Distribution agreement extended to include citrus pulp co-products made from pectin production in Tate & Lyle’s facility in Großenbrode, Germany

Tate & Lyle PLC, a global leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages, has extended its partnership with Van Triest CirQlar, part of ForFarmers, a leading animal feed business, to enhance the value creation and environmental impact of its co-products business. The partnership will also help Tate & Lyle to meet its commitment to beneficially use 100 % of its waste by 2030.

Under the extended agreement, Van Triest CirQlar, which specialises in the purchasing and sales of co-products, will manage the main aspects of citrus pulp co-product sales and distribution from Tate & Lyle’s pectin production facility in Großenbrode, Germany. Tate & Lyle’s pectin is a nature-based ingredient derived from citrus fruit peels, a co-product of the juice industry. Nutritious material left over from the production of pectin becomes a citrus pulp co-product, which is widely used as animal feed, and which Tate & Lyle currently supplies to livestock farmers in northern Germany.

Tate & Lyle’s Großenbrode facility, acquired in 2024, has supplied farmers in northern Germany with citrus pulp co-products for animal feed for over forty years, ensuring the beneficial use of a significant residual stream while generating additional value. Following the acquisition, strong cross-site cooperation quickly revealed synergies between Großenbrode and Tate & Lyle’s Koog aan de Zaan facility in the Netherlands, which has an existing distribution agreement in place with Van Triest CirQlar for several of its corn-based co-products. By aligning co-products operations and leveraging Van Triest CirQlar’s specialised market expertise and customer network, Tate & Lyle is further strengthening the commercial and operational performance of its co-products business.

This agreement ensures long-term market access and structured pricing for Großenbrode’s main capacity of citrus pulp co-product, reducing commercial risk and increasing planning reliability. By leveraging Van Triest CirQlar’s specialised market expertise, customer network and active market management, Tate & Lyle can optimise value realisation for its co-products while ensuring consistent offtake. This model strengthens circular value chains and allows Tate & Lyle to focus on its core food and drink ingredient customer offering.

Sönke Schweiger, Tate & Lyle Plant Director in Großenbrode, explained: “At our Großenbrode facility, we turn upcycled citrus peels into high value ingredients and give their co-products a second life – that’s circularity in action. With this expanded partnership, we can maximise the commercial and environmental value of our pectin production. By harmonising our co-products models across two sites drawing on external expertise, we can focus on delivering high quality, functional food and drink ingredients that support healthier diets while caring for our planet and making good use of its resources.”

Roel van Haeren, Managing Director Van Triest CirQlar Europe, explained: “This partnership aligns with our objective to lead in managed co‑product value chains and is an important step in further strengthening our relationship with Tate & Lyle. It is a strategic expansion of our activities in Germany and our citrus pulp position in this market. It’s exactly how Van Triest CirQlar grows – by professionalising co‑product streams and turning them into dependable, circular value.”

24,351 people from 134 countries created and amplified the human connection that exemplified Fi Europe’s stand-out 30th edition in Paris this year. Further solidifying its position as one of the world’s most influential food industry trade shows, and a facilitator of future innovation, the event exceeded expectations as it welcomed 1,470 exhibitors across the global food, beverage, nutrition, food technology, and pet food sectors. Alongside inspiration, education and unmissable networking opportunities, Fi Europe gave delegates an early glimpse of the trends set to shape the industry in the coming year, which Informa is making available in its latest report, ‘Uncovering innovation: The Fi Europe Trend Guide 2026’.

Connecting a growing global community

“Fi Europe has always been about bringing people together, and this year it was clear how much the industry values that connection,”remarks Yannick Verry, Brand Director, Fi Europe. “The show floor was buzzing with a real sense of community. The conversations happening in our hubs, theatres and networking events weren’t just meaningful in the moment – they’re the catalyst for the innovations we’ll see shaping the market in 2026. We’re excited to carry this momentum forward as we prepare for Frankfurt next year.”

Efforts to emphasise human connection were central to the 30th anniversary edition. The Community Hub – a dedicated space designed to bring together micro-communities and industry groups – facilitated collaboration and knowledge-sharing through presentations and gatherings, while the Tasting Bar invited attendees to experience ingredients through sensory product samples. The Innovation Awards also facilitated the celebration of ground-breaking achievements and offered a chance for attendees to expand their networks in a joyous, relaxed environment. Collectively, these efforts resulted in an unprecedented community spirit that rippled across the show floor.

A glimpse into the future of food

Fi Europe 2025 created dedicated focuses for several of the industry’s fastest-growing segments, spotlighting cutting-edge solutions that will shape innovation into 2026 and beyond.  As the functional foods and drinks integrate even further into the industry, there is an opportunity for brand owners and manufacturers to develop products with targeted health benefits in 2026. Supporting them with insights and education, Informa hosted its own spotlight, featuring expert panel discussions on the gut-brain axis, microbiome modulation and the evolving role of food as medicine. A dedicated health and wellness innovation tour highlighted how brands can deliver added value through science-backed ingredients and personalised solutions.

Food upcycling also emerged as a key theme, driven by increased consumer awareness and tightening sustainability regulations. An innovation tour, panel discussions, a sustainability networking lunch featuring keynote speakers and an interactive workshop on building resilient food systems helped inspire industry professionals looking to tap into the upcycling opportunity.

Preparing for Fi Europe 2026

“Importantly, we’re again going to take learnings from this year’s show to shape the next edition,” adds Verry. “For instance, over 200 people attended the inaugural pet nutrition networking event. Based on this, and feedback from delegates during the show, we expect the pet food area to triple in size in Frankfurt. Similarly, we plan to double the amount of space dedicated to food manufacturing equipment and services in 2026.”

Fi Europe 2026 will take place at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, from 17 – 19 November 2026, before its return to Paris in 2027.

BIOFACH 2026 showcases the future of organic: global diversity, young voices, and bold concepts for sustainable food systems.

Nuremberg will once again host the international organic community at BIOFACH from 10 to 13 February 2026. The world’s leading trade fair for organic food, BIOFACH provides a comprehensive overview of current developments all along the value chain, together with forward-looking ideas and new inspiration. The key theme of the BIOFACH Congress is “Growing Tomorrow – Young Voices, Bold Visions”. This focuses on topics such as food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture and societal change, supported by established players and a new generation of movers and shakers.

“BIOFACH 2026 shows how varied, international and future-oriented the organic sector is,” observes Dominik Dietz, Director BIOFACH at NürnbergMesse. “By giving the Congress a focus on young voices, innovative formats and a strong international network, we create inspiration for sustainably transforming both nutrition and agriculture.”

BIOFACH Congress: “Growing Tomorrow – Young Voices, Bold Visions”

With its key theme of “Growing Tomorrow – Young Voices, Bold Visions”, the BIOFACH Congress 2026 is dedicated to the viewpoints of young people who are assuming responsibility worldwide and taking the organic movement forward with new ideas. “A multi-generational approach is essential if we are to deal with the major questions regarding the future that we currently face,” says Tina Andres, Chair of the national organic association BÖLW. “At BIOFACH 2026 the floor belongs to the young, committed people who are assuming responsibility and shaping the future right now.”

In addition to the key theme, visitors to the Congress can look forward to specialist formats such as the Trade Forum, STADTLANDBIO and the collaborative “SustainableFutureLab”.

Exhibitors and a wide range of products: Global organic expertise

BIOFACH 2026 demonstrates the entire range of the organic world, from international market leaders to young companies. The event expects about 2,200 exhibitors who will present their organic products in a total of nine exhibition halls. There is a special focus on India as the Country of the Year. With its dynamic organic strategy and growing export expertise, India is a strong partner for global organic development.

Additional special exhibition areas such as Experience the World of PLANETARY HEALTH offer space for product presentations and exploring the topic in greater depth. “The Planetary Health Diet provides an answer to many of the crises we currently face,” notes Matthias Beuger of the Association of Organic Food Producers (AöL). “So it is in its rightful place at the heart of this exhibition area. In theory, there are now enough models for keeping consumption within the limits the planet can support. But how does that actually look on our plates? Examples of best practice are on display, from cultivating pulses and quality story-telling to the taste experience of a cooking show. Experience the World of PLANETARY HEALTH turns “food fit for the future” into reality.”

Supporting programme: Trends, innovations and interaction

The supporting programme at BIOFACH 2026 creates space for personal meetings and inspiration. It is directed at trade visitors at all points along the value chain, from cultivation to processing, trade and out-of-home catering, and offers a wealth of formats that focus on current trends, innovative concepts and practical solutions.

A rich variety of products and services is aimed at trade representatives in particular. In addition to the Trade Forum at the BIOFACH Congress, features such as the Meeting Point BIOimSEH and its accompanying Organic Experts Lounge offer them a central platform for interaction, product presentations and networking. “After 30 years of development, organic products are an essential part of the mainstream,” asserts Erich Magrander, publisher of bioPress. “Organic products can now be seen in all marketing channels, from the specialist trade to discounters. But full-range suppliers can do more. With the Meeting Point BIOimSEH, BIOFACH provides businesspeople with a platform for exchange for comprehensive organic marketinghere, sales representatives can talk to organic experts, get to know each other, network, and discover product presentations that go beyond the usual offerings. The accompanying Organic Experts Lounge offers plenty of space for discussion rounds, panels, lectures, and information events. This is where organic suppliers can use trade to build bridges from the field to the shelves, and ultimately to the consumers’ plates.”

The INNOVATION STAGE in Hall 4A offers presentation slots for new developments and innovations. Young companies can also improve their visibility and gain access to potential partners. The BIOFACH Start-up Pitches in 2026 will once again give many newcomers in the organics field the opportunity to introduce themselves. In the crowning finale, three start-ups will present their plans to a high-calibre jury of experts. In 2026 the five-member jury will consist of Alexander Stabel (Alnatura), Bärbel Ulrich (dm-drogerie market), Frank Künzel (dennree), Selda Morina (REWE Start-up Lounge) and Tillman Schulz (Food investor & Bohlsener Mühle).

Immediately adjacent to the INNOVATION STAGE will be the New Products Stand, where new products and developments will await discovery. This is where visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite product to receive the Best New Product Award. International start-ups will present their creative products and ideas in the “International Newcomers” pavilion, while the sponsored “Young Innovators” pavilion will be the place to experience innovative skills at a national level. The range of products and services will be complemented by the NextGen Campus in Hall 9.

At the Alternative Packaging Solutions pavilion, exhibitors will display their sustainable ideas in the area of packaging. Initiatives and NGOs will also have space to introduce their projects and network with industry players. A special area will be dedicated to the subject of organics in out-of-home catering, illustrating practical approaches to community catering.

GEA is constructing a large-scale mixing plant for flavor production for Symrise AG at its main site in Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany. Symrise is one of the world’s leading suppliers of fragrances and flavours. With GEA’s turnkey process technology, the company is increasing its production capacity, enhancing flexibility and meeting the highest requirements for hygiene and material quality. Installation of the plant has been underway since summer 2025, with commissioning planned for spring 2026.

“The production of liquid flavours is one of Symrise’s core competencies. The new plant increases our capacity by up to 50 % and significantly shortens our delivery times,” says Karsten Zota, Factory Manager Liquid Compounding at Symrise. “This makes us more flexible and enables us to better serve growing customer demand.”

The flavours produced – including vanilla extracts, citrus oils, meat flavours, and menthol-based essences – are used both for internal processing and as ingredients supplied to the food and beverage industry. They appear in a wide range of end products, from yogurt and confectionery to savory ready meals and beverages.

Challenge: Complex raw materials with specific requirements

Symrise processes a wide variety of raw materials at its Holzminden site – from alcohol-based solutions to viscous syrups. This places high demands on technology and safety. Ethanol-containing products require explosion-proof design (ATEX), while powders pose additional dust explosion risks. Substances such as citrus oils are aggressive to certain materials and require special seals. The viscosity range, from water-like liquids to syrupy consistencies, and temperatures between –20 °C and +80 °C demand precise process control. In addition, strong-smelling menthol blends, kosher recipes, and sweet flavours must remain completely separated. The new plant meets these diverse requirements within a fully integrated concept.

Expanded capacity for flavour production

At the heart of the new building is a spacious mixing area where raw materials from the adjacent tank farm or from containers are transferred to the mixing tanks via vacuum conveying. Powders are added through a dedicated filling nozzle. The homogeneous mixtures are then transferred to cooling tanks for maturation or directly to the filling line. The plant is connected to a cleaning and steaming system.

Energy efficiency and sustainability in process technology

The plant features a heat recovery system for CIP return flows, which reuses part of the process energy and reduces energy consumption per batch. Additional measures, such as water-saving CIP cleaning and optimised insulation, further cut water and energy use. Heat recovery not only improves efficiency but also helps meet environmental regulations, as wastewater is cooled to below 30 °C.

Customised design for complex liquid food processing

The diversity of the flavours processed places equally high demands on process control, material selection, and complete product emptying to minimise losses. GEA developed customised solutions, leveraging the flexibility of its components – such as hygienic seat valves with bellows and sampling valves designed to remove even the last product residues. These solutions were designed in close cooperation with the customer and refined through precise 3D planning to integrate seamlessly into the plant’s confined space.

dsm-firmenich, innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, celebrates the inauguration of its Van Marken Food Innovation Center in Delft, the Netherlands. The new center marks a significant milestone in transforming the future of food and is designed to help our customers develop more delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food and beverage solutions.

The building will house the headquarters of dsm-firmenich’s Taste, Texture & Health business unit, as well as an ultra-modern co-creation kitchen, multiple tasting facilities, and cutting-edge application labs for the dairy, bakery, and brewery industries. From plant-based alternatives to sugar reduction solutions, and from superior taste experiences to enhanced nutrition, the center is designed to bring progress to life.

As a model of sustainability, the building will be certified with the highest “well-being” and sustainability standards, WELL Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding, ensuring a workspace that prioritises both human and planetary health. The center will bring together more than 400 talented dsm-firmenich employees.

dsm-firmenich’s Van Marken Food Innovation Center is named after Jacques van Marken, founder of the Yeast and Spirits Factory. This factory, later known as Gist-Brocades, was acquired by former DSM in 1998. Van Marken was a visionary Delft entrepreneur and social reformer whose holistic approach to business was ahead of its time. This tribute recognizes van Marken as a pioneer, whose business and social values continue to inspire dsm-firmenich today.

The leading global trade fair Anuga broke all previous records with its 2025 edition: Over 8,000 exhibitors from 110 countries exhibited in Cologne (Germany) from 4 to 8 October – more than ever before. More than 145,000 trade visitors from over 190 nations took advantage of the opportunity to discover innovations, experience trends and establish international business contacts. The trade audience was especially strongly represented from Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Outside Europe, Brazil, China, Japan, Canada and the USA were among the top nations. With a 94 percent share of foreign exhibitors and 80 percent share of visitors from abroad and with its ten trade shows, Anuga impressively reinforced their position as the undisputed global platform for the F&B industry. The visits of Alois Rainer, the German Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, and Miryung Song, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs from the Republic of Korea as well as many international delegations also underlined the high level of political interest in the trade fair.

“Anuga impressively demonstrates the central role it plays for the international food industry: It is a showcase for the success of an entire sector and a key driver of billions in sales. The global food industry is one of the most important growth drivers worldwide. This strength becomes tangible at Anuga, it underscores the innovative power and international significance of the sector,” explained Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.

Björn Fromm, President of the German Association of the Retail Grocery Trade (BVLH), added: “Anuga has once again presented itself as the leading global trade fair for food and beverages. Particularly in today’s era of protectionism and global tension, the trade fair has set a strong signal for international dialogue and trade.”

Partner country Korea: “Flavor Meets trends”

The appearance of the partner country Korea was a special highlight of this year’s trade fair. Around 100 exhibitors presented the culinary diversity and innovative strength of the country – from fermented classics like kimchi and gochujang, through to modern food tech solutions. Guided Tours, tastings and cultural brought Korea’s cuisine to life for the trade audience.

“This year’s Anuga brought K-food and global food trends together. The result was numerous successful meetings between important buyers and the establishment of new business partnerships. This demonstrates once again why Anuga is the central platform for the global food trade,” emphasised Bong Jun Yoo, Director of the Korea Food Industry Association (KFIA).

Trends, talks and tastings: An event programme with added value

Anuga successfully brought politics, business, research and the industry together – which was particularly visible on the new Anuga HORIZON Stage International experts such as Edwin Bark (Redefine Meat), Hector Freitas (LIVEKINDLY Collective) and Dr. Giuseppe Scionti (Novameat) provided insights into alternative proteins, sustainability, food tech and vertical farming. Supported by partners such as BALPro, ProVeg, Vegconomist, DLG, Lidl and REWE, the dialogue between politics and business was promoted in a targeted manner. The new trade show Anuga Alternatives celebrated a successful premiere in the immediate vicinity.

The Anuga Trend Zone was a further highlight. Together with the knowledge partners, Innova Market Insights and Euromonitor International, the Stage provided in-depth analyses on global food & drink trends, sustainability, plant-based food as well as on health & wellness.

The Anuga Organic on Stage focused on organic, plant-based food and sustainability. Among others, the highlights included the Organic Trade Academy’s market discussion with the Minister for Agriculture, Alois Rainer, who talked about the EU Goals “30% organic space by 2030”, as well as discussions on new regulations for genetic engineering and non-GMO products. Further topics encompassed the future of plant-based food, sustainability strategies and innovative product developments.

High quality of the visitors

The exhibitors particularly praised the high quality of the trade visitors including many decision-makers. Almost all of the top 20 companies from the German food retail sector were present – including Aldi Nord and Süd, the Edeka Group, Lidl, Metro AG and the Rewe Group. Over the course of the trade fair, Anuga achieved double-digit growth in the number of trade visitors from Germany.

Representatives from Aeon Co, Ahold Delhaize, Amazon, Auchan, Carrefour, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Intermarché, JD.com, Lotte Shopping, Tesco, Walmart and the Woolworths Group came from abroad.

#weareAnuga: The brand is growing worldwide

Anuga’s strength not only lies in Cologne, but also in its global network. With satellite events in Milan, Brazil, China, India, Japan and Thailand, as well as the latest newcomer, Anuga Select Ibérica in Madrid, the brand is growing continually. Today, the Anuga portfolio comprises ten international formats.

The brand’s global presence is also evident on social media: Under the hashtag #weareAnuga the community networks beyond country borders and shares inspiration from all Continents. Anuga 2025 achieved a total reach of over 3 million and thus 25 percent more than at the last edition in the year 2023.

Anuga in figures:

8,015 companies from 110 countries took part in Anuga 2025 on exhibition space covering 300,000 m². The share of foreign exhibitors was 94 percent. More than 145,000 trade visitors (plus 3.6 percent) from over 190 countries attended Anuga 2025, the foreign share was 80 percent.

The next Anuga will take place from 9 to 13 October 2027.

This year, Bilbao once again became the epicenter of food innovation with the joint celebration of Food 4 Future – Expo FoodTech and Pick&Pack for Food Industry.

This key event for the foodtech sector brought together over three days more than 8,500 professionals, 379 national and international experts, and nearly 250 leading exhibitors in food and innovation, to set the foundations for the future of an industry in need of a structural transformation based on technology, sustainability, and collaboration. Thanks to the insights shared by key players across the value chain, Expo FoodTech and Pick&Pack for Food Industry, together with AZTI’s technological innovation team, have outlined a 10-point roadmap shaping the sector in 2025:

1. Artificial Intelligence is already changing everything

AI has established itself as the cross-cutting technology throughout the agri-food chain. From crop yield forecasting to industrial process automation and logistics optimisation, its impact is tangible: reduced costs, lower energy consumption (-40 %), and decreased CO₂ emissions (-35 %). Companies such as Eurecat and UMYNO Solutions presented solutions integrating digital twins, machine learning, and ERP-connected platforms, proving that AI not only improves processes but also drives more sustainable, resilient, and consumer-focused models.

2. Robotics and automation: from vineyard to shelf

Smart robotics is transforming everything from precision agriculture to in-plant logistics. In the field, sensors and robotic arms analyse crop conditions in real time to optimise harvests. In industrial environments, solutions such as Beckhoff Automation’s XPlanar – based on magnetic levitation – allow frictionless movement of objects, reducing mechanical wear and improving energy efficiency. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) also enables on-demand production of custom spare parts, reducing downtime and logistics costs. Companies are seeking automation without losing adaptability.

3. 360º sustainability: from commitment to data

Sustainability is no longer a label; it is becoming a systemic transformation. It’s not just about reducing emissions, but integrating economic, social, and environmental indicators into business models. Tools like Envirodigital, developed by AZTI, allow measurement, prediction, and reduction of the environmental impact of food products throughout their lifecycle. Based on the EU’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, this software analyses 16 environmental categories, identifies critical points, and facilitates eco-design strategies to improve environmental performance. Initiatives from McCain (targeting 100 % regenerative agriculture by 2030), PepsiCo (with its zero-emissions plant in Etxabarri), and cooperatives like Kaiku and COVAP demonstrate that sustainability is now a competitive advantage.

4. Radical transparency and total traceability

Traceability has become a must. Technologies such as blockchain, smart labels, dynamic QR codes, and geolocation systems make it possible to track food from source to point of sale, ensuring authenticity and reducing the risk of food fraud. Carrefour has already implemented blockchain systems for fresh products, while platforms such as OpenSC and Provenance are democratising access to these tools. Transparency is now a key competitive factor and a powerful differentiator in an increasingly demanding market.

5. Talent and innovative culture: the silent engine

One of the most urgent challenges for the food industry is the lack of specialised talent. In a context of unprecedented digital and sustainable transformation, there is a shortage of technical profiles with expertise in robotics, AI, or data analytics. Expo FoodTech 2025 emphasised that simply hiring professionals is not enough—companies must build attractive, flexible cultures aligned with the values of new generations. Retaining talent means offering purposeful projects, real growth opportunities, and trust-based environments. Investing in human capital will be as decisive as investing in innovation.

6. Open innovation ecosystems

The food sector is adopting open innovation and co-creation models to accelerate transformation. Platforms such as the newly launched Sandbox AgriFoodTech enable startups, technology centers, and companies to work together on disruptive solutions with technical support, resources, and market orientation. The sector’s pace of change demands strategic alliances that transcend competition, encourage knowledge sharing, allow small-scale experimentation, and quickly scale what works. The key to future success will be building flexible networks with a global vision and local action.

7. New proteins and precision fermentation

Biotechnology is revolutionising our diets. Precision fermentation, cell cultivation, and ingredients such as fungi, algae, or rubisco are creating new proteins with high nutritional value and low environmental impact. Organisations like AZTI are developing functional foods that match traditional products in taste and texture, while delivering sustainable benefits. These solutions not only meet growing demand but also pave the way for more accessible, ethical, and planet-friendly diets.

8. Personalised nutrition for proactive health

Personalised diets are now a reality thanks to advances in genetics, microbiota research, AI, and sensory technologies. Startups and centers like AZTI are creating solutions that tailor nutrition to individual needs based on biological profiles, lifestyles, or health conditions. This approach not only improves well-being but also prevents chronic diseases and promotes active aging. According to EIT Food, by 2050, 30 % of Europeans will be over 65, and nutrition will be key to maintaining quality of life.

9. Packaging: innovation that informs, preserves, and connects

Packaging is no longer just a container—it is a communication channel, a logistics tool, and a sustainability driver. At Pick&Pack 2025, innovations such as smart labels, biodegradable materials, and edible packaging were showcased. These solutions not only optimise product life cycles but also enhance the consumer experience. According to EIT Food’s Consumer Observatory, 51 % of Europeans prioritise healthy and sustainable options, and packaging acts as a key guide in that decision-making process.

10. Smart and resilient logistics

Digitalisation has reached logistics, traditionally one of the more opaque areas. Cold chain monitoring, predictive analytics, and AI-powered dynamic routing are helping reduce losses, minimise emissions, and ensure food safety. Pick&Pack for Food Industry 2025 presented successful case studies in logistics digitalisation, highlighting this area’s role as a strategic lever for competitiveness and resilience in the face of disruptions such as health crises or geopolitical conflicts.

Expanded mandate of the former Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE), and EXTR:ACT, welcomes an accomplished sustainability and policy leader to drive forward an accelerated agenda for fibre-based food and beverage packaging.

The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) to announced the appointment of Sebastian Bartels as its new Director General. A recognised leader in sustainability, Bartels brings two decades of international experience driving strategic change across a wide range of industries. He joins FBCA at a pivotal moment, as the Alliance expands beyond Europe into its global role in building resilient food and beverage systems and advancing the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.

“We are excited to welcome Sebastian,” said Patrick Verhelst, President of the Board of FBCA. “His deep expertise in sustainability and broad experience across sectors and geographies make him the right person to lead FBCA’s next chapter. We are confident he will amplify the Alliance’s impact and its future reach beyond EU-from grassroots engagement to international policy dialogue and circular value chain data expertise.”

Bartels brings a wealth of experience in leadership across sectors including manufacturing, logistics, packaging, FMCG, and energy-gaining firsthand insight into operational and sustainability challenges across diverse markets. He has held senior roles in several countries and is known for his collaborative approach across business, policy, and civil society.

Most recently, he led the Sustainability Services focus area at DEKRA, overseeing a global portfolio of more than 500 services that support clients in sustainable business practices, product sustainability, and the energy transition. Prior to that, he served as Head of Global Quality & Safety Strategy at the global transportation, logistics, and infrastructure group Deutsche Bahn, where he was responsible for international governance in risk, safety, and quality management.

In addition to his business background, Bartels brings political and civil service experience, including six years as an elected city councillor and leadership roles in national and international industry bodies.

“Joining FBCA is a tremendous opportunity,” said Bartels. “Food and beverage cartons play a critical role in reducing waste and supporting secure, low-carbon food systems. I look forward to working with our members to strengthen the industry’s global voice and accelerate innovation across the value chain.”

His appointment marks a new phase of strategic growth for FBCA, reinforcing its mission to promote safe, circular, and sustainable packaging with purpose solutions in Europe and across key international markets.

About FBCA
The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA) is a global platform uniting food and beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers. Formed from the merger of ACE and EXTR:ACT, FBCA advocates for food and beverage cartons as safe, circular, and sustainable packaging solutions that contribute to resilient food systems and low-carbon, circular economies.

Sponsored Post – With the differentiated food service line, VOG Products targets the baking and confectionery industry, wholesalers and distributors to the food segment. The fruit processing company focuses on custom-tailored solutions that can be flexibly adjusted to meet individual customer needs.

As an established partner of the international food and beverage industry, VOG Products processes between 300,000 and 400,000 tonnes of fruit from integrated and organic cultivation every year. The company offers a broad portfolio of high-quality products like fruit juices (concentrate and direct juice), fine fruit purées, steamed fruit, purées with chunks and IQF fruit. With an export quota of around 90 %, VOG Products is the supplier to more than 50 countries worldwide. Alongside apples, the company processes other fruit, including pears, peaches, apricots, kiwis and cherries.

“Innovation is one of our main drivers,” said Christoph Tappeiner, the CEO of VOG Products. “Every day, our research and development department works to optimise existing products and develop new, innovative solutions.”

The in-house development department in Laives (South Tyrol/Italy) enables both the implementation of customer-specific solutions and the successful realisation of private-label projects.

Double apple power

One of the special features of the product line and the company’s most recent innovation is applesauce with apple chunks. This multi-faceted product is suitable as a high-quality base mixture and as the starting product for further processing in the food and beverage industry. The possible applications range from ready-to-eat apple compote for the restaurant trade to the ideal filling for baked goods and the fruity component of yoghurt products.

The right packaging solution for any need

When it comes to packaging solutions, VOG Products offers the food service sector practical alternatives like the “Bag in Box” (from 5 to 25 kg) or flexible pouch formats alongside the classic cans and cardboard boxes.

Be it compote mixes with fruit chunks, pure fruit purées, steamed fruit, fresh fruit chunks or frozen fruit, VOG Products stands for uncompromising quality. This is guaranteed by numerous certificates and a unique, traceable supply chain. The raw goods come from the members of the cooperative, who are backed by around 6,000 fruit-growing families. This structure ensures constant availability and makes VOG Products a reliable partner for customers worldwide.

About VOG Products
The VOG Products producer organisation based in Laives (Italy) is owned by two South Tyrolean producer organisations (VOG and VIP) and 17 fruit cooperatives. The company processes between 300,000 and 400,000 tonnes of fruit from integrated and organic cultivation each year into NFC juices, concentrates, purées, steamed and IQF fruit and finished products. With an export quota of 90 per cent, VOG Products exports its semi-finished products to around 50 countries throughout the world.

JOYBA^® Bubble Teas are the company’s latest products to be Upcycled Certified^® as it delivers food that nourishes people and the planet

Del Monte Foods announced that all nine of its JOYBA^® Bubble Teas have received Upcycled Certified^® status from Where Food Comes From, Inc., furthering the company’s efforts in reducing food waste. Through these nine beverages, Del Monte Foods has successfully reclaimed 265 tons of sweetened syrup over the past year, reducing food waste through more sustainable practices.

The company has been active in the upcycled food movement. In 2021, Del Monte’s Blue Lake^® Petite Cut, and Blue Lake^® Farmhouse Cut Green Beans became the industry’s first canned vegetable products to be Upcycled Certified^® by Where Food Comes From, Inc. Made with upcycled green beans from Wisconsin and Illinois, these offerings have now been joined by the newly certified JOYBA Bubble Teas. Through upcycling, smaller- or larger-sized vegetable cuts and sweetened syrup are being reclaimed rather than going to waste.

“As Growers of Good, Del Monte Foods actively seeks ways to redirect surplus products, helping to provide healthier, accessible food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our team members in using more sustainable practices to ensure that food reaches its highest and best purpose, while creating delicious food and beverages that bring joy to eating.”

Globally, around USD 1 trillion is lost per year on food that is wasted. As part of Del Monte Foods’ mission to nourish people and communities with earth’s goodness, the company continues to reduce food waste in its supply chain. In fiscal year 2024, the company diverted more than 3 million pounds of food from landfills through upcycling.

“Upcycling food has emerged as one of the most effective ways food companies and people can combat climate change,” said Amanda Oenbring, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. “As a trusted brand, Del Monte Foods leadership in the upcycling space continues to have an important impact on consumer awareness of reducing food waste for a healthier planet and future.”

The food industry is going through a time of profound change, driven by current environmental challenges, new consumption habits and the need for more sustainable and efficient production models. In this scenario, innovation in beverages, new ingredients and Research and Development (R&D) plays a decisive role in responding to these challenges and moving towards healthier, more responsible and future-proof food.

Against this backdrop of transformation, F4F – Expo FoodTech 2025, the technology fair for the food industry that will take place from 13 to 15 May at the BEC in Bilbao, will focus on how innovation in beverages, the development of new ingredients and applied research are redefining the future of the sector. More than 8,000 professionals from the entire food value chain will gather at the event, where they will discover the most cutting-edge solutions in foodtech, robotics, automation, processing and packaging machinery, food safety and science applied to food production. All of this will be presented by more than 250 leading firms such as Agrobank, AZTI, Basque Food Cluster, Christeyns, CNTA, Cocuus, Eurecat, Ibernova, IFR, Leitat, Tecnalia and Basque Culinary Center, among others.

Over the course of three days, more than 320 national and international experts will take part in the Food 4 Future World Summit, the largest European congress on food innovation, where they will share digital transformation strategies, success stories, and the latest trends in food production and consumption. Among the influential voices attending the summit are Javier Dueñas, CEO of Campofrío; Carmen Guelbenzu, Food Commercial Director at EROSKI; Suelen Tracastro de Souza, Head of Health Affairs at Danone; Isabel Sánchez, CEO of Delaviuda; Asunción Eguren, CEO of Bodegas Eguren Ugarte; and Joan Mir, General Director of Anecoop.

Drinks of the future: functionality, sustainability, and new consumption habits

The major food technology fair will shine a spotlight on the dynamic non-alcoholic beverage sector, a booming market where innovation is key to responding to emerging consumption trends, healthier preferences, and sustainability demands. Experts such as Laura Aranda, Business and Innovation Manager for Waters at Danone; Francisco Álvarez, Innovation Manager in Water and Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Hijos de Rivera; and Montserrat Rosell, Oenologist at Familia Torres, will share their insights on how brands are transforming their portfolios by developing products that combine quality, functionality, and environmental commitment.

Sustainability will be one of the core themes of the Beverages Industry Summit, especially the transition toward zero-emission industries. Cristina Rodríguez, Head of Sustainability at EROSKI, will highlight the main challenges the sector faces in this transition—from maintaining quality and competitiveness to adapting to new regulations and gaining the support of an increasingly informed consumer.

A similar commitment to sustainability and resilience can be seen in the dairy sector, where collaboration is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will be addressed by representatives from leading companies and cooperatives, such as Naroa Sarasua, Head of Sustainability at Kaiku Cooperative; Ana Alicia Bolívar, Head of Sustainability at COVAP; and Rubén Hidalgo, Director of Capsa Vida, who will emphasize sector-wide partnerships as a key tool for driving more responsible production and consumption practices.

New ingredients and alternative proteins: innovation for more sustainable nutrition

In parallel, the challenge of ensuring access to sustainable protein for a growing global population will open the floor for debate on new alternative sources. Anna Handschuh, Head of Global Public Affairs & Impact at Gourmey; Lou Cooperhouse, Founder, President and CEO of Blue Nalu; and Laura Pedrós, Business Development Specialist at LevProt, will explore innovative sources that can be integrated into food products to meet consumer needs and market trends—new ways to deliver nutritious solutions with a lower environmental footprint.

The future of food also hinges on the development of next-generation ingredients capable of improving the nutritional profile, functionality, and sustainability of foods. Experts from Tecnalia, Leitat, and the National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA) will present the latest research and technological advances driving this invisible yet essential revolution aimed at satisfying an increasingly informed consumer. Meanwhile, representatives from Clusaga, Mediterranean Algae, and Poseidona will highlight how advanced processing and preservation techniques are reshaping the rules of the game in the food industry.

Personalisation, technology, and climate change: keys to the new food R&D

Personalisation and functionality are also gaining ground in food design, thanks to cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing, omics sciences, and new sustainable extraction techniques. Alvar Gràcia, Senior Researcher at Leitat; Javier Campión, Coordinator of the Health and Gastronomy Area at the GOe Tech Center of the Basque Culinary Center; and Leyre Urtasun Del Castillo, Head of Product Development in the R&D Department at CNTA, will analyse how these advances allow for the creation of products tailored to the specific needs of different population groups – children, the elderly, athletes – opening new paths for more precise, healthy, and sustainable nutrition.

The R&D Directors Summit at Expo FoodTech 2025 will also address one of the most pressing global challenges: the impact of climate change on food security. Experts from the Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), international representatives of the Association Climatologique de la Moyenne-Garonne et du Sud-Ouest (ACMG), as well as from the University of the Basque Country (UPV) and the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (Neiker), will delve into emerging risks for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, and the urgent need to design adaptation strategies to ensure the future availability and quality of food.

Anuga Select Japan 2025 returns to Tokyo Big Sight – A premier global platform for food innovation and international business matching.

Following its highly successful debut in 2024, Anuga Select Japan – part of the globally renowned “Anuga” food trade fair brand – is set to return for its second edition from April 15 to April 17, 2025, at Tokyo Big Sight. As one of the most internationally diverse food and beverage trade shows in Japan, Anuga Select Japan continues to solidify its position as a key event for global industry professionals seeking entry into the Japanese and wider Asian markets.

The inaugural edition in 2024 welcomed exhibitors from 9 countries, with over 86 % of participants coming from overseas—a strong testament to the show’s global appeal and uniqueness within Japan’s food trade fair landscape. This exceptional level of internationality is expected to grow even further in 2025, as the event expands its offerings and reach.

Anuga Select Japan 2025 will once again be held in conjunction with several prominent co-located exhibitions, including the internationally acclaimed ISM Japan (International Sweets and Snacks Trade Fair), FABEX Tokyo, Premium Food Show, and ProWine Tokyo. This combined format creates a powerful synergy, drawing a diverse audience of food and beverage professionals from across the globe and offering a comprehensive overview of current industry trends and innovations.

In response to the increasing global focus on health, sustainability, and ethical food production, this year’s edition will spotlight cutting-edge categories such as Organic and plant-based products, Nutritional supplements and functional foods, Eco-friendly packaging and sustainable supply chains.

As Japan continues to address the challenges of a super-aged society, the demand for products that promote longevity and wellness is growing rapidly. Anuga Select Japan 2025 will serve as a critical hub for discussion and exchange around these topics, particularly within the East Asian region. By facilitating meaningful connections between global suppliers and local buyers, the show will play a vital role in advancing food innovation and creating new business opportunities.

Organised under the esteemed Anuga brand by Koelnmesse, in partnership with industry leaders and regional stakeholders, Anuga Select Japan 2025 is poised to become an unmissable event for anyone involved in the future of food.

One of the world’s largest cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, Altinmarka, has launched a food & beverage product line made from upcycled cocoa fruit. The new range, Cacaonly, uses the natural sweetness of the cocoa fruit, eliminating the need for refined sugar.

At the heart of the Cacaonly range is the Cacaonly chocolate, a fruity and intense dark chocolate that is 100 % sweetened with dried cocoa fruit pulp. With production facilities in Europe and Turkey, Cacaonly chocolate is available as a couverture for global industry chocolate makers, and as a bar for consumers through Kahve Dünyası in Turkey.

Kahve Dünyası, a cafe chain with over 250 stores across the globe and a subsidiary of Altinmarka, has launched the Cacaonly beverage in Turkey. This iced drink is made with cocoa fruit juice, which gives it a tropical and lychee-like taste. The low-calorie drink has no added sugar, additives, or preservatives. A powdered-inspired version of the drink has also been launched by Altinmarka.

With the versatility of cocoa fruit as a sweetener, textural element, and sustainable ingredient in foods and beverages, Altinmarka is set to expand the Cacaonly product line, introducing more offerings.

To source its cocoa fruit ingredients, Altinmarka partners with Koa, a Swiss-Ghanaian scale-up that works with over 5,000 smallscale farmers in Ghana. By upcycling cocoa fruit pulp, Koa pays farmers in Ghana an additional income stream from cocoa, which farmers use to invest in their farms and improve their livelihoods.

‘Cacaonly is a testament to the power of partnership,’ says Anian Schreiber, CEO and Co-Founder of Koa. ‘By unlocking the full potential of the cocoa fruit, we’re proving that innovation and sustainability don’t have to be at odds—they can go hand in hand. Together with Altinmarka and Kahve Dünyası, we’re not just making chocolate and beverages; we’re rewriting the playbook for the cocoa industry—one that lifts farmers up and creates a more delicious, responsible future for all.’

Cacaonly is now available for the industry through Altinmarka.

1.7 billion liters of food in SIG’s sustainable packaging innovations

SIG announced the continued success of its SIG Terra portfolio, with a 15 % increase in sales for SIG Terra packaging materials for aseptic cartons in 2024. The growth is well above the strong 6 % overall revenue growth¹ of the company’s carton packaging and demonstrating the unbroken increase in market demand for sustainable packaging solutions. SIG Terra is SIG’s marker for sustainable packaging innovations, which the company constantly evolves for better.

In 2024 alone, approximately 1.7 billion liters of food were packed in packs made with SIG Terra packaging materials. Since its introduction, SIG has now sold enough packs with SIG Terra solutions to fill around 6 billion liters of food, marking a milestone in SIG’s mission to drive sustainable innovation. Market expansion in Europe and a successful sales ramp-up of the SIG Terra Alu-free + Full barrier packaging material in China further highlight the growing preference for SIG’s even more sustainable offerings. SIG Terra solutions in aseptic cartons accounted for 9.3 % of the food packed in SIG aseptic cartons in Europe – where uptake has remained strong – and 4.1 % worldwide.

Sustainable innovation as strategic pillar

SIG is dedicated to creating a regenerative future. The company continuously strives to actively protect and restore ecosystems, mitigate climate change, improve access to nutrition, cut food waste and accelerate innovation on circularity. To achieve this, SIG focuses on areas where it has the largest impact and opportunities. SIG’s packs are among the most sustainable packaging solutions in each relevant market segment² – and the company is innovating to reduce its environmental impact even further.

By developing innovative, even more sustainable packaging materials, SIG offers industry-leading solutions for customers with significantly reduced lifecycle carbon footprint and environmental impacts2. The SIG Terra portfolio represents SIG’s most sustainable packaging innovations, including aseptic carton packaging materials without aluminum layer, with polymers linked to forest-based and recycled materials through certified mass balance systems as well as recycle-ready bag-in-box and spouted pouch solutions.

With a strong focus on reducing fossil material use and carbon emissions, SIG has set multiple industry benchmarks, including the launch of the world’s first aluminum-free aseptic carton in 2010, with a full-barrier version for wider use with oxygen-sensitive products such as fruit juices, nectars, flavored milk or plant-based beverages following in 2022 and the first recycle-ready bag-in-box for water in 2021.

Sustainable transition without additional investment

As demand for sustainable packaging grows, SIG’s advanced solutions allow food and beverage manufacturers to align with consumer preferences and achieve their sustainability targets. SIG Terra packaging materials without aluminum layer are designed to be compatible with existing SIG filling lines in the market and enable customers to transition to more sustainable packaging options without the need for additional CAPEX.

Commitment to a regenerative future

SIG remains committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable packaging. With a focus on innovation, SIG continues to refine its portfolio, ensuring that its solutions not only meet but exceed industry sustainability standards. Christoph Wegener, Chief Markets Officer at SIG, underscores this dedication: “The success of our SIG Terra portfolio shows that the demand for even more sustainable packaging solutions is accelerating. At SIG, we are driven by a vision of a regenerative future, and we are proud to support our customers in making meaningful progress in their sustainability targets.”

¹at constant currency
²based on independent ISO-compliant life-cycle assessments available at https://www.sig.biz/en/sustainability/life-cycle-assessments

The Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA), an association formed from the merger of two established organisations, announced its launch as a unified platform dedicated to advancing beverage cartons as essential, renewable, and circular packaging solutions.

The organisation is the result of the merger of ACE (The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) and EXTR:ACT, two European associations that have championed beverage cartons as a sustainable packaging solution and the industry’s work in ensuring they are collected and recycled.

With a vision to expand beyond Europe, FBCA aspires to unite beverage carton manufacturers and their paperboard suppliers in driving sustainable packaging solutions that enhance food security, reduce waste, and advance low-carbon circular economies.

An ambition for a sustainable future

Food and beverage cartons as essential components of resilient food systems. By leveraging renewable resources and continuously improving their environmental performance, food and beverage cartons play a crucial role in extending the shelf life of perishable foods, reducing waste, and ensuring safety and quality for consumers worldwide.

“Our industry is working tirelessly in designing fully renewable and sustainable packaging solutions that meet the needs of both consumers and the planet,” Patrick Verhelst, President of the FBCA Board said. “We are excited to expand globally and champion the role of beverage cartons in building a more resilient, low-carbon future.”

New board announced

The newly elected FBCA Board representing its five founding members includes:

• Patrick Verhelst, President FBCA and Senior Director of Business Development, Elopak;
• Ulrika Wedberg, Vice President FBCA and Executive Vice-President Sustainability & Public Affairs, Billerud;
• Karina Boers, Head of Sustainability Development, SIG;
• Tamara Bullock, Director Corporate Affairs, Europe and Americas, Tetra Pak;
• Erik Hallberg, Vice-President Coating, Converting and Digital Technology, Stora Enso

“Through FBCA’s Global Centers of Expertise, Advocacy and Communications, we will provide the evidence and benchmarks needed to lead the way in sustainability progress,” said Annick Carpentier, FBCA Executive Director of Global Advocacy. “We look forward to working with global partners in driving a circular bioeconomy, maximising functionality and efficiency along the life cycle.”

FBCA unites industry leaders and global stakeholders in ensuring the long-term viability of a thriving food and beverage carton sector, optimising the performance of the life cycle of food and packaging systems. Together, FBCA will contribute its knowledge, expertise and leadership to develop robust regulatory frameworks for food packaging worldwide.

At BIOFACH 2025, around 2,300 exhibiting companies from 94 countries will present the diversity and innovative strength of the organic world.

Nuremberg is the venue today for the launch of BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Fair for Organic Food. From 11 to 14 February 2025, the sector will gather in the organic food metropolis to collectively tackle global challenges and build networks. The theme of this year’s accompanying congress is “Yes, we do! How to effect change in the organic food segment”. Some 2,300 exhibiting companies from 94 countries are set to showcase the diversity and innovative strength of the organic community. “BIOFACH 2025 will show how the sector is actively shaping change. In times of multiple crises, ecological transformation is more important than ever. With its comprehensive product display in nine exhibition halls and accompanying congress, BIOFACH sees itself as a guiding force that provides direction, dialogue, and leading-edge inspiration,” explains Dominik Dietz, Director of BIOFACH.

At BIOFACH 2025, stakeholders from the entire value chain will gain a comprehensive overview of the products and solutions available. In nine exhibition halls, they’ll discover a wide variety of products from international exhibitors who have travelled from all over the world but primarily from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and Austria. Almost half of the participating companies have organic ingredients for food and natural cosmetics as well as vegetarian and vegan options in their product ranges. This development is also reflected in the BIOFACH Trends of 2025. The Trend Jury, made up of experts from the organic and sustainability sector, has chosen this year’s industry trends: “Next-level Plant-based” and “We, Myself and I”. The former describes the dynamic development of plant-based alternatives on the market, where innovative products that combine flavour and sustainability are setting new benchmarks. “We, Myself and I” reflects the conflict between idealism and hedonism. Price and variety are at the forefront of purchasing decisions, while sustainability has taken a back seat. Nevertheless, consumers still want transparency and environmental awareness from manufacturers.

This is also happening at the product level. The product trends in 2025 range from rebellious moments of (organic) indulgence (Rebel’s Choice) and plant-based taste sensations (Vegan en Vogue) to high-quality convenience products (Culinary Ease), eco-friendly beverages for every occasion (Cheers to Every Moment), and foodstuffs with added benefits (Functional Finesse).

Highlights from the supporting programme

In 171 individual sessions, the 2025 BIOFACH Congress offers a platform for the industry’s thought leaders. Seven different forums cover topics such as market developments, trends, policy frameworks, best practice examples, and “food for thought”. The congress theme, which was devised by the BÖLW (German Federation of Organic Food Producers), the national supporting organization of BIOFACH, and BIOFACHs international patron IFOAM – Organics International, is: “Yes, we do! How to effect change in the organic food segment”. As an interactive format, the SustainableFutureLab invites participants to discuss critical issues and open new perspectives. Via the BIOFACH digital platform, numerous programme highlights will be live-streamed and will then be available for about six months after the fair as on-demand videos. The networking tools provided also facilitate discussions between industry experts.

The professional audience can look forward to a wide-ranging supporting programme with many new features and highlights. The INNOVATION STAGE and PRESENTATION STAGE provide a platform for young start-ups and organic pioneers to showcase their diverse products and creative ideas. In 2025, the PLANETARY HEALTH world of experience (formerly World of VEGAN) will also cover topics like the planetary health diet and whole foods as well as plant-based solutions. The special display area “Organic Food in OOH” has been expanded yet again. This is where interested visitors will find best practice examples and exhibitor presentations and can gain deeper insights into out-of-home and institutional catering in live cooking demonstrations and guided tours.

Anyone wanting to find out what the future of organic food could look like should make their way, for example, to the BIOFACH Novelty Stand, the International Newcomers & Start-ups area in Hall 4A, the “Young Innovators” pavilion subsidised by the BMWK (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) and the BIOFACH start-up pitches. Participants are also encouraged to vote for their favourite product either online or at the Novelty Stand to win the Best New Product Award. This accolade is awarded in 12 categories on the last day of the fair.

Almost half of UK consumers intend to spend on Valentine’s Day this year or have already started to spend on it. This is an uplift on 2024 and has been driven by those aged 25-34. With this age group more likely to have young families, consumers plan to buy for partners and significant loved ones such as children and friends. Retailers have the opportunity to utilise the popularity of this occasion among these shoppers to encourage larger basket sizes and boost average spending, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Retail Occasions: Valentine’s Day Intentions 2025,” reveals 69.3 % of UK 25–34-year-olds intend to spend on this occasion, marking a 7.8 percentage points (ppts) uplift on 2024 intentions. This age group will account for almost a quarter of Valentine’s Day shoppers in 2025, meaning this is a core target demographic for retailers.

Zoe Mills, Lead Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Intention to spend on Valentine’s Day is high, but few consumers have started to spend on this occasion so far in January, meaning retailers still have plenty of time to entice shoppers to purchase. The grocers are in the best position, with the intention to spend the highest among the food & drink and gifting categories. Romance-themed meal deals including prosecco/champagne, should be promoted at the front of stores.

“However, with the target audience likely to have children, retailers should also include Valentine’s Day-themed products that appeal to a much younger audience. Retailers should emulate Marks & Spencer’s range, including items like Love Hearts Biscuit Kits, enabling adults and children to decorate heart-themed biscuits.”

While partners are the main recipients among Valentine’s Day gift shoppers, more consumers intend to spend on their children for the event, highlighting that this occasion is not just about romantic love but also familial love, coupled with self-love and the appreciation of one’s friends.

Mills continues: “There is ample opportunity for retailers to broaden their reach with this occasion and ensuring a variety of more generic love-themed designs will enable their products to be gifted to a broad range of recipients. 11.9% of Valentine’s shoppers intend to purchase gifts for friends, up 3.2ppts on 2024. This trend is driven by Gen Z consumers, with 59% of this generation stating that Valentine’s Day is not just an occasion to treat their partner and that they like to buy gifts or cards for other loved ones. Events such as Galentine’s Day parties, celebrating friendship, may still be niche but must not be ignored by retailers.”

GlobalData expects that food & drink gifts will be the most popular among Valentine’s Day shoppers, and retailers must ensure plenty of food & drink gift sets to appeal to shoppers, focusing on confectionery and alcoholic drink gift sets.

Mills concludes: “Retailers must focus on food & drink gifts, where the intention to spend is high. The higher intention to spend on these items also implies that Valentine’s Day gifts are more of a token than an excuse to splurge on premium options such as fine jewellery, and retailers must ensure a broad pricing architecture to appeal. Flowers are also an accessible option for male Valentine’s Day shoppers, and providing a broad range to cater to different colour preferences is crucial. Red roses or red & pink bouquets should not be the only options; fun and colourful bouquets could appeal to those looking for something less traditional and more generally to those seeking these gifts for friends.”

The Commission has adopted a ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials, due to its potentially harmful health impact. BPA is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of certain plastics and resins.

The ban means that BPA will not be allowed in products that come into contact with food or drink, such as the coating on metal cans, reusable plastic drink bottles, water distribution coolers and other kitchenware. The ban follows a positive vote by EU Member States earlier this year, and a scrutiny period by the Council and the European Parliament, and takes into account the latest scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA notably concluded that BPA had potentially harmful effects on the immune system, and the proposed ban followed both a public consultation and extensive discussions with all Member States.

BPA is already banned in the EU for infant bottles and similar products. For most products, there will be an 18-month phase out period, and very limited exceptions where no alternatives exist, to allow industry time to adapt and avoid disruption in the food chain. The ban also includes other bisphenols that are harmful to the reproductive and endocrine systems.

Oliver Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health & Animal Welfare, said: “Maintaining high food safety standards in the European Union and protecting citizens is one of the Commission’s highest priorities. Today’s ban, which is based on solid scientific advice, will protect our consumers against harmful chemicals where they can come into contact with their food and drink.”

The prospect of a family Christmas is proving to be far from joyous for Britain’s young consumers, as the latest research from Mintel finds almost six in ten (58 %) 16-24-year-olds say spending time with their family over the festive period is stressful — considerably higher than the national average of 42 %. Stress declines rapidly with age as just 18 % of consumers aged 65 and over anticipate family time this Christmas will be stressful.

Meanwhile, the nation’s children are set to be winners this Christmas, as almost a quarter (23 %) of parents plan to spend more on toys/games this year, compared to (18 %) in 2023.

Mintel sales predictions

Mintel forecasts retail sales by value in November and December (both for in-store and online on food and non-food) to hit £ 95.4 billion. This represents an increase of 1.4 % compared to last November and December when sales reached £ 94.1 billion. Retailers face tougher comparative figures this year compared to 2023, when inflation was higher. However, we expect slightly stronger volume growth, with total sales by volume estimated to grow 1.6 % compared to a -2.0 % decline in 2023, helped by stronger spending intention from select consumer groups (particularly high earners) for the festive period.

Nick Carroll, Category Director of Mintel Retail Insights, said: “Spending time with loved ones is at the heart of festive celebrations, but the reality is that for many, extended periods with family can also create stressful situations. Brands can lean into these potentially tension-inducing family celebrations by offering escapism, especially for younger consumers. Ensuring younger shoppers can still express their individuality during party season is important, and brands can lean into the energy of 2024, as Converse and Charli XcX’s Christmas campaign clearly does. While there’s no escape for those hosting Christmas, brands can be inspired by Ninja Kitchen’s campaign featuring David Beckham, which highlights products that make hosting easier. Wellbeing-related gifting, or self-gifting, will be a key trend this year to help individuals enjoy some ‘me-time’.

“Confidence has been shaky in 2024, with the wounds of the cost of living crisis still healing for most, and the signals for short-term prospects of the UK economy and standard of living at best mixed. However, the festive period is typically when consumers look to shrug off any negativity of the preceding year and ultimately let off some steam. In 2023, the financial pressure was too much to ignore and spending suffered, but the signs are that there will be a little more scope to cut loose in 2024.

“In ‘essential’ areas such as food and drink and children’s gifting, the indications are that a broader church of shoppers will look to, as much as they can, indulge a little more. This will most directly benefit the grocers, but in gifting there will be far more opportunity for premium products and retailers.”

Study found that a combination of a probiotic and prebiotic—referred to as a “synbiotic”—can significantly reduce heart muscle damage caused by diet-induced cardiac disease

In a new peer reviewed study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Basic to Translational Science, Irish researchers have discovered novel links between gut microbes, inflammation and heart disease. Additionally, the study demonstrated that giving a single probiotic combined with a soluble dietary fibre protects against heart disease. The study used Tate & Lyle’s PROMITOR^® Soluble Corn Fibre as the prebiotic component.

The study shows the profound impact of the gut-heart connection on cardiac health. For the first time, a human scale model revealed the full extent of the “gut-heart axis,” showing how gut microbe imbalance and inflammation originating in the gut can contribute to heart damage. Excitingly, the study found that a combination of a probiotic and prebiotic – referred to as a “synbiotic” – can significantly reduce heart muscle damage caused by diet-induced cardiac disease.

This research, led by scientists from APC Microbiome Ireland (APC), a world-leading Research Ireland centre based at University College Cork (UCC), and Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority), was conducted in collaboration with Tate & Lyle, a world leader in ingredient solutions for healthier and tastier food and beverages. The findings demonstrate the potential of reducing the risk of heart disease – especially in people with poor diets and obesity, half of whom experience cardiovascular issues – by manipulating the gut microbiome with synbiotics.

“This is the first time that a bacteria residing only in the gut has successfully been used to treat heart disease associated with obesity and high blood pressure, and our synbiotic treatment equals some of the best available cardiac drugs in a human scale model. This work opens new avenues for potentially groundbreaking disease-modifying therapy in patients with obesity, high blood pressure and diet-related heart disease,” said Prof. Noel Caplice, an APC Principal Investigator, Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at UCC, and Consultant Cardiologist at Cork University Hospital.

Prof. Catherine Stanton, Senior Principal Research Officer at Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre and an APC Principal Investigator, emphasised the innovative potential of this work: “This study highlights the critical role the gut microbiome plays in our health and physiology. Our results are a testament to the power of harnessing gut microbes to protect against some chronic diseases like heart failure. It’s an exciting step forward in personalised nutrition.”

Dr Kavita Karnik, Global Head of Nutrition, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at Tate & Lyle praised the innovative work, commenting: “At Tate & Lyle, we are proud to support and partner in cutting-edge research that explores how our dietary fibres, when combined with probiotic strains, can be used to improve health outcomes. It is exciting to see the integral role played by PROMITOR^® Soluble Corn Fibre in this unique symbiotic combination. This work creates new opportunities to leverage our science and ingredients to have a positive impact on significant public health challenges such as obesity and associated cardiometabolic outcomes.”

The paper, ‘Targeting the Gut-Heart Axis Improves Cardiac Remodelling in a Clinical Scale Model of Cardiometabolic Syndrome’, is available to read online here.

The escalating food waste crisis in the Asia-Pacific region presents a significant challenge that demands urgent attention from stakeholders across the supply chain. To combat this, foodservice operators are increasingly adopting recycling as a cornerstone of sustainable practices. Sustainability initiatives in the food and beverage industry include ethical sourcing, food waste reduction, and implementing composting programs and efficient waste management systems, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Shravani Mali, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “As awareness around sustainability grows, consumers increasingly prioritise ethical considerations in their purchasing decisions. Consumer demand for sustainability efforts among food service establishments and the food and beverage industry is accelerating, pushing restaurants to use more recycled materials, reduce waste and decrease their carbon footprint.

Governments across Asia have launched various initiatives to act against the crisis. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the environmental, economic, and social implications of food waste, which is a persistent challenge across the region.

For instance, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in Australia, food waste is a persistent issue in the country, with an estimated 7.6 million tons of food discarded each year. Under the National Food Waste Strategy, the Australian government aims to halve the country’s food waste by 2030. Approximately 4 % of Australian food waste comes from the hospitality and foodservice sector¹.

Moreover, in the Chinese municipal waste structure, approximately 50 % accounts for food waste². As a sign of hospitality in the Chinese culture, people tend to order more food than they can eat. Prompted by these concerns, the Chinese government issued the Anti-Food Waste Law (AFWL), which aims to alleviate food waste.

Tim Hill, Key Account Director, SE Asia at GlobalData adds: “As a result of rapid urbanisation, population growth, and a complex food supply chain in APAC, there is a rising need to implement strategies to reduce food waste, thereby enhancing sustainability.”

For instance, food waste that is unsuitable for human or animal consumption such as fruit/vegetable peels and eggshells can be used to enrich the soil or as a natural fertiliser for landscapes.

Hill adds: “Additionally, redistributing excess food in collaboration with nonprofit organisations and food banks will foster a sense of responsibility towards food resources. Hence, such initiatives are expected to reflect a considerable decrease in the environmental footprint.”

Mali concludes: “The growing food waste problem in the APAC region demands immediate action and collaborative efforts across sectors to establish sustainable practices, enhance resource efficiency, and establish a resilient and responsible food system. Tackling this issue is crucial not only for environmental sustainability but also for bolstering the economic and social welfare of the APAC region.”

¹CSIRO, November 2023
²Environmental Change and Security Program – Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, December 2023
³GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey – Asia & Australasia, with 6,000 respondents, published October 2024

Mintel, the experts in what consumers want and why, has announced three key trends that will shape consumer behaviour in the years ahead. In 2025 and beyond, we’ll witness the human mind, nature and technology aim to find harmony, though not always achieve it. Consumers and brands will live in a pendulum that constantly swings between a sense of control and a loss of control. Mintel’s objective for 2025 is to delve into the nuances of all seven Mintel Trend Drivers (Value, Wellbeing, Identity, Rights, Technology, Surroundings and Experiences) across three different contexts: Home, Community and Globe.

The three consumer trends for 2025 are:

• The Home: Under Construction

In an unpredictable housing market, true comfort and authenticity in our homes will come from celebrating imperfections and individuality rather than chasing an ideal that often eludes us.

• The Community: Linked Lives

Communities will exist in a collaborative space that defies physical limits, inspired by what brands and consumers can imagine together.

• The Globe: Tradition in Transition

The way things have always been done is changing by force as much as choice. Brands will need to embrace this inevitability to sustain progress and relevance.

The Home: Under Construction

Daniel Takacs, Mintel Associate Director, Consumer Trends, said: “The purpose of ‘home’ is evolving, and brands are being put at the forefront to inspire pieces of a home—not a complete home. Consumers are no longer waiting for the perfect functional space to start living. As people rebalance their routines and habits, they are doing so through a lens of optimising their time (e.g. multitasking) and their well-being (e.g. rituals). This contradiction of harmonising productivity with self-care is shaping the future of the home.

“As individuals grapple with the challenges of securing a stable home and accept that ownership expectations don’t always align with reality, familiar comforts will become even more vital. The growth of childless couples, new relationship models and ageing in your own home and communities, will all influence how people want to live. Concurrently, remote work will reshape family dynamics, impacting how children develop attachment bonds in environments where parents are constantly present. Modern home life, where emotional, practical and economic factors all play critical roles, will result in a reevaluation of defined household roles. In the envisioned future, home is not merely a place to live; it is a hub of health, efficiency and personalised comfort.”

The Community: Linked Lives

Daniel Takacs, Mintel Associate Director, Consumer Trends, said:
“In the face of inevitable change, people are looking to form stronger, sustainable and long-lasting connections to help them grow resilient to whatever life throws at them. Driven by a need to prepare for everything from climate change events to political shifts, the complexity and unpredictability of these issues make it neither logical nor desirable to tackle them alone. Consequently, social groups have become a necessary part of how people plan for the future, seeking out intentional companionship and collective support.

“Despite a fear of growing loneliness and isolation, there’s optimism in the fact that self-expression invites community, whether it’s Swifties or coffee enthusiasts. A brand’s tone can foster a sense of belonging and empowerment with its audiences, shaping a space where individuals can thrive and engage positively with each other.

“Ultimately, brands will have to adopt a balanced approach to AI, ensuring it supports human self-expression to mitigate the risk of increased social isolation. Brands will not only be viewed as a resource for products, but they will be central to creating spaces where individuals feel valued and supported.”

The Globe: Tradition in Transition

Daniel Takacs, Mintel Associate Director, Consumer Trends, said: “Consumers can no longer go about their daily lives without an awareness of the global changes at play, from extreme weather to advancing technology. Brands must be acutely aware of the evolving consumer sentiment that swings between moral values and basic needs. Environmental change, technological advancement and ageing populations will cause significant challenges for consumers. Tensions will arise between generations as Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) remain active well into old age, and Gen Alpha (born 2010-25) demand attention.

“In addition, the norms around health and beauty will see a notable shift, with the use of weight-loss drugs and cosmetic surgery becoming normalised. While these trends reflect shifting attitudes towards body image, as consumer expectations evolve, there will be a growing emphasis on transparency, safety and efficacy in health and beauty products. Brands will be called on to address immediate aesthetic desires and also prioritise long-term health, setting the stage for a future where wellness is accessible.”

Download the free report to learn more about Mintel’s 2025 Global Consumer Trends.

Symrise continued its profitable growth trajectory in the first nine months of the year, achieving organic sales growth of 11.1 %. Considering portfolio and exchange rate effects, Group revenue rose to EUR 3,824 million in the first nine months (9M 2023: EUR 3,610 million), a plus of 5.9 % compared to the year-ago period. Both segments contributed to the positive development and increased sales in a global economic environment that remained challenging. In the third quarter, overall sales increased organically by 10.2 %. Despite negative exchange rate effects of 4.0 %, sales grew by 5.2 % in the reporting currency. Against the backdrop of robust organic growth, Symrise has specified its organic growth target, sales expected to come in at around 7 %.

Jean-Yves Parisot, CEO of Symrise AG: “Symrise was able to seamlessly continue the positive business development of the past months in the third quarter. Despite the current volatile market environment due to geopolitical tensions and continued inflation pressure, we are confident for the rest of the year and expect robust demand. Our diversified portfolio and broad, international footprint will continue to help us realise our growth potential and create sustainable value this year. We are firmly convinced that we have set the right course for the future.”

Sales development by region

The strongest organic growth was recorded in the Latin America region with 27.4 %, followed by the Asia/Pacific region with 11.2 % and EAME (Europe, Africa, Middle East) with 11.1 %. The main growth drivers were the Food & Beverage, Fragrance, Aroma Molecules and Pet Food business units. The North America region achieved organic growth of 2.3 %, driven primarily by the Food & Beverage and Aroma Molecules business units.

High growth in food, beverages and pet food

The Taste, Nutrition & Health segment increased sales organically by 10.4 % in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. In the third quarter, organic growth was 11.3 %. Taking into account portfolio and currency effects, the segment’s revenue rose to EUR 2,349 million in the first nine months (9M 2023: EUR 2,267 million). The portfolio effect from the sale of the beverage trading business in the UK within the Food & Beverage business unit had a negative impact of EUR 27 million on sales development.

The Food & Beverage division achieved double-digit organic growth in percentage terms. Strong growth impulses came from the application areas for sweet and savory products and beverages. All four regions, especially the EAME region, achieved high growth. The Naturals application area increased its revenues, especially in the North America and EAME regions.

The Pet Food division also achieved double-digit organic growth in percentage terms in the first nine months. Sales development was particularly dynamic in the Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions, with double-digit organic growth.

Sales development in the Aqua Feed business unit recorded declining organic growth. As part of the further portfolio streamlining with a focus on high-margin growth areas, Symrise intends to sell the business.

The probiotics business, which includes the majority stake in the listed company Probi AB, Lund, Sweden, generated slight growth, driven by the EAME region.

Strong sales growth in Consumer Fragrance and significant recovery in Aroma Molecules

The Scent & Care segment, which manages the fragrances, perfumery applications and cosmetic active ingredients business, achieved organic sales growth of 12.2 % in the first nine months and 8.4 % in the third quarter respectively. Taking into account portfolio and currency effects, revenue for the first nine months amounted to EUR 1,475 million (9M 2023: EUR 1,343 million).

The Fragrance division increased its sales organically in the double-digit percentage range in the first nine months. In particular, the Consumer Fragrance application area achieved double-digit percentage growth. The EAME, Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions in particular experienced very high market dynamics. The Fine Perfumery application area also continued its very positive development and achieved high single-digit percentage organic growth. Here, the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions recorded good growth. The Oral Care application area achieved single-digit percentage organic growth, with good growth especially in the North America and Asia/Pacific regions.

Sales in the Aroma Molecules division recovered significantly in the first nine months of the current year. While the market environment continues to prove challenging, the resumption of production in Colonels Island, USA has resulted in a significant year-on-year increase in revenue. High double-digit growth figures were achieved in all regions.

Sales in the Cosmetic Ingredients division continued to develop strongly with high single-digit percentage organic growth. Revenues increased significantly in the EAME, Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions. Only the North America region showed just a slight year-on-year growth. The application areas for micro-protection and actives and botanicals also recorded very strong growth impulses.

Symrise specifies growth target for 2024

Based on the good business performance in the first nine months, Symrise is specifying its sales target for the full year 2024. The Group is now aiming for organic sales growth of around 7 %. The Group’s long-term organic growth expectation of 5 % to 7 % (CAGR) remains unchanged. The long-term EBITDA margin is expected to be in the range of 20 % to 23 %.

• Fundamentally nutritious: The emergence of weight-loss medications like Ozempic will redefine consumer perceptions of ‘food as medicine’ from being an added functional ingredient, to necessary to meeting daily essential nutrient needs.
• Rule rebellion:  Embrace consumers as ‘perfectly imperfect’ beings who are hungry for brands that help them ‘break the rules’ in food and drink.
• Chain reaction: As disruptions to the food supply become more frequent, the industry will need to encourage consumers to welcome and trust the new origins, ingredients and flavours that will emerge locally and globally.
• Hybrid harvests: Food and drink companies will need to illustrate how technology and agriculture work together to benefit consumers, farmers and the environment.

Fundamentally nutritious

Alex Beckett, Mintel Food & Drink Director, said: “The emergence of GLP-1 weight-loss medications will inspire consumers to reevaluate the relationship between food and medicine. Starting in 2025, brands must streamline their health claims to the critical nutrients they contain. Simplified claims that highlight protein, fibre, vitamins and mineral content will appeal to people who are using weight-loss drugs, as well as the majority of consumers who define their diets based on their individual needs and how food makes them feel. Expect to see an increase in nutrient-dense product innovations to improve short- and long-term health.

“Increased adoption of personal data collection will happen at the same time as consumers paying more attention to two metrics that are key to how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs work in the body: blood sugar and hormone health. Rising interest in blood sugar could increase the demand for low-glycemic formulas, as well as blood sugar monitoring beyond just diabetics. For hormone health, brands can support men and women as they navigate hormonal changes brought on by ageing.”

Rule rebellion 

Alex Beckett, Mintel Food & Drink Director, said: “As society increasingly accepts imperfections, food and drink brands can target these ‘perfectly imperfect’ consumers with innovation that breaks the invisible rules around food and drink consumption. Brands can lean into how consumers want to, or actually, consume food and drink rather than how they feel they ‘should’. By supporting these rebellious tendencies, brands can help consumers feel more represented by the outside-the-norm food and drink choices available to them.

“In the near future, brands will seek to break down continued social stigmas surrounding lesser-talked-about health issues. For example, currently less-seen on-pack and marketing messaging that directly mentions the role of food and drink in mental health management will become more commonplace. Meanwhile, there is further potential for ‘rule-breaking’ innovation from food and drink brands that are feeling the pressure to be sustainable, despite knowing that consumers won’t necessarily pay more for eco-credentials. Innovative brands can create new norms by developing products with unfamiliar sustainable ingredients that can be marketed on their unique taste.”

Chain reaction

Alex Beckett, Mintel Food & Drink Director, said: “More frequent climate-related production challenges and geopolitical events are increasing consumers’ food bills and awareness of how distant world events can affect their meal plans. In an increasingly volatile world, food and drink brands must clearly communicate how adjustments from local to global sourcing were made to benefit consumers. Cross-industry, multinational collaboration and scalable tech solutions will be required, but they are not without complications. More importantly, consumers will feel the consequences of these challenges personally, and brands must be ready with solutions.

“Looking ahead, more ingredients will be sourced from alternative and potentially more reliable growing regions, such as olive oil from Algeria or Peru. Brands can highlight the benefits of diversified sourcing, such as nuanced flavour variations. Many consumers’ local-centric identities will be transformed by social media, immigration and travel.”

Hybrid harvests

Alex Beckett, Mintel Food & Drink Director, said: “A greater use of technology in food and drink production is inevitable to meet current food supply challenges, yet many consumers are not ready to embrace it. Despite this resistance, brands can tap into consumers being open to technological advances that, for example, enhance convenience. They will need to tell consumers how nature and technology complement – or better yet, enhance – each other.

“Over the next few years, food and drink brands must prioritise how these technological advancements benefit the consumer first through better taste, greater nutrition or consistent supply—and the environment second. It will be imperative that new technology is humanised, particularly AI. For example, German juice brand Eckes-Granini’s marketing video announcing its partnership with Microsoft draws attention to how this technology makes a positive difference in their producers’ lives, not just making production more efficient.”

Download the free report to learn more about Mintel’s 2025 Global Food and Drink Trends.

Symrise announces the opening of a new office and lab facility for Food & Beverage in Beijing. To optimally serve the dynamic and rapidly growing consumer base in the area the company has invested EUR 1.5 million in the facility. The location will enhance the R&D capabilities, customer proximity, and market presence in the North of China.

The country’s diverse and evolving tastes, driven by a rising middle class and increasing urbanisation, lead to stronger demand for beverages, dairy, culinary, and snacks. By expanding its presence in China, particularly with the new facility in Beijing, Symrise can perfectly cater to local preferences and swiftly respond to market trends.

The 800 sqm facility in Beijing covers 250 sqm of office space and 400 sqm of advanced laboratory areas as well as 150 sqm administration rooms. The labs include specialised zones for beverage and dairy creation, application, savory creation as well as snacks and seasonings, each equipped with dedicated workstations and evaluation rooms. This state-of-the-art setup enables Symrise to develop products tailored to the market. It can also provide comprehensive and swift support to customers in the region, ensuring timely and efficient service.

A key market for food & beverage applications

“China represents a crucial market for Symrise due to its dynamic and rapidly growing consumer base in food & beverage applications. As a logical consequence we have expanded our Beijing site to significantly enhance our R&D capabilities,” said Walter Ribeiro, Global President, Food & Beverage at Symrise. “With a focus on customer proximity and technical excellence, this facility will serve as a vital hub for innovation and customer collaboration.

The facility also adds further resources to the company’s main lab in Shanghai, ensuring continuous support and resource optimization. It offers an improved working environment for the team, with modern amenities and a design that balances flexibility, efficiency, and local cultural elements.

“This strategic positioning enhances our ability to innovate and introduce new products tailored to Chinese consumers,” adds Robert Marti, VP North Asia, Food & Beverage at Symrise. “It also strengthens our engagements with local food and beverage producers. As we continue to develop and optimise our offerings, both our customers and consumers will benefit from a broader range of high-quality products, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty in this key region.”

The Beijing office and lab underscore Symrise’s commitment to innovation, customer intimacy, and market expansion. With additional hires of technical experts, the company sees itself well-positioned to drive growth and deliver superior products across various categories. Symrise anticipates this facility will enhance its current offerings and open market opportunities, solidifying its presence in the Northern China and beyond.

Good value for money more important than low price – and organic is back

The complexity of world affairs has not lessened since March 2023. World crises have not gone away, rather the opposite. One positive development is that the inflation rate dropped in Europe¹. This change is also reflected in the survey by Südzucker regarding consumers’ price sensitivity. If the price sensitivity is decreasing, other aspects of purchase criteria must gain importance in comparison. But what are the growing interests of consumers when buying food & beverages?

Main purchase criteria – naturlness, organic and regionality gain focus

The top three drivers for purchasing food & beverages did not change: taste, health and price. But while taste and price dropped significantly, health remained stable. Aspects like naturalness, organic and regionality, however, are continuing to grow in importance.

Taste as the number one purchase decision remained on a high level and far above from the second important driver – health. The drop may indicate that taste is more and more of a given for the consumer and a must-have. The fact that a good taste and sensory profile is a matter of course is also evident when it comes to sugar-reduced products.

Taste as the number one purchase decision remained on a high level and far above from the second important driver – health. The drop may indicate that taste is more and more of a given for the consumer and a must-have. The fact that a good taste and sensory profile is a matter of course is also evident when it comes to sugar-reduced products. 60 % (incl. Italy) are concerned about how sugar reduction in food/drinks is achieved. In comparison to price, taste went down in Belgium and the UK, while price fell significantly in all countries. One potential reason for consumers‘ decreasing price sensitivity could be explained by the decreasing inflation rate in Europe¹; consumers no longer look for the cheapest product, but for the product with the best value for money that also fulfils other consumer needs. It must be clear to consumers what they are getting for their money …

Please download the full Südzucker Consumer Study 2024 for free under www.suedzucker.com.

¹Source: Eurostat – Annual inflation down to 2.45 in the euro area (europa.eu)

GNT is working to develop new plant-based, sustainable EXBERRY^® colour solutions for food and drink using unique fermentation technologies.

The company has been creating EXBERRY^® colours from fruit, vegetables, and plants since its foundation in 1978. It is now expanding into fermentation for the first time to increase innovation and sustainability in its plant-based solutions.

Producing colours through fermentation allows for improved functionality as well as highly efficient and sustainable year-round production. Once the raw materials have been cultivated, they can be scaled up in larger bioreactors for industrial production. This phase involves maintaining optimal conditions to ensure high biomass yield and pigment concentration.

To deliver on its aims, GNT has chosen to collaborate with Plume Biotechnology, a UK-based start-up focused on innovation in fermentation science and bioprocessing for natural colours.

Frederik Hoeck, GNT Group’s Managing Director, said: “As pioneers in plant-based colors, innovation has always been crucial to GNT and we’re fully committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions for our customers. As a family business, we understand the importance of acting responsibly and ensuring we are truly sustainable. This partnership with Plume will help us add new, futureproof options to our plant-based EXBERRY^® portfolio.”

Thomas Burns, CEO at Plume Biotechnology, said: “The rapid evolution of fermentation-based technologies is providing unprecedented opportunities within the realms of natural colours. Plume is passionate about translating these cutting-edge technological developments into healthy, exciting, and sustainable products for consumers. In GNT, we have found the perfect strategic partner with a shared commitment to delivering excellent products whilst keeping sustainability at the heart of everything we do.”

The collaboration is designed to help GNT expand the options in its plant-based EXBERRY^® portfolio while meeting its sustainability ambitions. In 2022, GNT announced 17 targets to optimise its environmental and social impacts by the end of the decade.

Its Sustainability Report 2023 revealed significant progress on many of those goals, including a 22 % reduction in carbon intensity at the company’s factories since 2020 and a 13 % improvement in water efficiency.

Finn Rieken, Strategy Director at GNT Group, said: “We are committed to leading the food colouring industry on sustainability. As well as promoting responsible agriculture and cutting emissions at our factories, we’re constantly exploring new options for highly sustainable colours that can deliver exceptional performance. We believe fermentation-based colours have huge potential to tick both those boxes. We are confident that working with Plume will allow us to deliver exciting new plant-based, sustainable solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.”

Explore how different food and beverage categories in Germany are developing

Germany, known for its love of hearty meals and indulgent treats, is experiencing a fascinating shift in its food and beverage landscape. While Germans remain a nation of food lovers, they are increasingly prioritising health and sustainability. Here, through our 360 research into the German food and beverage market, we explore how these values are influencing purchasing decisions across various categories, from beverages to snacks and meal preparation.

Beverages in the German Market

German consumers want to reduce their alcohol intake; however, alcoholic beverages are still at large within the country. When asked why they want to control how much alcohol they drink, the most common consumer response was “because it is unhealthy.” Some consumers are turning to non-alcoholic beverages as replacements. Beer is the dominant non-alcoholic beverage in Germany, but variety and novelty is helping drive other non-alcoholic beverage purchases. Indulgent is the top claim for non-alcoholic beverage drinkers, chosen as most important by 25 % of consumers. A further 16 % look for low/no/reduced sugar claims, so healthy indulgence should be a target of note for innovators.

In soft drinks, bottled water consumption is on the rise, with more than one in five Germans increasing their intake in the past year. Two in three named its healthy image as a driver of consumption. For other key soft drinks subcategories, such as carbonated beverages, energy drinks, iced coffee and iced tea, the combination of low/no/reduced-sugar claims with indulgence positionings are the most influential claims for consumers …

Please learn more under: www.innovamarketinsights.com

Research into ultra-processed foods (UPF) and their role in today’s diet is becoming an increased focus for healthcare professionals. But with a range of studies emerging and differing opinions on the matter, it can be confusing for consumers to navigate what the broad term really means.

A recent study highlighted some of these misconceptions when almost half of respondents (45 %) said they wouldn’t be able to define or identify an ultra-processed food or beverage, and the same amount said they don’t know the difference between ultra-processed and minimally processed products.

Orange juice was highlighted as one of the most common misconceptions amongst Brits in the study, with 21 % believing the drink was ultra-processed, despite being minimally processed. In the same study, 19 % even said they avoid buying orange juice as they worry it sits in the UPF category.

Award-winning nutritionist and health writer, Dr Emma Derbyshire says: ‘Some of the misunderstandings around ultra-processed foods are resulting in consumers avoiding certain products which contain healthy benefits. Products like 100 % orange juice are essential in a balanced diet and provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C and potassium, needed to help meet an individual’s nutrient needs.”

Top 5 orange juice truths:

• Unlike ultra-processed products, 100 % orange juice contains no added sugars and cannot be diluted with water under European law
• Fruit juice counts as one of your 5-a-day fruit and vegetables – a convenient and nutritious way to up your fruit intake
• The high levels of vitamin C found naturally in fruit juice help the immune system to combat symptoms of common colds and illness and support normal skin health
• Fruit juice contains potassium, which supports normal blood pressure
• Drinking orange juice helps your body absorb iron from plant foods

Food 4 Future – Expo Foodtech presents the 7 trends that will define the future of the food industry

The food industry met last April at Food 4 Future – Expo Foodtech and Pick&Pack for Food Industry, which were held simultaneously in Bilbao, Spain, from 16 to 18 April to discover and analyse the challenges facing the food and beverage sector, marked by an inflationary economic context, new consumer habits that lead to new consumer demands, and increasingly demanding regulations regarding sustainability. With the help of 482 experts from the food industry worldwide, Food 4 Future and Pick&Pack, together with AZTI’s technological innovation team, have identified the 7 trends that will mark the future of the food industry in the coming years:

1. Geostrategy and inflationary environment

Europe has traditionally had a history of low agri-food inflation, something that has changed in recent years with a double-digit annual increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation. This problem, coupled with the fact that many regions specialise in a single product, creates a risk of market fluctuations. To face these challenges, Food 4 Future has highlighted the importance of moving towards the European model of more efficient and productive farms, with greater collaboration from the private sector, something that will strengthen the competitiveness of these companies. Alliances between manufacturers and fostering resilience, innovation and collaboration are key to ensuring success in a constantly evolving sector.

2. New consumer habits

Consumer demands and habits have changed and now demand personalised experiences. Many companies are already using data and the latest technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, to adapt products and services to these new individual preferences and the trend is expected to continue in the future. In addition, society has shifted and now consumers value health, taste, convenience and sustainability as key drivers and where direct sales have increased significantly. In this way, food and beverage firms are gaining market share, winning over the shopper in the current context of price adjustment, and forging robust competition for the rest of the players. New habits also include the demand for healthier and more sustainable foods, which has led to innovation in alternative foods, such as those based on vegetable proteins, mushrooms, algae, and meat substitutes.

3. 360° Sustainability

The food industry faces multiple challenges in terms of sustainability, driven by climate change, the efficient management of resources such as water and energy, and the need for decarbonisation to achieve zero net emissions. It is also focusing its efforts on the importance of minimising greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing packaging materials, improving eco-efficiency in production processes and encouraging recycling throughout the product life cycle. Suppliers are key in this respect, as are sustainable agricultural and livestock practices, together with more efficient food processing chains and minimising food waste.

4. New technologies

The digital transformation that the food sector is undergoing has brought with it robotisation and automation in production plants, but it is also being extended to other practices such as harvesting, spraying and pruning in agriculture. Other trends that will mark the future in the field of agri-food tech are precision fermentation, efficiency technologies, operational excellence, or industrial machine vision to detect quality defects, among others. The application of technologies is also key to guaranteeing food quality and safety, with real-time monitoring, preventive models, traceability from farm to fork, and smart packaging and labels to ensure the quality of pre-packaged food. In addition, quantum computing is gaining a great deal of attention in the field of innovation.

5. Healthy eating

Concern for healthy eating and lifestyle is growing, which is why personalised nutrition has become increasingly important in recent years. Companies are striving for healthier products without sacrificing pleasure and taste through new techniques. The debate on ultra-processed foods and the need for legislation will also remain on the table. This is an issue where there is no consensus and where there is a high degree of ignorance among citizens about labeling systems. Transparent communication on packaging will help consumers to make informed choices.

6. New packaging regulations

Packaging is also undergoing a paradigm shift driven by several interlinked factors: the advance of decarbonisation, the application of technologies for process optimisation and the adaptation to increasingly demanding sustainability regulations. The sector is currently immersed in major challenges driven by the new regulations against food waste and packaging, which will have an impact on eco-design, the trend towards mono-material, reuse, and the increase in recycled material, among other issues.

7. More sustainable and efficient logistics

Supply chain efficiency is crucial. Technology allows for greater production and volume, greater flexibility, and more traceability, all of which have an impact on increasing business for companies in the sector. For this reason, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation and blockchain solutions are already being applied to improve logistics efficiency in the food value chain. The use of robots and AI makes it possible to handle a wide variety of products, and even pack boxes with products of different types and sizes using artificial vision. The result is improved efficiency, saving time and increasing sustainability while reducing costs.

A new era of conscious consumption is creating a shift toward more sustainable ingredients and eye-catching colour palettes influenced by the natural world, according to GNT.

GNT, which supplies plant-based EXBERRY^® colours, has identified “Regeneration Rising” as a key trend in the food and drink sector. The company’s analysis explores the growing global appreciation for the natural world and desire to protect the planet. This mindset is now intensifying the focus on the origins of raw materials and sustainable production.

The Regeneration Rising trend is also inspiring new colour palettes as brands seek to convey instinctive messages about how their products are created. The use of visually impactful colours that can be found growing on land and in the sea helps manufacturers to showcase products’ eco-credentials and build emotional connections with consumers.

GNT has identified three new colour directions in line with the trend. “Elevated Earth” involves earthy shades from red-browns and warm oranges to textured purples and inky teals, elevating products with an organic but premium look and feel. “Nature Lab” is about pushing the boundaries of what is considered natural and features a kaleidoscopic spectrum of green, pink, red, yellow, orange, and blue. Finally, “Wholesome Nostalgia” features yellows, greens, blues, peaches, and pinks that range from velvet-like to milky, translucent, muted, and dreamlike.

Dieuwertje Raaijmakers, Marketing Communications Specialist at GNT Group, said: “Consumers of all ages are developing a much stronger interest in sustainability and rebuilding their relationships with the natural world. To appeal to these shoppers, food and beverage companies have to showcase their commitment to the planet. Colour can play an important role in telling that story, helping brands create appealing products that send out strong visual signals about how they’re produced.”

GNT has set out an ambition to lead the food colouring industry on sustainability. The company creates its EXBERRY^® colours from fruits, vegetables, and plants and has set out a series of ambitious targets to optimise its environmental and social impacts at every stage of the value chain.

Oterra announced a new Chief Financial Officer, Hubert Windegger, who joined Oterra effective April 22nd, 2024.

Hubert Windegger joins the company with over 14 years of finance leadership experience, including roles at Private Equity-owned carve-outs and as CFO of ASK Chemicals. His strategic insights and proven track record in driving growth make him an invaluable addition to Oterra as they continue to innovate and expand their reach in the natural colour ingredients markets.

This change comes from Oterra’s current CFO, Mads Dehlsen Winther, who, after careful consideration, has decided to explore other career opportunities.

In 2023, German manufacturers of food processing and packaging machinery achieved a nominal export growth of 8.6 percent, reaching a record value of 9.85 billion euros. However, German manufacturers were not the only ones to benefit from the strong global demand. According to the data available to date, the global trade in food processing and packaging machinery is expected to rise to over 52 billion euros in 2023.

With an export turnover of 86 percent, the German food machinery and packaging machinery industry has an above-average level of activity in foreign markets. “On the one hand, we benefit from the continuing high level of investment in automated, efficient and sustainable production and packaging technologies in industrialised countries and, on the other, from the growth momentum in populous countries,” says Beatrix Fraese, economic expert at the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association. Last year, 53 per cent – and therefore more than half of exports – were delivered to countries outside Europe, with the focus on Asia and North America.

Food and beverage sector strongest industry in many countries

In many emerging economies, including the populous countries of India, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and Nigeria, for example, the food and beverage industries are the strongest industrial sectors (source: United Nations Industries Development Organisation UNIDO).

By investing in hygienic processing and packaging technology, these often resource-rich countries are increasing local value creation and self-sufficiency in safe, long-live food and beverages. They are increasingly moving away from exporting pure raw materials and instead exporting their own products in the region and, in some cases, worldwide. “The potential is far from exhausted and will continue to ensure a strong demand for machinery,” believes Beatrix Fraese.

The food and beverage industry is also the largest industrial sector in many industrialised countries, especially in the USA. In the United States, the sector employs almost 2 million people and generated a production value of over 1.1 trillion Euros in 2023 (source: Euromonitor International). Against the backdrop of a lack of skilled labour, the sector continues to invest in automated, efficient and stable processes. This ensures that imports of machinery are constantly reaching new records. German manufacturers have been the USA’s most important trading partner in the food processing and packaging machinery segment for many years.

USA remains number 1 market – India and Mexico among the TOP 10

The strongest impetus in 2023 also came from the USA. German deliveries of food processing and packaging machinery to the United States rose by 19 percent to €1.7 billion, which corresponds to an all-time high.

The USA has led the ranks of the top 10 sales markets for many years. France, China, the United Kingdom, Poland, Switzerland, Mexico, the Netherlands, India and Italy followed far behind in 2023.

From a regional perspective, German manufacturers sold 33 percent of exported machines in EU countries. A further 14 percent went to other European countries, 19 percent to North America, 17 percent to Asia, 8 percent to Central/South America, 4 percent to Africa, 3 percent to the Near/Middle East and 2 percent to Australia/Oceania.

Global machinery trade reaches record level in 2023

The global trade in machinery – the sum of exports from around 50 industrialised countries – reflects the global demand for imported food processing and packaging machinery and has been growing dynamically for years. Over the last 10 years, global trade in machinery has increased by 43 percent from €33.9 billion in 2012 to €48.6 billion in 2022, with EU countries accounting for a good 60 per cent of this. This makes the European food machinery and packaging machinery industry the most successful mechanical engineering segment in Europe, with Germany and Italy leading the way.

According to the data available to date, the global trade in food processing and packaging machinery will increase to over EUR 52 billion in 2023 despite difficult conditions, which corresponds to an increase of around 7 percent.

“We also see growth for our industry in 2024, as the global demand for safe and high-performance machines remains immense,” explains Beatrix Fraese, pointing to the strongest investment drivers, namely hygiene and food safety, automation and efficiency improvements, resource conservation and sustainability in production and the packaging process.

The trade fair duo reached around 35,000 trade visitors in 2024, with the focus on product diversity as well as dialogue, interaction and cooperation.

From 13 to 16 February 2024, the international organic food and natural and organic cosmetics community met in Nuremberg for BIOFACH and VIVANESS. Around 35,000 trade visitors from 128 countries attended the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food and the International Trade Fair for Natural and Organic Personal Care. They were inspired by the diverse range of products and services offered by a total of 2,550 exhibitors from 94 countries. In addition to the products, the focus was primarily on the numerous dialogue formats. Ask questions and find answers for a sustainable future: Participants were able to play an active role for example in the congress, the new meeting point HoReCa – GV & Gastro¹, or the SustainableFutureLab.

“Coming together and entering into dialogue is essential, especially in turbulent times – the last four days have shown this impressively. The players discussed and interacted in the exhibition halls, at the congress and in other dialogue formats such as the new meeting point HoReCa – GV & Gastro with a focus on the future and a great deal of creative drive,” summarises Petra Wolf, Member of the Executive Board, NürnbergMesse. “Politicians have already paved the path for more organic food in out-of-home catering. We are delighted that the relevant players have responded so positively to our newly created range of formats. Not least in the sessions of the interactive and collaborative SustainableFutureLab, it became clear that we can only shape the future together as a community!”

BIOFACH & VIVANESS Congress

171 well-founded and high-calibre individual sessions demonstrated the future-oriented focus of the congress. Targeted questions, for example on current market developments and trends or political and legal framework conditions, were answered here for the almost 8,000 interested visitors. In the congress rooms, the participants discussed and jointly developed solutions for an ecological transformation. The focus topic “Food for the Future: Women and Sustainable Food Systems” was discussed by almost 700 listeners.

BIOFACH and VIVANESS digital

“In 2024, more than 10,000 participants took advantage of the hybrid trade fair and registered at BIOFACH and VIVANESS digital. Over the past three years, we have continuously developed the hybrid aspects of the trade fair. Now we are all the more pleased about the growing popularity, which confirms that we are on the right track. The community is increasingly benefiting from the added value and, above all, utilizing the opportunities for interaction,” explains Dominik Dietz, Digital Product Manager, NürnbergMesse. Much of the content from the congress will continue to be available after the trade fair.

Best New Product Awards BIOFACH and VIVANESS

For three days, visitors had the opportunity to vote for their favorite product in seven categories for the Best New Product Awards at both trade fairs. In 2024, voting was possible both at the novelty stands on site and on the digital event platform.

Winner of the Best New Product Award BIOFACH Drinks: Riegel Bioweine: „PFANDtastico – Italian and Spanish organic wines in 0.75 litre returnable bottles

¹HoReCa = Hotel, Restaurant, Catering / GV = Out-of-home Catering

FoodChain ID, a pioneer in global sustainability certification, and ReSeed, the first provider of full lifecycle carbon credit traceability, have announced a partnership to increase transparency in measurement and verification of sustainable practices in the agri-food supply chain. With the goal to support a healthy planet, the partnership will leverage each company’s unique, world-class expertise to incentivise, measure and verify the progress of carbon sequestration through regenerative agriculture practices under a new carbon credit verification standard.

The food and agriculture industry currently contributes over one-third of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations. However, less than 1 % of carbon credits on the market are sourced from agriculture.¹ As consumer awareness of the industry’s role in accelerating global warming has grown, food companies have responded with more sustainable products and product claims. In fact, on-pack carbon emission contribution claims for new products grew at 33 % CAGR between July 2018 and June 2023,² making such claims one of the fastest growing sustainability claim categories in food and beverage. In response to the claim proliferation, the carbon credit verification partnership is designed to increase measurement transparency and accountability for sustainability progress and carbon credit offsets in the agri-food supply chain.

Additionally, the carbon credit verification partnership incentivises farmers to invest more in regenerative agriculture practices while complying with European Union deforestation-free regulatory requirements (EUDR). Finally, by combining the program with other farm-level audits, such as Organic (EU, USDA and others), GLOBALG.A.P., RTRS, RSPO, Bonsucro or ProTerra, the program offers efficiencies for farmers. The first joint programs have launched with close to a thousand farmers in Brazil to implement deforestation-free, regenerative practices.

ReSeed, with its AI-powered digital ledger transparency platform, will collect and process data for carbon credit measurement protocols to allow monetisation and incentivisation for farmers deploying sustainable practices in the field. ReSeed’s team will also leverage their legal and technical knowledge to validate carbon estimates under international standards and provide field technical assistance to sort eligible farmers based on sustainability standards for farming activities.

FoodChain ID, with over 25 years of experience in global sustainability certifications, will serve as the exclusive verifier for the carbon credit partnership under ISO 14065 accreditation. FoodChain ID’s independent technical experts will perform yearly audits of farm practices under international sustainability standards, adding third-party credibility to the measurement of carbon sequestration in soil.

¹Ivy S. So, Barbara K. Haya, Micah Elias. May 2023. Voluntary Registry Offsets Database, Berkeley Carbon Trading Project, University of California, Berkeley.
²Innova Insights/Nutrition Insights, July 2018 to June 2023.

This year’s Fi Europe embodied all the ingredients of a successful event, showcasing a winning combination of sourcing, innovation, networking and education.

In a milestone year for benchmarking organised event success, Fi Europe 2023 has shown that there is more demand than ever for a dynamic platform uniting the international ingredients industry. This year’s event, which attracted 23,149 attendees from 135 countries around the globe, was a resounding success, reaffirming its positive contribution to F&B industry innovation, collaboration and dialogue.

The build-up started on 20 November, when the event platform went live, enabling attendees to access exclusive content previews, coordinate meetings and stream a live keynote session. Then, on 27 November, the Future of Nutrition Summit kicked off a carefully curated in-person content programme designed to inspire and inform whilst facilitating networking and discussion. Speakers from Nestlé, Microsoft, Deloitte and the United Nations Global Compact gave their takes on the trends and technologies reshaping the food industry landscape.

On 28 November, Fi Europe opened its doors to reveal a vibrant show floor that was to become a hive of networking activity for the next three days. Over 1400 exhibition stands occupied four halls packed with ingredients and solutions from all over the world, providing a sensory spectacle and a wealth of sourcing opportunities. Many attendees also took advantage of the additional inspiration offered by the Innovation Tours, New Product Zone and Innovation Hub.

The first day culminated with the announcement of the Fi Europe Innovation Awards and Startup Innovation Challenge winners. Honoured at a special ceremony, the recipients were chosen by an expert judging panel for their outstanding contributions to the F&B ingredients industry.

The two-day Fi Europe Conference, which ran in parallel to the exhibition, provided a further forum for exchanges on the latest advancements and future trends in the F&B industry. The agenda revolved around four topical themes: plant-based, health & wellbeing, alternative ingredients & protein, and reformulation & ingredient innovation. Speakers from a broad cross-section of commercial, academic and research organisations, including Mintel, Euromonitor, NIZO, Wageningen University, Rabobank and Cultivated Biosciences, made for a varied and insightful programme.

Sustainability as an industry challenge was a thematic thread throughout this year’s event, with dedicated features such as the Sustainability Hub and content that focused on ethical sourcing, transparency, regulatory compliance, ESG and gender equity, creating a forum for constructive discussions in this important area.

The industry’s challenge of cultivating a strong pipeline of emerging talent was addressed at Fi Europe 2023 through the introduction of a new programme designed to facilitate connections between students and businesses. The Future Food Leaders Day, which took place on 30 November, gave university students valuable insight into the potential trajectory of a career in the F&B industry.

Yannick Verry, Brand Manager, Food ingredients Europe & Americas, at Informa Markets, says: “For me, feeling the buzz of this year’s show reinforced the important role that Fi Europe fulfils for the global food & beverage community. Not only does it provide a forum for making meaningful connections and discovering new ingredients and technologies, it also makes an important contribution to advancing discussions and thinking around innovation, sustainability and the future of the industry. We are already looking forward to 2024, when Fi Europe will return to Frankfurt, from 19-21 November.”

Azelis, a leading innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, is delighted to announce its new distribution agreement with BENEO, a prominent manufacturer of functional ingredients for the food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. Effective immediately, Azelis will be the exclusive distributor for inulin, oligofructose, scFOS, texturised wheat proteins, faba beans, Beta-glucans, meatless solutions, and specialty rice ingredients in India and the entire portfolio in Bangladesh. This new agreement strengthens Azelis’ existing and successful partnership with BENEO in EMEA.

BENEO is a leading expert in developing and producing functional ingredients derived from natural sources such as chicory roots, sugar beet, rice, and wheat. In Food & Nutrition, BENEO’s plant-based functional ingredients help improve the nutritional and technical properties of a wide variety of products, while maintaining or even improving taste or texture.

This new mandate reinforces Azelis’ offering in India and Bangladesh; this partnership completes its advanced product offering for food and beverages, including bakery, confectionery, meat, and dairy products, as well as plant-based alternatives for the latter two applications. Moreover, BENEO’s strong commitment to sustainability aligns with Azelis’ strategy to provide innovative and sustainable formulations to its customers.

SIG joins MISTA – a center for global food tech innovation

SIG has joined MISTA, the San Francisco-based food innovation platform that unites the most innovative food, ingredient, and food tech companies around the world. At the beginning of November, SIG joins the MISTA in Action event in San Francisco. At this annual event, MISTA brings together leaders from the global food and beverage industry to discuss ways of jointly transforming the global food system into a more regenerative one.

MISTA’s purpose is to help accelerate the transformation of the food system to meet the needs of the future. No single company can do this on its own, but together they have the potential to address and solve some of the biggest challenges.

SIG’s ambition is to co-create next-generation innovation for the food and beverage industry – not only in terms of packaging, but also product. By joining MISTA, SIG will be part of a global cross-dimensional innovation platform, which creates an environment for members to innovate together by providing access to a vast array of experts from across the food system, state-of-the-art development labs and commercial kitchens, to facilitate new food advances.

Norman Gierow, Director Global Customer Marketing & Positioning at SIG: “As we strive for better to provide End-2-End solutions for our customers, we also acknowledge the global challenges faced across the entire food and beverage industry. These challenges can only be tackled in collaboration with strong, like-minded industry partners. Being part of MISTA enables us to work together with other businesses and partners, who are looking for ways to catalyze unique innovations and regenerative solutions – to ultimately transform the food and beverage space sustainably.”

MISTA provides a holistic approach to the global food system by focusing on six key forces (nodes): digital; sustainable packaging; plant-based; nutrition; regenerative business; and biotech. SIG values the way MISTA provides its members with a deep understanding of each node, as well as the interconnectedness with each other and the broader food system. SIG’s future collaboration with members can be interlinked on multiple impact areas on its journey to become net positive, e.g. climate, forest, resource, and food. But first and foremost, SIG will focus on offering its sustainable packaging expertise, as well as regenerative business and nutrition advice.

Scott May, Founder & Head of MISTA: “We are excited to have SIG as part of the MISTA network. SIG’s expertise and capabilities in aseptic filling and sustainable packaging solutions and their global test filling and co-creation capabilities will enable members to bring new product concepts and ideas to life and co-create next generation solutions. By joining forces with ingredient experts, processing partners and SIG as a filling and packaging solution provider, the whole value chain is covered.”

MISTA’s goal to provide food and nutrition in a sustainable way to the entire world is a crucial one, with global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 according to the United Nations. Ensuring healthy diets for all, while at the same time limiting global warming, requires sweeping changes to food production and how the world eats and lives – and this is where MISTA has set its mission.

GNT will open up an interactive “colour lab” for its plant-based EXBERRY^® concentrates at Food Ingredients Europe (Frankfurt, 28-30 November 2023).

EXBERRY® Colouring Foods are edible concentrates made from non-GMO fruit, vegetables, and plants using physical processing methods such as chopping and boiling. They are available in more than 400 shades from across the whole rainbow and can be used in all food and drink categories.

At FiE 2023, GNT (stand 3.1G140) will showcase EXBERRY® concentrates’ versatility by inviting attendees to colour their own dairy, confectionery, and non-alcoholic beverages at special application stations.

The company’s dedicated in-house experts will also be available throughout the event to provide insights and advice into how EXBERRY^® can meet consumer demand in different regions around the globe.

Petra Thiele, Managing Director at GNT Europa, said: “EXBERRY^® allows manufacturers to achieve vibrant shades in almost any application while maintaining completely clean and clear labels. Our special ‘colour lab’ will give FiE visitors the chance to experiment with the possibilities for themselves and discover the incredible potential of our plant-based concentrates.”

Based on the concept of coloring food with food, EXBERRY^® concentrates are classified as food ingredients rather than additives in the EU and many other parts of the world. They are also suitable for vegan, halal, and kosher diets.

To ensure the highest level of quality and year-round availability, GNT has a vertically integrated supply chain, with cultivation and harvesting monitored by GNT’s agricultural engineers.

PLM market leader and top regulatory compliance provider team up to create integrated platform to screen ingredients throughout product development lifecycle
 
Centric Software^®, the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) market leader and FoodChain ID, the leading food safety and regulatory service provider are pleased to announce their partnership to bring enhanced regulatory compliance capabilities to product development. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source, price and sell food & beverage, cosmetics and consumer products to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

FoodChain ID is trusted by over 30,000 companies across the global supply chain, with technology-enabled solutions and expertise to keep the food and cosmetics supply chain safe and transparent.

The highly controlled industries of Food and Cosmetics require access to trustworthy regulatory information so that the risk of formulation missteps are reduced, especially at the development stage. This saves much time and effort down the line, and notably lessens the chance of dreaded recalls.

Not all PLM platforms have strong formulation capabilities and those that do often rely on manual look-ups or databases pieced together by in-house regulatory compliance teams. The pairing of FoodChain ID’s world-class regulatory libraries and databases driven by the agility of Centric PLM’s formulation, packaging, quality, nutrition, labeling and artwork capabilities gives the food and cosmetics industries the best of both worlds, resulting in a complete formulation and regulatory compliance solution.

Clinton Chadwick, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at FoodChain ID, explains how the association drives accuracy and speed into product development. “What makes this partnership with Centric Software so exciting is the ability to accelerate product innovation with Centric PLM by reducing time-consuming iterations between product development and regulatory compliance teams.” Chadwick adds, “With FoodChain ID’s data sources pulling from over 220 countries, the data quality of our compliance engine is second-to-none.”

Ron Watson, Executive Vice President of Product at Centric Software discusses how much more efficient it is to formulate with FoodChain ID. “Product developers working in Centric PLM can see the immediate impact of ingredient changes against current global regulatory compliance regulations as they are formulating.” For example, when looking at market expansion, the food or cosmetics scientist can evaluate a formula or ingredient against a regulatory threshold level in the target country and then adjust the formula at the development stage if necessary, where ingredient changes will have little negative impact.

Chris Groves, CEO of Centric Software says, “We are overjoyed about our alliance with FoodChain ID. It marries Centric’s technological expertise in food & beverage, cosmetics, beauty and other formulated goods with FoodChain ID’s extensive global databases and stellar reputation in food safety and regulatory compliance. This gives the users of both solutions confidence in formulation and the means to work seamlessly in one platform, driving even more efficiency into product development.”

The two most important international trade fairs for the beverage and liquid food industry will join forces to strengthen their positions in the world market. drinktec from Munich (GER), the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry, and Nuremberg’s (GER) BrauBeviale, the leading capital goods trade fair for the beverage industry in Europe, have joined forces to form the joint venture “YONTEX” as of 1 July 2023. The company is based in Nuremberg and CEO will be Rolf M. Keller, previously divisional director at NürnbergMesse. Both trade fairs will continue to operate as independent brands, retain their names, and keep their events at the respective locations in Munich and Nuremberg, but under the shared umbrella of YONTEX.

The merger of drinktec and BrauBeviale into one company is the largest merger of two trade fair flagships in Germany to date. Both trade fairs will be able to continue their individual growth unimpeded, widen their national and international reach in terms of customer contacts, and bundle their resources to the benefit of their exhibitors and visitors.

The new company YONTEX will present itself for the first time with the BrauBeviale to be held in Nuremberg from November 28 to 30, 2023. Both events will be held as before at their accustomed venues, both will retain their prestigious brand names and their well-known contact persons. Moreover, they will be held in the same cycles as before: drinktec will be held at the Munich Exhibition Centre every four years, the next event being in 2025, and BrauBeviale will still be held annually at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre, as before, except for the “drinktec years”. In addition to Munich, drinktec is also held at two additional venues: an annual event in India (drink technology India) and a biennial event in China (CHINA BREW CHINA BEVERAGE).

A 19-person team of experienced trade fair professionals from drinktec and BrauBeviale, as well as some new trade fair professionals, will be the foundation of YONTEX in the future. This new team includes CEO Rolf M. Keller and Executive Vice President Petra Westphal, who had previously been a project manager for drinktec and its international exhibitions, Executive Director BrauBeviale Andrea Kalrait, Executive Director drinktec Cluster Markus Kosak and Executive Director Operations Moritz Müller.

Sponsored Post – On behalf of Sarah O’Toole, Kevin Coates & Jon Roden of Grant Thornton LLP, the Joint Administrators of Orchard House Foods Ltd, European Valuations present a second auction of late model and high spec fruit and food processing machinery previously used by Orchard House Foods Ltd. Orchard House Foods Ltd was one of the UK’s largest suppliers of prepared fruit, fresh fruit drinks and desserts to retailers, on-the-go food outlets, food service providers and manufacturers throughout the UK. The online auction on June 29th will include: Ishida DACS-G-SO15-24-WP-M-S Metal detector and checkweigher combi unit, Proseal GT1s pot forming machine with stainless steel tooling rack and various tooling, Ambit stainless steel fruit picking line, Ambit stainless steel fruit scrubbing machine complete with infeed conveyor, Hysyco CIP hygienic pipework and production cleaning system, Moody 13000L stainless steel storage tank, Promino 3000L stainless steel storage tank and much more. Viewing is by appointment only on June 27th.

European Valuations has over 130 years of experience in selling assets and providing consultancy advice. They pride themselves on delivering high-quality solutions that provide the best outcomes for our clients. They offer a range of services, from sale and disposal solutions for entire businesses to individual assets such as inventory or plant equipment.

For more information please visit: European Valuations Limited | Major Online Fruit Processing Equipment, Food Processing and Packaging Equipment 2 (bidspotter.co.uk)

Sponsored Post – On behalf of Sarah O’Toole, Kevin Coates & Jon Roden of Grant Thornton LLP, the Joint Administrators of Orchard House Foods Ltd, European Valuations present a major auction of late model and high spec fruit and food processing machinery. Orchard House Foods Ltd was one of the UK’s largest suppliers of prepared fruit, fresh fruit drinks and desserts to retailers, on-the-go food outlets, food service providers and manufacturers throughout the UK. Over 700 lots will be included in the online auction which closes from 10am on Thursday 1st of June. A great number of the assets were only recently purchased by the client, some lot highlights include: Ishida High speed 12 Head fresh fruit weighing system, Ishida CCW-R2-112WB-2D-15-WP-BE Single head 12 port fresh fruit weighing system, Dohmeyer DOH-TLT-8400-2X28 Cryogenic freezing tunnels, PND PL6M fruit peeling machine, Kronen Tona Rapide Apple Segmenter, Ishida DACS Checkweigher, Proseal GT2S Sealing machine, ICS Refrigeration plant, Proseal GT1S Sealing machine, Twin Head Ishida Potting Machine and much more. More stock is being added in the coming weeks. Viewing is by appointment only on May 30th.

European Valuations has over 130 years of experience in selling assets and providing consultancy advice. They pride themselves on delivering high-quality solutions that provide the best outcomes for our clients. They offer a range of services, from sale and disposal solutions for entire businesses to individual assets such as inventory or plant equipment.

For more information please visit: https://disposal.eurovals.co.uk/sales/major-online-auction-assets-previously-used-by-orchard-house-foods-limited-sale-1/?_post_id=530

Sponsored Post – On behalf of Sarah O’Toole, Kevin Coates & Jon Roden of Grant Thornton LLP, the Joint Administrators of Orchard House Foods Ltd, European Valuations present a major auction of late model and high spec fruit and food processing machinery. Orchard House Foods Ltd was one of the UK’s largest suppliers of prepared fruit, fresh fruit drinks and desserts to retailers, on-the-go food outlets, food service providers and manufacturers throughout the UK. Over 700 lots will be included in the online auction which closes from 10am on Thursday 1^st of June. A great number of the assets were only recently purchased by the client, some lot highlights include: Ishida High speed 12 Head fresh fruit weighing system, Ishida CCW-R2-112WB-2D-15-WP-BE Single head 12 port fresh fruit weighing system, Dohmeyer DOH-TLT-8400-2X28 Cryogenic freezing tunnels, PND PL6M fruit peeling machine, Kronen Tona Rapide Apple Segmenter, Ishida DACS Checkweigher, Proseal GT2S Sealing machine, ICS Refrigeration plant, Proseal GT1S Sealing machine, Twin Head Ishida Potting Machine and much more. More stock is being added in the coming weeks. Viewing is by appointment only on May 30th.

European Valuations has over 130 years of experience in selling assets and providing consultancy advice. They pride themselves on delivering high-quality solutions that provide the best outcomes for our clients. They offer a range of services, from sale and disposal solutions for entire businesses to individual assets such as inventory or plant equipment.

For more information please visit: https://disposal.eurovals.co.uk/sales/major-online-auction-assets-previously-used-by-orchard-house-foods-limited-sale-1/?_post_id=530

The climate impact of food is important to Europeans. Three out of five consumers consider climate impact when buying food according to a new survey by Yara.

Yara International announced the findings in a new European survey on sustainable food conducted by leading international market research company IPSOS on behalf of Yara. The report provides an overview of consumer purchasing habits and sustainable food preferences.

“The report shows that Europeans are highly motivated to buy sustainable food to reduce their climate impact. This should be a wake-up call to the entire food industry,” says Birgitte Holter, VP of Green Fertilisers at Yara. “While three out of five Europeans find the climate impact important when buying food, a majority feel it is not easy enough to understand available information about the climate emission to be able to make sustainable choices. More than three out of four consumers would prefer to be able to read the carbon footprint on the food item,” Holter says.

The world’s food production accounts for more than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. This new report shows that 58 % of Europeans consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverages. In addition, 51 % of Europeans are willing to pay more for fossil free food items, meaning food produced without fossil sources. However, most people feel that it is not easy to know which food is climate friendly, as 76 % of Europeans would like the carbon footprint to be visible on the food label.

“Decarbonisation of food is possible and that is why we are developing green fertilisers made from water and air using renewable energy, to support farmers and food companies in reducing their climate impact of their food. These voluntary choices must be supported by adequate policies. The EU’s Sustainable Food System initiative, planned for the end of 2023, should therefore create a set of incentives for food systems’ actors to go beyond the minimum requirements and favor low-carbon footprint solutions such as green fertilisers,” says Holter.

In Porsgrunn, Norway, Yara is building the first production plant to run on renewable energy. From here, Yara will produce green fertilisers made without the use of fossil energy or fossil sources. This will result in crops with an up to 30 % lower carbon footprint and up to 20 % carbon footprint reduction in the food produced, making them a powerful solution to grow a decarbonised and fossil free food future. The first green fertilisers are planned to enter production in the second half of 2023.

The market demand for food made without fossil energy sources is high. More than half of Europeans (51 %) said they are willing to pay more for climate friendly food. A clear majority of Europeans (74 %) say food companies need to work to reduce the emissions from their food production.

Key findings in this survey:

• 58 % of Europeans consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverage items
• 69 % of Europeans would choose a climate friendlier food item versus a cheaper option. (26 % would choose a fossil free food item, 43 % would choose a low-carbon item)
• 51 % of Europeans say they are willing to pay more for food made without fossil fuel sources
• 31 % of Europeans already make sustainable choices when it comes to their buying habits
• More than three out of four (76 %) Europeans want to see the carbon footprint of food items on the label
• Nearly three out of four Europeans (74 %) believe food companies should work to reduce emissions in their food production

About the survey
The survey on the need for sustainable food was commissioned by Yara International and conducted by IPSOS. The panel consisted of 12,000 consumer respondents in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Norway, Sweden and Denmark (1,000 respondents in each country). The data was collected from online interviews during the period of December 1 – 14, 2022.

The leading global trade fair for food and beverages taps into the extensive know-how of Europe’s leading initiative for food innovations

EIT Food, the world’s largest and most dynamic initiative for food innovations is the new partner of Anuga. In line with the key theme of Anuga, “Sustainable Growth”, the aim of the long-term, strategic partnership is to promote the dialogue and the interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve a sustainable food system. Together the leading global trade fair for food and beverages and EIT Food will create a platform for innovative ideas and new sustainable developments in the food industry. To this end, they are bringing the most important players from the industry and fields of politics and business together at Anuga in Cologne from 7 to 11 October 2023.

“We are delighted to have the experts of EIT Food and its network on board in the scope of this new, strategic partnership. New ways towards an improved, global food system will be highlighted in the course of different event formats and subsequently there will be an opportunity to engage in a direct exchange with an international trade audience and the trade media,” explained Bastian Mingers, Vice President Food.

Dr. Andy Zynga, CEO of EIT Food, adds: “EIT Food is very pleased to work more closely with Anuga, in addition to the partnership with Anuga HORIZON. The goal of the food community is clear: only together will we build an innovative and resilient food system, which is integral in driving greater food security and a healthier planet. This requires new ideas, solutions and collaboration within the industry, for which Anuga offers a fantastic opportunity.”

The key contents of the partnership are among others:

• a professional exchange and knowledge transfer
• the joint development of the conference and event programme of Anuga with panel discussions, workshops and speakers
• joint press events in the run-up to and during Anuga

The climate impact of food is important to Europeans. Three out of five consumers consider climate impact when buying food according to a new survey by Yara.

Yara International announced the findings in a new European survey on sustainable food conducted by leading international market research company IPSOS on behalf of Yara. The report provides an overview of consumer purchasing habits and sustainable food preferences.

“The report shows that Europeans are highly motivated to buy sustainable food to reduce their climate impact. This should be a wake-up call to the entire food industry,” says Birgitte Holter, VP of Green Fertilisers at Yara. “While three out of five Europeans find the climate impact important when buying food, a majority feel it is not easy enough to understand available information about the climate emission to be able to make sustainable choices. More than three out of four consumers would prefer to be able to read the carbon footprint on the food item,” Holter says.

The world’s food production accounts for more than a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. This new report shows that 58 % of Europeans consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverages. In addition, 51 % of Europeans are willing to pay more for fossil free food items, meaning food produced without fossil sources. However, most people feel that it is not easy to know which food is climate friendly, as 76 % of Europeans would like the carbon footprint to be visible on the food label.

“Decarbonisation of food is possible and that is why we are developing green fertilisers made from water and air using renewable energy, to support farmers and food companies in reducing their climate impact of their food. These voluntary choices must be supported by adequate policies. The EU’s Sustainable Food System initiative, planned for the end of 2023, should therefore create a set of incentives for food systems’ actors to go beyond the minimum requirements and favor low-carbon footprint solutions such as green fertilisers,” says Holter.

In Porsgrunn, Norway, Yara is building the first production plant to run on renewable energy. From here, Yara will produce green fertilisers made without the use of fossil energy or fossil sources. This will result in crops with an up to 30 % lower carbon footprint and up to 20 % carbon footprint reduction in the food produced, making them a powerful solution to grow a decarbonised and fossil free food future. The first green fertilisers are planned to enter production in the second half of 2023.

The market demand for food made without fossil energy sources is high. More than half of Europeans (51 %) said they are willing to pay more for climate friendly food. A clear majority of Europeans (74 %) say food companies need to work to reduce the emissions from their food production.

Key findings in this survey:

• 58 % of Europeans consider the climate impact important when buying food and beverage items
• 69 % of Europeans would choose a climate friendlier food item versus a cheaper option. (26 % would choose a fossil free food item, 43 % would choose a low-carbon item)
• 51 % of Europeans say they are willing to pay more for food made without fossil fuel sources
• 31 % of Europeans already make sustainable choices when it comes to their buying habits
• More than three out of four (76 %) Europeans want to see the carbon footprint of food items on the label
• Nearly three out of four Europeans (74 %) believe food companies should work to reduce emissions in their food production

About the survey
The survey on the need for sustainable food was commissioned by Yara International and conducted by IPSOS. The panel consisted of 12,000 consumer respondents in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Norway, Sweden and Denmark (1,000 respondents in each country). The data was collected from online interviews during the period of December 1 – 14, 2022.

According to the scientific study conducted by Professor Christian Fischer of the Free University of Bolzano, the company contributes to a 10% reduction in harvest losses in the apple sector.

An estimated 22 % of fruit and vegetables are lost every year during or immediately after harvest. Much of global food waste therefore occurs at the beginning of the value chain, long before products reach the market.

Through its activities, VOG Products contributes to reducing this phenomenon, thanks to its business model, to efficient planning and the significant technological investments made in recent years. The South Tyrolean producer organisation is one of the largest in the sector in Europe and processes about 70 – 80 % of the Italian industrial apple harvest (20 % of the Trentino-South Tyrol harvest).

The validity of the anti-waste model adopted by VOG Products is demonstrated by a recent scientific study conducted by Christian Fischer, Professor of Agricultural and Food Economics at the Free University of Bolzano, which was also presented at the 2022 International Horticultural Congress in Angers (France).

In the study, titled “The apple processing cooperative VOG Products as a role model for minimising post-harvest crop losses – an empirical case study from South Tyrol, Italy”, Professor Fischer demonstrates how VOG Products significantly contributes to reducing harvest and post-harvest losses in the apple production chain. While internationally apple wastage averages 20 % of the harvest volume, with VOG Products food loss in Italian apples drops to 6 – 10 % (depending on the year).

“Food waste is not inevitable,” comments Christoph Tappeiner, CEO of VOG Products. “With good organisation and investment in innovation along the supply chain, product losses can be significantly reduced, providing a triple win for producers, consumers and the environment.”

The FAO specifically refers to food loss as “the waste of edible food in the production, post- harvest and processing stages of the food chain”. Besides the wastage of the food itself, food loss also entails environmental costs in the form of loss of land, water, factors of production and labour, and leads to greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
For VOG Products, food loss already starts with the company’s mission statement: apples destined for industrial processing are those with minor quality defects (too big, too small or not enough colour) or do not meet the quality standards of fresh fruit, and therefore cannot be sold on the table apples market.

“VOG Products is an international model for minimising harvest and post-harvest losses in the apple supply chain,” remarks Prof. Fischer. “VOG Products also generates significant added value for members in the region by giving them a fair and sustainable payout price.”

Growers who deliver their apples to VOG Products’ members (VOG, VIP, La Trentina and 18 cooperatives) receive an average of 4,000 euro per head or 1,400 euro per hectare for their apples for processing. The producer organisation also creates jobs for around 210 employees. The industrial fruit enhancement strategy pursued in recent years strengthens the region’s high-quality image of table apples, based on a win-win approach that rewards all operators along the supply chain. Generating value for the economy, people and the planet.

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry’s novel foods applications (RP126 and RP127) have been validated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The ACI received formal notification from the FSA that both its applications for the authorisation of CBD isolate and distillate ‘fall within the scope of the novel foods regime’ as set out in Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (as retained) and fulfil the requirements set out in Article 10(2) of that Regulation.

These applications are now regarded as valid, and will now move on to the risk assessment stage to be assessed further.

ACI member applications account for 30 % of the products currently permitted to remain on the market under the novel foods authorisation process.

These applications relate to 320 brands on sale in Britain.

In 2022, the ACI submitted a complete toxicological package and related bioavailability data to the FSA to support the consortium of member applications.

This included the dose range finding study and the OECD408 rodent toxicity study to determine a No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL), to cover the safety implications of not only CBD, but also the minor cannabinoids and other plant matrices present in these plant-derived products.

Two years on from the novel food application submission deadline, this week’s FSA update comes a year after the food safety body published its first public list of ingestible CBD products deemed temporarily compliant, pending the submission of toxicology data, its risk assessment and acceptance to progress to the validation stage.

Steve Moore, ACI co-founder and strategic counsel, said: “This is a key milestone for the sector and the ACI. The new consumer cannabinoid sector has been set as an important regulatory challenge. Today’s outcome suggests that by collaborating, they are both progressing towards market authorisation for thousands of products but also delivering the safety data the authorities have been crying out for.”

Paul Birch, ACI co-founder, said: “This outcome was only achievable due to the expertise of our regulatory and scientific team led by Dr Parveen Bhatarah and Dr Paul Duffy who have provided exemplary insight and advice throughout this process.”

BIOFACH and VIVANESS returned to their February slot with an impressive first in-person show following the one-off Summer Edition in 2022. During the four-day event from 14 to 17 February 2023, they attracted almost 36,000 trade visitors from 135 countries. ‘Strong’ and ‘confident’ describe the start to the year’s international events for the organic foodstuffs and natural and organic personal care sector. The focus was on variety, networking and professional interaction, and the highly topical Congress theme of “Organic. Food Sovereignty. True Prices”. The organic sector and the combined trade fair event proved crisis-resistant, as they demonstrated with revenues of €15.3 billion for the German organic market in 2022 (BÖLW) and €125 billion globally in 2021 (IFOAM/FiBL), in addition to an impressive total of 2,765 exhibitors from 95 countries at BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023.

Tina Andres, Chair of the Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (German Federation of the Organic Food Industry, BÖLW): “We are caught between a paradigm shift and a polycrisis, and we need to provide the right answers now to deal with the crises affecting energy, the climate and biodiversity. Organics offers direct, functional and trailblazing answers to achieve a social and environmental transformation, and thus an agricultural and food industry that is suitable for the coming generations without overstretching the planet’s resources. With its slogan Paving the Path, BIOFACH is showing the way as the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food.
It sets the tone and serves as an anchor and a model for the entire sector. It is a place for innovative, committed business operators and visionaries to network, with a clear focus on ‘30 percent organic’ by 2030, and using positive, powerful examples to illustrate how we can shape the future differently.”

Petra Wolf, Member of the Executive Board, NürnbergMesse: “BIOFACH and VIVANESS are not only back in their February slot but also impressively demonstrated their role as an international sector gathering and a launch pad for the year’s activities during the past four days. The industry players here in Nuremberg showed themselves to be full of strength and strategies for the future. The positive atmosphere that was palpable in the exhibition halls was deeply moving and filled me with joy at a personal level. It is remarkable how rich, inspiring, solution-focused and forward-looking this sector is. Organic is the future!”

BIOFACH and VIVANESS Congress: Organic. Food Sovereignty. True Prices

The BIOFACH and VIVANESS Congress, with a total of 120 professionally polished individual sessions and high-calibre participants, attracted almost 8,000 delegates and once again proved to be a forward-looking forum for the sector. In addition to the keynote theme of “Organic. Food Sovereignty. True Prices”, with up to 125 interested listeners and participants in the individual sessions, the focus was also on questions of current market developments and trends, as well as the political and legal framework. The session on the international market situation, “Global Organic Market Overview”, as part of the BIOFACH Forum, drew the highest attendance in 2023 with 242 participants.

Extending the trade fair experience digitally

Around one in four of the participants in BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2023 also made use of the services offered by the digital event platform, most of them as hybrid participants. They attended in person, but also used the platform as a digital add-on before and during the combined trade fair. The Congress content will continue to be available after the event.

Save the date: BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2024, the next event in the series, will take place at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 13 to 16 February 2024.