tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438900550453238104.post-80091918887870414912008-03-18T09:45:00.002Z2008-03-18T09:49:31.089Z2008-03-18T09:49:31.089Z<p>I had the privilege of chairing the annual Global Dairy Congress in Athens last week. 191 delegates, 37 countries, 24 presentations - a 48 hour world industry community. What did we learn ? What did it achieve ?<br /><br />Lots, actually. Information, insights, contacts, deals of course. But also a focus on some unresolved priorities for further action. At least, this was my take on it:</p><ol><li>Consumer education - Dairy has massive benefits to communicate, but needs to co-ordinate its resources and messages more effectively - a task that is beginning to be addressed by the Global Dairy Platform.<br /><br /></li><li>Nutrition labelling - There was no appetite for traffic lights and no enthusiasm for guideline daily amounts, but nor has a viable alternative been found.<br /><br /></li><li>Added value - There was a spring in the industry's step as a result of improved sales, and greater confidence as a result of innovation success, but also an awareness that many traditions remain to be updated.<br /><br /></li><li>Natural vs functional - This is a real dilemma for product developers, with so many natural attributes in the market mainstream and yet an expectation of gradual moves towards more sophistication and extra functionality on the fringes.<br /><br /></li><li>Face the fats - 0% fat was seen by some as the middle way to achieve all of the taste with none of the drawbacks.<br /><br /></li><li>Environment imperative - Numerous initiatives were in evidence from pack lightweighting to renewable energy, but dairy has a big footprint and will need support to improve recycling.<br /><br /></li><li>School milk - The chance of a UN School Milk Centre was raised and greeted. This merits confirmation with alacrity. To have a UN backed World School Milk Day is a material asset and a dedicated UN unit would be a genuine investment. </li></ol>Richard Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17213418829950623446noreply@blogger.com0