Innovation at Nutracon ‘05Innovation at Nutracon ‘05

A cornucopia of food application technologies and processes will be on show at Nutracon and SupplyExpo in Anaheim, California, next month. The Nutracon conference showcases the latest growth categories of interest to product developers, and alongside the main programme is both a new value-added track for the bakery sector as well as a new special forum. All this, plus two keynotes, scientific poster sessions, the new ingredient showcase, a tech transfer centre, networking opportunities — and of course the NutrAward 2004 competition.

The Nutracon seminar tracks include: The New Lesser Evil Foods, Functional and Fortified Bioactives, Functional Confectionery, Organic Science, Natural Personal Care, New Ingredient Science and the Global Market Review.

The value-added track is a complementary addition for registrants. Taking place Thursday morning, The Healthy Baking Workshop provides an intensive half-day session on formulating healthy bakery foods. As consumers turn away from white breads and trans fat-laden cookies, how can bakers and food manufacturers create healthier products? At this workshop, delegates can learn about:

Category driver tracks
The New Lesser Evil
Consumer acceptance of the low-carb lifestyle has given way to a new category for companies seeking a way to reposition their brands as more healthful. Enter the New Lesser Evil ? foods lower in carbs and without trans fats, high fructose corn syrup and other problematic ingredients. Will the category evolve from its low-fat and low-carb beginnings to a more general health and wellness position as a new generation of products hit the market?

Functional Bioactivea
What are the current challenges to formulating next-generation functional foods? Learn what is taking the category to a new level with truly efficacious products for a mass market consumer. The track sessions will examine new entries in the competitive juices category, feature exclusive Product Scan data and take a look ahead at consumer trend opportunities.

Functional Confectionery
Euromonitor estimates the burgeoning functional confectionery category at $5.65 billion in 2003. Underscoring the consumer interest, R&D activity for this area is at a record pace among ingredients suppliers and food manufacturers. From Trident?s Whitening Chewing Gum to Martek Bioscience?s DHA-enriched chocolate, the category is ripe for innovation. Presentations will look at the current science behind these products, the newest ingredient innovations as well as sweet success stories.

The Science Behind Organics
While organic sales account for only 1-2 per cent of any national food market, standards defining organic foods have created uniformity across borders. The category is increasingly attractive to multinationals, and, combined with innovation from small producers, is as dynamic as ever. But what does the future look like? Sessions in this track will look at the current science as well as groundbreaking attempts at functional organics.

Cosmeceuticals
Cosmeceuticals both in oral supplements and natural personal care topicals account for 17 per cent of the US retail body care industry, and similar growth figures are predicted for the EU. But issues of potency and efficacy must be addressed. Targeted at product development and marketing teams, sessions will cover innovative, result-driven ingredients backed by clinical studies.

New Ingredient Science
This track offers a fresh perspective on new ingredients or new uses for existing ingredients. Gleaned from recent biomedical research meetings and peer-reviewed publications, in addition to unpublished research, this track will provide a concise distillation of the state of the science and its relevance to human health products.

Global Market Review
As consumers continue to embrace health and wellness lifestyles, there are great opportunities for companies with innovative ingredients and products. But while consumers may have common needs, doing business in foreign markets varies widely. Hear trends shaping the development of new and emerging markets as well as the regulatory challenges.

Buying and networking at SupplyExpo
SupplyExpo offers a comprehensive offering of ingredient, technology and service companies for sourcing of food/beverage, supplements and personal care products. Leading companies exhibiting include Capsugel, Cargill, DSM, Fortitech, Glanbia, Martek, National Enzyme and Pure World. Also at SupplyExpo, the Application Center previews the next generation of consumer products. Poster sessions let attendees see technical presentations from researchers, inventors and companies looking for industry-relevant applications of science.

Buyers and sellers of innovative intellectual properties are brought together in the unique Nutracon technology transfer centre.

The New Ingredient Showcase reviews new ingredient and technology information, including potential applications.

No Nutracon is complete without the NutrAward for the best new ingredient or technology of the year. Nominees are considered on the basis of scientific merit, efficacy, safety, innovation, market potential and ability to increase industry credibility. For more information, visit www. Nutraconference.com/nutraward.

Ideation, innovation and formulations
More challenging than ever is developing innovative products that are high quality and healthy, with fewer refined ingredients, and yet still achieve a consumer flavour profile. Product development teams must create new concepts that address consumer lifestyle trends and are backed by the right mix of science and marketing savvy.

Join professional moderators and an expert panel in a workshop plenary session, for brainstorming and ideation to create and evaluate new product concepts and solve existing formulation challenges in the energy drink category. Learn tactics and strategies to increase the success rate of your new product launches.

Programme Highlights

Keynote Speaker

Session Chairs

Featured Speakers