The food and beverage industry is making great strides in increasing representation of women at the top. There are so many opportunities to usher in the next phase of gender and racial equity. By taking the lead, industry will benefit economically. A more equitable workplace will meet the triple bottom line of a socially responsible business. It is good for business, good for individuals and for the world!
I have always wanted to visit Poland, so you can imagine how excited I was when an invite popped into my inbox from the country’s National Support Centre for Agriculture to visit some of its agricultural processing facilities. I also met food processors and manufacturers at Polagra’s Food Fair. Turn to page 12 for some highlights of the media tour.

Local and global experts are highlighting the importance of establishing an environmental monitoring programme for pathogens, instead of only testing food products. The inside scoop on how role players are reading the market can be found on page 14. Staying with testing services, Nicki Han of FACTS explores the importance of food scientists finding innovative solutions and approaches to integrate food fraud risk into existing food safety systems (page 18). Determining the sugar value of food by considering food carbohydrate classification is also under review.

GEA has some great news. The US Food and Drug Administration awarded the company a letter of no objection for its fully aseptic rotary blowing machines. Clearance confirms maximum sterilisation efficiency and reliability during every step of sensitive beverage bottling. More on this on page 41. Packaging Review brings you the story of how two women reached high levels of leadership in the male dominated packaging industry. Turn to page 50 for the full story.