Read your July 2024 Food & Beverage Reporter Magazine

As the election dust settles, South Africa gets a new Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: Dion George. The key tasks he now takes onboard include the commitment to addressing climate change and South Africa’s just energy transition to a low carbon economy. The new minister highlighted that the protection of our biodiversity and the conservation of our natural resources is crucial as he aims to strike a sustainable balance between the environment and industry needs.  In keeping with this theme of climate change awareness, this month’s issue provides insight into exciting and innovative campaigns in the industry aimed at addressing environmental impact.

 Kicking it off, SKYY Vodka is partnering with The Ocean Fund to drive awareness, education, and action towards conservation and the protection of our oceans, leading the way with brand responsibility and efforts to keep our oceans beautiful. The theme of sustainability continues with EnviroServ, committed to seeking alternative solutions to landfills for waste through their expertise, specialized equipment, and services aimed at reducing environmental harm. 

 Everyone needs to give a little: in this issue, we unpack a new trend in the industry as both brands and consumers are willing to concede in the pursuit of sustainability. A study conducted by Tetra Pak found that “environmentally sound packaging” justified higher prices in the eyes of consumers. In addition to this, a significant majority of brands expressed willingness to take on cost-related trade offs in the implementation of more sustainable manufacturing and processing solutions. It is clear that sustainable packaging solutions like those offered by Tetra Pak are the key to a cleaner and greener future.  

 Meanwhile, the technology offered by Vega highlights that the right equipment can make a significant difference in a brand’s ability to manage the complexities of the filling and packaging stages. Their VEGAPULS 42 technology promises to enhance overall efficiency in these crucial stages. Enhancing efficiency through advanced technology in the manufacturing stage not only optimizes production but also aligns with climate change awareness by reducing the food industry’s overall environmental footprint.

 As the realities of climate change continue to emerge, the commitment to food safety is paramount. The 2023 Sustainable Development Report published by the UN highlighted that South Africa still has a way to go in its fight against unsafe food, but international standards such as HACCP and initiatives like the GFSI are crucial in creating a way forward for better food safety practices. Read more about this in our Food Safety section. 

 In this issue’s “Packaging News,” it is inspiring to see the drive towards sustainable packaging and the industry’s commitment to creating practices and materials that do not perpetuate environmental harm. There are great initiatives that seek to protect the environment, such as Plastics SA launching their “Clean-Up and Recycle SA 2024 campaign” in preparation for the Clean-Up and Recycle SA week in September. Our “Caps and Closures” section details the introduction of Svalinn and their CueCap Eco+ tethered cap to the South African Market as they partner with Nampak Liquid Cartons and Woodlands Dairy. The tethered cap design ensures product integrity, prevents leakage, allows for safe storage and, crucially, limits plastic litter and minimises waste. Watch this space as Svalinn and their CueCap Eco+ tethered cap promise to deliver success and sustainability!

 Exciting news for aspiring food entrepreneurs! We’re launching a guideline series on starting a food business in South Africa, with each edition diving into a specific aspect of your journey to success. Keep your eyes peeled for this essential guide—it’s packed with the knowledge you need to turn your culinary dreams into successful, industry-grade products. 

As we face the challenges of climate change, the fight against it is a shared responsibility. From the members of the household to the key players in the industry, only together can we keep the planet beautiful for generations to come. Let’s embrace our roles and make a difference!

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