The International Starch Forum is intended to: promote a robust industry dialogue; identify and discuss common industry challenges; and provide for information sharing with industry colleagues. Please download Mr. Bode’s presentation at the link below.
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The International Starch Forum is a developing global consortium of starch and sweetener stakeholders with four primary functions:
If you are interested in joining our Forum mailing list, please submit your information in the 856-697-6504 section.
To share resources and coordinate on product reputation defense.
To share resources and coordinate on policy advocacy, including health & nutrition, workplace safety, sustainability, and environmental affairs.
Present common positions on product safety and nutrition issues to international organizations (e.g. WHO, international nutrition/scientific societies).
Provide joint representation on areas of shared interest to international standards organizations (e.g. Codex, ISO)
21st Century Challenges for a Changing World
By the year 2050, the world population is expected to rise to over 9 billion people with nearly all of this occurring in developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America. During this period of global population growth, an additional 3 billion people are expected to enter the middle class by 2030.  In order to meet the nutrition demands of this growing population, the UNâs Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that food production will need to increase by 70 percent.
At the same time, developed economies such as the United States and the European Union are beginning to see a profoundly different shift in consumption patterns. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainable aspects of their food including safety, nutritional value and environmental footprint. This is leading to mounting pressure for transparency and accountability among food producers and processors.
This new focus on sustainable production growth must occur as climate patterns continue to change. Many parts of the world are already beginning to contend with more intense droughts, larger floods and the proliferation of crop destroying weeds, insects and diseases. Sound scientific solutions, such as biotechnology, and global cooperation on decarbonization must be a part of any resolute effort toward mitigation and adaptation.
The Vital Role of the Global Starch Industry
The starch industry occupies a unique position between agriculture and the public. They are at the very heart of food production: supplying hundreds of ingredients for use in thousands of food products and animal feed. Many of todayâs shelf-stable foods are produced using starches which enable them to maintain the proper textural characteristics during freezing, thawing and heating.
At the same time, starches play a vital role in a wide variety of products beyond food. Natural and modified food starched can be found in products and processes in the consumer products, pharmaceutical, energy, industrial and chemical sectors.  With the world beginning a gradual shift away from fossil fuels as the primary engine of economic prosperity, there will be a larger opportunity for starch producers to contribute renewable, sustainable materials through the bioeconomy.
Key Issues Facing the Global Starch Industry:
Food and Workplace Safety
Food safety is very important to worldwide socio-economic development as foodborne diseases can cause significant disruptions in a countryâs economy. Many of the issues that can cause unsafe food can be addressed through proper workplace health and safety procedures.  Ensuring a safe and productive workforce is vital to the security of society as a whole.
Environmental Responsibility
Meeting the demands of the now while ensuring future generations are able to meet their own means carefully balancing production methods with the environmental impact of these methods. And this must all occur within the framework of intensifying environmental regulation. Many of these responsibilities can be addressed through the advancement of the bioeconomy and biogenic CO2 as 21st century solutions.
Sustainable Production
A significant improvement in food production will be necessary to meet rising global demand while working with finite natural resources. Â This goal can be achieved through adaptation of best management practices on farmlands, more sophisticated farm equipment for efficient application of resources, and an acceleration in the development and utilization of biotechnology.
June 21-23 2016
Shanghai New Int’l Expo Centre