The taste (and texture) of the future of food
How is consumer demand shaping the future of the food industry?
It is a question that is almost constantly being asked by companies, entrepreneurs and staff across the world, in what is a hugely competitive market.
There is arguably no other sector that is as tuned in to what its customers want, and delivering on those wants and needs is crucial for any business to survive.
But, as many of our listeners will know, it is not always a straight line and that means plenty of adaptation and innovation.
The plant-based sector, for example, has seen some interesting recent developments, with some manufacturers re-thinking the types of products they produce.
In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with BENEO, we look at some of the trends and innovations designed to satisfy a complex consumer base.
In relation to plant-based, we learn more about hydrocolloids and the role they have to play.
We also find out how BENEO is responding to consumer demand for reduced sugar products.
The products we speak about (and try!) during the episode were on display at the Food Matters Live Tastes of Better event – find out more about the upcoming event here.
Jolien Lambrechts, Market Insights Manager, BENEO
Jolien has over 10 years of experience in the food industry with BENEO and in her role as Market Insights Manager excels in identifying trends and new market opportunities for BENEO’s key food customers. Jolien holds a Bachelor degree in Business Trade, specialising in Marketing and Innovation Management (UCLL, Belgium).
Pieter Caspers, Technical Sales Manager Savoury UK & Benelux, BENEO
Graduated with a master’s degree as Biochemical Engineer at KU Leuven, Belgium. Pieter has worked with BENEO for three years in our European sales department gaining expertise on all our functional ingredients.
Since BENEO’s acquisition of Meatless®, Pieter has taken up the additional responsibility of bringing this exclusive product range to our customers in the UK and Benelux.
Guilherme Santos, Country Sales Manager – UK, BENEO
Guilherme has a technical background in food engineering, with specialization in business administration. He has been working with BENEO since 2019 as the country sales manager for Brazil and has taken over the UK market in 2022.
Guilherme has over 15 years of experience in the specialty food ingredients market, which has provided him with valuable insight into sugar reduction challenges in Latin America and Europe.
BENEO
BENEO has long-term experience in developing and producing functional ingredients from natural sources for food, feed and pharmaceutical products.
It employs more than 1,000 people and markets is products in more than 80 countries.
BENEO offers plant-based functional ingredients for food, feed and pharma that help improve the nutritional and technical properties of a wide variety of products, while maintaining or even improving taste or texture.
Its state-of-the-art production sites around the world ensure sustainable and high quality ingredients at all time.
