The survey also revealed the plant-based trend will continue its trajectory to become megatrend in the coming year, supported by sustainable packaging, gut-friendly foods and sugar-free – all demonstrating the influence consumers’ growing interest in health and wellbeing is having on the sector.
IFE 2019 – celebrating its 21st anniversary this year – is set to open its doors in the middle of next month to highlight the latest innovations from producers capitalizing on these trends, as well as those setting the next big trends in the industry.
“We know that food and drink trends evolve quite rapidly, and IFE has had this really key imperative to constantly mirror them to ensure we are constantly informing the trade what consumers are looking for,” Soraya Gadelrab, event director for IFE, told BakeryandSnacks.
“We have brought together a truly fantastic line-up of experts to offer buyers the most up-to-date intel on the changing F&B landscape and provide inspiration, ideas and tools to help businesses tap into upcoming trends.”
Highlights
Gadelrab told this site that, once again, Defra and the Department for International Trade will be supporting the event, including a “Defra Storytelling Bar that will offer an interactive experience where visitors can taste, touch and smell a variety of drinks.”
Prominent experts, including plant-based influencers, will take to the Talking Trends stage throughout the four-day event, including Maria Antidormi, insight consultant at Anima Insight; Al Overton, senior buyer at Planet Organic; Derek Sarno, director of Plant-Based Food Innovation at Tesco; and James Hacon, MD of Think Hospitality.
The Big Debate will focus on a range of topical subjects, including food waste and sustainability, which will look at how the industry can help with the massive problem, as well as the pros – and cons – of cutting plastic packaging.
New to IFE 2019 is the Tasting Trends area, which will offer visitors a multi-sensory experience to interact with the products that will be shaping the future of the industry.
Back by popular demand are the Trend Trails, designed help visitors navigate their way around the event one key insight at a time.
The biennial event – co-located with Pro2Pac, the UK’s only processing & packaging event – provides visitors an opportunity to meet and network with the 1,350 exhibiting manufacturers from 111 countries.
BakeryandSnacks will be attending the event being held at ExCel London, UK, from March 17-20 2019, so watch this space.