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Visitor numbers at Vitafoods – the global nutraceutical event held each year at the Palexpo beside Lake Geneva – are looking very healthy, with figures after just the first half day already up on last year.

On this, the first day of Vitafoods 2008, we report on what's happening, who's there and what the future holds for the nutraceutical industry. We'll also have some up to date photos from the event, which will be posted to our special Vitafoods gallery.

Claire Phoenix (Managing Editor of beverage innovation), Medina Bailey (Features Editor of beverage innovation) and Claire Rowan (Managing Editor Food&Beverage International) guide us through day one.

Tuesday 6 May 2008

10am Udi Alroy of LycoRed: "People are looking for more functionality in their food and beverages – they want nutritional benefits as well as hydration and sustenance," he said. "Everyone is looking for the extra penny. The 'beauty from within' category originated in France, with people there happy to take pills, but today with cosmeceutical benefits now available in food and drink, a new segment is opening up for many manufacturers and the target market is much larger. LycoRed has just developed a skin-enhancing drink with lycopene, and this time it has a passion fruit flavour and not a tomato-based carrier. One US company is already producing this as a 25cl shot drink. Clinical studies have already been carried out to demonstrate its efficacy."

11am Gary Brenner of Solbar Industries also spoke about Inside Out Beauty talking about more functional benefits appearing in dairy beverages and cosmeceuticals in particular. Solbar is also working on sports drinks supplements and a non dairy coffee creamer.

* 12 noon* A number of companies talk about a dramatic interest in brain health infant formula with high levels of DHA, with parents keen to ensure maximum cognitive potential for their children.

People are worried about getting older and losing their capacity for quick thinking and memory. A number of companies are developing foods and beverages with omega-3 concentrates – some as high as 75% – and we're working on one with 90% DHA concentrate."

*1pm * Jacqueline de Witte – Marketing Manager with DSM/Food Specialities for Insuvital and Tensguard – showed a number of products containing DSM's Fabuless, which provides a feeling of fullness and so helps consumers feel less hungry.

Other areas with a number of solutions offered via ingredients at Vitafoods are joint health products, including seaweed extracts and pine tree extracts for use in cholesterol-lowering (heart health) products.

Sergio Maldonado outlined the benefits of Arboris Pine tree extracts for its cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Lipid Nutrition indicated substantial interest across the globe in its weight management product Pinnothin - and Clarinol taken by those actively keen to maintain good physical shape. * *