Food Matters Live, the event bringing together R&D, NPD, and innovation leaders from across the food and drink industry, returns to Ascot, London, from October 8-9. Attendees will benefit from immersive showcases, insights, business connections, and the chance to explore next-generation products.
The Tastes of Better programme will bring product development to life through showcases tackling challenges such as shortages in cocoa, dairy, and eggs, cutting CO₂ footprints, advancing fibre fortification, enhancing taste through sensory science, and reformulating for GLP-1 consumers.
Each showcase will combine science, application, and tasting to ensure innovation leaders leave with practical ideas and opportunities for new partnerships. Highlights will include:
- IFF — Revealing how flavour, texture, and sound can shape consumer emotion and transform eating experiences.
- RAPS UK — Uncovering global flavour systems that spark new product inspiration.
- AAK — Plant-based and sustainable innovation.
- Ingredion — Smart reformulation providing practical solutions to sugar reduction and clean-label challenges.
- BENEO with Kreglinger — Creative new concepts, including high-protein and gut-friendly applications.
- Kerry — Future-focused innovation tackling supply pressures, shifting nutritional landscapes, and consumer demand for richer sensory experiences.
“A unique platform to find solutions”
On the main stage, over 50 expert speakers will explore trends, technologies, and regulations redefining food and drink. These speakers will come from organisations such as the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, Danone, Campden BRI, Imperial College London, GlobalData, Pilgrim’s Europe, pladis Global, Adamo Foods, Quorn Foods, Yeo Valley, Holland & Barrett, Maurten, Danone, Quorn, Sodexo, Symrise, and more.
Topics will include:
- HFSS and UPF reformulation.
- Gut health and the microbiome.
- Fibre fortification and closing the fibre gap.
- GLP-1’s impact on product development.
- Sustainable proteins.
- Flavour futures, sports nutrition, and performance.
- Data-driven consumer and sustainability insights.
There will also be a curated series of roundtable discussions hosted by specialists including Ingredion, Döhler, Nexira, PROVA, Azelis, BENEO, Gnosis by Lesaffre, RAPS UK, UPP Freya, Ulrick and Short, and Campden BRI. The small-group sessions will tackle topics such as sugar and salt reduction, gut health, clean-label products, fibre, HFSS compliance, sustainable proteins, healthy ageing, and women’s health.
“At a time when innovation leaders are balancing health, sustainability, and affordability while responding to unprecedented consumer change, Food Matters Live provides a unique platform to find solutions and make connections that drive progress,” said Briony Mansell-Lewis, Managing Director at Food Matters Live.
