US grain giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and its ingredients business Wild Flavors Specialty Ingredients were among the cancellations at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) from Demember 1 to 3.
Organiser Food Ingredients Global (Fi Global) marketing director Georgina Smith said: “A small number of exhibitors, 32 exhibitors specifically, have cancelled their participation based on their own internal security policies regarding international travel.”
The withdrawal from the exhibition, held at the Paris-Nord Villepinte convention centre, came after so-called Islamic State militants slaughtered 130 people in the French capital on Friday November 13.
‘Safety of our colleagues’
“ADM’s top priority is the safety of our colleagues. Given recent events in France, ADM has decided to cancel our participation at FiE 2015 in Paris,” the firm said in a statement.
“We have been participating at FiE as an exhibitor for more than a decade now and plan to participate in future shows.”
What ADM say
“ADM’s top priority is the safety of our colleagues.”
- Statement, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Marketing agency Barrett Dixon Bell (BDB), which handles media relations for a number of exhibitors, will also not attend the show in the wake of the attacks.
Extra security measures have been announced to protect more than 1,400 suppliers and 27,000 visitors expected at the show.
Smith, from Fi Global, confirmed that ADM and Wild, which had been due to share a stand, were among the dropouts from FiE and the Natural Ingredients (Ni) show that runs alongside it.
“Since the events in Paris, we have spoken with each exhibitor and 97% of exhibitors have reconfirmed their participation at Fi Europe & Ni 2015,” she said.
“We have provided the full overview of the increased security measures to all participating exhibitors.”
What FiE organisers say
“The security, safety and comfort of all our exhibitors, visitors, staff and all personnel at Fi Europe is paramount.”
- Natasha Berrow, group director, UBM EMEA
She said the organisers were “very encouraged” by the number of visitors who have registered for the show over the past two weeks, bringing the total number of registrations to more than 24,000.
The venue and local authorities have put in place extra security and safety measures on site, while there have also been discussions with hotels and partners.
UBM, the company behind Fi Global, sent an email to express its deep condolences to the victims, families and loved ones of the “horrific tragedy” earlier this month.
Security is ‘paramount’
“Following these events, the security, safety and comfort of all our exhibitors, visitors, staff and all personnel at Fi Europe is paramount,” said UBM EMEA group director Natasha Berrow.
“Additional security and safety measures will be added. Other measures may be decided by the French government.”
ADM, one of the largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers, acquired the Swiss-based food ingredients firm Wild for €2bn (£1.5bn) in 2014.
The firm had been due to present its expanded range of innovative ingredients to enhance taste, texture, nutrition and functionality at FiE.
Wild would have showcased new ingredients such as colouring foodstuffs, fruity-fresh flavours, diverse dairy concepts, and functional products.
For information on security measures and safety advice click here. An updated list of exhibitors is published here.
Security measures at FiE
- Security guards, scanners and airport-style metal detectors at entrances
- Police officers to patrol venue and outside
- 24-hour cover includes security dogs
- Security guards with dogs to check exhibitors parking
- Venue’s video network connected to police department
- UBM, venue, police and local authorities to provide extra security
- City of Paris has put additional measures in busy areas