Clean label solutions to be exhibited at Fi Europe

Consumers have come to expect shorter and simpler ingredient lists despite the increasing complexity of foods and an ever-expanding range of ingredients used.

Approximately 70% of European consumers state that they often or always read the claims on the front of the packaging, and 60% also look at the ingredient list and claims on the back. This has a significant influence on the consumers’ purchase decision.

This year’s Food ingredients Europe & Natural ingredients (Fi Europe) is the place for food producers searching for possibilities to use ingredients in their products that will allow them to put a clean label on the packaging.

In general, a ‘clean label’ signifies that certain ingredients are removed from the formulation. The advertising claim on the packaging reads: “Free from …” or “Without added …”. Often, what the labels are referring to is the fact that certain flavouring agents, particularly substances denoted by E numbers, as well as preservatives, artificial colouring or flavour enhancers, are not used. Food producers are faced with the question of which clean label concepts they want to apply to their products and which are best suited, in addition there is no standard labelling application in the industry which creates further confusion for all stakeholders.

Fi Europe Conference provides a forum for debate on trends such as clean labelling

Hundreds of ingredient suppliers exhibiting at Fi Europe will offer numerous solutions and ingredients that enable clean labelling for individual products or complete product ranges and ensure that quality standards are not compromised. This includes thermally stable ingredients that are suitable for baked products. Likewise, alternatives to preservatives, substitutes for artificial flavourings, or enzymes which can replace emulsifying agents, are only part of a plethora of options.

Exhibitors like Ingredion, Roquette, Cargill, Brenntag, ADM, FrieslandCampina, DSM, and Naturex are well-represented at Fi Europe in Paris. In addition, the Fi Europe Conference provides a forum for debate on the current developments and challenges anticipated by the food industry in the wake of such trends as clean labelling. Experts from Innova and Ingredion will be there to address such challenges, including how clean label definitions, best practices for reformulations and enhanced communication strategies for foods and beverages that carry this label.

Fi Europe will open its doors to over 26,000 food and beverage professionals wishing to meet with over 1400 ingredients suppliers in Paris from the 1-3 December 2015.