Vitafoods Europe, FPE 2011 close

Organized by IIR Exhibitions in May 2011, Vitafoods Europe had 7,500 visitors, a 23% increase on 2010, and 4,257 for FPE, 132% rise in 2010. There were more than 500 exhibiting companies, including 100 at FPE.

Exhibitors at Vitafoods Europe included international ingredients suppliers and manufacturers such as Bio Serae Laboratories, DSM Nutritional Products, EPAX, Cognis, Frutarom Health, Naturex, whilst FPE exhibitors included VSI, Zuccari, FrieslandCampina Creamy Creation, Bariatrix and Nature's Plus. Visitors to the show came from sectors such as health foods, dietary supplements, raw materials, functional beverages and nutricosmetics.

Vitafoods Europe featured the Supplier Seminar Theatre, New Products Zone, EAS Advisory Sessions, VitaTrend, Mintel New Products and Consumer Insights Pavilion. In addition, the Discussion Forum provided visitors with industry knowledge and ideas on how to maximize commercial opportunities in the booming European nutraceuticals industry.

Meanwhile, the Service Pavilion provided visitors with a one-stop area to source solutions for their businesses. Service and equipment exhibitors include specialist in coatings Mantrose UK, contract manufacturer Microz BV, packaging company Ekberg and contract research and consultancy analyze & realize.

The free-to-attend three-day Supplier Seminar Theatre program showed visitors new products with insights from creators. Danisco France for example showed delegates how its fiber ingredient Litesse improves satiety and digestive health.

At the EAS Advisory Sessions, visitors spoke to regulatory experts on product formulae, labeling and claims across Europe. The experts provided tailored advice and solutions on how to adhere to food and nutrition policies and products approved for the European market.

At the Vitafoods Europe Conference, delegates were updated on key regulatory changes affecting the industry, and research breakthroughs from the last 12 months. "The sessions have inspired me on product development. I particularly enjoyed the session on sports nutrition, which had a balanced emphasis on both the theory and practical application of foods and supplements," said Lindsey Ormond from Premier Foods.

The Tasting Bar @ FPE drew visitors keen to sample new concepts in the finished products market such as Nordic Naturals' Omega 3 Gummy Worms, PYC Laboratoire's Shake & Freeze weight management ice cream, Pyour prebiotic drink by Pyour Prebio and a high-protein instant meal replacement from Prinsen V.B. Visitors voted for their favourite food and drink products. Anlit's Sweet Dreams range, Nutribio's Choco-Speculoos Protein Bar, Pomegranate Berry Drink Sticks from NOW International, FrieslandCampina Creamy Creation's Pomegranate Blueberry Weight Management Drink, VSI's Nuts/Seeds bar as well as Probi AB's ProViva probiotic fruit drink emerged as winners.

New concepts shown at the New Products Zone were either launched exclusively at the show or have hit the market in the last few months. They include Probiotics Bio-Kult, Northwest Natural Products' L'il Critters Omeda-3 Gummy Fish and Nutribio's RTD Protein Drink.

The next edition of Vitafoods Europe and FPE will take place from May 22 to 24, 2012 in Geneva.