525: From farm to the future - building sustainable food systems
How do we make our food systems more sustainable? It's a big question and it is a huge challenge. But we know that progress can be made. The food industry has a big impact on the climate and the environment, but we cannot just stop making food, we need to keep everyone fed. We also know that some of the processes we use to make food could be improved to lessen their impact on the world around...
44m Sep 16, 2024
44m
524: The rise and rise of sourdough - what’s next for the timeless bread?
Sourdough has taken off in recent years as the bread of choice for many consumers, but what does the future hold for the product? Although many of us turned our hand to sourdough starters during the Coronavirus pandemic, the trend of choosing it over other bread products does not appear to be abating. And when we look to its history, it is clear that it has long-held a place in people’s heart...
38m Sep 09, 2024
38m
523: Why healthy ageing never tasted so good
Healthy ageing, and in particular heart health, are big concerns for consumers. So how is the food industry responding? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with BENEO (https://www.beneo.com/) , we dive into a critical topic that resonates with many of us. As we know, ageing populations are on the rise globally. In the UK alone, the number of people aged 65 an...
42m Sep 02, 2024
42m
522: Where's the smart money in health and wellbeing?
Health and wellbeing is big business, so what are the innovations the food and drink sector should be getting excited about? We are seeing a huge investment in this area and the benefits of new ingredients are being looked at all the time. But it is not just about following the latest trends, health and wellbeing through nutrition is also incredibly important to consumers, so what does the sc...
48m Aug 27, 2024
48m
521: The art and science of food innovation
How does a food product get from concept to market? What ingredients are needed to go from a spark of imagination to a purchase at the counter? How do new ideas get from chef to shelf? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Griffith Foods, (https://griffithfoods.com/) we go on that journey to learn about the challenges and opportunities of new product develo...
36m Aug 19, 2024
36m
520: Sustainability, health, cost of living - could fat really be the answer?
“The big difference these days is the magnitude and the complexity of the challenges facing the food industry, and the fact they all seem to be happening at the same time.” So says Dr Kaly Chatakondu, AAK (https://aak-uk.com/) ’s Commercial Director for Food Ingredients in the UK and Ireland. There is no doubt that the food industry is facing multiple challenges on multiple fronts but three k...
32m Aug 12, 2024
32m
519: Low-energy availability - what is it and why should the food industry care?
What is low-energy availability, and why should the food and drink industry care about it? We have made episodes in the past about how to fuel the bodies of athletes, but in this episode, we are focussing specifically on female athletes. And we are not just talking about people at the very elite level, like those competing at the Paris Olympics, we are also talking about people who live activ...
31m Aug 05, 2024
31m
518: Sustainable food - tomorrow and beyond
What does the future hold for sustainability in the food industry? It remains one of the biggest areas for innovation in the sector, one that continues to concern consumers and drive change on a systemic level. But where will that momentum for change take us? What will sustainability in the food sector look like a decade from now? And where will it sit on the list of priorities for consumers ...
56m Jul 29, 2024
56m
517: Food allergy regulations and opportunities - are you up to date?
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 t...
55m Jul 22, 2024
55m
516: What will motivate food consumers in 2030?
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 ...
34m Jul 15, 2024
34m
515: Agriculture - are we prepared for the next technological revolution?
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 grea...
20m Jul 08, 2024
20m
514: Confectionary and potato starch - a match made in heaven?
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...
26m Jul 01, 2024
26m
513: New product development – an innovation journey worth taking
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 partnershi...
26m Jun 24, 2024
26m
512: Biopesticides - is Europe playing catch-up?
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 (https://croplifeeurope.eu/resources/vision-for-sustainable-agriculture/%23:~:text=CropLife%2520Europe%2520is%2520committed%2520to,precision%2520te...
26m Jun 17, 2024
26m
511: Culinary insights - what the plate of the future will look like
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 mig...
1hr Jun 10, 2024
1hr
510: Transforming our approach to sustainable food manufacturing
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...
28m Jun 03, 2024
28m
509: The impact of AI on creating the next generation of food
There seems to be little doubt that AI and other new technologies are going to play a big role in many aspects of our lives, but what will their role be in food? New product development, production processes and food formulation could all be impacted by technological advances. The potential, is that some of the big questions the food industry is facing could be solved using AI. The concern, ...
1hr 2m May 28, 2024
1hr 2m
508: Ingredients for longevity and health in later life
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 Tas...
41m May 20, 2024
41m
507: How potato starch is shaping the future of food
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 (https://www.avebe.com/) , we delve into the role this incredible ingredient has traditionally played in the food industry, as well as...
39m May 14, 2024
39m
506: Mindful bites: Nutrition, mood and brain health
There are many things that affect our mental and cognitive health, and increasingly what we eat and drink is gaining prominence in this area. The good news, is that we have some control over what we consumer, and for the food and drink industry, that creates an opportunity. Making products that can boost our mental and cognitive health, or slow any decline, are becoming more and more attracti...
42m May 07, 2024
42m
505: Palm oil - is there another way?
Palm oil is on everybody’s lips, not just metaphorically, but physically too. It is a hugely versatile ingredient and it is widely used in the food industry. It has so many properties that make it useful, including being an extremely efficient crop, which is why it is present in a huge array of products. The farming of palm oil has made the headlines because of links to deforestation and uns...
50m Apr 29, 2024
50m
504: How can butchers win customers and remain profitable? 
Butchers shops, once a common sight in most towns and villages across Europe, are declining in number. The impact of that decline can be felt in communities throughout the continent, and it could also be impacting our diets too. On Allergen Awareness Week, and in partnership with Dutch Spices, we look at why butchers shops are disappearing, but also how that trend can be reversed. We delve i...
37m Apr 22, 2024
37m
503: Innovation and the future of food
Has there been a more challenging time for the global food system in modern times? It is difficult to argue against considering the amount of geopolitical turmoil and the growing climate crisis. Add into that, a growing population, and the scale of the challenge of keeping everyone fed is clear. But that is where innovation will be key. The global food system needs to keep innovating in orde...
43m Apr 15, 2024
43m
502: AI, robotics, and the future of food
Few industries embrace new technology as readily as the food industry, so what does the future hold? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at the Sustainable Food Forum held in London in September 2023, we ask a panel of experts to answer that question. They explore the latest ground-breaking technological developments in food processing, and delve into the potential...
48m Apr 08, 2024
48m
501: The history of cider
From the first apple orchards, to its resurgence in modern craft cideries, cider’s history is a story of innovation, tradition, and deep connection to the land. But it is not just a tale of apples and fermentation. It is a journey that has shaped communities, cultures, and the way we raise a glass to celebrate life's moments. It is also a tale of adaptation, with cider evolving alongside the ...
53m Apr 02, 2024
53m
500: Sustainable nutrition in a complex world
When we think about sustainable nutrition, many of us will think about plant-based eating. There is no doubt that switching to a plant-based diet helps the sustainability cause in multiple ways, but the bigger picture is far more nuanced than that. Every consumer, ingredient, product and brand has their own context, which makes generalising about environmental impact very difficult. In this ...
44m Mar 25, 2024
44m
499: The latest innovations in sustainable packaging
Packaging has a huge role to play in making the global food system more sustainable. The materials we use to transport, store and market our food are a key part of the conversation when it comes to increasing sustainability in the sector. There is a demand for more responsible food packaging solutions across the value chain as pressure mounts from both regulators and consumers. But, the move...
49m Mar 18, 2024
49m
498: Insights-led innovation through science and creativity
Producing a new food product, bringing it to market, and then successfully selling it, is no easy task. It is difficult to get an exact figure, but most research indicates that at least half of new products fail within a year of launching. It is no surprise when you consider just how competitive the food industry is - in the UK, it is the largest manufacturing sector. Taking all of that into...
50m Mar 11, 2024
50m
497: Nutraceuticals in 2024: Predictions and opportunities
Nutraceuticals are big business, but what is in store for this dynamic and competitive market in 2024 and beyond? There is no doubt that demand for these products is growing, and consumers are more knowledgeable than ever. But with greater awareness and increased understanding, comes greater skepticism, meaning the science has to be water-tight. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podca...
51m Mar 04, 2024
51m
496: The top sustainability trends in ingredient developments
What role can new developments in ingredients play in moving us towards a more sustainable global food system? As food companies move towards a more circular, less wasteful model, how important will ingredient innovation be? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Sustainable Food Forum in London, we try to answer those questions. Attend our Sustainability even...
46m Feb 26, 2024
46m
495: How to stay ahead in the gut microbiome market
The gut microbiome is one of the hot topics on the lips of nutritionists, dietitians, and the food industry as a whole. But are consumers keeping up with an area of understanding that is moving at such speed? From probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, to the impact of artificial sweeteners on the mind-gut connection, there is a lot to get your head around. In this episode of the Food Matters ...
51m Feb 19, 2024
51m
494: Transforming the global food production system
There are multiple challenges facing the global food system, so how can we go about changing it to overcome them? It is projected that the system will need to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050, a big enough challenge in itself. But when you combine that with protecting the planet and building more resilience, it becomes and even more daunting task. In this episode of the Food Matters Liv...
41m Feb 12, 2024
41m
493: Precision fermentation and animal-free dairy
Traditionally used to make products like vitamins, precision fermentation has been gaining popularity as an alternative way to produce dairy. It harnesses the power of microorganisms and can be used to make all sorts of products like milk, cheese, yoghurt and more. It is a technology that could transform the way we understand animal-free dairy. And with the dairy industry expected to grow by...
33m Feb 05, 2024
33m
493: What can we expect from personalised nutriton?
Personalised nutrition is big business, and it is forecast to get even bigger in the coming years. Some estimate that the sector will be worth between $15-$25bn before the end of the decade. So what are the opportunities? What is getting people exciting? And how can the food industry capitalise on this growing market? This episode of the Food Matters Live podcast was recorded live at our Ins...
41m Jan 29, 2024
41m
492: The big questions about fortification
For about a century we have been fortifying some of our foods. It has been seen as a powerful tool in the world of nutrition, where essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are added to foods to improve their nutritional value. It is a strategy that has the potential to address global health challenges (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/the-glimmer-of-hope-in-an-otherwise-damning-who-obe...
32m Jan 22, 2024
32m
491: We become what we eat, and so does the planet
There is no doubt that a shift towards healthier and more sustainable diets presents enormous opportunities for the food industry. But it also throws up a whole host of challenges, many of which the sector is grappling with right now. Although more of us are seeking alternative food products, sometimes the alternatives being offered either don't quite fit the bill, or they will take a while t...
36m Jan 15, 2024
36m
490: Innovations in ingredients and processing provide the key
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we focus on the role innovation in ingredients (https://foodmatterslive.com/theme/ingredients/) has to play in creating a more sustainable global food system. The demand for plant based and vegan ingredients is soaring globally as consumers become ever more health and environmentally conscious in their food and lifestyle choices. Manufacturers...
48m Jan 08, 2024
48m
489: Brilliant blueberries? Here's what the science says
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we explore the nutritional powerhouses that are blueberries. Aside from being delicious, it is claimed blueberries pack an incredible punch when it comes to promoting our well-being. They are bursting with antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre, and the potential health benefits of these small but mighty berries have been jumped on by food producer...
37m Jan 03, 2024
37m
488: What mainstreaming sustainable food consumption looks like
Sustainability is a huge concern for the food industry, it is fair to say it has moved well beyond being a buzz word. But to what extent do sustainability, a healthy diet and affordability matter to consumers? It is an important question to explore, and one that throws up a whole host of additional questions. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Sustainable ...
51m Dec 18, 2023
51m
487: How to equip farmers for a sustainable future
Sustainability is at the heart of so much of the food sector, with discussions often focusing on manufacturing processes, food waste, and meat and dairy alternatives. But the most difficult sustainability challenges, and arguably the most impactful, are a step before any of that. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with CropLife Europe (https://croplifeeurope...
29m Dec 11, 2023
29m
486: The business case for sustainable food across the supply chain
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we look at the economics of creating a more sustainable food system. Sustainability (https://foodmatterslive.com/theme/sustainability/) is front of mind for most businesses in the sector, but has the economic argument been won? Does being more sustainable have to mean reduced profits? This episode was recorded live at the Food Matters Live Su...
41m Dec 04, 2023
41m
485: Molecular farming - how transformative could it be?
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we dive into the fascinating world of molecular farming. Also known as biofarming, it is redefining the way we produce essential proteins (https://foodmatterslive.com/article/moolec-science-develops-technology-grows-pork-protein-soybeans/) , pharmaceuticals, and other valuable substances. You could describe it as a blend of agriculture and bio...
35m Nov 27, 2023
35m
484: The endurance elixir? How collagen may redefine athletic limits
When it comes to physical performance, increasing endurance is of huge concern to many athletes. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with GELITA (https://www.gelita.com/en) , we take a closer look at an ingredient that is making waves in the world of sports nutrition: collagen. Although most of us will be familiar with its potential benefits to skin health, i...
21m Nov 20, 2023
21m
483: Making an impact: learning from global innovators
There are few industries as innovative as the food sector, and few facing quite so many challenges. Global political turmoil, a growing population, and the climate crisis are once again pushing the food industry to adapt. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded in front of a live audience during our Sustainable Food Forum (https://foodmatterslive.com/event/sustainable-food-...
42m Nov 13, 2023
42m
482: Exploring new approaches to gut health in athletes
Gut health is of growing concern for many people, but for athletes it can be of vital importance, and there are some very specific issues. Problems in this area are common among the physically active, and their impact can be wide ranging. In recent years our understanding of gut health has grown considerably, and it appears the more we learn, the more we realise just how central it is to our ...
28m Nov 09, 2023
28m
481: The taste (and texture) of the future of food
How is consumer demand shaping the future of the food industry? It is a question that is almost constantly being asked by companies, entrepreneurs and staff across the world, in what is a hugely competitive market. There is arguably no other sector that is as tuned in to what its customers want, and delivering on those wants and needs is crucial for any business to survive. But, as many of o...
27m Nov 06, 2023
27m
480: Tetra Pak Index 2023: The future of health and nutrition
In a world full of uncertainty, a little knowledge can get you so far, but in-depth understanding can really make the difference. Consumers and the food industry itself have been through monumental change in recent years, and the effects are still being felt across the globe. Added into the mix are new emerging uncertainties. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partners...
27m Nov 01, 2023
27m
479: Bridging the fibre gap
There is a global dietary problem that needs addressing, and it is called ‘the fibre gap’. Put simply, it is the difference between how much fibre we should be consuming (roughly 30 grams per day) and how much we are actually consuming (on average, 18 grams per day). That means the average person has a daily fibre deficit of 12 grams and the effects of that can be far-reaching. Fibre plays a...
33m Oct 25, 2023
33m
478: Low energy availability - and how to combat it
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we dive deep into the critical topic of fuelling the bodies of athletes, with a particular focus on female athletes. In previous episodes, we have emphasised the importance of achieving the correct nutritional balance, and explored the lack of research (https://foodmatterslive.com/podcast/nutrition-in-womens-sport/) regarding the nutritional re...
32m Oct 23, 2023
32m
477: Can (re)formulation save us?
The food landscape is undergoing huge change, with one of the main driving forces being a pursuit of more sustainable solutions. One key area of focus is reformulation - can we use different ingredients to make products that are healthy, tastey and attractive to consumers? This episode of the Food Matters Live podcast was recorded in front of a live audience during our Sustainable Food Forum ...
45m Oct 16, 2023
45m