Food Matters Live Podcast

Start-ups are often regarded as the lifeblood of innovation, introducing disruptive ideas that challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible. But behind every successful start-up, there is a support system working tirelessly to fuel growth and unlock their potential. Accelerators and investors, beyond mere financial backing, provide start-ups with a blend of mentorship, guid...

Spain not only stands as a prominent player in the global agricultural landscape, but has also emerged as a powerhouse in the field of agricultural technology. As of 2022, the Spanish foodtech sector has seen a remarkable surge in investment, reaching an impressive €268 million.  This represents a substantial 9.38% growth within just a year, as revealed by the latest report from ICEX Spain Trade a...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we take a look back at some of the highlights from previous episodes. Since launching in 2019, we have made more than 400 episodes, explored some absolutely fascinating topics, and met hundreds of wonderful people. And those people all have one thing in common – a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the food and drink industry. Today take a look ba...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are taking a look back at some of the highlights from previous episodes. Since launching in 2019, we have made more than 400 episodes, explored some absolutely fascinating topics, and met hundreds of wonderful people. And those people all have one thing in common – a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the food and drink industry. In this episod...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we continue our series looking at careers in the food industry. In the UK, thousands of people are receiving their GCSE results and will be thinking hard about their future careers. Our guest in this episode is Sadhbh Moore, who has the fantastic job title of Eco Nutritionist. Sadhbh’s interest in the environment goes right back to her childhood in...

We are well and truly into exam results season in many parts of the world and so we are having a bit of a focus on careers . In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we welcome the brilliant Abi Aspen Glencross to the podcast. Abi is Co-Founder of FoodSquared , which makes plant-based shellfish. Her previous role at Duchess Farms saw her spending her time searching the globe for the best...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we take a look back at some of the highlights from previous episodes. Since launching in 2019, we have made more than 400 episodes, explored some absolutely fascinating topics, and met hundreds of wonderful people. And those people all have one thing in common – a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the food and drink industry. This episode focusse...

Each year, food waste costs the industry £3.2 billion.  That’s according to WRAP, which found that 1.1 million tonnes of it comes from food services and hospitality. But businesses are often unsure of how to tackle the issue, so the cycle of waste continues. In 2019, WRAP launched Guardians of Grub, a campaign that aims to empower professionals from across the hospitality and food service sector t...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we take a look back at some of the highlights from previous episodes. Since launching in 2019, we have made more than 400 episodes, explored some absolutely fascinating topics, and met hundreds of wonderful people. And those people all have one thing in common – a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the food and drink industry. This episode focusse...

Cultivated meat is something many of us are yet to experience. But for US consumers, it will soon become a reality.  In June this year , the Department of Agriculture approved the sale of lab grown meat, allowing two Californian companies to offer “cultivated chicken” to US consumers. This makes the US just the second country, after Singapore , to clear the sale of these products. With the US bein...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we take a look back at some of the highlights from previous episodes. Since launching in 2019, we have made more than 400 episodes, explored some absolutely fascinating topics, and met hundreds of wonderful people. And those people all have one thing in common – a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the food and drink industry. This episode focusse...

Waste is a huge concern for the food industry. According to a 2022 UN report, 17% of global food production is wasted. And it will continue to be if the industry continues as it is. Recognising this, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is leading the new Big Food Redesign Challenge with the aim of bringing together producers, suppliers and retailers in embracing a circular food system. The challenge, l...

Crohn's disease and colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and they affect over 500,000 people in the UK. Characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, IBD can cause a whole range of health complications and can have a profound impact on a person's life. Although there is no cure, there are ways of managing the symptoms, including through diet. Re...

Parkinson's disease is a disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain, but what causes that loss is unclear. Parkinson’s is fundamentally a condition that affects the brain but there is growing evidence that the gut may have a role to play. The idea has ignit...

In March 2023, Italy's minister of agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida , announced that the country will be the first to ban lab-grown foods, including the production and commercialisation of cultivated meat. The draft bill has been put forward in the name of farmers, to protect them from the perceived threats that what they call “synthetic” foods pose to traditional cuisine. Those behind the bill...

Food inflation is a huge concern across the world. Over the course of 2022, food prices were on average 14.3% higher than the year before. In the UK, things are looking a little worse than average. The Office for National Statistics found that in the 12 months leading up to March 2023, food prices rose 19.2%. The thing is, the World Bank is reporting that, globally, wholesale prices are starting t...

Nutritional studies are vital to the world of sports. The right nutrients can optimise an athlete’s performance, reduce their risk of injury and help them get the most out of training. But traditionally, research on nutrition for female athletes has been lacking. Despite their incredible achievements and contributions to sports, a review from the University of Chester suggests just 6% of sports sc...

The measuring and reporting of carbon emissions by companies in the food industry is not uncommon. It helps businesses understand where their environmental impacts lie, where they need to reduce emissions most, and helps track their progress towards sustainability. The problem is, they do not all measure their carbon footprint in the same way.   That leads to inconsistencies and can make it diffic...

“I’m putting on weight because my metabolism is slowing down.” It is something many of us hear, or maybe even say ourselves, fairly regularly. Or the contrary: “So-and-so can eat what they like because they have a fast metabolism.” The truth is, for many, we might have a vague idea of what our metabolism is, but do we really understand it? Beyond these casual remarks, do we truly grasp the intrica...

The link between nutrition and our skin is complex. Various claims have been made and new products are constantly being developed. Yet a review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that the data on the link is not well supported and that this often leaves medical professionals and patients confused and uncertain. Recognising that diet and skin could be better understood, Dr Thivi Maruthapp...

Six new Diet and Health Innovation Hubs are starting work in the UK to overcome the challenges of producing and getting us all to consume healthier, more nutritious food. They form part of a group called the Diet and Health Open Innovation Club . £15m worth of funding has been made available by three public bodies and a Government department. It is a big project, with big challenges to overcome. V...

Pushing for better diversity and inclusion is important in every industry. A 2018 report from the charity Stonewall found that, due to their sexuality, 18% of the UK’s LGBTQ+ workers had been negatively targeted by colleagues. And the agricultural industry is no different. In fact, it can come with a whole lot of its own specific challenges. Farming can be a lonely, high-pressure business. The UK...

Deforestation, soil health and biodiversity are all major concerns in the agricultural industry. A recent United Nations report claims an estimated 80% of global deforestation is down to agricultural practices, as well as being the leading cause of habitat destruction. But does farming always have to lead to deforestation? Can crops and trees not only co-exist, but possibly thrive together? The em...

Why have, for many years, eating disorders disproportionately affected girls? In a previous episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we focused on how eating disorders affect boys and men . For boys and men, it is a relatively new topic of discussion, even if the issue has been around for some time. But girls and young women eating disorders have been spoken about in public discourse for much lon...

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are looking to the future. Specifically, at the food innovators who may well be shaping the industry for years to come. EcoTrophelia UK is a national competition where students design eco-innovative food products. The winners go on to compete in a European final and, as well as receiving a cash prize, some of the entrants could see their product...