They come from Eire, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Romania, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, Malaysia, India, the US and Australia. Many will launch new ranges on to the UK market while others will show retail and foodservice products already here. Features on the American stands include dried prunes, Buffalo wings, a Bloody Mary mix and flavoured sugars. Italian exhibitors will bring their olive oils, pastas and fine vinegars as well as Shark, the number two energy drink in Europe. Traditional products will also dominate on the French and German stands, though French exhibitor, Délice de France, will also show its range of English savouries and cheesecakes. Two Dutch producers will demonstrate new Asian lines. Kim Foods has a range of Thai, Indonesian and Chinese ready meals. Vandermoortele will introduce its Risso balti mayonnaise and dressings. Baarssen Ocean Gourmet of Denmark is using Food & Drink Expo to launch its speciality fish range and a Tunisian growers association is bringing organic dates and organic wines to the UK. New alcoholic drinks will also come from Romania and Australia. Independent Distillers is promoting its fruit flavoured Vodka Cruiser, Aussies' favourite RITW, while the Global Spirits Company of Romania is launching its vodka and gin ranges. Unifine Dohler will bring top Dutch chef Michael Hanssen to produce a total menu using its Wyko sauces. "In the UK we have an incredibly wide range of foods from different nationalities ­ every dish you could possibly think of is reflected in restaurant menus and take home foods," said exhibitions director Andrew Reed. "We have an equally diverse range of exhibitors to reflect this." l To book a place at Food & Drink Expo 2002, which is sponsored by The Grocer, and runs from March 17-20 at the NEC, Birmingham turn your browser to www.foodanddrink.co.uk. {{NEWS }}