Expo to focus on organic food

The UAE's fast-growing natural food market is the main focus of this year's Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo (MENOPE 2008). More than 175 companies from over 35 countries will showcase an array of natural foods at the three-day expo, which begins on Sunday at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event is supported by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment and Water. Health food experts believe organic and natural food products can play a key role in managing lifestyle diseases in the Middle East where obesity, stress, cardiac disorders and diabetes are among the biggest healthcare threats. The up to 40 per cent more antioxidant levels in organic food, as revealed in a four-year long European Union-funded study, have been scientifically proven to mitigate cancer and heart disease risks. Growing market It will be attended by lifestyle specialists, nutritionists, retailers and healthcare professionals at a time when the organic food market is growing at an estimated 20 to 25 per cent annually. Nadim Al Fuqaha, managing director of Dubai-based event organiser Global Links, said: "Organic and natural food products are not a fad anymore; they are a lifestyle choice of considerable relevance to the Middle East, given the high rates of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, stress, cardiac disorders and even cancer in the region. "The growing interest for natural and organic food products is reflected in the response to MENOPE. There is strong participation from the UAE at the expo, reiterating the locally-driven initiatives in promoting natural foods." The Middle East is one of the world's fastest growing markets for natural and organic products with over 3,000 outlets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Several farms in the region are setting aside resources for organic farming and alternative therapies such as Ayurveda - a traditional medicine native to India - are also gaining in popularity. Norman Paul Peter, business development manager of Life Healthcare Group, said: "Over the last six years we have slowly converted a lot of our products to organic and we have received a lot of positive feedback from UAE residents." The Expo, supported by the International Federation of Organic and Agricultural Movements and the Korea Health Supplement Association, will showcase a variety of products including herbs and spices, foods and beverages, cereal products, supplements, natural cosmetics and traditional medicines. Mohammad Al Dareef, chairman of Abba Herbal Preparations, told Gulf News: "We have a range of totally natural products that can be used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis." Collaborative effort Dubai www.saveourenvironment.org is a collaborative effort of the most influential environmental organisations, using the internet to increase public awareness on today's most important environmental issues. The centre's main aim is to protect our air, water, lands, forests, oceans, wildlife and the planet's climate. The website is administered by Partnership Project, a non-profit organisation incorporated in Washington in 1999. It currently has 20 groups participating in it, including the largest environmental advocacy groups in the country. By joining their members and contributors on united actions, the participating groups are creating a sum of citizen participation and advocacy that is greater than what they could have generate working as individuals. It is governed by a 20-member board of directors and a 10-member executive committee. The members include environmentally active groups such as Friends of the Earth and Environment America. Source: Gulfnews - Compiled by Hind Al Yousef, Community Web Journalist