Consumers are the driving force behind innovation in the food industry, but how well do we know what they want? In this lively episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our October 2024 event in Ascot, our panel of industry experts focuses on consumers; their tastes, behaviours, and budgets. They look at the trends that are reshaping what we and how we eat, now and into the future. Crucially, the food industry is a global business, and our panelists also delve into the...

What impact does what we eat and drink have on our health in later life? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of nutrition experts explores the challenges and opportunities in promoting healthy ageing through diet.  They discuss the latest consumer insights around ageing, as more people than ever are prioritising wellness and quality of life as they grow older. Check out our Events Calendar They tackle complex...

How are consumer habits going to change as Gen Z play an increasingly prominent role? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of experts look at the mega trends shaping the food industry of the future. They discuss how Gen Z's values of authenticity, transparency, and environmental consciousness are reshaping the sector.  Their skepticism toward traditional advertising and greenwashing is driving a new level of...

What is driving the next big product innovations in the food and drink industry? And how can we use data, digital tools and AI to support new product development, innovation and reformulation? These are the big questions put to our expert panel in this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, which was recorded live at the Food Matters Live event, in Ascot in October 2024. Check out our Events Calendar From improving plant-based cheese to optimising recipes and predicting food trends, AI...

What are the big trends and ingredient innovations that will shape the menus of the future? What changes are on the horizon that will re-shape the look of our plates 10, 15 or 20 years from now? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters Live event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of experts offer their insights on those questions. The conversation explores the significant impact of social media on food trends, the role of chefs in adapting these...

Sustainability in the food and drink sector is here to stay as a key issue, but what will drive it in the years to come? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, a panel of experts offer their views on this crucial question. The conversation explores the emerging trends in sustainable food and drink solutions, focusing on consumer engagement, the importance of data, transparency in supply chains, and the role of...

A healthy gut is something that is increasingly on consumers’ minds, but where is the market heading and how much do we really know about how the food we eat impacts our gut? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, we assemble an expert panel to try to answer some of those questions. They discuss the complexities of nutrition and gut health, precision nutrition, the role of gut health products, and the regulatory...

Consumers are increasingly aware of their food choices and how those choices affect their health, so what will that mean for the food industry of the future? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in 2024, our expert panel discusses the evolving trends in the food industry. They look to the future and contemplate where we might be heading in terms of health and sustainability, consumer behaviour towards cooking, innovations in...

How do we make our food systems more sustainable? It's a big question and it is a huge challenge. But we know that progress can be made. The food industry has a big impact on the climate and the environment, but we cannot just stop making food, we need to keep everyone fed.  We also know that some of the processes we use to make food could be improved to lessen their impact on the world around us.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Tetra Pak, we...

Sourdough has taken off in recent years as the bread of choice for many consumers, but what does the future hold for the product? Although many of us turned our hand to sourdough starters during the Coronavirus pandemic, the trend of choosing it over other bread products does not appear to be abating. And when we look to its history, it is clear that it has long-held a place in people’s hearts. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Millbio, we delve...

Healthy ageing, and in particular heart health, are big concerns for consumers. So how is the food industry responding? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with BENEO, we dive into a critical topic that resonates with many of us.  As we know, ageing populations are on the rise globally. In the UK alone, the number of people aged 65 and over has surged from 9 million to 11 million in the last decade.  This demographic shift brings the importance of healthy...

Health and wellbeing is big business, so what are the innovations the food and drink sector should be getting excited about? We are seeing a huge investment in this area and the benefits of new ingredients are being looked at all the time. But it is not just about following the latest trends, health and wellbeing through nutrition is also incredibly important to consumers, so what does the science say? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recording live at our Tastes of Better...

How does a food product get from concept to market? What ingredients are needed to go from a spark of imagination to a purchase at the counter? How do new ideas get from chef to shelf? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Griffith Foods, we go on that journey to learn about the challenges and opportunities of new product development (NPD). And we actually get to experience it firsthand, as we take the podcast on the road to visit Griffith Foods at their...

“The big difference these days is the magnitude and the complexity of the challenges facing the food industry, and the fact they all seem to be happening at the same time.” So says Dr Kaly Chatakondu, AAK’s Commercial Director for Food Ingredients in the UK and Ireland. There is no doubt that the food industry is facing multiple challenges on multiple fronts but three key themes stand out: sustainability, health, and the cost of living. All of us in the food industry are searching for...

What is low-energy availability, and why should the food and drink industry care about it? We have made episodes in the past about how to fuel the bodies of athletes, but in this episode, we are focussing specifically on female athletes. And we are not just talking about people at the very elite level, like those competing at the Paris Olympics, we are also talking about people who live active lives. Low-energy availability is a big concern in the world of sport nutrition and it can have a...

What does the future hold for sustainability in the food industry? It remains one of the biggest areas for innovation in the sector, one that continues to concern consumers and drive change on a systemic level. But where will that momentum for change take us? What will sustainability in the food sector look like a decade from now? And where will it sit on the list of priorities for consumers in the years ahead? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at Food Matters...

Food allergies affect millions of people, and when food providers get it wrong, we know the consequences can be catastrophic. The Food Standards Agency says around 6% of adults have a clinically confirmed food allergy, that is around 2.4 million people, and that figure only covers the UK. Ensuring mistakes are not made in labelling or use of ingredients is, of course, a matter of safety for the consumer, but a mistake can also have a devastating impact on those working in the food...

What decisions will people be making in the year 2030? What factors will influence their purchasing decisions? And how does the food industry adapt to meet those new demands? When it comes to the future of food, everyone in the industry would like to know the types of food and drink products people will be buying in the years to come. It is, of course, impossible to know for sure, but we can look at the underlying trends and the circumstances that will be acting as motivators for the...

How prepared is the agricultural sector for the next big technological revolution? We live in a digital age, everywhere you look new technologies are helping to make things faster, more efficient, and more precise. But there is a feeling, not just in the food sector but more broadly, that we are on the cusp of another digital revolution. AI, robotics, and access to data are advancing at great speed. The question is: can regulations, and expertise at a regulatory level, keep up with the...

Confectionary is big business. The global market is worth over a trillion US dollars and all the forecasts suggest that figure is set to continue rising. But with so much competition, and a population increasingly concerned with topics such as sustainability and animal welfare, it is more important than ever for new products to stand out. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Royal Avebe, we look at how potato starch is providing some solutions to these...

There are many challenges facing the food industry at the moment, and those challenges are being faced by all of us, farmers, producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Consumers in particular, are increasingly concerned with a rising cost of living, their overall health, as well as sustainability and climate change. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Azelis UK Food and Nutrition, we look at how the food industry can address these concerns,...

Looking after crops and maintaining a resilient food supply is as important now as it has ever been. But the challenges farmers are facing are growing, from inflation to a growing population and climate change - and all with sustainable agriculture front of mind. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with CropLife Europe, we explore the role biopesticides could play in helping to ease some of the pressure on our food producers. Biopesticides are pesticides...

What are the innovations that will shape our culinary experiences over the next decade or so? It is exciting to think about some of the things we may be seeing on our plates in the years ahead, but the really interesting aspect is what influences those trends. In this episode, recorded live at the Food Matters Live Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, we ask the experts where we might be heading, and which factors may be taking us there. How will an increased interest in...

How can the food sector go about achieving its sustainability goals? It's a big question, but one that is increasingly pressing. Sustainability has been a hot topic in the food sector for many years, and whilst consumers might try to make more sustainable choices, often it's the parts of the food production system they do not see that are the most energy intensive. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Tetra Pak, we take a look at some of the solutions...