Food Matters Live Podcast Food Matters Live

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 consumer, but a mistake can also have a devastating impact on those working in the food industry.

None of this is designed to create a culture of fear, but merely to highlight just how serious this topic is.

In this episode of the podcast, recorded live at Food Matters Live held in Ascot in April 2024, we look at the risks, the rules, and the opportunities (yes, there are some) when it comes to the relationship between allergens and food.

Is your company fully up to date on the latest regulations? Are your processes as safe as they could be? And could small changes help you increase your customer base?

Our expert panel offer their experience and insights in this vital area, and offer answer to some of those crucial questions.

Guests:
Rob Easton, Head of Environmental Health, Shield Safety 
Caroline Benjamin, Founder, Food Allergy Aware 
Mitch Lee, Head of Sales, Purezza & La Fauxmagerie
Natascha Gaut, Director, Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations, DWF Law LLP 
Ryan Panchoo, Founder, Borough 22 Doughnuts

What decisions will people be making in the year 2030? What factors will influence their purchasing decisions? And how does the food industry adapt to meet those new demands?

When it comes to the future of food, everyone in the industry would like to know the types of food and drink products people will be buying in the years to come.

It is, of course, impossible to know for sure, but we can look at the underlying trends and the circumstances that will be acting as motivators for the consumers of the future.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded live at the Food Matters Live Tastes of Better event held in Ascot in April 2024, we ask an expert panel for their insights and try to answer some of those questions.

We cover the cost-of-living, sustainability, personalised nutrition, and plenty more.

Michael Adams, Head of Product Innovation, Campden BRI
Robert Lawson, Managing Partner, Food Strategy Associates
Richard Neish, Global Futures and Global Tastepoint, IFF
Millie Diamond, Food and Drink Strategist, WGSN

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How prepared is the agricultural sector for the next big technological revolution?

We live in a digital age, everywhere you look new technologies are helping to make things faster, more efficient, and more precise.

But there is a feeling, not just in the food sector but more broadly, that we are on the cusp of another digital revolution.

AI, robotics, and access to data are advancing at great speed. The question is: can regulations, and expertise at a regulatory level, keep up with the advances we are seeing?

And all of that applies to farming methods too, particularly at a time when food producers are having to deal with multiple challenges like climate change, global political tensions, and a growing population.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with CropLife Europe, we dive into the world of digital and precision farming to see if we can answer some of those questions.

Guest:
Olivier de Matos, Director General, CropLife Europe

Confectionary is big business. The global market is worth over a trillion US dollars and all the forecasts suggest that figure is set to continue rising.

But with so much competition, and a population increasingly concerned with topics such as sustainability and animal welfare, it is more important than ever for new products to stand out.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Royal Avebe, we look at how potato starch is providing some solutions to these concerns.

Is it possible to create confectionary products that are sustainable, guilt-free and delicious?

And how does potato starch fit into the conversation?

Guests:
Ria Tinga, Strategic Marketing Manager, Royal Avebe
Peter Feiken, Senior Account Manager Food, Royal Avebe

There are many challenges facing the food industry at the moment, and those challenges are being faced by all of us, farmers, producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

Consumers in particular, are increasingly concerned with a rising cost of living, their overall health, as well as sustainability and climate change.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Azelis UK Food and Nutrition, we look at how the food industry can address these concerns, and support consumers whilst continuing to feed a growing population.

It is a challenge, but every challenge presents an opportunity.

We look at the latest trends, the differences and similarities between working with a start-up and a multi-national, and learn all about the new product development journey.

Meet the Azelis team at the Food Matters Live Tastes of Better event

Charles Hawley, Managing Director, Azelis UK and Ireland
Mandy Hogben, Senior Sales Manager, Azelis Food and Nutrition
Joe Yeates, Business Manager, Azelis Food and Nutrition UK and Ireland
Alie Coppolella, Market Manager, Azelis Food and Nutrition UK and Ireland

Looking after crops and maintaining a resilient food supply is as important now as it has ever been.

But the challenges farmers are facing are growing, from inflation to a growing population and climate change - and all with sustainable agriculture front of mind.

In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with CropLife Europe, we explore the role biopesticides could play in helping to ease some of the pressure on our food producers.

Biopesticides are pesticides produced using naturally occurring substances such as plants, microbes, or biochemicals. 

They offer opportunities for protecting crops from pests and diseases and have a more favourable toxicological safety profile compared to conventional pesticides.

In many parts of the world, they are widely used and new products can make it to market within a couple of years. In Europe, things are moving, but much more slowly.

The question is: is Europe playing catch-up?

This episode looks at how biopesticides are currently being used in Europe, how they might be used in future, and whether or not current regulations are in need of a shake-up.

Guest:
Olivier de Matos, Director General, CropLife Europe