Vitafoods Europe: the essential ingredient

Vitafoods Europe, the leading exhibition for the nutraceutical, functional food and beverage, and dietary supplement industries, returns to Palexpo, Geneva, during 5-7 May 2015. Presenting an opportunity for attendees to source the latest ingredient solutions and technical information required to implement true innovation in product development, the exhibition covers every aspect of the nutraceutical industry.

Vitafoods Europe brings together 750 global suppliers from more than 40 different countries, including the likes of DSM, Lonza, Plantex, FMC Corporate and 3i Nature. Nexira also returns to launch a product, offering the dietary supplement industry a new source of diosgenin, recognised for its benefits during the menopause, while Glanbia Nutritionals showcases its latest launches: OatPure, gluten-free Irish oat flakes guaranteed to contain max 10ppm gluten; and Ferroboost, a new way to improve fitness and well-being.

Alongside these returning exhibitors, the 2015 show has also attracted a host of new organisations, including Tasa Omega, Vespa Ingredients and Nutralab Canada. Another new exhibitor is Arla Food Ingredients, a global leader in natural whey ingredients for products in a range of categories - from sports nutrition, beverages, bakery, dairy and ice cream to clinical and infant nutrition.

What's on offer

A new feature at Vitafoods Europe is the Global Market Theatre, an area that offers an overview of regional markets, regulatory frameworks and the latest innovation in R&D from around the world. It presents an overview of the key aspects of doing business in six selected regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, Russia, South America and North America, and a guide on how to get products to market in these regions. Speakers from leading research companies such as Euromonitor International, Mintel, Innova Market Insights and EAS Strategies will offer independent insight and expert assessments on key market trends.

Another new feature for 2015 is the Omega-3 Resource Centre, co-developed with internationally recognised omega-3 experts GOED. The Resource Centre will act as a knowledge hub on omega-3s, presenting a wide breadth of content ranging from expert presentations and infographics to a printed guide and interactive visual displays. Within this area, a number of bespoke and tailored services are offered, including an 'Ask the omega-3 expert' service covering topics such as next-generation ingredients, processing and refining, encapsulation and the latest on krill oil.

For visitors looking for ingredients-based insight, the New Products Zone provides an overview of innovations brought to market within the past 12 months, allowing visitors to expand their knowledge of the most recent nutraceutical advances.

In addition to this, the Exhibitor Presentation Theatre features exhibitors including Aker BioMarine, Rousselot, Lesaffre, CHR Hansen and Ingredia discussing their latest launches, services and applications.

New entrepreneurial businesses and start-ups are represented in the Innovation Pavilion, where visitors can discover new ingredients, products and technology.
Innovation Tours, in association with NutriMarketing, will take visitors around the exhibition on category-focused trails to visit selected exhibitors offering the latest advancements in nutraceuticals, allowing them to see practical product demonstrations. These tours will focus on new protein sources, developments in sports nutrition, innovative ways to enhance bioavailability and new strategies in health claim applications.

Emerging trends within the industry are showcased in the Market and Trend Overview, which is organised in association with Innova Market Insights. This interactive feature, with poster and tablet presentations, demonstrates snapshots of trends and highlights health issues that will impact product activity in the nutraceutical, nutritional and functional food markets. Core topics include top ten trends for 2015, sports nutrition 3.0 and a new weight management platform.

A number of suppliers offering a range of services will also be represented in The Service Pavilion. This includes, consulting, contract manufacturing, regulatory assistance, packaging and processing, and pilot information.

Double down

The co-located event Finished Products Europe 2015 runs alongside Vitafoods. The show sees more than 200 leading suppliers and over 6,000 buyers, retailers and distributors looking to source the latest branded and white-label finished products, including reduced-calorie products, chewable vitamins and supplements, protein bars, energy drinks and sports nutrition products. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet with contract manufacturers that can provide bespoke products.

The Finished Products Theatre presents industry case studies of functional food and beverages as well as dietary supplements. Each day focuses on a core health category: sports nutrition, weight management and women's health.

Additionally, the Tasting Bar enables visitors to sample and compare a selection of the latest functional food and beverage products on show at Finished Products Europe.

Here, visitors will be given the opportunity to try the products and vote for their favourite, with the winner being announced on the final day of the show.

"The range of visitor attractions on offer at Vitafoods Europe and Finished Products Europe will help provide visitors with a comprehensive insight into topics needed to create innovative products while offering an opportunity to source the newest ingredients and secure lucrative business deals," says Chris Lee, Vitafoods' portfolio director.

New horizons

The Vitafoods Europe Conference returns in an expanded format, with an added focus on business practice and more content than ever before. This year, the conference programme continues to highlight best practice within R&D but also presents delegates with broader business expertise.

The expanded programme will go beyond the science behind the solutions, looking at what it takes to get a product from concept to shelf. The conference content is divided into three streams, each with a distinct focus and direction.

The first, 'Your Business', looks at how to turn business intelligence into insights and competitive growth strategies. For the latest innovations in research and development across a number of specific health categories, the 'Your Science' stream covers areas such as digestive health, women's health, cognitive health, weight management, heart health, sport nutrition, and bone and joint health. Finally, the 'Your Product' stream focuses on the latest product and ingredient innovations in areas such as omega-3, probiotics, protein, free-from products and botanicals, and best practice within product safety and quality control, with each topic combined with a market overview and consumer insights.

The comprehensive overview will make for engaging content for all departments within a company, from R&D to marketing. With 23 modules, including two keynote panel discussions and 70 speakers from 20 different countries, the Vitafoods Europe Conference offers something for everyone.

In conjunction with the event, the inaugural NutraIngredients Awards in association with Vitafoods Europe take place on Wednesday 6 May.

These will recognise contributions of excellence and innovation made by the European health and nutrition industry's key players in seven separate categories and feature a diverse panel of expert judges.

The 2015 show also sees the launch of the first ever Vitafoods Europe 5km run, sponsored by Ingredia. Also taking place on Wednesday 6 May, the event will see participants join like-minded industry personnel for a run before the show, where they will also receive a complimentary Ingredia finished sports recovery product incorporating its Wellmune ingredient clinically proven to boost the immune system. To register your interest, visit www.vitafoods.eu.com/run.

Register for free entry to Vitafoods Europe at www.vitafoods.eu.com/regstorm, or join the shows' LinkedIn groups at www.vitafoods.eu.com/linkedin or www.finishedproductseurope.com/linkedin.
The shows can also be found on Twitter @VitafoodsEurope and @fpeurope.