Abima - Brazilian Pasta Association represents manufacturers of pasta and derived from wheat in Brazil. Its members are responsible for approximately 85% of the market share with a production of 1.3 million tonnes a year, sales of US$ 5 billion and generating around 25,000 direct jobs.

In 2009, the Abima complete 25 years of existence, always concerned about increasing per capita consumption of pasta in Brazil, which occupies the 12th position in world ranking with a consumption of 6.4 kg / hab / year. As a comparison, Venezuela, the second in the ranking, it consumes twice as much.

"In general, success in that regard requires several coordinated actions in which we are engaged at the time," explains the director's chair Abima, Claudio Zanão. According to him, is not enough just to convince people to eat more pasta. "There are structural issues and legislation that need to be revised to facilitate the consumer," says.

As an example he cites the incidence of taxes. "The pasta is the only item on the basic food basket that has no differential taxation. If the product received the same treatment, we could sell cheaper and therefore more people consume," he says Zanão.

The director also cites President of Abima cooperation with members to modernize the means of production and refining models of

management. "Intensify the technical and legal advice for companies, and offer more courses and workshops for professional training. We also offer tools to the reduction of operating costs, such as the Central Purchasing Abima - CCA, Zanão lists.

The Abima also has a more elaborate communication planning for the year 2009 to disclose the nutritional benefits of pasta in general. The association seeks to clarify that the food is a source of carbohydrates and other essential elements for a healthy diet. For these attributes are considered food energy, essential for a balanced diet and placed at the base of the food pyramid."

"And besides all that, unlike a mistaken perception and widely disseminated, the masses do not fatten. For example, every 100 grams of cooked pasta without sauce, have a relatively low amount of calories, about 110 kcal (for pasta meal) and 96 kcal (noodles with eggs), "concludes Zanão.