Nutracon preview

Nutracon is the leading conference focused on science and innovation for product developers, R&D scientists, formulators and brand managers. The cutting-edge content highlights innovation and product development based on sound science, technology, case studies and the latest marketing intelligence. The impact of 'next generation' ingredients, emerging markets, consumer trend data, the state of the science and regulatory constraints will all be examined in-depth.

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As in the past, Nutracon will feature two major tracks: the food and beverage track — Creating Functionality for Functional Foods and Beverages; and the supplements and bioactives track — The State of the Science. Both tracks feature three, three-hour concurrent afternoon workshops, in response to attendee requests for deeper and more participatory content. The workshops qualify as continuing education for quality-control staff, and are designed to assist companies with current issues such as developing an IP platform and protecting investments, or in working with nanotechnology, or developing products in emerging sectors.

Day One, March 7 — Foods and Beverages Innovation
The focus will be on the next generation of functional-foods products. Noted authority Julian Mellentin, editor of New Nutrition Business, will discuss emerging markets and how they are addressed by scientific research. For example, a key area for food developers is inherently functional products such as dairy and fruit, as well as products that 'smooth the edges between health and indulgence,' which are growing by double digits. Mellentin also will address another fast-growing segment in functional foods, the immunity category.

The day will include product-development case studies on the newest frontiers in functional foods, including launches in growing categories such as superfruits.

Morning workshops:

• The future of functional foods
• Making it easier for consumers to choose functionality
• Weight-loss and heart-healthy foods — beyond cereal

Afternoon workshops:

• New applications and marketing for functional products
• Latest science in functional personal care
• Nanotechnology

Day Two, March 8 — Supplements and Bioactives: The State of the Science
This track begins with the keynote address, 'The Diseasification of America,' by Julian Whitaker, MD, of the Whitaker Wellness Institute. Whitaker maintains that the US government has little to show for the $220 million spent on research of dietary ingredients, and says the pharmaceutical industry is rapidly encroaching on turf previously occupied by the supplements industry by shifting normal conditions of life, such as menopause and obesity, into disease states. His address is followed by a panel debate of experts.

Plenary sessions:

• The diseasification of America
• The state of governmental science
• Top ten forecast — case studies and cautionary tales

Afternoon workshops:

• Designing useful and measurable studies
• Creating an intellectual-property platform
• Global regulatory overview

Day Three, March 9 — Keynote speech by Andrew Zolli
Zolli is founder of Z+Partners, and is noted for his gift of seeing patterns and making connections between trends in demographics, technology, geopolitics and business. Zolli will explore the next steps beyond the demographic shifts now occurring and what these will mean.

Speakers Anthony Almada, IMAGINutrition David Barnes, PhD, Standard Process Loren Israelsen, United Natural Products Alliance Qi Jia, PhD, Unigen Julian Mellentin, New Nutrition Business Jim Tonkin, Tonkin Consulting (not pictured) Scott Backman, Cognis Joseph M Betz, PhD, NIH Luke Bucci, Schiff James Elliott, DSM Greg Horn, Wild Flavors Prof David Hughes, Imperial College Todd Norton, Sabinsa Harry Rice, Cargill Jay Udani, MD Julian Whitaker, MD, The Whitaker Wellness Institute