Fi Europe Conference
Join leading F&B experts to tackle current challenges and identify immediate opportunities in new product development.
The conference will take place online on the first week of the event and will continue to be available on-demand during the in-person event. The programme is focused on key industry themes and is designed for food professional working in:
- ✔️New Product Development
- ✔️Research & Development
- ✔️Scientific Affairs
- ✔️Manufacturing Technology
- ✔️Innovation
- ✔️Product Marketing
- ✔️Product Management
The key themes covered this year will come as no surprise, as they are the hottest topics in the industry; plant-based, health & wellness and reformulation.
Keynote Speakers
Christine Gould
Founder & CEO, Thought For Food
Dr. Andy M. Zynga
CEO, EIT Food
Dorothy Shaver
Global Food Sustainability Director, Unilever
Huib Van Bockel
Former Head of Marketing, Redbull Europe and Founder TENZING, Author of the book: The Social Brand
Fi Conference - Key Themes
Plant-based Ingredients Sessions
Plant-based products have exploded in popularity in recent years. From 2018 to 2020, European plant-based sales grew 49%. In the USA, 48% of consumers look for foods and drinks labelled ‘plant-based’ and one in four Americans claimed to eat more plant-based protein in 2021 than in previous years. The plant-based trend has been identified by Innova Market Insights as the second biggest trend for 2022, adding that plant-based products are no longer just about mimicking meat or dairy, but instead represent a whole platform for innovation with expanding sub-categories and increased premiumisation. Innova has tracked a 59% increase in new plant-based products that also carry a premium or indulgence claim over the past year.
Despite its current ‘on-trend’ status, the plant-based sector must overcome some significant hurdles. It must adapt to consumers’ different lifestyles and the need for different dining occasions. A wider variety of product options, better sensory appeal and ‘cleaner’ ingredient lists are key for this market to grow. Consumers not only want products with great taste and texture, but they are also looking for sustainable messaging and for health benefits to be clearly indicated on product labels.
Get the most up-to-date F&B ingredient and formulation insights. Learn about the ever-changing consumer landscape and product innovations.
[1] https://smartproteinproject.eu/[2] the Hartman Group’s 2021 Health & Wellness: Reimagining Well-being COVID-19 report
[3] 2021 Health & Nutrition Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC)
[4] https://insights.figlobal.com/report-downloads/fi-global-insights-2022-trend-guide-report
Health and Wellbeing Sessions
According to an International Food Information Council 2021 report, healthfulness is in third place in terms of purchase drivers behind taste and price of food products[5]. Additionally, when it comes to defining healthy food, one in four consumers see it as food that has a positive (health-boosting) effect on the body.[6]
According to FMCG Gurus, almost as many global consumers were planning to improve their general health and wellness (60%) throughout 2021 as those who wanted to improve specific health outcomes, such as heart health (65%) and immunity (64%).[7] This presents opportunities for functional food and drink manufacturers to develop products that tackle the notion of holistic health: supporting emotional as well as physical health. This means that many consumers will find those products appealing that are positioned around aiding several areas of health simultaneously.[8]
Learn about the trends and gain formulation insights into functional foods and beverages with health-boosting effects ranging from energy and weight loss, healthy ageing, immune health, cognitive and emotional health, to gut health.
[5] 2021 Health & Nutrition Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC)
[6] 2021 Health & Nutrition Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC)
[7] Health Ingredient Report 2021 (link to FIGI?)
[8] Regional Consumer Trend Update: Europe (link to FIGI?)
Reformulation
A long list of consumer demands is making it harder for manufacturers to deliver products that capture it all. These range from health benefits, value for money, product quality and increased shelf life to an attractive appearance, pleasant aroma and satisfactory texture. Manufacturers are especially trying to identify reformulation strategies that will assist them in their search for natural and clean label flavours and textures, whilst also delivering healthier options to consumers with ingredients that they recognise and accept.
The requirement to reformulate may also occur due to supply chain restrictions. Although changes to ingredient sourcing and product formulation can be a costly exercise, particularly when brands also need to change the information on their packaging, for many manufacturers, there may be no other option[9].
What should F&B manufacturers consider when reformulating existing products and what is the best way to ‘build some resilience’ into products currently in the development stage? Join F&B experts to get insights into reformulation solutions covering natural and clean label flavours, colours and textures.
[9] https://insights.figlobal.com/supply-chain-management/war-ukraine-forces-brands-reformulate-there-may-be-no-other-option
As well as content across these three themes, the programme will also include category insights from industry experts.
Categories covered:
- Confectionery, bakery and snacks
- Beverages
- Dairy and dairy alternatives
- Sustainable food systems
- Regulatory updates, food safety and supply chain management
Confectionery, Bakery and Snacks
Bakery, snacks and confectionery products are playing an increasingly large part in everyday diets across the globe, as people are looking for nutritious and convenient on-the-go treats.
Join our experts as they discuss the most pressing issues and solutions for reformulating in this category. What are producers struggling with the most and what are consumers looking for?
Beverages
Consumers are turning to beverages for health boosting effects, ranging from gut health to beauty and immune health.
The many innovations happening in reformulation within beverages, predominantly when it comes to sugar reduction and the use of new plant-based proteins in alternative milks, makes this category ever more interesting.
Join our experts to hear about the latest update on products, ingredients and reformulation insights.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
From ultra-filtered milk to highly realistic dairy alternatives made from plant-based ingredients and precision fermentation, there is no shortage of innovation in this space.
What are some of the most promising innovations in the new product pipeline?
What are some of the upcoming plant-based ingredients and promising blends that will ensure product’s nutritional and sensorial quality?
What are consumers looking for in dairy and dairy alternatives and what are some of the formulation issues to consider?
Join our experts as they present the most recent solutions for this sector.
Sustainable Food Systems
The health of the planet has now surpassed personal health as consumers’ biggest global concern, according to Innova Market Insights[12]. Discover effective tools to measure ingredient sustainability scores. Learn what the experts are saying about quantifying the carbon footprints of food products, circular economy strategies, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity and more.
[12] https://insights.figlobal.com/report-downloads/fi-global-insights-2022-trend-guide-report
Regulatory updates, food safety and supply chain management
Prices of wheat, corn and sunflower oil (as well as sunflower-derived ingredients such as the emulsifier, lecithin) have skyrocketed since the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
As a result, many manufacturers are re-evaluating their ingredient sourcing, while others have no choice but to reformulate[12].
Additionally, the ongoing lockdown of 45 cities in China due to Covid 19, including Shanghai, China's main manufacturing and export hub, is causing far-reaching disruptions in supply chains[13].
Join our experts for a discussion covering policy developments to supply chain hurdles and stay up to date with the latest news on regulatory changes and food safety issues.
[12] https://insights.figlobal.com/supply-chain-management/war-ukraine-forces-brands-reformulate-there-may-be-no-other-option
[13] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/17/economy/stocks-week-ahead/index.html
Ahead of Fi Europe co-located with Hi Europe, get the latest industry insights
Other Show Highlights
New Product Zone
Discover an extensive selection of the most innovative products, showcased alongside insightful information from leading industry players.
Exhibitor Showcases
Hear firsthand from the exhibitors about their new ingredients, latest research or market insights.
Startup Innovation Challenge
The Fi Global Startup Innovation Challenge gives startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a jury of R&D experts, investors, and major F&B industry company representatives.
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