Mars Africa, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of food, chocolate and pet care products, has taken the lead in food science innovation by championing the support of the South African Food Science Industry at the International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), 15th World Congress of Food Science and Technology.

The bid to host the conference was won by the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) and was held for the first time in South Africa, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 22-26 August, 2010. The conference aimed to unite food experts around the globe and highlight the important role food scientists play in terms of research and education. Amongst the topics of food innovation and safety, focus was given to food security, food preservation, consumer education and environmental sustainability.

Fifteen Food & Science Technology students, including Trishanta Pursotham, Sri Devi Saminathan and Aadilah Cassim from DUT, were sponsored by Mars Africa to showcase their work to international delegates attending the event.

The conference revealed that while food science is still seen as a scarce skill in South Africa, there has been growing interest in applications for food science programmes at South African universities. Employment opportunities have increased with greater opportunity for students exiting degree programmes in fields including nutrition, research, education, the agriculture sector, quality assurance or in food ingredient sales and advertising.

Jeanne Cerff, Mars Africa Food Business General Manager said: “As a forward-thinking organization we have always been supportive of the industry scholars, from students and educators to leading industry players contributing to research and development. We believe in paying particular interest to students and hope to help them grow their interest in food science as a discipline and contribute to the growth of the industry,”

The event was also attended by Ashraf Shehata, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Mars Africa, India, Middle East; Adam Adams, Director of HW and Sustainability at Mars Incorporated and Lisa Ronquest, Head of Research and Development at Mars Africa Food.

Ronquest said: “South Africa has an extremely diverse food industry from small family businesses to large multi-nationals. I believe this is a great foundation for innovation and trying new things in our country and diverse consumer base. We do, however, have a responsibility to South African consumers to provide food that is value for money as well as play our part in reducing food insecurity in our country. Mars Africa will drive this cause through the IUFoST conference.”

Pictured: Delegates of the 15th World Congress of Food and Science Technology conference in Cape Town. Mars Africa sponsored 15 from different universities. Three of the 15 students were from Durban University of Technology.

Photographer Jurie Senekal