On Tuesday, 24 November, Ingredients Russia - the International Exhibition for Food Ingredients, Additives and Flavourings - opened in Crocus Expo. New developments and technologies for the food industry were presented by 170 companies from 21 countries.

At the opening ceremony at 11am, the guests of honour arrived from ministries and government departments. The guests were introduced by Alexander Shtalenkov, General Director of the Moscow office of ITE, the exhibition organiser.

The ceremony began with a greeting telegram from the head of the State Duma Committee on Agriculture, Valentin Denisov. Then Sergey Seregin, Deputy Director of the Department for Food, Food Processing and Product Quality at the Ministry of Agriculture, spoke.

He emphasised the importance of the exhibition for all the areas of the domestic food industry, and added that the event will increase the competitiveness of the market. «Today, the food industry has about 30 sectors with more than 50,000 enterprises. And you can imagine how important ingredients are for food production,» said Mr. Seregin.

In her welcome, Elena Skrynnik, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture, said: «Modern food production relies on food additives and ingredients. This exhibition will promote consumer awareness about the quality and safety of food ingredients, as well as the successful introduction of new generation products to Russia’s food market.»

The President of Food Ingredients Producers Union, Alexey Nechaev, wished all participants of the exhibition success in signing contracts and developing new ideas. «Food is what provides us with everything we need for a full life. And we should get everything we need from 21st century food products: taste and value. However, without micro ingredients, such products are, in principle, impossible to create,» said Mr Nechaev.

The exhibition includes the 10th International Forum «Food Ingredients of the 21st Century». On the first day of the forum, there will be discussion of the impact of the crisis on the food ingredients industry, and forecasts for 2010. Another issue that will be discussed at the forum is the draft federal law on the technical regulation of the use of food additives, flavorings and manufacturing adjuncts.

On Wednesday, 25 November, a session will be devoted to the latest achievements in the industry — «Innovative Food Production Technologies». On the same day, there will be a presentation of new developments and a session on new products for the confectionery and baking industry, as well as the traditional «Ingredient of the Year» contest.

On Thursday, 26 November, there will be a special session «In focus: Special fats». It will focus on tropical oils, on which the government increased the customs duty from 1 June 2009.

The event is supported by the Union of Food Ingredients Producers; the Association of Manufacturers of Soap, Oil and Fat products; the Russian Oils and Fats Union; and ‘Food Industry’ publishing house. It will provide a platform for dialogue between professionals involved in the production, transportation, processing and use of tropical oils in the food industry.

On 24-26 November, the exhibition will feature a Food Production Technologists School. There will be a series of lectures by teachers from Moscow State University of Food Production and other research institutes. Students will receive a certificate after taking part.

We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition!