Import tariffs and industry
by Johan Smit, general manager: Production, Magaliesberg Citrus Company

Strict control on import tariffs is definitely one of the most effective ways to protect local producers from deliberate dumping from abroad; however, if this mechanism is not controlled to its intention the consequences could be very destructive to the local fruit juice industry, new entrants and also consumers.

The slogan of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) namely ‘enabling fair trade’ is surely a theory to pursue, where one should believe that this will apply to all participants, from the producer to the consumer, and it should be fitting to assume that all role players did benefit from this protection in the past, in one way or another.

An ideal situation of a balance between local supply and demand is not always possible; therefore, the intentions of all imports and exports should be investigated with magnified attention, as a specific sector or group could easily use the excuse of protection at the expense of the remaining part of the chain.

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Juice up your health
by Lynette Louw

While some of the earliest beverages known to man were beer, whisky, champagne and wine, their alcoholic content did not lend these products to major successes in terms of general consumption – for obvious reasons. Fruit juice only entered the scene much later, making the lives of the more health conscious a little bit more bearable.

Tomato juice is one of the lesser consumed fruit juices (yes, scientifically tomatoes are the fruit of the tomato plant. To be more specific, it is classified as a berry). In all of its forms (tomato sauce, juice and raw), the tomato is the second-most widely consumed vegetable in the USA (where it was declared a vegetable in the 1930s), after the potato.

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Denmark repeals dairy rules

Denmark has repealed its national law requiring flavourings for dairy products to go through a risk assessment and approval process, as the EU positive list is finalised and harmonisation is on the cards across Europe.

In 1992, Denmark introduced its own legislation covering dairy flavours, because at the time there was no positive list of approved flavours for the entire EU. Authorities were especially concerned about flavours in dairy products because children tend to consume a lot of dairy foods. They required usage amounts of flavourings to be specified.

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Congress becomes a trade fair

Drink technology India (dti), which takes place between 18 and 20 November 2010 in the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, is being held for the first time as a trade fair with accompanying forum for exhibitors’ presentation­s. Preparations for this event are already well under way. Around 80 exhibitor­s from approximately 12 countries will be presenting beverage and liquid-food technology here, primarily for the Indian market.

dti has attracted a new and strong partner: International PackTech India, organised by the Düsseldorf trade-fair company represented by their subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf India. The new dti has met with a tremendous response.

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