Key Trends and Takeaways from the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE)
As the world's largest annual display of technology, equipment, supplies, and services used in the production and processing of eggs, meat, and poultry and those involved in feed manufacturing, IPPE provided an excellent venue for Eurofins to connect with customers and understand the most current needs and interests in the field.
We recently spoke to several Eurofins representatives to gather their feedback on the event that took place in Atlanta, Georgia during January 28-30. Here are the key trends and takeaways.
Pet food sales and marketing highlights
“Owners of domestic pets are looking for more sustainable products but they are also interested in pet foods with novel ingredients,” said Lars Reimann, Chief Scientific Officer, Eurofins Scientific Inc. “One example of a more sustainable product might be one using animal byproducts, which may be thought of as a novel ingredient but may also risk offending customers. It’s a balance they need to consider.”
“Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are an example of specialty ingredients that customers are seeking in pet food,” added Kari Nichols, Client Services Manager, Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center.
The Eurofins team also noted that some manufacturers at IPPE were interested in the changing of labeling of feed and pet food from crude fiber to other types of fiber or even eliminating the fiber parts of the label.
“Crude fiber has very little to do with the nutritional importance of the product, whereas dietary fiber might be a better reflection of a product’s attributes,” explained Reimann.
Microbiome developments
“On the meat and poultry side, many animal health companies are exploring the microbiome shift in an animal by using additives in the feed or water,” said Melissa Schlabs, Sr. Director of Business Development at Eurofins North America Food and Feed. “While this has been in practice in the beef industry, it is just starting in poultry. A few new university-level studies were examining the microbiome of the flock by gathering fecal samples.
Gaining a better understanding of the microbial ecology of pasture production flocks will have implications to help improve animal, environmental, and public health. Eurofins Microbiology felt well-positioned to serve clients in this area with their established microbiome analytical services.
Meat and meetings
Finally, the Eurofins team reported that the Meat Industry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner had many attendees. Eurofins found that this event was useful to catch up with several existing clients that make use of the team’s services in nutritional work, pathogen testing, stability, and challenge studies as well as quality programs.
Overall, the Eurofins team felt that IPPE remains an important industry event as it provided a chance to personally connect with clients and share insights and expertise from the experienced Eurofins team.
Added Reimann, “With 32,000+ attendees and many international companies, IPPE is a great annual meeting space for the eggs, meat, poultry, and feed industry.”
