SternVitamin, a global supplier of micronutrient premixes, will present two innovations and an expanded product portfolio at Gulfood Manufacturing from November 4 to 6, 2025, in Dubai. This underlines SternVitamin’s expertise in a wide range of applications for functional foods and beverages, as well as its trend-based development of premix solutions.

SternDe-Stress & Relax-Premix: focus on mental health

According to the market research institute Innova, one of the top trends in 2025 in the beverage and food sector is the topic of “mental health”.¹ Sleep and stress are particularly important: Worldwide, 34 % said they wanted to improve their sleep through food or drinks, and 30 % said they consume foods at least once a month to relax and reduce stress.² With the SternDe-Stress & Relax Premix, SternVitamin is responding to exactly this trend: B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and selenium support a strong nervous system and counteract stress-related changes in the immune system. The lemon balm leaf extract also has a relaxing effect.

A wide variety of applications are suitable for the SternDe-Stress & Relax premix, including juice drinks. Due to the warm climate and the local variety of fruits, these are in high demand in the Middle East/Africa region. For example, juices and smoothies are the most popular drinks there, and they are even ahead of water or coffee.³ 36 % of consumers in the region also say that the claim “enriched with vitamins and minerals” influences their decision to buy juices.⁴

Clear Proteinshake made from pea protein supports physical performance

The Clear Proteinshake, which has been developed based on pea protein hydrolysate by the sister company SternLife, contains the premix solution SternActive from SternVitamin. Thus, it offers a high protein source of 68 g per 100 g of powder. To support hydration during or after exercise, calcium, magnesium, and sodium are included, which restore electrolyte balance. Vitamin C, D3, iron, zinc, and selenium also support the immune system, while vitamins B2, B6, and B12 provide energy and reduce tiredness and fatigue. Sugar-free and with a refreshing, tropical taste, the Clear Proteinshake supports physical performance.

^1,2,4Innova Market Insights: Top Consumer Health Trends 2025
³Innova Market Insights: Juice Trends in the Middle East & Africa

The Middle East’s leading trade fair for food and beverage manufacturing, Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, will take place from 4th to 6th November at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together global innovators, technology leaders and solution providers across the industry. With more than 2,000 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors expected from over 160 countries, the show is a central hub for reimagining the future of food production and product development.

A region in transformation

The Middle East’s food and beverage industry is undergoing a transformation, driven by ambitious government initiatives, a young and health-conscious consumer base and shifting regulatory frameworks such as upcoming sugar taxes. In this environment, reducing and replacing sugar has become one of the most pressing challenges for manufacturers. Consumers expect products that deliver indulgence and enjoyment while also aligning with their health and wellness goals.

With a comprehensive portfolio of natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions – from advanced sweetening systems to natural taste modulation technologies – Döhler enables manufacturers to create products that combine great taste with less or no sugar. As demand for healthier, better-for-you nutrition accelerates, Gulfood Manufacturing provides the ideal stage to showcase how science and technology can deliver innovation that meets both consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Döhler at Gulfood Manufacturing

As a longstanding partner, Döhler will present a comprehensive portfolio of food and beverage innovations that bridge science, technology and sensory appeal – concepts addressing the latest consumer needs, including:

• Freeze-dried functional drops – small in size, big in benefits
• Savoury Labneh – authentic taste with a modern twist
• Energy Yoghurt – convenient daily vitality in dairy
• Synbiotic Bars – pro- and prebiotic solutions for holistic gut health on the go
• GLP-1 Drink – a cutting-edge approach to supporting a healthy weight
• Next-generation beverage solutions – sugar reduction and taste modulation in response to the latest regional sugar taxation reform
• Pre- and postbiotic soft drinks – designed to support digestion and elevate gut health
• Mood-boosting 100 % juice drinks – formulated to deliver nutritional value and functional support for emotional well-being

Themed “Make joy through science and creativity”, concepts will focus on transforming megatrends and innovations into opportunities for the industry

IFF is set to unveil a series of groundbreaking food and beverage innovations at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 leveraging cutting-edge technologies and deep consumer insights. This year’s theme, “Make joy through science and creativity,” underscores IFF’s focus on transforming megatrends into tangible opportunities for the industry.

“We aim to revolutionise the food and beverage industry with innovative solutions that exceed market demands,” said Helga Moelschl, regional president, AMETI, Nourish, IFF. “Our approach combines scientific expertise with a relentless spirit of creativity and agility. We are excited to present concepts that embody these principles. Visitors will experience firsthand how our sustainable and affordable solutions deliver unparalleled sensory delight and functional health benefits.”

IFF will showcase a diverse range of new concepts inspired by key consumer trends like Experiential Delight, Health, and Affordability across various categories, including beverages, dairy, snacks, bakery, culinary, bars and confectionery. These innovations highlight IFF’s technical expertise and creativity in helping manufacturers create products with sensory appeal and functional health benefits, while also reducing costs.

Visitors to the double-story booth can experience the following beverage concepts:

• Cost-efficient dairy drink: Concepts containing IFF’s unique system of specialty stabilisers, emulsifiers, patented flavour technology, and innovative top notes offers impactful savings on the full product composition without compromising on the sensory profile and stability compared to standard milk. Solutions are showcased in plain milk and sweetened flavoured versions, all offering higher calcium levels than standard milk.
• Fizzy beverage with innovative flavours: Designed to connect with consumers’ emotions while offering the benefits of an energy drink, IFF researchers developed IFF Beyond Hedonics™, a toolbox of proprietary consumer research methodologies, to align flavours with functional benefits (IFF Ingredient HealthScape™) and affective states such as energy, happiness, focus and fun (IFF Flavor Feelings™). By leveraging these insights, IFF can help manufacturers build a stronger connection between their brands and consumers.
• Reduced tomato paste in tomato-based sauces: Powered by IFF CURE™, IFF’s Core and Uncommon Replacements & Extenders, this system blend reduces tomato paste by 30 percent or more in ketchup, tomato paste and tomato-based sauces, maintaining flavour, texture, and quality while offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for manufacturers.
• Cocoa reduction in chocolate drinks: IFF’s innovative flavours and ingredient solutions can help mitigate the impact of cocoa price fluctuations, ensuring that the taste and functionality of chocolate drinks are preserved even with reduced cocoa content. This approach addresses cost concerns and maintains the high-quality sensory experience that consumers expect.

At this year’s Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai, Hydrosol is focusing on sugar-reduced milk beverages.

Less sugar, same enjoyment

Given the worrying increase in obesity around the globe, reducing the amount of sugar in foods and beverages is a major issue worldwide. More and more governments are demanding low sugar products or introducing sugar taxes. But sugar isn’t just a matter of taste. It also gives products body, texture and a pleasant mouth feel. These are the effects that Hydrosol’s individual stabilising and texturing systems address. They are suitable for many different applications – yogurt, drinking yogurt, pudding, refreshing fruity drinks, energy drinks, ketchup, whippable plant cream with reduced sugar content, and more. Natural flavourings round out the flavour profile. Hydrosol’s sister company OlbrichtArom, also exhibiting at Gulfood, offers its SugarBooster for reduced-sugar products. This natural flavouring amplifies the delicate taste profile of the final product without influencing its characteristic flavour.

New to the product range are stabilising systems for very diverse milk mixed beverages, from conventional varieties like cocoa, vanilla and strawberry to trendy flavours like cappuccino, walnut and pistacio. These proven systems are offered in a carrageenan version, which enables stable products without high-pressure homogenisation, as well as in an alternative version with gellan. This lets milk beverages be filled at high temperatures, up to 40°C. The stabilising systems in the Stabiprime MFD Range are soluble in water as well as in sweet whey. They can be used for the manufacture of sugar-reduced as well as low-fat or lactose-free milk beverages. High-protein milk drinks are also possible.