The inclusion of algae in food production took on a meaning-ful turn when Olmix presented its antibiotic-free broiler chicken to delegates attending its one-day conference ‘Building a Healthy Food Chain – Thanks to Algae,’ in Paris

last month.

The chicken, raised on algae-included feed rations and managed, processed and distributed by Olmix, was tasted by the 400-plus del-egates attending the conference.

While broiler and fish production differ widely, algae products are attempting to achieve similar levels of food safety in both livestock and aquaculture.

Until now the benefits algae provides in terms of human nutrition and health have been largely associated with cultural and coastal com-munities and with those looking for dietary alternatives.

In livestock and fish production algae has been considered a valu-able ingredient in its own right for some time, but products have now been developed to help protect health, improve well-being and reduce the need for medicines and in particular antibiotics.

Algae has not yet proven itself as a viable source of protein in meet-ing the growing demand from our food producing animals, particularly not in fish diets where the pressure is on to minimise the amount of fishmeal included in feeds.

However, Paris may well prove a turning point in the way we consider algae inclusion in our food production system.

“We are now ready to meet consum-ers’ expectations for a better life,” Olmix marketing director Daniéle Marzin told the delegates crowed into the Hotel Pullman Eiffel Tower conference room.

Guest gather in ParisGathered in Paris to celebrate the

company’s 20th anniversary, over 300 international invited guests, from custom-ers to agents, to distributors and staff from more than 50 countries enjoyed three days of festivities with local French

staff and others which started with a reception in the art deco Théatre National de Chaillot.

The conference offered presentations by three professors: Professor Antoine Andremont, professor of microbiology at the University of Paris Medical School on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance – what is the world situation; Professor Dung Cao the deputy director of the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Centre in Vietnam on pesti-cides and their use in Asia; Professor Jose Luiz Tejon Megido, president of TCA International in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Dr Thomas Pavie made the final address which launched of the Olmix antibiotic-free chicken production internationally, the first appli-cation for food-producing animals.

Care for allOlmix has adopted a ‘Care programme’ for its plant, livestock and

aqua and human food divisions.Melspring is the company’s ‘Plant Care Division’ and focuses on sus-

tainable products capable of improving plant health, protecting against disease and supporting the environment. Algae products are applied as fertiliser and offer the opportunity to reduce the use of chemical pesticides while lifting crop quality and yields.

The Olmix ‘Animal Care Division’ has introduced a product and feeding strategy that aims to eliminate the use of antibiotics in chicken

Algae’s key role in taking care of consumer expectationsby Roger Gilbert, IAF Publisher

From Left: Professor Antoine Andremont, Professor of Microbiology, University of Paris Medical School, Paris; Professor Jose Luiz Tejon Megido, President, TCA International, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Dr Thomas Pavie, former Deputy Agriculture Counsellor for China and North East Asia

One of the world’s most famous views - The Olmix team poses for a picture at the Théatre National de Chaillot on the banks of the Seine opposite Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars

20 | INTERNATIONAL AQUAFEED | September-October 2015

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production, improve farmer’s profits and animal well-being. And may well lead to similar objectives in aquaculture.

Producing antibiotic-free chicken “will not be achieved only by nutrition nor with a single ‘miraculous’ feed additive,” says Ms Marzin.

She says Olmix is now capable of providing a global strategy to improve animal hygiene, enhance immune defenses. Guarantee diges-tive welfare, increase digestive efficiency and fight mycotoxins.

“To get optimal efficiency, Olmix engages the whole livestock chain as products are implemented by farmers, veterinarians and the feed miller,” she adds.

The Algae SchoolTwo days in Paris followed by two

days in Brittany. The two venues visited included the company’s new office and factory facilities and an evening visit to the new Breizh Algae School, located at the Balusson home farm, which will offer courses to Olmix customers on the use and benefits of algae products, including modern farming techniques that eliminate the need for antibiotics, pesticides and chemical additives.

Dedication and commitmentThe dedication and commitment to the

values algae can provide, has been champi-oned for 20 years by Hervé Balusson, presi-dent, founder and CEO of Olmix Group.

His resolve to bring the benefits of algae to international attention and to conduct the research necessary to develop algae-based products has paid dividends for all in the food production chain, and was lavishly and generously celebrated in Paris during the company annual ‘Breizh Algae Tour’ which was held the same week as Space, Rennes one of France’s major agriculture exhibi-tions.

President, founder and CEO of Olmix Group, Hervé Balusson, celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary at the legendary Lido

cabaret on the Champs-Élysées in Paris

September-October 2015 | INTERNATIONAL AQUAFEED | 21

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