Food allergies affect millions of people, and when food providers get it wrong, we know the consequences can be catastrophic. The Food Standards Agency says around 6% of adults have a clinically confirmed food allergy, that is around 2.4 million people, and that figure only covers the UK. Ensuring mistakes are not made in labelling or use of ingredients is, of course, a matter of safety for the consumer, but a mistake can also have a devastating impact on those working in the food industry. None of this is designed to create a culture of fear, but merely to highlight just how serious this t ..read more

What decisions will people be making in the year 2030? What factors will influence their purchasing decisions? And how does the food industry adapt to meet those new demands? When it comes to the future of food, everyone in the industry would like to know the types of food and drink products people will be buying in the years to come. It is, of course, impossible to know for sure, but we can look at the underlying trends and the circumstances that will be acting as motivators for the consumers of the future. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters ..read more

How prepared is the agricultural sector for the next big technological revolution? We live in a digital age, everywhere you look new technologies are helping to make things faster, more efficient, and more precise. But there is a feeling, not just in the food sector but more broadly, that we are on the cusp of another digital revolution. AI, robotics, and access to data are advancing at great speed. The question is: can regulations, and expertise at a regulatory level, keep up with the advances we are seeing? And all of that applies to farming methods too, particularly at a time when food ..read more

Confectionary is big business. The global market is worth over a trillion US dollars and all the forecasts suggest that figure is set to continue rising. But with so much competition, and a population increasingly concerned with topics such as sustainability and animal welfare, it is more important than ever for new products to stand out. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Royal Avebe, we look at how potato starch is providing some solutions to these concerns. Is it possible to create confectionary products that are sustainable, guilt-free and delicio ..read more

There are many challenges facing the food industry at the moment, and those challenges are being faced by all of us, farmers, producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Consumers in particular, are increasingly concerned with a rising cost of living, their overall health, as well as sustainability and climate change. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Azelis UK Food and Nutrition, we look at how the food industry can address these concerns, and support consumers whilst continuing to feed a growing population. It is a challenge, but every chall ..read more

Looking after crops and maintaining a resilient food supply is as important now as it has ever been. But the challenges farmers are facing are growing, from inflation to a growing population and climate change - and all with sustainable agriculture front of mind. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with CropLife Europe, we explore the role biopesticides could play in helping to ease some of the pressure on our food producers. Biopesticides are pesticides produced using naturally occurring substances such as plants, microbes, or biochemicals.  They off ..read more

What are the innovations that will shape our culinary experiences over the next decade or so? It is exciting to think about some of the things we may be seeing on our plates in the years ahead, but the really interesting aspect is what influences those trends. In this episode, recorded live at the Food Matters Live Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, we ask the experts where we might be heading, and which factors may be taking us there. How will an increased interest in sustainability, provenance, and cultural diversity impact our culinary experiences if the future? We also ask ..read more

How can the food sector go about achieving its sustainability goals? It's a big question, but one that is increasingly pressing. Sustainability has been a hot topic in the food sector for many years, and whilst consumers might try to make more sustainable choices, often it's the parts of the food production system they do not see that are the most energy intensive. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Tetra Pak, we take a look at some of the solutions that could make a real difference. The food industry is making great efforts to reduce things like CO2 ..read more

We are living longer now than before, but increased age in itself is not the ultimate goal. What most people really want is to live in good health for a long time. The problem is, although medical advances have helped to extend our lives, we have not necessarily seen health increase in that time. In fact, the expectation is that we will spend more of our lives in poor health. Attend our Tastes of Better events in Manchester and Dublin In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our Inspiring Nutrition event in London on November 2023, we look at how consumers are increasi ..read more

For many decades starch has been a backbone of the modern food industry, used in food production for a variety of purposes. It is versatile, easy to mix, and can enhance the overall experience of a product. In this episode, made in partnership with Royal Avebe, we delve into the role this incredible ingredient has traditionally played in the food industry, as well as discovering some of the innovative ways it is helping to shape the food industry of the future.  Attend our Tastes of Better events in Manchester and Dublin Avebe has been involved in the production of potato starch for mo ..read more