. In this current issue of Diet Ralf-Wolfgang Lothert, Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications Austria at JTI, follows the development of his company in the face of strictogy regulations. This challenge also affects tobacco taxation, advertising and compliance with EU laws that should regulate the supply chain.

innovations under pressure

However, the food industry is not only faced with regulatory stoneness, but also before the need for innovation. Stephan Büttner, the new CEO of Agrana, and other industry representatives emphasize that research and development are essential. Nevertheless, progress is inhibited by lengthy processes for the approval of new foods and technologies. According to Mag. Katharina Koßdorff, the changes in the EU shed light on the field of tension between progress and regulation. These regulatory hurdles and the conservative attitudes of Austrian consumers could lead to many innovative products not find their way into the trade.

The current edition also deals with the topic of Fairtrade and the role of the European Union in combating forced labor. Sandra Mayer from the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy (BMAW) explains how the new "forced labor ordinance" should keep products from forced labor away. This underlines the importance of responsible corporate management in the entire production process. Another central topic is greenwashing, which is subject to stricter requirements through new EU rules. Experts from Ernst & Young in The OTS press release illuminate how these new requirements will influence the credibility of 'Green Claims’ in the future. In addition to these significant regulatory changes, there are also perspectives on the achievement of the UN sustainability goals that open up a new perspective on the responsibility of the food industry.