Food Development
Finnish food safety on display in Shanghai
The Food Development and Health and Well-Beign cluster made an exciting entrée into China in the spring of 2009. Thanks to that, Finnish food safety is now impressively displayed at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. In spring 2009, the Food Development cluster hosted a visit to Finland by the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration, showcasing Finnish food safety. Soon a corresponding visit was made to China with the aim of opening doors for Finnish companies through cooperation with the Chinese authorities.
“One of Finland’s strengths is management of the entire food safety chain, from animal feeding to transports, diagnostics and food hygiene. The same applies to crop production,” explains Programme Director Johanna Jaskari-Halonen of the Viikki Food Center. Viikki Food Center specialises in commercialising competence in the food industry, and coordinates the food development operations of the Centre of Expertise Programme in the regions of Uusimaa and Eastern Uusimaa.
The Finnish-Chinese visits led to several initiatives involving the largest dairies and abattoirs in the Shanghai area, as well as the farms connected to them. Partnerships are related particularly to cattle feeding technology, testing for growth hormone traces, and storage of logistical data. There are major differences between Chinese and Finnish practices, for example in abattoirs. In Finland, supplier agreements are long-lasting and tight; this practice is foreign to China, where abattoirs may receive meat from very unfamiliar sources.
One of the most promising aspects of the framework agreements made with Chinese companies is the authorities’ unprompted interest in the matter. The Shanghai World Expo wants no food-related scandals. For Chinese customers, meanwhile, it is important that the partnerships are supported by the country’s government.
Visibility through the World Expo
Upon request from the Chinese authorities, Finnish food safety is displayed at the Shanghai EXPO2010. In addition to the Food Development cluster, the Health and Well-Being and HealthBIO clusters are united in the expo under Finland’s Sharing Health theme. Food safety is one of the three topics raised in the expo brochure of the Finnish pavilion. The aim is to bring visibility to Finland’s competence in China and beyond. The new eastern EU states and Russia are seen as particularly attractive export destinations.
Commercialisation is crucial for exports
Finland has around one hundred companies that possess significant expertise in food safety. "The Centre of Expertise Programme has added a nationwide and international dimension to our business. Previously, operations in the field were fairly regional, focusing for example on local food. Thanks to the programme, we have become more tightly yet more extensively networked. We have also received resources for our export efforts,” says Jaskari-Halonen.
Future challenges include commercialising the competence held not only by companies but also by the authorities. Export-worthy products could include the hygiene pass, various risk management tools and a model for speedy and effective communication in hazard situations. There could also be demand for the Finnish salmonella prevention scheme.
The aim of the Food Development cluster programme is to increase the national and international competitiveness of the Finnish food industry. The vision is that in 2013 Finland will be the leading producer of wholesome, health-promoting and safe food in Europe. The cluster operates through the specialisation and cooperation of centres of expertise in Seinäjoki, Kuopio, Turku, Jokioinen and Helsinki.
Information of Finland in the Shanghai Expo 2010: http://www.finlandatexpo2010.fi/?s=5
