FDBusiness.com

Consumer demand for healthier food and beverage products with more functional benefits is growing worldwide, with recent Euromonitor International data stating that the global market for fortified/functional food and beverage was worth almost US$264 billion in 2013. Furthermore, this is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5% between 2013 and 2018.

The driving factors behind this growth include demand from consumers for naturally healthy or reduced sugar foods and beverages, influence of health campaigners and government action. As a result of this demand, the functional benefits of food and beverage products is one of the most important themes in new product development in the industry, particularly in the developed world.

Reflecting this growth, trends within the functional food and beverage sector and the latest innovations the nutraceutical industry has to offer will be showcased at Vitafoods Europe, the leading exhibition for the nutraceutical, functional food & beverage and dietary supplement industries. Returning to Palexpo, Geneva from the 5-7 May 2015, the event presents an opportunity for attendees to source the latest ingredient solutions and technical information required to implement true innovation in product development.

With 2015 set to be the biggest and best Vitafoods Europe event to date, the show will feature a number of high profile product launches and showcase the best innovations in the nutraceutical industry.

Vitafoods Europe brings together 800 global suppliers from over 40 different countries, including the likes of DSM, Lonza, Plantex, FMC Corporate, Tasa Omega, Vespa Ingredients, Nutralab Canada and 3i nature. First time exhibitor Arla Foods, the global dairy company, which supplies products ranging from sports nutrition, beverages, bakery, dairy and ice cream to clinical and infant nutrition, is showcasing its range of natural whey ingredients for products in the aforementioned categories.Theravalues Corporation will launch its Theracurmin® Super for the European market. It is the highest ever bioavailable curcumin, with a combination of amorphous (non-crystal) technology and ingredients approved by European regulations. With its extraordinary high bioavailability, Theracurmin® Super will make a huge contribution to treating and preventing a number of diseases in many countries, where ageing populations rapidly grow.

BIONOV, the world’s largest producer of natural & bioactive SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD) from melon, will exhibit at the show to present its latest innovations, including a new patent on the original and unique composition of its melon SOD B®, which has just been filed. AstaReal AB showcases its superior range of natural astaxanthin products and will launch its new vegetarian option for its original finished formulation, whilst Croda will demonstrate two juicy new flavours of Incromega 3mulsion DHA, a creamy liquid Omega-3 product that is ideally delivered in single-serve sachets or by spoon from the bottle. The new flavours, Blueberry & Lemon and Peach & Mango, join the original Lemon flavoured emulsion, of which one single-serve 5g sachet or spoonful provides the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) daily recommended intake of 250mg/day of the components of Omega 3 that are recognised as being beneficial to health, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Nexira returns to launch a new product in the nutraceutical market offering the dietary supplement industry a new source of diosgenin, recognised for its benefits in menopause, whilst 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 wellbeing.

Ecuadorian Rainforest, LLC, will showcase its Ingredients Passport, newly updated for 2015, which focuses on 2015’s nutraceuticals market and what ingredients are believed to make a big impact this year. The Ingredients Passport covers the important information of six breakthrough ingredients, including nutrient content, botanical names, and history. Stepan Lipid Nutrition will also feature a new portfolio, of free flowing, micro-encapsulated powders for two piece capsules, beverage mixes, bars and baked goods.

In addition to the launches taking place at the show, the New Products Zone provides an overview of innovations brought to market within the last 12 months, allowing visitors to expand their knowledge of the most recent nutraceutical advances. Furthermore, new entrepreneurial businesses and start-ups are represented in the Innovation Pavilion, where visitors can discover new ingredients, products and technologies, and take advantage of the latest trends the industry has to offer.

Solutex – one of the world leaders in the CO2 Green Extraction Technology, supplying highly concentrated active ingredients from natural products to the pharmaceutical, nutrition, flavor & fragrances industries – will be showcasing the large industrial application of its proprietary cGMP Supercritical Extraction and Chromatography Technologies, which allow it to extract, fractionate and purify, getting the highest purity and potency Omega-3 concentrates.

Within the Innovation Pavilion is the Sana Hemp Juice Company BV. Sana Hemp Juice produce the only genuine raw hemp juice that is commercially available on the European market. Its green juice contains the full spectrum of essential nutrients and the additional benefit of high quantities of Cannabidiol (CBD), as found in the mature leaf and bud of the legal industrial hemp plant. Cannabidiol is a strong anti-oxidant that helps with detoxication of the body, restores the healthy balance and generally improves well-being.

Innovation Tours will take visitors around the exhibition on category focused trails to visit carefully selected exhibitors offering the latest advancements in nutraceuticals allowing them to see practical product demonstrations. These tours will focus on new protein sources, innovation in sports nutrition, innovative ways to enhance bioavailability and new strategies in health claim applications.

Chris Lee, Vitafoods Portfolio Director said: “Each year Vitafoods Europe attracts a senior level audience from the nutraceutical industry across the world, making the show the perfect platform for businesses to launch their new products and innovations. As a result of the number of launches that take place at the show, demonstrating the innovations at the forefront of the industry, the event is a must-attend for sourcing cutting-edge ingredients and finished products.”

Register now for free entry to Vitafoods Europe: www.vitafoods.eu.com/regstorm/

The 2015 show also sees the launch of the first ever Vitafoods Europe and Finished Products Europe 5k run, sponsored by Ingredia Nutritional. Taking place on Wednesday 6 May, participants have the opportunity to join like-minded industry personnel for an invigorating run before the show, where they will also receive a complimentary Ingredia Nutritional finished sports recovery product. The product incorporates its Wellmune® ingredient that is clinically proven to help strengthen the immune system by boosting key innate immune cells. To register your interest visit: www.vitafoods.eu.com/run.