The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Get an exclusive preview of what’s coming to Watercoolers Europe Conference & Fair 2026 in Málaga in this engaging panel discussion. Our expert panellists explore the key highlights of this year’s event - from an expanded conference programme and keynote sessions with the latest insights in AI, sustainability, and filtration technologies shaping the future of the hydration industry. We also dive into: 💡 The most exciting technical innovations and emerging trends 🏆 What to expect from the prestigious Aqua Awards & Gala Dinner 🌍 The scale and diversity of the trade fair floor, featuring leading brands and new product launches 📈 How consumer expectations are evolving and how the industry is adapting 🎤 Leadership insights from Watercoolers Europe’s Director General Whether you’re looking to network, learn, or discover the next big innovation, this discussion sets the stage for a must-attend event. 👉 Register now and be part of the industry’s biggest gathering in 2026. #WatercoolersEurope #WCE2026 #HydrationIndustry #Innovation #Sustainability #TradeFair #AquaAwards

At the Interpack 2026 trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany, FoodBev Media caught up with SMI’s sales director, Fabio Sisimbro, to chat about the company’s recent innovations in food and beverage packaging technology. Among the innovations showcased at the event was the SFP 30 stretch-film packer machine, highlighting how the solution can help manufacturers to achieve savings across energy, materials and costs compared to shrink film packaging applications. It also highlighted its PET bottle production capabilities, demonstrating its expertise in blow-moulding lightweight bottles, designing for recyclability, and offering bespoke bottle customisation solutions. Other solutions include its Kraft cardboard secondary packaging technologies, enabling significant material reductions, while its shrink-film packaging capabilities highlighted quality and efficiency for multi-pack beverage products.

During this year’s Vitafoods Europe event, FoodBev Media’s group editor Melissa Bradshaw caught up with Faravelli’s Tiziana Ferrari, director of nutraceuticals for the company’s Italian business. The discussion explored some of the biggest trends currently dominating the nutraceuticals market, including beauty-from-within, gut health and longevity. Faravelli offers a range of solutions within its portfolio that can address the specific needs of consumers across these markets, such as collagen peptides, prebiotic fibres and more. In the interview, you can discover how Faravelli is adapting to changing consumer priorities in the nutraceuticals market. Watch the full video to hear Tiziana’s thoughts on how the rise of areas such as GLP-1 medication use and personalised nutrition are reshaping not only Faravelli’s product development, but the broader functional food and beverage industry.

At Vitafoods Europe 2026, Thai Union Ingredients showcased a shift in how the industry thinks about circularity. Upcycling is no longer a sustainability slogan, it’s being judged by whether the ingredient can deliver consistent quality, transparency, and performance at scale. In this interview, Leena Uabumrungjit explains how Thai Union Ingredients converts tuna co-products into high-value nutrition through an integrated, controlled chain. The approach is built on end-to-end oversight, from raw material selection and crude oil production through refining and finished ingredients, including a dedicated marine oil refinery in Germany. The goal is simple: make traceability real (and audit-ready) while improving consistency for brands that need dependable supply and specification control.

At Vitafoods Europe 2026, FoodBev Media caught up with Chris Whiting, European Nutrition Category Manager at Synergy Flavours, to discuss the trends shaping the future of functional nutrition. From GLP-1 companion products and high-protein innovation to taste modulation and multifunctional formulations, Chris shares how Synergy is helping brands tackle some of the category’s biggest challenges, including improving flavour, masking bitterness and creating more consumer-friendly nutrition solutions. Watch the full interview to hear more about the evolving functional nutrition landscape, from changing consumer preferences and emerging ingredient trends to the growing focus on balancing functionality with taste and overall product experience.

Crown Foods-owned WAT KITCHEN won Best Meat/Poultry Product at the World Food Innovation Awards 2026, in association with IFE - International Food & Drink Event. The winners were unveiled during a live ceremony at IFE Manufacturing's Trends & Innovation Platform - as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week 2026. Crown Foods offers a broad frozen and ambient portfolio, with nearly 50 years of experience serving the UK retail and foodservice sectors. Their Asian-inspired ambient meal range, WAT KITCHEN, has been created for busy lifestyles. FoodBev Media talked with Ivor Rawlins, sales director at Crown Foods, at IFE 2026 following the company's achievement. - 00:00 - About WAT KITCHEN 00:15 - Protein Bites win at WFIA26 00:35 - Exhibiting at IFE & GLP-1 lifestyle 01:11 - Contact WAT KITCHEN

ThreoTech showcased its new Magtein magnesium ingredient, which focuses on cognitive health and is suitable for a range of applications. It has recently received EU novel food status. Magtein is a unique form of magnesium L-threonate created by scientific researchers to help magnesium reach the brain more efficiently. Magnesium L-threonate has been found to support better memory, cognition, mood, sleep, and cognitive lifespans. FoodBev's Leah Smith spoke with Laurentia Bliss, Director of Brand Management at ThreoTech, at Food Ingredients Europe 2025.