IFE Manufacturing, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, returned to ExCeL London on 25-27 March to provide a glimpse into the future of food & drink product development.  

Food, Drink & Hospitality Week welcomed more than 30,000 visitors across food, drink, hospitality and new product development to gain invaluable insights into the future of food. 

IFE Manufacturing was packed with innovative suppliers covering processing, packaging, manufacturing, technology and ingredients, plus the show’s Certification Clinic saw organisations including BRCGS, Loop Certified, SALSA, RSPCA Assured, Halal Certification Europe and The Vegan Society advising food & drink brands on the latest industry accreditations.  

Hoi Yan Chan, Development Technologist at Bakkavor, commented: “Participating in IFE Manufacturing proved to be an enlightening experience. It was truly inspiring to glean insights from industry leaders, making the event not only educational but also professionally enriching. Moreover, the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with fellow professionals added an invaluable dimension to my experience.” 

Trends & Innovation  

IFE Manufacturing’s Tends & Innovation Platform was awash with insightful discussions and debates on the future of food.  

Leading industry experts tackled subjects such as perceptions of ultra-processed foods, navigating the world of allergens, the future of the vegan & plant-based sector and much more over the course of the three days of the show.

Charles Banks, Co-Founder of thefoodpeople, had a standing-room-only session discussing disruptive forces in the food & drink industry, from human health to environmental impact. The session invited visitors to discover how they will be affected by the emerging forces re-shaping the food industry, from AI and molecular farming to the 'pillars of protein'. 

The Trends & Innovation Platform also saw a popular discussion on making your brand a success, hosted by Brett Goldhawk, Founder of DesignHawk and featuring Gareth Turner, Founder of Big Black Door, Isabel Lydall, Founder and Insight Director at Curious to Clear and Richard Medley, Founder of Turning the Page. 

IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards 

The winners for the IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards, in association with IFST, were unveiled at IFE Manufacturing, with categories celebrating sustainability solutions, innovative ingredients and new technologies.  

The awards were launched to recognise and celebrate excellence in the field of food science and technology.  

“As we embark on this exciting journey with the inaugural IFE Manufacturing Ingredients Awards, we honour the relentless pursuit of innovation in ingredients,” said Deborah Kendale, Business Development Director at IFST. “These awards, a collaborative effort between IFST and IFE Manufacturing, demonstrate our shared commitment to celebrating excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of food science and technology.” 

The winners were:  

Achieving Sustainable Solutions  

Azamet Pro – Protein and Fibre Rich Gluten Free Flour and Grissini Sticks  

Innovative Protein Sources  

PhycoHealth – PhycoTein  

New Ingredient Launch From A Start-Up Company  

C-Paste Ltd – SweetAble  

New Technologies for Improved Health  

NewTree Fruit Company – De-sugared Fruit Juice Concentrate  

Simplified Ingredient Lists for Clean Labels  

Arthur Branwell & Co. Ltd. – EmuLux, Range of Unique Cryogenic Spray Crystallised Fat Crystal 

Alina Uzun, Marketing and Sales Director at Azamet Pro, commented: "We are delighted to receive this award. As a small family company, this recognition is a testament to our commitment to sustainability. It motivates us to persist in our journey, taking both small and significant steps towards a healthier, greener, and happier planet.  

“Moving forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to inspire others to join us in this vital cause. Together, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come. Thank you, IFE Manufacturing, and IFST for this opportunity and recognition." 

Inspiring partner conferences 

Key partners to IFE Manufacturing held conferences alongside this year’s event, with Campden BRI hosting ‘New ingredients, new processes: managing established risks’ and the IFST holding its Food Innovation Forum.

Visitors to the IFST Food Innovation Forum has the opportunity to hear from a range of leaders in the food science and technology sector, including keynote speaker Jack Bobo, Director at the University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute.  

Susan Arkley, food consultant, lecturer and panellist on the session ‘Ingredients for an Innovation Ecosystem’, commented: “It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the discussion panel which closed the forum, along with Charlotte Crowhurst, Debbie Tully, Helen Taylor and Charles Banks.  

“We discussed a great many aspects of innovation including the importance protecting your IP, how and where to get funding for innovation projects, the trends and drivers for innovation, how innovation pathways differ depending on the size and type of organisation and where startups and SMEs can access resources and support for innovation. 

At ‘New ingredients, new processes: managing established risks’ topics such as food safety considerations in innovation, cost optimisation, clean label and plant-based foods were under the microscope.  

"It's been an incredible journey of learning and networking at the Campden BRI conference on ‘New Ingredients, New Processes: Managing Established Risks’. I had the privilege of representing UKEIA, thanks to Nick Rousseau, who provided me with this opportunity,” said Dharshini Infanciya A, Junior Consultant at UKEIA (UK Edible Insect Association). "Throughout the day, I had the chance to engage with numerous brands. However, the real highlight was delving into the enriching sessions led by industry experts and delegates at the conference. 

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Campden BRI for organising such an enlightening event. It was indeed a day filled with fruitful interactions, valuable insights, and opportunities for growth." 

IFE Manufacturing returns to ExCeL London on 17-19 March as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Find out more, and subscribe to the IFE Manufacturing newsletter, at ifemanufacturing.co.uk.