Diverse confectionery launches planned for the International Food and Drink Event
A diverse range of new confectionery and snacks will be unveiled at this year’s International Food and Drink Event (IFE) at Excel, London, between 17-20 March.
The biennial sector showcase also features a number of industry focus sessions including a ‘Big Debate’ discussing the impact of Brexit, featuring Ian Wright, chair of the UK’s Food and Drink Federation.
Among those exhibiting will be Love Cocoa, founded by James Cadbury, who has continued his family’s heritage within the confectionery sector and has delivered a series of ethically sourced chocolate bars and truffle series.
For its part, Kent-based Fudge Kitchen will be unveiling a repackaged line-up of its ‘Delectables’ hand made caramels and brittles, including a dairy-free option. It will also be introducing five new lines including a Lemongrass and Chilli brittle, Rose infused caramels, cocoa nibbed caramels and a chocolate nut pavé.
The resulting selections and new launches represent themes that have picked up on developing trends from vintage to vegan, and East Asian flavours.
Meanwhile, Keats Chocolates will be presenting its confectionery range in what it describes as a ‘modern twist on Tastes of the British Empire,’ setting in standards sustainably sourcing sugar and cocoa from Fair Trade certified farms. Its ranges are presented in quality boxes designed for the gifting market.
Liverpool-based AG’s Candy will be displaying its Mr and Mrs Egg Mega under the Mr & Mrs Egg range, milky and cocoa cream products, launching for the Easter period. The new series will be available all year round alongside the 20g variants.
Within the ice cream segment, Cream & Country, the quintessentially British ice cream brand, is launching a limited edition ‘Scarlet Ripple’ flavour in support of The Royal Hospital Chelsea’s Scarlets Appeal for Chelsea Pensioners.
Tapping into heightened demand for confectionery considering specific dietary requirements, Pimlico Confectioners will be unveiling its latest range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fruit jellies and wine gums.
Indeed, plant-based food and veganism, the free-from movement and alcohol-free beverages have been identified as the top three trends which impacted food & drink businesses in 2018, according to new research by The International Food & Drink Event (IFE).
The research, which surveyed members of the UK’s leading and largest food & drink event network, also revealed that plant-based eating, sustainable packaging, gut-friendly foods and sugar-free are the most prominent trends businesses are looking to leverage in 2019 – demonstrating the influence consumers’ growing interest in health & wellbeing is having on the sector.
Soraya Gadelrab, event director for IFE, said: “We have brought together a truly fantastic line-up of experts for next year’s event, to offer buyers the most upto-date intel on the changing food & drink landscape and provide inspiration, ideas and tools to help businesses tap into upcoming trends. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to grow their business in 2019 and beyond.”
– For more information, visit www.ife.co.uk/
