The New Look Natural & Organics Products Expo comes to ExCeL

The Natural & Organics Show (NOPEX) will be taking centre stage once more at ExCeL this month. There is no better place to experience the latest organic, natural and speciality food products from every corner of Europe and some from further afield.

This year’s show is being rebranded as Natural & Organic Products Expo to incorporate three separate events: Natural Food Expo, Natural Beauty Expo and Natural & Organic Products Expo. Each sector will benefit from dynamic marketing initiatives to reflect the importance of reaching the right target audience. As Event Director, Carol Dunning, commented: ‘The new premium look for each sector will appeal to a new audience, as well as ensure that we continue to stay fresh and relevant with our already incredibly loyal customer base’.

The show organisers have planned a series of riveting seminar talks, to include live product pitches, interactive sessions and the chance to hear industry stalwarts discuss topics of the day. Delegates should check out The Innovation Showcase for groundbreaking products and celebrate the industry’s high-flyers at the Innovation Awards. An exciting initiative for buyers to meet suppliers is guaranteed to produce unrivalled networking opportunities.

Continuing demand for healthy and sustainable products has led to the twelfth year of growth in the UK organic market, ending the year at £3.2 billion. Soil Association Certification’s Commercial Director, Alex Cullen, remarked that ‘organic has delivered a resilient performance, despite challenging financial and political conditions and without the support that organic food and farming receives in Europe and elsewhere in the world’.

According to The Food Foundation, 15% of UK households in January were found to be living in food insecurity, rising to a disturbing 20% among households with children.  As healthier food options cost on average twice as much per calorie compared to less healthy choices, poor diet is now regarded as the biggest risk factor for preventable disease.

KLBD client Scrubbys, at a previous NOPEX exhibition

The authenticity of ingredients is essential for manufacturers to build deeper trust with consumers, as well as the need to display transparent labelling. The importance of well-presented products is a big factor for all consumers, but especially for the younger demographic. The UK’s FSA has now stipulated that to use a ‘free from’ label, food businesses must follow strict processes to eliminate risks of cross-contamination. Products must not contain any of the allergen they claim to be free-from, and consumers should be vigilant if they have special requirements.  However, the plant-based industry is strongly opposed to a new proposal to force alternative dairy products to change their labels. Meanwhile France is the latest government to regulate ‘Meat’ labels for plant-based food. In USA the legislation is on a state level where three have banned the use of the word ‘Meat’ for products not derived from animal carcasses. Lawsuits have been filed.

As the largest kosher certification agency in Europe, the distinctive KLBD label is an instant assurance for customers that the highest standards of safe food practice are being met, as well as being a proven asset for generating additional sales revenue. Currently, two KLBD certified companies will be showcasing an enticing array of products at the event.

Doves Farm is an award-winning, family-run producer of organic flours derived from sustainably grown ingredients. Breakfast cereals, biscuits, and speciality flours are just some of the delicious ranges manufactured in the North Wessex Downs for over 40 years. The company has two other brands Freee and Wessex Mill. Shandong Yuwang Industrial Co Ltd, based in Yucheng, is renowned for soybean deep processing, as well as manufacturing products for the bio pharmaceutical, fine chemical and advanced carbon/ceramic material industries.

This year saw the Veganuary trend for plant-based wholefood make an impact across many of the leading restaurant chains. Wagamama committed to making half its menu plant-based, with a spotlight on lion’s mane mushrooms, while Leon’s, Prets and Zizzi introduced similar plant-based themes. The Hard Rock Café in the US presented meat-free choices as part of their Veganuary offering.

KLBD client Aduna, at a previous NOPEX exhibition

UK supermarket giant Tesco reported that a new phase of plant-based purchasing is driven by consumers looking to cook from scratch. A recent survey suggested that out of 47% UK consumers adding more vegetables to their plates, 82% claim to do so for health reasons, 25% to reduce environmental impact and 22% to save money.

German supermarket giant Lidl has reduced prices for almost all its own vegan brands to align with similar products of animal origin. Burger King Germany has reduced all plant-based meals by 10%, making them cheaper than their meat-based options.  The change is part of a ‘Plant-based for Everyone’ campaign, which aims to encourage consumers to try meat-free food and emphasise the variety of flavours on offer. BK says it has received very positive feedback for its plant-based range and is seeing increased demand.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy remains a leader in the organic sector, with fruits and vegetables among the products with the highest increase in sales. Bio Eco Actual reported in a recent bulletin ‘that the green shoots of an organic recovery are appearing across Europe’. There are clearly still opportunities for existing and new brands within the sector. The scene is definitely set for a spectacular show at ExCeL when Natural & Organics Product Expo launches this Sunday.

Come and visit KLBD at stand M81