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“The Food Industry Is Highly Impacted By Vigilance In A Post Covid Era”, Says YOGi's Executive Director Fadi Serhal. | |
| Staff Writer |
According to recent research, especially in more economically developed nations, food packaging accounts for over 66% of total packaging in circulation. It is no secret that packaging goes hand in hand with consumption so when it boils down to protection, preservation, distribution, and advertising, it becomes necessary to have a head who is driven by the idea of sustainability and is able to manage it.
Fadi Serhal comes with an impeccable 16-year track record having managed a variety of businesses in the GCC. He has been recognized for delivering unparalleled results and is fully committed to building Sustainable Solutions, in a profitable and progressive environment, while leading businesses towards achieving their highest potential.
In this exclusive with Thirty to Net Zero, Fadi shares with us his thoughts on the food industry and the environmental impact that different parts of the industry are responsible for. Read the entire interview to re-assess your ideas around food packaging.
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Q: The food industry’s significant environmental impact can be lowered; how do you align with commitments to achieve a more sustainable food system?
A: Sustainability is key in any industry, and the food industry is no different. From packaging, reducing wastage, and ensuring the efficiency of machinery and consumption, all of it contributes to a lower environmental impact, which in return leads to a greener industry. Looking into food waste, for example, the U.S alone wastes between 1 and 1.5 billion tonnes a year. Imagine the kind of impact it has, because evidently, one restaurant’s waste won’t show as impactful, yet the accumulated metric by end of the year is shocking, and that is only one country.
Q: How important is it for small businesses to invest in recycling?
A: Recycling is key for small businesses, not only with regards to saving money, but also to help promote a healthy Corporate Social Responsibility from within. With a recession on the horizon, inflation, and prices increasing at a rate of 6-8% regularly, maintaining healthy recycling streamline definitely helps small businesses with their bottom line, and eventually with a positive environmental footprint.
Q: What are some of the cost-effective methods that your brand uses to promote sustainable packaging?
A: Since day 1, YOGi adopted an environmentally friendly approach, whether it was food packaging that is made of biodegradable material, transitioning from paper to reusable customer bags, or our most recent transitioning from plastic cups to a more sustainable material. This is the core of our brand, our ethos, and the way we contribute to a better future for ourselves and our families.
Q: Recycled paper is a big concept in sustainable packaging. With paper becoming dearer do you see an effective alternative emerging?
A: Many brands have started slowly moving away from paper wrapping their products, by moving towards more positive alternatives. Eco Paper Bags, Bio Boxes, and others are slowly becoming available options. Obviously, like any new alternative, these products are still under a trial-and-error phase, followed by constant enhancement, but the product is there, and soon enough, a solid replacement will be available for use on a mass scale.
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Q: The pandemic has made consumers a lot more vigilant about what they eat and drink. How has this impacted the food industry?
A: I believe the food industry is among the highest impacted by this vigilance; people have become more aware of their intake, questioning not only calories, but fat content, protein percentages, carbohydrates, and the source of oil used. In a world where obesity rates and the number of diabetic people grow year on year, the pandemic created a hard stop for many. Healthier lifestyles, better food options, a growth in alternative clean eating options, and many others are becoming the norm in our days, and the food industry must adapt to this change.
Q: Sustainable packaging should be about convenience and safety. Do you believe that more and more consumers are inclined to choose convenience over safety?
A: Our human nature dictates that we only think about safety when convenience turns against us. As an example, if you look before 2020, the average percentage of people claiming to regularly sanitize their hands, was a mere 4%, as compared to 61% in 2022, the convenience was not to sanitize constantly, and then safety prevailed. The same will happen for packaging. There was a time when wrapping with newsletters was accepted, in fact in some countries, you would still see street vendors selling products that are packed with newsletter paper. Is it safe? No. Is it convenient for them? Of course, because it is probably for free, and thick enough to contain their product. We possess a developing mindset, and sustainable packaging will slowly move from only being safe, to be convenient. Reusable bags are already leading the way as an example, among many others.
Q: Tell us a little bit about you, your brand, and your favourite book/quote.
A: I have been in the restaurant industry for the past 15 years, moving between high-end hospitality and casual dining. I’ve worked with some big names in the region and have been with YOGi for 2 years now.
YOGi is a market leader in Accessible Gourmet Cuisine, with branches strategically available across Riyadh, and an expansion plan to go regional. YOGi has been satisfying the appetite of our clientele who are seeking great food through a healthy approach with incredible taste since 2018.
One of my favorite books in the world of business is the Toyota Way. It’s an incredible book that takes us deep into the Japanese Mindset of business, and the importance of the team’s strength, for the collective good. One of my favourite quotes comes from the book itself (Go and see for yourself, to thoroughly understand the situation) or as it is in Japanese (Genchi Genbutsu).