The inclusion of algae in food production took on a meaningful 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.

1. T
he 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 Paris
Gathered 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 all
Olmix 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 expectations
by 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
FEATURE

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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 School
Two 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 commitment
The 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
FEATURE