"Any hand that is not in contact with food, is a good hand," said Prof Buckenhuskes commenting robotics - one of the top trends at his year's show. "That's because it cannot bring micro organisms into contact with food," he added.
Hygenic design was another trend much in evidence in the exhibition halls, which were 16% fuller than during the last event staged in 2009, he said. Designers were focusing on building machines that were easier to clean and to disinfect than previous models.
Packaging materials
Prof Buckenhuskes also picked out innovation in packaging materials and processes as being another highlight of the event which attracted 1,324 exhibitors from throughout the world.
In contrast to previous events, Spanish accents, mainly from Latin Amercia, were most commonly heard in the exhibition halls, he said.
For more news from Anuga FoodTec on meat packaging, click here and on Bosch Packaging Technology, click here.