Thanks to the efforts of various experts both within and outside Normec Foodcare, we recently organized the first two exciting knowledge events of the year. It’s worth looking back on.
On February 20, the first event took place at Normec OWS in Ghent, which is also the new location of Normec QA in Belgium. During a tour of the Normec OWS laboratory, our customers learned all about research into biodegradation and compostability. Starting in March 2025, Belgian food companies will be required to develop a monitoring plan for environmental pathogens in accordance with self-monitoring module GM4. This plan, based on a detailed risk analysis, determines which analyses are necessary, where they should be conducted, and how often. Aldo Evers and Grietje Van Weert provided a clear step-by-step plan and discussed the analytical methods. After the break, Fréderique Henderickx (Normec QA BE) shared her expertise on the pitfalls of labeling. The questions revealed that customers still need a great deal of support when designing labels.
On March 13, Normec Groen Agro Control hosted the event. Stefan Broch provided an overview of Normec Groen Agro Control’s various activities and projects, followed by a fascinating tour of the lab, led by Prechand Jankie. After lunch, the focus shifted to allergen management and the new Dutch policy on PAL (Precautionary Allergen Labeling). Marjan van Ravenhorst (Allergenen Consultancy) provided an introduction to the policy, its history, and the differences across Europe. Eva Pont (Normec Foodcontrol) delved deeper into the analytical capabilities. The day concluded with a hands-on session led by Tamara Kee (Normec QA NL) and Krista Baar (Normec Label & Specifications). Special thanks to Krista, who was present to share her knowledge with customers despite having recently undergone surgery for a broken foot.
And there’s already a new knowledge event on the agenda! On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, we’ll be joining forces with Normec Kalsbeek and the experts at Hellebrekers to explore the latest techniques and guidelines for optimal swimming pool water quality. The analyses are conducted by Normec Dumea. Since January 1, 2024, regulations for swimming facilities in the Netherlands have changed due to the implementation of the Environment Act. Starting in 2025, environmental agencies will enforce these rules, and swimming pools that do not comply risk closure.
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Consumers don’t judge a product only when they taste it. Often, their first impression is already formed before the package is even opened. Claims, brand name, appearance, and past experiences play a major role in shaping what consumers expect from a product.
Normec Foodcare Online is taking the next step in the renewal of its digital platform for quality management, compliance, and food safety. The first updated modules are now available, and the migration of customers to the new environment has begun. At the same time, we are continuing to build a platform that can respond more quickly to customer needs and technological developments. Would you like to know what the updated platform and the migration mean for your organization?
Normec Quality Assurance Belgium won the Expert Jury Award in the Packaging Machinery category at the Packaging & Label Awards 2026. The award was presented to the AI Label Compliance Tool, an innovative solution that helps companies check labels and ingredient declarations faster, more efficiently, and more accurately.
PFAS, a collective term for thousands of chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” are found worldwide in soil, surface water, groundwater, and food production chains. Greenpeace’s new PFAS map shows that these substances can also enter the human body and the food production chain via drinking water.
Consumers are looking for healthier, protein-rich, and more sustainable products, but they still base their choices primarily on taste and sensory experience. That makes reformulation complex. Sugar, for example, affects more than just sweetness; it can also alter texture, mouthfeel, and body. Added protein can be nutritionally beneficial, but it can sometimes result in a drier texture or an unusual aftertaste. A similar risk applies to fat reduction, clean label initiatives, and other formulation adjustments.
A Salmonella outbreak linked to eggs from a Belgian poultry farm has now made at least 300 people ill. The incident once again shows the importance of systematic monitoring and timely laboratory testing throughout the egg supply chain.
LIÈGE – Normec Sensory is further expanding its presence in Belgium with the opening of a new sensory testing center in Liège. With this expansion, Normec Sensory now has its own testing infrastructure in both Flanders and Wallonia. This enables organizations to rely on in-depth consumer insights from across Belgium, supported by local expertise and a broad network of respondents.
