Food Matters Live Podcast

Cognitive health is of increasing concern to an ageing population, but what role does nutrition have to play in this vital area? From memory to mood, cognitive health encompasses a wide range of elements, and there is good evidence that all of these things can be influenced by nutrition. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Manchester in November 2024, ou...

Personalised nutrition is transforming the world of sports science, offering groundbreaking insights into how tailored strategies can enhance athletic performance and recovery. But how far has the field come, and what challenges remain? In this episode of the podcast, recorded live at Food Matters Live in Manchester in November 2024, our panel of experts explores the latest research and practical...

Gut health, nutrition, and public health are dominating conversations in the food industry, but what are consumers most concerned about in 2025 and beyond? In this episode of the podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters Live event held in Manchester in November 2024, our panel of experts define the issues and concerns that will be driving the nutrition sector in the years to come. We explore the...

In this episode we look back at some of the highlights from previous podcasts we have made, focussing on some of the biggest names we have interviewed. You will hear from journalist and campaigner George Monbiot, the Green Party peer and former party leader Natalie Bennett, Olivia Ferdi who is co-founder of the drinks brand TRIP, and David Nabarro who is a member of the steering committee for the...

In this episode, we dive deep into the link between nutrition and healthy ageing, but bringing together highlights from previous episodes on the topic. With an ageing population in much of the western world, growing old healthily is of increasing concern to a growing number of people. The links with nutrition seem logical, eat well and you are more likely to live a healthy life. But what do we kno...

Technology is reshaping the food industry, enabling faster innovation, improved efficiency, and more personalised product offerings. But how are businesses navigating the balance between cutting-edge tools and consumer expectations, especially when it comes to new product development (NPD)? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Food Matters Live event in Ascot in O...

The rise of plant-based foods has been fuelled by the global push for sustainability and healthier diets. But with ongoing debates about taste, texture, and the ultra-processed food narrative, how is the industry adapting to meet consumer expectations? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at Food Matters Live in October 2024, our expert panel explores the innovations, ch...

Food allergies are a growing public health concern, impacting millions worldwide and reshaping how we think about food safety. So how if the food industry doing when it comes to protecting consumers? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at Food Matters Live in Ascot in October 2024, our panel of experts delves into the latest developments in allergen management and consu...

Consumers are the driving force behind innovation in the food industry, but how well do we know what they want? In this lively episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our October 2024 event in Ascot, our panel of industry experts focuses on consumers; their tastes, behaviours, and budgets. They look at the trends that are reshaping what we and how we eat, now and into the future...

What impact does what we eat and drink have on our health in later life? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of nutrition experts explores the challenges and opportunities in promoting healthy ageing through diet.  They discuss the latest consumer insights around ageing, as more people than ever are prioritising wellness an...

How are consumer habits going to change as Gen Z play an increasingly prominent role? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of experts look at the mega trends shaping the food industry of the future. They discuss how Gen Z's values of authenticity, transparency, and environmental consciousness are reshaping the sector.  Their...

What is driving the next big product innovations in the food and drink industry? And how can we use data, digital tools and AI to support new product development, innovation and reformulation? These are the big questions put to our expert panel in this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, which was recorded live at the Food Matters Live event, in Ascot in October 2024. Check out our Events Ca...

What are the big trends and ingredient innovations that will shape the menus of the future? What changes are on the horizon that will re-shape the look of our plates 10, 15 or 20 years from now? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters Live event in Ascot in October 2024, a panel of experts offer their insights on those questions. The conversation explore...

Sustainability in the food and drink sector is here to stay as a key issue, but what will drive it in the years to come? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, a panel of experts offer their views on this crucial question. The conversation explores the emerging trends in sustainable food and drink solutions, focusing on...

A healthy gut is something that is increasingly on consumers’ minds, but where is the market heading and how much do we really know about how the food we eat impacts our gut? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in April 2024, we assemble an expert panel to try to answer some of those questions. They discuss the complexities of nutr...

Consumers are increasingly aware of their food choices and how those choices affect their health, so what will that mean for the food industry of the future? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at our Tastes of Better event in Ascot in 2024, our expert panel discusses the evolving trends in the food industry. They look to the future and contemplate where we might be hea...

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 us....

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 hearts. In...

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 , 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 and over has surged from 9 mill...

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 science...

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, we go on that journey to learn about the challenges and opportunities of new product development (NPD). And we actually get...

“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 ’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 key themes stand out: sustai...

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 active liv...

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 in th...

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 the co...