Flavours & fragrances
Putting flavour first
These are profoundly changing times in the European flavourings industry – not least for Brussels- based industry trade body, the European Flavour Association (EFFA). Marc van der Duijs, recently appointed president of EFFA and vice-president of flavours platform Europe at International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF) tells Martin Morris what those changes are and what impact they could have going forward.
F
or Marc van der Duijs, a lot of water has passed under the proverbial bridge since he entered the flavourings industry as a trainee in the sales and project department of IFF in the Netherlands back in 1986. Now the vice-president of flavours platform Europe at IFF and president at EFFA (for a two-year term), Van der Duijs has seen substantial change in his industry. As he puts it: “The journey so far has taught me many lessons, which I now humbly strive to bring to the industry in my serving role as EFFA president.”
Getting connected 4.6% Fortune Business Insights 64
Projected compound annual growth rate of the global food flavours market for 2021-28.
Representing flavour houses and national flavour associations, EFFA is seen as the voice of the flavours industry in Europe. What this means at the coalface is connecting members across the region, aiming to provide access to information about flavours themselves, as well as flavour-related issues and best practices - a point Van der Duijs is quick to stress. “At the same time, we want to support a consistent Europe-wide strategy on flavour issues and promote the added value that the flavour industry provides in a united and coordinated way,” he says. Indeed, the constantly evolving global landscape raises fresh challenges for the industry – whether it is concerns regarding sustainability and traceability, or simply popular beliefs about flavours that are poorly aligned with the scientific facts, according to Van der Duijs. “EFFA provides a steady boat for our members to navigate this fluctuating environment,” he says.
Under pressure
Part of this “fluctuating environment” narrative, of course, has been the recent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in general and its implications for global supply chains more specifically. As Van der Duijs puts it, “During the pandemic the things we take for granted, such as a reliable food supply, were suddenly a challenge due to extensive supply chain disruptions. The entire industry needed to adapt quickly to these new conditions and maintain deliveries of flavourings to food manufacturers. “We [also] saw an acceleration of specific consumer trends towards healthier diets and international foods and flavours – the latter a kind of compensation for a year of reduced travel.” He adds: “At EFFA, we support the questions raised by FoodDrinkEurope to the European Commission in their ‘five urgent actions’ call. One: support the food sector workforce. Two: recognise the entire food supply chain as ‘essential’. Three: unblock transport bottlenecks. Four: support struggling businesses; and five: facilitate global trade. “For us, the main part is the point about recognising the entire food supply chain as an essential industry, including flavourings,” Van der Duijs continues. “As a member of the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), EFFA also agrees with IOFI’s published statement, which calls on governments to include facilities that manufacture flavourings as essential businesses.”.”
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