Weekly Roundup: Firmenich co-hosts climate action event, EFSA stakeholders outline guidance for bees and pesticides

10 May 2019 --- This week Firmenich and Global Compact Network Switzerland jointly hosted a critical dialogue on climate action with Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is setting up a stakeholder consultative group to support its upcoming review of the guidance on risk assessment of pesticides and bees. Azelis has shared the results of the company’s third principal satisfaction survey, which measures how the company performs for its key partners and food-tech company KaTech GmbH for the first time received the rare BRC Food AA classification.

In brief: Sustainability
Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned perfume and flavors company, and Global Compact Network Switzerland have jointly hosted a critical dialogue on climate action with Ambassador de Alba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit. Addressing the steps needed to limit the global temperature increase to no more than 1.5°C, keynotes from Ambassador de Alba and Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich, highlighted the urgency of building climate resilience by mobilizing all sectors. “With global emissions still increasing and temperatures rising, we are not on the right track to limit climate change. However, we can still reverse course, if we start now,” says de Alba. “This will require everyone’s participation, including partnerships with the private sector and civil society, and a huge mobilization of resources to invest in a truly green future,” de Alba explains. 

Ambassador de Alba and Gilbert Ghostine CEO FirmenichEFSA is setting up a stakeholder consultative group to support its upcoming review of the guidance on risk assessment of pesticides and bees. The group will be consulted at various stages during the review and provide input to the EFSA scientific working group charged with revising the document. Nominations for membership of the stakeholder group will be accepted from registered EFSA stakeholder organizations as well as non-registered bodies with interest in the area of bee health. EFSA is revising the guidance, which was published in 2013, on request from the European Commission. Many EU Member States have asked for sections of the document to be updated. In addition, new evidence has become available since the original guidance was published. EFSA will publish an outline of how it plans to address the mandate – including timelines and details of the various consultations – within the next two months. The guidance is expected to be finalized in 2021.

In brief: Recognition & awards
Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor Azelis has shared the results of its third principal satisfaction survey, which tracks and measures how the company performs for its key partners. Continually striving to improve its services, Azelis conducts a bi-annual first satisfaction survey. The survey is sent to 100 principals and the last one, undertaken in late 2018, saw the high response rate of 70 percent. From a satisfaction score of 3.91 (out of 5) in 2016, Azelis’ overall score improved to 4.06 in 2018. “Partnerships are at the heart of our business and without their feedback, we would not be in the position to fine-tune our actions and constantly improve our service. We are proud of our continued enhanced performance but will not stop there – continuously driving improvement is a core value of Azelis,” explains Dr. Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis CEO.

Food technology company KaTech GmbH has received the BRC Food AA classification for the first time in its history, after securing A-Grading for the sixth consecutive time. At the same time and yet again for the seventh year running, a “higher level” result was also achieved in the parallel IFS Food Audit. Such certification levels demonstrate professional competence and an uncompromising commitment to the highest possible food safety standards at KaTech.

In brief: Business deals
Plant-based company Kale United AB (Kale United) has launched its second funding round – raising €1 million in capital to invest in or acquire new brands that are supporting global change. Following its successful launch and €250,000 crowdfunding round in the last quarter of 2018, Kale United has seen strong interest from investors from within the vegan movement as well as wider impact investors looking to support growth in the plant-based sector. Funds from the new capital raise will be used to invest in fresh ideas that can positively impact the world. There are currently over 15 global Kale United member companies based in Sweden, Canada, the UK and the US, exploring opportunities in India, Poland, South Korea and further afield in industries ranging from vegan food and drink brands to environmentally-friendly farming.

In brief: Appointments & retirements
Tate & Lyle has announced that Kimberly Nelson will join the Board as a non-executive director and a member of the Audit and Nominations Committees on July 1, 2019. Nelson brings extensive experience and knowledge of the food and beverage industry to the Board, having worked for General Mills for nearly 30 years. During her career at General Mills, Nelson held several senior brands and general management roles before becoming Senior Vice President, External Relations in 2010. Dr. Gerry Murphy, Chairman of Tate & Lyle, says: “Kim’s appointment recognizes the importance of the US to Tate & Lyle, in terms of our customers, operations and employees. Her substantial experience in the food and beverage industry will be of significant benefit to the Board.”

Comax Flavors has expanded its team with a new Regional Western Sales Manager. Javin Ramos is joining Comax Flavors with nine years of experience in the flavor industry. Ramos spent seven years training to be a Flavorist at T. Hasegawa and established an analytical lab before spending two years in Technical Sales for IMCD (formerly L.V. Lomas) and Abelei Flavors. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the California State Polytechnic University of Pomona in Food Science and Technology as well as an MBA from Pepperdine University with an emphasis in International Business. Ramos applies his technical expertise to efficiently deliver the right flavor solutions for his customers’ specific applications and processes. “We are pleased to welcome Javin to our sales team. Javin’s skill set will be an asset to our sales department and will support Comax’s ongoing global growth strategy,” says Bill Graham, Executive Vice President for Sales & Marketing at Comax Flavors.

By Elizabeth Green