Editor's Spotlight: Five minutes with ...

Five minutes with European Snacks Association's chief: Discussing SNACKEX, EU elections, the Green Deal and UPFs

The format of SNACKEX 2024 has changed; the European Commission elections are expected to make an impact on the savory snacks sector, particularly the Green Deal, and tarring snacks with the UPF brush remains as controversial as ever. We chat to Sebastian Emig, director general of the European Snacks Association to find out more. Read more

Five minutes with European Snacks Association's chief: Discussing SNACKEX, EU elections, the Green Deal and UPFs

The format of SNACKEX 2024 has changed; the European Commission elections are expected to make an impact on the savory snacks sector, particularly the Green Deal, and tarring snacks with the UPF brush remains as controversial as ever. We chat to Sebastian Emig, director general of the European Snacks Association to find out more. Read more

ESA's president upbeat about Europe’s next political cycle and the opportunities it holds for the snacking sector

The European snacks market has been pummelled by soaring production costs, supply chain challenges, labour shortages and falling volume sales, however, recently appointed president Sandy Iagallo believes the future looks bright for the sector that is known for its resilience, which it will again need as the June 2024 elections usher in a new EU Parliament and Commission. Read more

Preparing for acrylamide regulation updates in 2023

Changes to acrylamide regulations (European Commission Regulation 2017/2158) are expected to be introduced this year, with tougher directives on BMLs (benchmark levels) and new maximum levels. Here, we bring you the latest on what you can expect in 2023. Read more

Oil turmoil: Snack and bakery producers are scrabbling to survive the increasingly slippery slope of skyrocketing costs

War, drought, swine fever and virus-related labour shortages – notwithstanding the increasing demand from the biofuel industry – have placed immense pressure on the edible oils industry, resulting in a much decreased supply and soaring prices around the globe. This is bad news for the snack and bakery industries, which rely heavily on sunflower oil in particular, forcing many to rethink their recipes. Read more

‘We’ve crossed one mountain and now face a new one, but our future is green’: Director General, European Snacks Association

If COVID wasn’t crippling enough, the post-pandemic strain on the supply chain; the war raging literally on the European Union’s doorstep; sky-rocketing energy prices and inflation; and the threat of a global food crisis have certainly had a substantial impact on every single industry – and no less so the savoury snacks sector. Read more

There are no ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ foods on the market: ESA comments on study into the consumer’s utopian snack

The European Snacks Association has highlighted some of the shortcomings of the Dutch study that was designed to give producers a better understanding of what a consumer considers to be the ideal snack. Read more

Savoury snacks sector weighs in on expected ‘disruptive approach’ of UK’s obesity crackdown

The European Snacks Association (ESA) and SNACMA have joined the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) stance that the UK’s food and drink industry is reeling from the ‘punishing blow’ expected from the fallout of PM Boris Johnson’s obesity plan to be announced later today (July 27, 2020). Read more

ESA has saved the savoury snacks and confectionery sectors billions of Euros: Getting to know its director-general

BakeryandSnacks has enlisted Sebastian Emig, director general of the European Snacks Association (ESA), on its Editorial Advisory Board, which will enable the site to maintain its position at the coalface of news, regulations, new product development and technological development in the savoury snacks sector. Read more

ESA welcomes Farm 2 Fork Strategy but cautions way forward with nutrient capping

Ahead of its release today (May 20), the European Snacks Association (ESA) has welcomed the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), but has also cautioned the recommendations to set maximum levels of certain nutrients is not the best way forward. Read more

It’s all about understanding the consumer and offering the right snack at the right time for the right occasion

This year, Barcelona in Spain played host to Snackex 2019, the 18th edition of Europe’s only international business event dedicated to the savory snacks sector. Read more

How far has the industry come since the introduction of (EU) 2017/2158?

It has been a year since the European Commission Regulation came into force on April 11 2018, obliging food business operators (FBOs) to apply acrylamide mitigation measures. Despite calls for the EU to take a tougher stance, manufacturers are stepping up to the mark, say industry leaders. Read more