Returning to London's ExCeL from 20-22 November, its unrivalled education programme brings together leading industry figures and experts to debate the big issues and offer insight into the latest research, ingredients and health trends in food and drink.
And with its curated exhibition and a dedicated business matchmaking service, there is nowhere better to get a taste of the most exciting healthy products and to identify future partners among manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, start-ups, retailers and distributors.
Tackling the rise in obesity, persuading consumers to eat more sustainably and the culinary and popular culture influences changing the way we eat will be among big issues debated on the main conference stage.
Among scores of influential conference speakers, Design Academy Eindhoven's Marije Vogelzang will consider a design-led approach to our plates, while Public Health England Chief Executive Duncan Selbie debates the effectiveness of calorie targets and IGD Strategy and Innovation Director Jon Woolven considers whether portion sizes, nutritional labelling or banning junk food advertising are the best ways to get people to change their diets.
Insight into a huge range of topics, from nutritional strategies to manage joint and bone health, to whether artificial intelligence can be a game changer in the fast-growing personalised nutrition market, will be covered in a series of expert-led seminars.
The essential role of lipids across all ages, the importance of vitamin K2 to healthy bones, the popularity of fermentation as a way to boost gut health and scientific insight into how hypothalamic neural cells can help control appetite will be among subjects covered in a dedicated Nutrition for Health and Wellbeing seminar stream, exploring innovations from the food and nutraceutical industry.
Suzane Leser, GELITA's Director of Nutrition Communication and Ingredia's Director of Food and Nutrition Alain Baniel will be among seminar speakers examining protein innovation in sports nutrition. Kerry Group's Nikos Pagidas will also consider how oro-sensory cues can influence food intake and Lucy Jones, consultant dietician with the British Fruit Juice Association, will discuss how juice plays a unique role in boosting immune systems.
On the exhibition floor, a series of live attractions includes the Nutraceutical Showcase, sponsored by Kemin, which highlights some of the newest supplements and nutraceuticals on the market, with experts on hand to advise on the safety, quality and regulatory issues.
With participants including OptiBiotix, NBTY Europe, Lamberts Healthcare and Vitabiotics, the showcase is supported by the Council for Responsible Nutrition UK and the Health Food Manufacturers Association.
New for 2018, the Innovative Ingredients Live Theatre will delve into the science behind emerging ingredients and nutraceuticals like plant protein powder Lentein Complete and bioactive collagen peptide Tendoforte.
Among those taking to the stage, Proti-Farm's Tom Mohrmann will discuss the company's "all-natural" protein-rich functional ingredients, produced using vertical farming and sustainable technologies, while Rousselot's Frank Engel discusses the joint health benefits of their ingredient, Peptan IIm - including tasting samples of the ingredient in gummies and drinks.
And from 3D printed meals to insect-based protein, Food Futures Live will focus on provocative ideas and disruptive innovations shaking up the future of food. The line-up includes speakers from returnable packaging service CupClub, innovation lab Dovetailed and Winnow - which develops smart tech to help businesses reduce food waste.
Meanwhile the Research Hub offers an overview of the science and technology innovations helping to create a sustainable and nutritious food system, from food security to disruptive ideas, with participants including EIT Food, Essentia and PPL Insights.
And the UK's largest gathering of ingredients companies will be hosted on a dedicated platform offering visitors the chance to sample an array of goods, from plant protein powders to calorie-free sugar substitutes.
They are among hundreds of participants in a wide-ranging exhibition, arranged in zones to reflect the big growth areas from healthy snacking to better-for-you drinks and sports nutrition, offering a taste of food, drink and nutrition innovations from around the world.
Finally, an enhanced matchmaking service, Match, will enable exhibitors and visitors to identify potential business partners among manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, retailers, importers, exporters, business services and research centres.
Briony Mansell-Lewis, Food Matters Live Director, said: "Food Matters Live is fast becoming an annual business opportunity for many in the industry, providing a platform to explore the latest innovations in nutraceuticals, from functional food and drink to innovative supplements.
"We're delighted once again to welcome so many experts to share best practice, forge collaborative relationships, find solutions to challenges and explore new ways of working with colleagues across the food, nutrition and health sectors."
Food Matters Live is on at ExCeL London from 20-22 November and is free to attend if you pre-register, including entry to the conference, seminars and visitor attractions. Register at www.foodmatterslive.com