Delayed for four months due to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a hybrid edition of Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2020 opened in Bangkok on September 22 for five-day run, with visitors welcome to visit the stands of food companies showing their stuff at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani venue. More than 300 Thai exhibitors took space at 1,116 booths, according to the organizer. Among them were frozen food producers and makers of other value-added products.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and Koelnmesse of Germany organized the event under the concept of “Eat Responsibly” to showcase the potential of Thai business operators. For health safety and the minimization of crowds, apart from mandating physical distance between the exhibition booths, the organizers set a number of precautionary measures for participants with entry limited to two rounds per day, not exceeding 15,000 people per round.
Those not attending in person are able to view the event online at www.thaifex-anuga.com and join the Virtual Trade Show that offers a virtual reality experience to create business opportunities for Thai business operators to enter trade negotiations with global buyers via www.THAIFEXportervirtualtradeshow.com.
Among Thailand’s leading agribusinesses in high profile at the exhibition, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CP Foods) is presents a “Food for Tomorrow” theme highlighting healthy nutrition and sustainable food products. It innovative products on display at Impact Challenger Hall 2 include the World’s First Omega 3 Pork, named “Cheeva Pork,” high-fiber Chicken Ribs and functional drinks.
CP Foods CEO Prasit Boondoungprasert pointed that the Covid-19 outbreak has made consumers more aware of the importance of healthy foods. “They are looking for safe, clean, hygienic, easy to cook options and value for money,” he said. “Moreover, as consumer trends favor cooking at home, food delivery services, online streaming and e-commerce, CP Foods is making efforts to keep up with these lifestyle demands.”
Thaifex-Anuga World of Food Asia 2020 selected CP Foods’ “Cheeva Pork” as a Taste Innovation Show Winner, with judges impressed that pigs slaughtered to make the product are raised with super foods such as seaweed and deep-sea fish. This makes for healthy pork with 2.5 times higher Omega 3 content than normal meat. Furthermore, the good fatty acid may reduce inflammation that can damage blood vessels and lead to heart disease.
“It is naturally delicious and can be traced right from the start. The premium pork is also 100% natural, chemical-free and raised without antibiotics certified by NSF,” said Prasit.
Other innovations at the show include special cut Chicken Ribs and a variety of ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare products, including shrimp, fish and beef raised at biosecure farms.
Determined to be the “Kitchen of the World”, CP Foods develops quality products throughout the value chain, focusing on creating healthier and more nutritious products through the company’s advanced technology as well as enhancing the well-being of people and reducing the company’s environmental footprint.
“Consumers are looking for more than a safe, tasty and quality food. They are more and more concern about where their food was from, how it was made, and what environmental impact it has caused. Therefore, food business must be emphasizing sustainability and traceability from farm to table for our sustainable world,” Prasit stated.
