Food Matters Live Podcast

583: Beyond the algorithm - the complexity of personalised nutrition

Is personalised nutrition about hitting the perfect bullseye with algorithmic precision, or is it actually more like a game of beach ball - bouncing insights back and forth between company and consumer? Despite two decades of DNA analysis, continuous glucose monitors, and proprietary algorithms, most personalised nutrition advice still boils down to "eat salmon, broccoli, and brown rice" - recommendations people are already following.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Rotterdam in September 2025, our panel of experts argues that the future of personalised nutrition must shift from linear expert advice to interactive learning relationships. They discuss the gap what the industry recommends and what consumers can actually use in daily life, the role of microbiota, and personalised fibre recommendations.

582: Managing competing trends in food innovation

What happens when precision fermentation, ultra-processed food backlash, GLP-1 drugs, and supply chain volatility collide?  The food industry faces unprecedented challenges - and opportunities - as multiple disruptive forces converge simultaneously.  In this panel discussion recorded at the Food Matters Live in Ascot in October 2025, industry leaders from across the value chain reveal how they're navigating what one panelist calls doing "everything, everywhere, all at once.” They discuss how engineering biology can create functional ingredients without the need for added additives, fermentation techniques from cultures outside Europe, and the delicate balance of meeting functional food claims like immunity while maintaining clean label credentials. They also delve into biometric data, GLP-1, and unstable cocoa supply chains.

581: Nutrition strategies for healthy ageing

What if the key to healthy ageing isn't just about living longer, but maintaining metabolic wellness, bone strength, and cellular youth throughout our lifespan?  As obesity and type 2 diabetes continue to rise globally, the need for evidence-based nutritional interventions has never been more critical.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Rotterdam in September 2025, we delve into the nutrition that is supporting health across the ageing journey. We look at dietary fibre as a natural regulator for blood glucose control, and how an EU health claim for reduced glycemic response offers manufacturers a science-backed reformulation opportunity.  We hear about research that suggests animal protein intake is associated with better bone mineral density in older adults. And we're introduced to a groundbreaking natural vitamin D3 source from mealworms that's three times better absorbed than conventional lanolin-based supplements. Can food reformulation and innovative ingredients truly support lifelong health, or are we still missing pieces of the longevity puzzle?

580: Rethinking alternative proteins

Can we really convert industrial CO2 emissions into complete nutrition without using any fertile land?  As deforestation claims a forest area the size of 18 football fields every minute to meet food and feed demands, the search for genuinely sustainable protein sources has never been more urgent.  In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Rotterdam in September 2025, three experts reveal radically different approaches to solving the alternative protein challenge - from breathing cultivation systems to the nuanced reality of ultra-processed plant-based meat. We discover how technological advances are putting microalgae at the centre of the alternative protein conversation, we delve into the debate around ultra-processed foods, and the hidden challenge: even the most sustainable ingredient innovation can fail if supply chain realities aren't considered from day one. From multifunctional water-soluble proteins that foam better than egg, to understanding why Swiss soybean variety selection requires bringing farmers and industry together early, our guests argue that alternative protein success depends on looking beyond the ingredient itself to the entire value chain and evolving consumer priorities.

579: Balancing health, cost and taste in food manufacturing

How can food manufacturers simultaneously make products healthier, more affordable, more sustainable, and maintain great taste - all whilst the regulatory landscape is shifting? The food industry has a rich history of adaptation, navigating everything from global crises, evolving regulatory landscapes, and consumer preferences. And it looks like that adaptability trait is going to need to continue for the foreseeable future, with the UK's new 10-year health plan and evolving HFSS guidelines creating a “perfect storm” for manufacturers. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, made in partnership with Kerry [https://www.kerry.com/], we explore how the industry can navigate these challenges without compromising on consumer appeal. History tells us the food industry is good at this stuff, so perhaps what’s on the horizon is more of an opportunity than a challenge. Kerry Kerry [https://www.kerry.com/], the Taste Nutrition company, offers solutions that nourish lives all over the world.  From humble beginnings as an Irish dairy co-operative, Kerry has grown into a large international food industry leader, with offices in 32 countries, 151 manufacturing facilities and more than 26,000 employees globally, including over 1,000 food scientists.  We bring to the table our strong food heritage, coupled with over 40 years of experience, global insights and market knowledge, culinary and applications expertise, as well as a range of unique solutions that anticipate and address our customers’ needs.  Consumers want food and beverages that are healthier and taste great while respecting the planet. At Kerry, we are partnering with our customers to create a world of sustainable nutrition for over two billion people by 2030.