Vitafoods 2010 to Feature Strong Programme

If the internationality of the show isn’t enough of a draw in itself, then there is a full programme of educational features to keep visitors up-to-date with the very latest products, regulations, research and more.

31 Mar 2010 --- Since it was established in 1997, Vitafoods has successfully positioned itself as a must-attend global nutraceutical event. The international element is reflected in the number of country pavilions taking part this year. These areas make it simpler for visitors to find all products and information related to a specific country or continent. This year, there will be pavilions from France, India, China, Korea, the Americas, WUSATA and AWEX. And if the internationality of the show isn’t enough of a draw in itself, then there is a full programme of educational features to keep visitors up-to-date with the very latest products, regulations, research and more.

The free-to-attend Vitafoods Discussion Forum will be looking at the EU Claims Regulation, examining the need for new marketing strategies in Europe. Held on Thursday 20 May between 9-10.30am and led by Simon Pettman from EAS, the discussion forum will bring together leading experts in marketing and regulation to provide a unique insight into:

• What action is being taken to make the claims regulation more workable?
• Whether the claims will make it through the system?
• How much investment is it worth putting into a claims application?
• What alternative marketing methods are possible?

Since a large audience is expected, the organisers are offering participants the opportunity to send their questions for the panellists in advance. To do so, email forum@eas.eu. In addition to the Discussion Forum, EAS will also be holding one-to-one free strategic advice sessions, tailored to the specific needs of the company involved. Topics will include up-to-date regulatory and strategic advice on product formulas, labelling and claims in order to assist companies with their marketing plans.

Also joining this year’s compelling educational line-up will be the Supplier Seminar Theatre. Always a popular attraction, this free-to-attend feature is crammed full of new products, developments and discoveries. Exhibitors will be demonstrating their latest innovations to a captive and target audience whilst customers benefit from seeing the product in action. The agenda is already filling-up fast –signed-up so far to present this year are companies including Fortitech Europe, Ocean Nutrition Canada, DSM Nutritional Products, Catalent, Ingredia Nutritional, Epax, Cognis, Danisco, Lonza, Lipid Nutrition and Chr. Hansen amongst others.

VitaTrend, a joint initiative between Innova Market Insights and Vitafoods completes this year’s educational programme. At the show, central trends on nutraceuticals and functional foods will be brought together in presentations indicating where we are heading in the health and wellness world. 

Innovation and creativity are two central themes that will be running through the New Products Zone this year. Companies with brand new market launches are eligible to enter their products for display in the feature, which is located in the registration area. But it’s not just the New Products Zone which is bursting with innovation. This year’s exhibitors also have a great deal of creativity to keep visitors interested.

Carotech [stand 989] the first and largest palm tocotrienol/tocopherol producer in the world will bring visitors up to speed on the latest research and application strategies for Tocomin SupraBio and Tocomin 50%C-Cosmetic grade. The patented SupraBio system (US Patent No. 6,596,306; EP 1,170,003) is a self-emulsifying delivery system that guarantees consistent and enhanced absorption of tocotrienols by up to 300%. It is the most bioavailable tocotrienol/tocopherol complex in the market.

On stand 951, Grap’Sud will present its new product range, Oleogrape. Oleogrape is new to the market and combines olive and grape benefits, presenting a high anti-free radical scavenging action (ORAC). Oleogrape comprises two products: grape seeds and olive extracts (OPCO) and red grape and olive extracts (PPRO). Some in vitro and animal studies show that PPRO has a positive effect on weight regulation.

Naturex [stand 840] will be presenting the latest addition to its NAT life range, Cereboost at Vitafoods 2010. An innovative ingredient for brain health, Cereboost is made from American ginseng and in a recent scientific study, demonstrated a significant positive impact on mental function.

Solchem Nature [stand 778] will be presenting JointSol – a special nutraceutical blend for people suffering from joint pain and movement restriction. JointSol is a scientifically developed food supplement that helps in the treatment of joint illness, especially in osteoarthritis, but also it helps the body to build bone structure and avoid bone losses due to osteoporosis.
 
Chr Hansen [stand 518] will present two new probiotic strains within the Probio-Tec range; Lactobacillus F19 and Lactobacillus fermentum PCC. All of the products in the company’s product range for the dietary supplement, infant formula and pharmaceutical industries have a documented effect and are proven to be stable and safe in multiple applications.
 
Vitae-Caps [stand 751] will be showcasing its range of products for the food and cosmetic sectors: Vitapherole T ECO (natural mixed tocopherols) and Vitapherole E ECO (natural Vitamin E). As the only European producer of natural vitamin E for organic farming, Vitae Caps’ products are approved to be used as raw materials in the production of organic food with ECOCERT certification for Vitapherole T and Vitapherole E products.

Fenchem [stand 946] will present a newly launched high quality stevia extract at Vitafoods 2010. Marketed under the brand NeuVia, the high purity rebaudioside A is compliant with the JECFA standards approved by FAO/WHO in 2004. NeuVia Reb A is a nice-tasting natural sweetener extracted from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni using innovative technology. It is heat-stable, pH-stable, and does not ferment, which makes it an ideal sweetener for many foods and beverages.

At the show for the first time this year will be Food Ingredient Solutions LLC [stand AP21].  The company, which produces natural colours, will be introducing a new line of patented natural pigments. These can be used to replace synthetic lake colours and carmine for those wishing to avoid synthetic colours due to the impending regulation changes.

The natural pigments can be used in candy or tablet coatings, in compound coatings (white chocolate), in oils and can be plated onto sugar/salt, etc. In addition, the coatings are available in liquid dispersions, such as in sucrose for candy panning, and in powder blends, including a one step tablet coating system which can be used to coat tablets and confections without titanium dioxide.

The Vitafoods Conference has built an international reputation within the nutraceuticals industry as a high-quality conference delivering a programme that covers the hottest topics and themes in food ingredients.  Organised by Leatherhead Food Research, the conference attracts some of the leading industry figures to share their latest findings and discoveries and last year, drew in over 250 delegates. Each year, the programme is tailored to meet the needs of an ever-changing industry and 2010 is no different. Workshops have already been confirmed on the following topics with more in the pipeline.

Day 1 (Tuesday 18 May) will look at the market for functional foods, gut health and diabetes. Professor Robert Rastall from Reading University in the UK will go on to look at Oligosaccharides and their prebiotic function whilst Dr Marion Priebe from University Medical Center Groningen will uncover the mysteries surrounding whole grain foods and the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Key topics on Day 2 (Wednesday 19 May) will include a look at mental performance, weight management, heart health, personalised nutrition, reproductive health and diet & immunity.  Professor Martin Yeomans from the University of Sussex will look at the psychological approaches to understanding satiation and satiety. Dr Susan Wopereis from TNO will examine the application of nutrigenomics in nutrition research – from concept to claim.

Finally on Day 3 (Thursday 20 May), Sebastian Romero Melchor a lawyer at Food Law Consultants will delve into the topic of Legal Action against EFSA  / European Commission whilst Caroline Tyler from MHRA will present on medicine or food: a regulatory view of health claims. All of these speakers – and more – can be heard presenting at the Vitafoods Conference this year.