From revolutionary food tech to emerging nutraceutical trends, Food Matters Live 2018 serves up the best-informed insight into the future for healthy food and drink. Clean label, healthy ageing, gut-friendly and sports nutrition trends, as well as the science behind ingredients boasting targeted health benefits will be on the agenda when Food Matters Live returns to ExCeL London on 20-22 November.
At the heart of its unrivalled education programme, 45 speakers at the forefront of the food and drink industry will debate the big issues, from working towards a global solution to plastic waste to the multi- sensory innovations and new technologies changing the way we eat and the next steps for sugar reduction.
Conference speakers for 2018 include: Food designer Marije Vogelzang, who has trialled using innovative tableware to tackle overeating; Kerry Taste and Nutrition Market Research Director Eadaoin McCarthy; Ivan Farneti, partner at food tech venture capital fund Five Seasons Ventures, "food adventurer" and TV presenter Stefan Gates and Behavioural Insights Team Adviser Hugo Harper.
And, amid growing demand for nutritional supplements backed by scientific evidence, the expert-led Food Matters Live seminars will examine emerging ingredients and research into nutrition and functional foods.
The nutrition for health and wellbeing seminar stream will focus on innovations targeting digestive health, healthy ageing, active consumers, immune, bone and joint, heart and cognitive health, including emerging functional ingredients and trends and natural health-boosting substances.
Speakers will tackle a huge range of topics, including: Can saffron help ease anxiety and depression? What role can Omega 3 fatty acids play in reducing age-related hypertension? Are regular microbiome tests and personalised nutrition the key to good digestive health? And how important is lutein to maternal and infant health?
The wide-ranging programme includes seminars grouped under key health and wellbeing themes: Retail trends, tackling obesity, sustainable food futures, the future of the free-from market, packaging and marketing.
The programme serves up invaluable guidance into the future of sustainable food and the trends reshaping the industry, from the future for meat-free, protein alternatives to cyber-security and the potential for 3D printing in personalised nutrition.
And visitors can take a break from the learning opportunities to see innovations being put into practice on the exhibition floor.
Among live attractions of interest to the nutraceutical community, the Nutraceutical Showcase will display innovations in dietary supplements, functional foods and sports nutrition, supported by the UK Council for Responsible Nutrition, who can advise on the safety and quality of supplements.
This year's participants include OptiBiotix, NBTY Europe, Natures Aid, BetterYou, Vitabiotics, Hellenia Healthfoods, M.A.S.S Health Ltd, DCC and Lamberts Healthcare.
And the nutritional science behind new ingredients and nutraceuticals will be showcased in the Innovative Ingredients Live theatre, a new attraction for 2018. Explore the nutritional benefits of protein- rich powder Lentein complete, derived from water lentils, find out about how dates are being used to reduce sugar and increase fibre in cakes and sauces and discover how medicinal Chaga mushrooms are being used in coffee alternatives and drinks.
The Health Food Manufacturers Association will have its own stand covering topics like health claims, novel food regulations and Brexit.
And get a taste of hundreds of food and drink innovations from around the world in the Food Matters Live curated exhibition, arranged in zones including free-from, drink well, sports nutrition and a start-up zone, featuring the newest entrepreneurs.
With 800 exhibitors taking part, the selection of products and ingredients is huge and diverse, ranging from 100% natural, zero calorie sugar replacement Erythritol and probiotic-rich Bodkin's Naturally Fermented Cabbage to Iniu's antioxidant breakfast juices and BetterYou's iron oral spray.
The exhibition includes a dedicated platform with the largest gathering of innovative ingredients companies in the UK, showcasing the solutions shaping the future of healthy and functional food and drink. From probiotic fermented soy product Gastro-AD to AnaGain Nu's organic pea shoot extract for hair growth, visitors can get a taste of the ingredients responding to trends for natural, allergen-free, vegan solutions.
Finally, an enhanced match-making 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, including entry to the conference, seminars and visitor attractions. Register at www.foodmatterslive.com