Food Matters Live Podcast

We know that HFSS (foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar) regulations are reshaping how food manufacturers approach product development, marketing, and consumer engagement.  With advertising restrictions coming into force and complex compliance requirements, the industry faces unprecedented challenges in navigating this regulatory landscape. So how do we balance nutritional reformulation with...

The food industry is experiencing a fundamental shift toward accelerated product life cycles, where limited editions and seasonal launches are becoming the norm. So what does this mean for manufacturers? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with AGRANA , we explore how the food industry is adapting to an era where the "need for new" is driving new product developme...

How do we create nutrition products that resonate with every generation? It's a complex challenge but one that's becoming increasingly important as the active nutrition market evolves. The sports nutrition industry has traditionally focused on hardcore athletes, but we're seeing a fundamental shift towards "active nutrition" – products designed for consumers of all ages who want to stay healthy an...

What does meaningful progress towards sustainability in the food industry actually look like? Is it setting ambitious targets and regular transparent reporting? Possibly. But the key thing is how those targets affect things on the ground, the tangible benefits we see as a result. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with AAK , we look at targeted initiatives that a...

What happens when a booming sports nutrition market collides with regulatory reality and patchy evidence? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in May 2025, a panel of industry experts delve into the commercial realities facing sports nutrition brands today. They discuss health claims, the novel foods approval process, and maximum vitamin limits. But...

When it comes to new product development, trends are a huge factor in what gets made and what doesn't. But which food trends deserve the hype and which are flying under the radar? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in May 2025, we gather a panel of industry experts to discuss what's overhyped and underestimated in NPD right now. Our panellists pul...

Have you ever wondered what it would take to feed 10 billion people without destroying the planet? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in May 2025, we tackle this question head-on with a leading researcher from the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at Imperial College London. Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro breaks down the uncomfortable truths about ou...

Picture yourself standing in the supermarket aisle, reading a food label that promises the world: "Boosts immunity!", "Burns fat naturally!", "Scientifically proven results!" - and finding yourself wondering: "Wait, can they actually say that?" In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in November 2024, we tackle a deceptively simple question: Who's actu...

Think back to the times in your life when you saw a food product on a shelf that really stopped you in your tracks and made you say "wow". Maybe it even ended up disrupting a whole sector, with competitors rushing to emulate the success of that particular product. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Raps , we ask a simple question: Are we seeing enough genuin...

It is clear that having access to good data is a key requirement for any food business trying to reach sustainability targets, but what does that look like in practice? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event held in Manchester in November 2024, we hear from a leading figure about their journey with data and sustainability. Meredith Ford is Head of Sustainabili...

The whole of the food industry is affected by science-based targets on sustainability - but whose targets are they? Are we aiming to satisfy consumer demand, the wants and needs of investors, or is the industry simply following what regulators say needs to be done? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in November 2024, our expert panel offer their v...

How can partnerships help overcome the barriers to regenerative agriculture and drive lasting change in the food system?  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, we once again explore how industry is embracing the move towards regenerative agriculture, but crucially through the lense of the power of partnerships. Our panel discus...

Does ultra-processed plant-based food have a role to play in the future of sustainable nutrition? Huge strides have been made in the plant-based sector and benefits continue to be discovered, yet the market is plateauing. With an increasing backlash against ultra-processed foods targeting the sector, plant-based doesn’t always carry the allure it once did. Has the opportunity been over-hyped or ca...

As the food and drink industry adapts to seemingly ever-changing market conditions, could a process with deep historical roots provide the answers to some of the most pressing modern-day challenges? The world of food is constantly changing, whether its customer preferences, concerns about the environment, or global affairs having an impact on supply chains. The food industry is remarkably resilien...

How much work goes into getting a food or beverage product from concept to our supermarket shelves? It seems obvious that the starting point of a successful launch, is coming up with an idea that will sell, but how do you know that consumers will want to buy what you produce? The truth is, it's not possible to know for sure, but with the right research, insights, creativity and testing, it is poss...

Sustainability targets are now well-established as a crucial part of any food company's future plans, with science-based targets seen as the gold standard. But a lot of companies are still grappling with the idea of what these targets are, how to implement them, and how to convert them into something valuable for themselves and their consumers. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, rec...

Strong customer relationships are at the heart of any successful business, whether in the food industry or elsewhere. But these connections do not happen by chance - they require careful nurturing and alignment. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are joined by members of the customer account management team at Azelis Food and Nutrition to uncover how they cultivate and maintain t...

Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction in the food industry, but how far along are we in its adoption, and what challenges remain? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, we bring together an expert panel to examine the real-world impact of regenerative practices. They discuss food and drink brands leading the way, the diff...

How are deforestation regulations and policy developments reshaping the ingredients supply chain? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, an expert panel offer their insights in this fascinating and evolving area. They explore the complexities of deforestation in international supply chains and analyse the role the UK and Europe...

Most would agree that healthy ageing and a healthy diet go hand-in-hand, but does the science support the assertion? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live in Manchester in November 2024, our expert panel examines how are understanding of the role of nutrition in ageing is developing. As lifespans increase, so too does the percentage of our lives experts expect us to spend...

In recent years, gut health has become a dominant topic in the nutrition conversation, but how much of the science is truly understood by consumers? We know that people are increasingly aware of the influence of the gut microbiome on health outcomes, but the science is much more complex than commonly understood.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live in Manchester in Nove...

There is widespread agreement that regenerative agriculture has the potential to transform the global food industry, but how might that look in practice in the food service sector? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, our panel of experts answers that question. The food service supply chain has some unique challenges that, on...

2025 looks like being the year of nutraceuticals, but what trends should we all have our eyes on? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live our event in Manchester in November 2024, we look at the evolving landscape of nutraceuticals.  Responding to the fact that women's health has been a dominant topic in recent years, we focus on men and nutraceuticals, a specific area wher...

There is no getting away from it; Western diets are lacking in fibre, but what are the implications for our health? As awareness grows around the critical role of fibre in overall health, it is more important than ever to look closely at the current state of fibre consumption and its implications.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Manchester in November 20...

As with any production process, the production of food leads to by-products that are discarded. But are we doing enough to put these products to use and avoid waste? In this episode of the podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters Live event in Manchester in November 2024, we examine the transformative potential of upcycled food, including its economic, environmental, and societal impact.  What m...