Vitafoods Europe 2025: Exploring trends and technologies in nutraceuticals innovation

As the nutraceutical industry continues to push the boundaries of science and innovation, Vitafoods Europe is set to once again spotlight groundbreaking advancements with its upcoming Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate pioneering ingredients, cutting-edge formulations, and revolutionary solutions that are shaping the future of functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.

This year’s competition is expected to feature leading companies, start-ups, and researchers who will showcase their latest innovations for health and well-being with categories spanning from functional ingredients to sustainable solutions.

Nutrition Insight sits down with Professor Colin Dennis, a chair on the board of trustees at International Food Information Service and a chair of the Vitafoods Europe Innovation awards 2025, to discuss the upcoming awards. 

He shares his insights on what the judges are looking for, what categories they expect to see represented, and what emerging markets and trends are most likely to take this year’s spotlight.

What qualities or criteria will you be paying the most attention to in the award submissions?
Colin: While the judges are excited to hear about the diversity of the developments across the spectrum, we are particularly interested in entries that are results-driven and backed by evidence. Scientific and medical data, including scientific papers and reports, which demonstrate bioavailability, efficacy, functionality, and the impact on health, are key in the real world — so that’s what we’ll be focusing on.

Other evidence such as market data and testimonials which demonstrate success are also important. We are especially interested in how products compare in effectiveness to other products on the market and how they offer a unique or differentiated benefit to consumers.

What do you think is the biggest trend shaping the nutraceutical industry right now and how has this evolved over recent years?
Colin: Data-driven innovation and digitalization are undoubtedly shaping consumer industries in general — and the nutraceutical industry is no different. The focus on collecting health data, genetic testing, and data on health markers is fast growing — and the impact of AI means there’s plenty of room for further development here.

While we already have lots of data on health markers and nutritional value of food, the big challenge is how to combine and integrate this data to make meaningful conclusions to inform the nutraceutical innovation process. In particular, there’s a huge opportunity to translate this wealth of data into personalized, evidence-based solutions that meet consumers’ diverse needs.

But that’s not not the only trend shaping the industry. While sports nutrition has been a focus for some years and the Covid pandemic stimulated an interest in immunity, we are now seeing that — with developments in medical and biological sciences — there is an increasing focus on metabolic, digestive, cognitive and emotional health and their interdependence.

With an aging population in the Western world, there will be continued opportunities and interest in ingredients/products that promote healthy aging across all of these areas. These are all the focus areas of many start-up companies that are bringing fresh ideas and cutting-edge research to the industry.

Are there any emerging ingredients or technologies that you think will redefine the industry?
Colin: When it comes to what’s next for the industry, I believe we shall continue to see an evolution rather than a revolution or the emergence of silver bullets. Advances in data science, digitalization, and the impact of AI will undoubtedly speed up developments in the nutraceutical space.

There is also much interest in areas like precision fermentation and its potential to produce innovative ingredients/products — and AI can enhance and accelerate this process by making it more efficient, scalable and exact.

How is sustainability influencing product innovation in nutraceuticals?
Colin: Sustainability is now an essential aspect of any innovation process due to environmental, economic, and social considerations driven by commercial and consumer pressures. This is why we have a separate award for the development of sustainability systems and practices — it’s non-negotiable in today’s climate.

While the environmental aspect, in the consumer’s mind, is all about mitigating climate change, it can also be a significant economic driver for companies. Optimizing the use of resources such as water and energy and ensuring minimum waste are strong motives to maximize profit. 

Furthermore, cost reduction and reducing carbon and water footprints are often the catalysts for innovative process and packaging developments. In essence, sustainability is both the catalyst and the compass for innovation.

How is partnership across the supply chain crucial to innovation?
Colin: Collaboration in the context of innovation is fundamental, from science to the commercialization of new products. Even the largest companies aren’t islands — often developing partnerships and strong networks with academic institutions and research centers in different countries to seek ideas for the next generation of innovations.

Such trusted partnerships can be extremely reciprocal. Companies can recognize relevant science at an early stage, while academics and researchers often get first-hand experience of where their research can be applied for the benefit of industry and consumers. In addition, companies can also seek an independent assessment of their ideas and developments.

In an industry where speed, sustainability, and innovation are paramount, collaboration across the entire product supply chain is the key to getting effective products to market. Collaboration between equipment, packaging, ingredient, and product manufactures are vital to ensure that the latest developments and innovations along this supply chain are adopted cost effectively at the earliest opportunity.

By collaborating across these sectors, businesses can share expertise, streamline processes, and reduce time to market for new products.

Finally, partnerships are key to getting novel solutions off the ground and to consumers. Start-up companies or spin-outs from academic centers often need to partner with research and technology organizations for access to pilot plant facilities or for advice on food safety and regulatory or labeling requirements.

Partnering between start-ups and seasoned industrialists can also be critical in assisting with manufacturing, contract manufacturing, and marketing of their ingredients or products.

What challenges do you think innovators in this industry will face in the next five years?
Colin: I am sure many of the current challenges will continue around responding to changing regulatory frameworks and the needs of increasingly discerning and health-aware consumers. Personal health and nutrition are complex subjects with many variables — so consumers are demanding simple, clear messaging.

One of the biggest challenges in the future will be to balance this complexity and simplicity in a meaningful way — conveying the science behind products in a way that is accessible without misleading the consumer.

Companies must manage consumer expectations of improved health and wellness and, at the same time, deliver on their products’ promises. This balance will be vital for fostering trust and driving long-term success in the market.