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Vitafoods Europe 2026 live: Transforming functional foods with sustainable biotech solutions

F&B ingredient manufacturers are exploring biotechnology to create more sustainable, efficient, and consistent products that meet the growing demands of eco- and health-conscious consumers. At Vitafoods Europe 2026 in Barcelona (May 5–7), Spain, industry leaders are unveiling innovations in precision fermentation, probiotics, and enzyme technologies, highlighting biotech’s transformative role in shaping the future of food ingredients.
Packaging designers discussing sustainable solutions.
Food packaging trends 2026: Sustainability, digital innovation & consumer-centric solutions
The food packaging industry is undergoing a significant transformation, shaped by evolving consumer expectations and sustainability imperatives. Key trends are emerging that will reshape how food products are packaged and perceived in the marketplace. Innova Market Insights’ Top Packaging Trends for 2026 highlighted “Substantiated Sustainability” as its leading trend, stressing the need for verified environmental claims amid stricter regulations like the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The market researcher has found that consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging but expect scientific proof to back up claims, reducing greenwashing.
A woman eating fruit-filled yogurt on a couch.
Functional food fortification: Agrana reveals evolving role of fruit preparations in dairy
Consumer demand for functional food fortification continues to grow. Protein-forward formats are driving innovation in yogurt and snacking dairy. At the same time, fiber enrichment, gut health, and prebiotic concepts are becoming baseline expectations rather than premium differentiators. Consumers must now navigate an increasingly crowded health and wellness landscape that is pushing brands and manufacturers to deliver benefits that are both meaningful and clearly communicated — without sacrificing the taste and texture experience that keeps them coming back.
TechnicalPaperCeamsa
CEAMFIBRE a gut-friendly fibre solution
What's else, besides CEAMFIBRE's mutifunctionality? Could a citrus fibre be gut friendly? CEAMSA investigated whether CEAMFIBRE®—a partially soluble citrus fibre—may exhibit potential prebiotic and satiating properties using in vitro colonic fermentation models and enteroendocrine cell assays. Read the full study to find out.This Technical Paper is brought to you by CEAMSA.
Coralie Garcia, ADM
ADM: Translating consumer behaviors into scalable flavor strategies

Coralie Garcia, senior flavor product marketing manager for EMEA at ADM, answers key questions on translating consumer emotions into flavor strategies, balancing sustainability with innovation, and the role of data in flavor development. Filmed at ADM’s Flavor Innovation Center in Berlin, Germany, the discussion offers valuable insights into the future of flavor across a diverse F&B market.

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Vitafoods Europe 2026 preview: Nutraceuticals, functional food & targeted wellness
At the Vitafoods Europe 2026 trade show (May 5–7), the nutraceutical industry will showcase its ingredients, functional foods, and new product applications for increasingly health-conscious consumers. In Barcelona, Spain, suppliers will gather to present the latest innovations in gut health, longevity, women’s health, beauty-from-within, sports nutrition, pet care, and metabolic health. Exhibitors are set to highlight proteins, postbiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, botanicals, enzymes, and flavors. We preview some of the standout companies and innovations.

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FrieslandCampina invests €90M to boost whey protein capacity and sustainability...
huge dairy plant
FrieslandCampina is investing over €90 million (~US$105.8 million) to advance its whey protein innovation and further optimize its ingredients production network in the Netherlands. Using internally-sourced whey, the dairy giant aims to expand its capacity to produce protein ingredients for performance, active, early life, and medical nutrition applications.
The Campbell’s Company acquires 49% in key pasta sauce producer La Regina
Pasta sauce
The Campbell’s Company has acquired a 49% interest in La Regina di San Marzano di Antonio Romano and La Regina Atlantica (combined, La Regina), which is the privately held maker of Rao’s Homemade tomato-based, jarred pasta sauces. The deal is valued at US$286 million and is structured into two tranches.According to official regulatory filings, the tranches comprise an initial cash payment of US$146 million on the deal’s closing on May 4, 2026, followed by a deferred payment of US$140 million due one year later.
Upcycled marigold flower waste boosts flavor, texture & sustainability in...
marigold flowers in flask and glass bottle
Scientists in the US and India have examined the use of dried marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers as an upcycled and sustainable protein source, as consumer demands for protein-rich and plant-based F&B continue to rise.
Vitafoods Europe 2026 live: Multi-benefit beverages revolutionizing functional...
large building with vitafoods logo
Functional beverages are emerging as one of the most dynamic and fast-moving categories, as the global wellness market continues to evolve. No longer limited to fortified juices or protein shakes, today’s formulations are blending hydration, nutrition, and targeted health benefits — from gut support to cognitive performance — into convenient, everyday formats.
Fibers and sweeteners: Innovation beyond protein in plant-based ingredients
Various stevia ingredients on table.
A growing interest in plant-derived fibers and sweeteners is transforming the food industry. In recent years, plant-based foods have taken the spotlight, largely driven by protein alternatives sourced from plants. However, a quieter revolution is brewing within the sector, shifting focus to the next frontier in plant-based ingredients: those that go beyond protein. As manufacturers seek healthier, sustainable, and more functional products, plant-based fibers and sweeteners are becoming essential components of modern formulations.
Vitafoods Europe 2026 live: Kaneka Ubiquinol’s mitochondria-boosting supplement...
Kaneka at Vitafoods 2026

Nutrition Insight

Mitochondria have become a hot topic in the nutrition industry as cellular health comes into focus for targeted health support. At Vitafoods Europe 2026, Nutrition Insight meets with Kaneka Ubiquinol Europe delving into why mitochondria are important target areas of supplement launches and how companies can differentiate themselves on the market amid saturated marketing claims. The company also won an innovation award yesterday.
Highlighted features
Vitafoods Europe 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
New Product Development
Vitafoods Europe 2026 preview: Five key trends shaping...
Vitafoods Europe 2026 promises to showcase the growing integration of health and wellness ingredients traditionally found in nutraceuticals into mainstream F&B products. The event in Barcelona, Spain, next week, will demonstrate how functional ingredients have become key differentiators for brands looking to win over increasingly health-conscious consumers. Visitors can expect to find functional ingredients ranging from protein innovations for metabolic health to probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics for gut health. Meanwhile, beauty‑from‑within ingredients, such as collagen, will demonstrate how mainstream brands are tapping into the growing demand for products that promote both internal health and external beauty.
April 2026 F&B industry highlights.
Food Ingredients News
April in review: UN FAO food security warning, Coffee...
In April 2026, the UN FAO’s chief economist warned that a prolonged Strait of Hormuz crisis could result in a “global agri-food catastrophe,” urging anticipatory policy actions to mitigate a supply crunch for key agri-food inputs like fertilizer. PepsiCo boosted its revenue through consumer price cuts and healthier snack sales. Fonterra sold its global consumer business to global dairy leader Lactalis. Keurig Dr Pepper acquired JDE Peet’s to form an expanded coffee giant.
Activia yogurts in supermarket.
New Product Development
The year of fiber: How Danone turns surging demand into...
Fiber has moved from a nutrition afterthought to a formulation priority for F&B manufacturers, as Western consumers increasingly prioritize gut health to support their overall well-being. Food leaders like Danone view fiber as a long-term strategic ingredient, but success depends on balancing functionality, sensory performance, and scalable sourcing in fiber-enriched products. Innova Market Insights ranks fiber as the second most popular functional ingredient for consumers in the US, behind protein. Around two in five say they are highly interested in fibers, signaling a strong baseline demand. Although WHO recommends a minimum of 25 g of fiber per day, most consumers in developed markets fall significantly short, highlighting a persistent “fiber gap.”

Ingredient focus

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Sugar reduction solutionsMay2026

Innova data shows that consumers are actively reducing sugar in their diets. This trend drove +5% increase in reduced-sugar claims in F&B launches from 2021 to 2025. Europe accounted for the most ...

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Food packaging trends May 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 5% compound annual growth in F&B launches between April 2021 and March 2026. The top packaging types were flat pouch, folded box, and bottle. More than half of launches were packed in plastic, while molded fiber packaging shows strong growth. Recyclable remained the top environmental claim, as reusable claims gain traction.

Trend analysis

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Innovative chocolate applicationsMay 2026

Innova data shows an increase in chocolate product launches globally. One-third of these launches were in a chocolate block format, while wrapped chocolate pieces emerged as the fastest-growing format. “Vegetarian” was the leading claim for chocolate, and nut flavor was the most popular flavor.

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Video10:38
LATAM fortification strategies diverge from WHO recommendations

Eugenia Muinelo, manager of regulatory affairs Latin America at EAS Strategies, discusses how LATAM nations are tailoring food fortification for population-specific deficiencies. As a region that suffers from a “double burden” of obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, governments are taking...

Coralie Garcia, ADM
Video09:00
ADM: Translating consumer behaviors into scalable flavor strategies
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Video10:45
Win-Win: Fermentation unlocks cocoa-free, climate-friendly chocolate NPD
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More per Bite: Turn wellness into market success
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