EURRECA Network to engage with Europe’s SMEs at Food Fair in Cologne

Representatives from the EURRECA Network of Excellence, (EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned), will be running a series of free workshops for businesses at the forthcoming ANUGA Fair held in Cologne, Germany in October.

Experts from the UK, Italy, Belgium and Portugal will highlight the strategic opportunities for food producing SMEs and talk about the practical issues that must be addressed by those looking to add or highlight micronutrients in their products.

Luca Bucchini, Managing Director of Hylobates, Rome, who leads EURRECA’s work with SMEs announced the initiative “EURRECA is going ‘out’ to engage with business, where businesses meet. The work of EURRECA on micronutrients (vitamins & minerals) is of real importance for businesses in the food and drink sector right across Europe.”

“By proactively looking to develop a dialogue with food companies, particularly the smaller ones, I believe EURRECA is doing something unique and extremely worthwhile. I strongly encourage businesses planning to attend ANUGA to spend a little time with the EURRECA team and to think about the role vitamins & minerals can play in the success of your business.”

For EURRECA, this work is being co-ordinated by Marc Catchpole of Minerva PRC, UK, in partnership with Luca Bucchini of Hylobates, Italy, Jean Louis Corbiau of Euro Consultants, Belgium, Duarte Torres of BioTempo of Portugal and Janet Lambert of Lambert Nutrition Consultancy.

Explaining the thinking behind the workshops, Marc Catchpole commented: “Our aim is to help strengthen Europe’s food businesses, making a bridge between EURRECA’s Scientists and EU SMEs.
We also want to help business to think strategically about the value that either adding or highlighting the micronutrient content of their food product could have in strengthening their business. We will bring European SMEs up to date with the work we have been doing in EURRECA since 2007 which is helping to harmonise recommendations around vitamins & minerals right across the EC. And we are keen to hear from business about the information and tools they need from us as our project goes forward. It is essential EURRECA develops tools that enables SMEs and nutritionists to work together effectively”.

These free workshops are aimed at food producers and food related businesses. We want to help their business a micronutrient boost and we look forward to engaging with SMEs from all across Europe at this important event in October”
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Which SMEs can benefit?
• Food producers
• Traditional food makers
• Food supplement manufacturers
• Ingredient manufacturers
• Software producers
• Laboratories
• SMEs engaged in “OMICS”
• Food consultants and advertisers

What are the benefits?
• Cutting edge knowledge in the field of Nutrition and Micronutrients
• Support to develop new and innovative products
• Support the promotion of traditional foods
• Non-SME industry can also gain.1. "EURRECA - EURopean RECommendations Aligned - Network of Excellence" is funded by the European Commission (2007 - 2011), contract number FP6 036196-2 (FOOD) and is co-ordinated by ILSI Europe.
2. Micronutrients are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly. They include vitamins, minerals and trace elements
3. Businesses interested in finding out more and registering to attend one of the four workshops should log their interest by emailing marc@minervaprc.com
4. To register as an SME Associate with EURRECA and for more details please visit EURRECA SME Forum Index(öffnet in neuem Fenster)

For media information about the EURRECA Network of Excellence contact Rhonda Smith or Marc Catchpole on +44 (0) 1264 710428 info@minervaprc.com