IFE, International Food & Drink Event is set to return to ExCeL on 21-23 March to reunite the food & drink industry and kickstart business growth in the sector.

For over 40 years the event has been trusted by industry buyers to showcase the latest trends, innovations and new products in the sector, with an unrivalled seminar programme and over 1,500 suppliers on show.

This year’s event will see more than 30,000 top industry buyers, including leading retailers, caterers, wholesalers and import & export specialists descend on ExCeL London for three unmissable days of high-level networking and product sourcing.

Here are some of the top reasons to visit IFE 2022.

New product innovation

IFE is a hotbed of new product launches and innovation in the world of food & drink. In addition to hosting the World Food Innovation Awards, in partnership with FoodBev Media, the event is an unparalleled showcase of new products from the UK and around the world.

Baked In, supplier of easy-to-make cake kits, will be bringing a range of themed celebration cakes to the event for 2022. On the International Trade Centre pavilion, fine pastry chef Nadine Burie will be introducing the Likkle More Chocolate brand, inspired by the quality cacao beans of Jamaica.

WFl/Bearfield will be sampling three innovative new drinks brands at the event: Arizona Green Tea, Candy Can Soda and Charlie’s organics Sparkling Water. Meanwhile, by Panach – Plant-Based to Drink will be on hand to provide samples of its all-new Oat Cacao shake. Mexican Booze Ltd will also be showcasing top quality Mexican spirits including Tonayan and Tequipal.

For fans of high-end food products, BAUER SPA will be introducing all-new Porcini Mushroom Stock Cub, with Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while Charbonneaux-Brabant brings its decadent Truffle Sauce to the event.

Explore the world of vegan & plant-based

Reflecting the continued rapid growth of the vegan & plant-based category, and its popularity with both consumers and retailers, IFE has launched a dedicated Vegan & Plant-Based section, in partnership with The Vegan Society, for the 2022 event.

This section of the event will see big brand brands in the Vegan & Plant-Based space, such as Beyond Meat, Meatless Farm, Moving Mountains and Future Farm, plus exciting, up-and-coming suppliers including Better Nature, RE:NOURISH and SHICKEN.

The event’s Future Food Stage will see an unmissable session on Day Three entitled ‘Finding success in vegan & plant-based’ as Louisianna Waring, Senior Insight and Policy Officer at the Vegan Society is joined by Rik Roberts, General Manager of Crackd and BOSH! founders Ian Theasby and Henry Firth to discuss standing out in this packed space.

Keep your finger on the pulse of international trade

This year’s event is the first post-Brexit edition of IFE and import & export are very much top of the agenda for 2022. IFE has the support of the Department for International Trade, which will be on hand to provide guidance and support on navigating international trade, plus Green Seed Group will be providing one-on-one consultations for manufacturers interested in importing products and international market opportunities. A popular returning feature is the Advice-to-Go Zone, where the Institute of Export & International Trade and Federation of Food & Drink Exporters will be on hand to provide bespoke, confidential advice.

IFE 2022 has seen huge support from international food & drinks companies, with new pavilions from Lithuania, India, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Switzerland, Latvia and Brazil joining returning countries including Cyprus, Pakistan, Canada, Turkey, Italy and Poland. In total over 50 countries will be represented at the event, showcasing thousands of fantastic food & drink products.

The event’s Future Food Stage, along with the Innovation Platform in IFE Manufacturing, will also see a number of sessions focussed on international opportunities, with insightful sessions from organisations including the Institute of Export & International Trade examining EU export opportunities post-Brexit and how EU-to-GB food exports have evolved over the past two years.

People, Planet, Profit

Sustainability is once again topping the agenda in the world of food & drink and IFE is no different, with suppliers including Doyen Tea Company, seaweed crisp supplier Abakus Foods, children’s snack company Freddie’s Farms and The Isle of Wight Distillery leading the way in environmental innovation.

On the Future Food Stage, thefoodpeople’s Charles Banks will be running through the latest sustainability trends in retail, while Hamish Renton, Managing Director of HRA Global, Tim Etherington-Judge, Co-Founder of Avallen Spirits, John Steel, CEO of Cafedirect will take to the stage for a session entitled ‘Futureproof: the industry’s fight for genuine sustainability’.

IFE 2022 will be taking place alongside IFE Manufacturing, the UK’s dedicated showcase of end-to-end food & drink manufacturing and product development, plus Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC), The Pub Show and The London Produce Show.   

To view the full seminar programme and exhibitor list, and to register to attend, head to ife.co.uk.