INEC is an independent, non-political and non-profit international association with the following objectives: 1. To deal with internationally published scientific studies on the research, production and application of carob flour and its derivatives through information exchange, cooperation with other relevant organizations and promotion of carob flour. 2. To represent the interests of the industrial sector for carob flour, its derivatives and chemically and functionally related products within the European Community and other international organizations. 3. To inform members annually about the application, research and health aspects of carob flour.