IFANCA Client, Firmenich, Partnering For Sustainable Vanilla In Uganda

Firmenich, an IFANCA client for a decade, has embarked on a project with approximately 6,200 small farmers in Uganda who are partners in the Firmenich Ugandan Sustainable Vanilla Project. The project involves commercial, social, and environmental objectives. According to the Sustainability Report published by Firmenich last year, about 65% of the world's vanilla is from Madagascar where climatic, political, and market instabilities have caused variations in supply and price. Uganda, which produces about 9% of the world's supply, is a good alternative source. But many Ugandan farmers are extremely poor and lack essential skills to produce high-quality vanilla. With support from the Danish government, Firmenich has partnered with the largest vanilla processor in Uganda to improve the quality and quantity of vanilla beans. This will boost the viability of vanilla production, lead to a more dependable supply and create greater security for the farmers.

The project included upgrading the curing stations to ensure that quality and food hygiene standards were met. Farmers were trained on all aspects of vanilla production and crop handling. Better quality products, in turn, allow Firmenich to pay better prices to the farmers. Part of the project is to help farmers diversify so that they are not entirely dependent on a single crop. Farmers were trained to raise chickens and grow sweet potatoes, so they will have other sources of income.

Cargill Launches Earth Day Initiatives In China

IFANCA client, Cargill, Inc. launched Earth Day Initiatives in China this April. Its employees in 25 different regions there embarked on a wide spectrum of activities intended to raise environmental awareness. These included volunteers collecting samples of water from the Mojiang River and investigating the sources of pollution, setting up signage for river protection alerts, planting trees, cleaning lakes, holding community forums on the environment to share energy saving tips, and holding a digital video competition in schools to promote environmental consciousness. The 'Cargill Green Leadership Fund' was also inaugurated in Beijing to provide advanced non-profit management expertise in order to increase the capacity of Chinese Environmental NGO's.

Using Halal Certification to Your Marketing Advantage was the theme of the 11^th International Halal Food Conference, held in Chicago on April 19 & 20, 2009.

In his keynote address, Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Syed Jalaluddin, Chairman, Halal Industry Development Corporation, Malaysia stressed the need for cooperation and collaboration among various stakeholders in the halal food industry. Harmonizing the halal certification activities, working towards a global halal standard and better coordination among halal certifiers are the key elements towards creating strong partnerships for serving the halal consumer needs. Other international speakers, Hj. Abdul Rahim Saleh, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, Hj. Zainal Abidin bin Jaffar, Halal Industry Development Corp, Malaysia and Mr. Shahlan Hairalah, Sahl International, Singapore, shared their experiences and offered insights into their respective programs.

Leaders in the food industry making presentations during the conference included Ms. Liliana Totoiu, Access Business Group/Nutrilite, Ms. Mary Anne Jackson, J & M Food Products Company, Mr. Eric Butrym, Firmenich Inc., Mr. Wilfried Dieterich, Lallemand, Mr. Donald L. Sgontz, Abbott Nutrition, Mr. Mark Overland, Cargill, Inc., Mr. Robert Bracco, Wyeth Biotech, and others, discussing topics ranging from flavors and food ingredients to nutritional supplements and vaccines.

The two day conference provided attendees with an opportunity for networking and the ability to share their insights throughout the sessions. At the conclusion of the conference, it was resolved to create a World Halal Industry Federation, inclusive of producers, marketers, certifiers and others involved in halal business activities, for the purpose of developing a common platform for harmonized business environment.

Match The Term To Its Definition

Terms:

1. Additive
2. Beta glucan
3. Carotene
4. Carrageenan
5. Agrochemicals

1. Artificially produced chemicals, feed additives, fertilizers or pesticides used in agriculture to improve crops or livestock production.
2. Any natural or synthetic material, used in small quantities, in the production of a food item that may affect the characteristics of any food.
3. A compound found in carrots and other bright orange fruits and vegetables which is an antioxidant as well as a colorant.
4. A soluble fiber in oats which provides the health benefit of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing blood cholesterol.
5. A compound extracted from Irish moss (a type of seaweed) that is used in puddings, milk shakes and ice cream to stabilize texture thereby enhancing mouth feel, color and flavor.

1. E
2. A
3. C
4. B
5. D

"'Halal' Eateries Grow In Number, Popularity," Reports The Tennessean/Associated Press

Nashville, Tennessee, home to Graceland, the Dixie Chicks and all things Country, now has 29 halal food restaurants and it's not just Muslims who frequent them, says a report in The Tennessean. Seven years was all it took for Nashville to go from a one-halal restaurant city to one that boasts an entire corridor that begins just south of Interstate 440. For the nation's estimated 2.3 million to 6.4 million [IFANCA estimate 6-8 million] Muslims, who are concerned about the content of their diet and the impact of food production on the environment, the pursuit of halal food is a matter of health and faith, said one expert.

Consider Halal For Wider Appeal, Says Packaged Foods Market Research

Packaged Foods released a first ever market research report analyzing Halal foods in depth. Titled "Market Trend: Kosher- and Halal-Certified Foods in the US", the report stated that, "Certification enhances the desirability of a company's products to a broader customer base in the US – provided marketers ensure consumers are made aware of the third-party endorsement – as well as expanding export opportunities." Halal certification also expands opportunities for export to Muslim countries and, although the Muslim population in the US is tiny, at 0.6 percent [IFANCA estimates 2.5%], Muslims account for better than one in five people in the world, expected to increase to 30 percent by 2025, meaning "extraordinarily promising export opportunities".

According to the report "Canada presents broadening market opportunities for halal foods, with the number of Canadian Muslims set to double from 600,000 in 2000 to 1,200,000 in 2010, and a lack of convenient outlets for halal foods."

The report also stated that ethical consumerism is on the rise and consumers seem to be increasingly conscientious when it comes to the health and well-being of animals. With this rise, says the Packaged Foods report, there will be an increase in sales of halal meats, as well. This is because halal implies that the animal has been treated respectfully in life and in death.