Innovation conference

Innovation conference highlights potential on offer

24-Mar-2016 - Last updated on 28-Sep-2021 at 11:21 GMT

New product development will become even more important for food and drink manufacturers, after the Chancellor’s sugar tax budget bombshell, according director of the Aurora Ceres Partnership Steve Osborn, who chaired Food Manufacture's recent innovation conference.

The government's sugar tax plan will bring the benefits of food and drink reformulation and innovation back into focus in “a big way”, Osborn told FoodManufacture.co.uk in this exclusive video interview, filmed after the conference in central London.

Food and drink manufacturers would need to harness new science and technology, new ingredients and new thinking to help them meet the challenges that lie ahead, he added.

Another key theme to emerge from the conference was the rapidly rising potential market for new products tailored to the demands of senior citizens,s said Osborn.

‘Aging population’

“The UK has a growing and aging population. Manufacturers will need to develop new products that will satisfy their future demand for food and drink.”

Watch this this video interview to discover what Osborn believed speakers and delegates will be discussing at next year's food and drink innovation conference.

Meanwhile, discover why industry experts believe edible insects could be coming to a food or drink factory near you before too long.

The conference – New Frontiers in Food and Drink – was staged on Thursday March 17 at etc. venues St. Pauls, London on Thursday March 17.

The event was sponsored by Lloyds Bank and legal specialist Roythornes Solicitors.