SIAL, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is the leading event for innovation in Europe and internationally, with 400,000 products on display.
The innovations coming from Europe are a mix of imaginative flavors and eco-responsible projects. They give a taste of what is happening in the world of NPD. Here are some of them…
Reinventing sushi
KING Konjac, a Finnish company that has created a substitute for sushi rice, wins one of the most prestigious awards at SIAL.
The Japanese have been loving konjac for hundreds of years. It is rich in soluble fiber instead of starchy carbohydrates and contains only 2 calories per piece. (For comparison, 100 grams of cooked rice contains 120 kcal, while KING Konjac provides 9).
It's not just about saving the planet. Traditional rice farming emits large amounts of methane and consumes a lot of water.
KING Konjac sushi bases are organically grown konjac, which does not emit methane and uses very little water compared to rice.
Edible cutlery
Eat your cutlery. Koovee, a French startup, has developed edible biscuit cutlery.
This innovation is food-safe. It resists liquids for more than five minutes, at temperatures above 65°C. And it works for everything from sauces to salads.
Cutlery made from wheat flour, rapeseed and olive oil is available in a variety of savory flavors.
The World's Soilmates: Restoring Ugly Avocados
Avocado is a favorite product of Europeans, who love to import them by the millions. More than 20 % of avocados are thrown away because they do not meet retail standards.
Soilmates is a Dutch startup. The startup based in Rotterdam (Europe's largest port) collects avocados that need to be repaired after their long journey across the oceans.
She then extracts the oil from it, creating a “superhero of cooking oils.”
Avocado oil is a versatile ingredient that can be added to everything from steaks and smoothies to salads, stir-fries, and even stir-fries.
Long potato chips
Balsnack International's long potato chips bring a new twist to the snack aisle.
These uniquely shaped chips are manufactured in Estonia by Balsnack, a family business since 1992 and exported to over 50 countries. International sales account for half of its turnover.
Long crisps are made from potato flakes that are extruded into very thin sheets. They are then fried in rapeseed for just 10 seconds. This unique method results in a crispy, hygienic and clean snack. It resembles a potato cracker but offers the crunch of traditional crisps. The crisps are available in a wide range of flavours to suit a diverse taste palette, such as sour cream and herbs (with or without herbs), smoky barbecue, cheese and onion (with or without onion), vinegar and spicy wasabi.
Long crisps are palm oil and GMO free, with a balanced nutritional profile at 560 calories per 100g. They are a great snack for those who want to indulge while staying conscious.
L'Antica Cascina's cheese wrapped in terracotta
Italian cheese producer L'Antica Cascina has demonstrated its latest innovation in cheese maturation: clay-coated pecorino.
This Sardinian method speeds up the maturation process while allowing the cheese to be kept at room temperature for a while until it is ready to be "cracked" and placed in the refrigerator.
L'Antica Cascina's terracotta-treated pecorino cheese is ready in just 1-2 months, compared to the usual 8-12 month maturation period. The company will be presenting 3- and 1-month-old cheeses at SIAL. The flavor, which can range from crumbly and creamy to sweet and intense, also changes.
Innovation in dates
True Gum was founded in Copenhagen as a start-up, which created a plastic-free chewing gum.
True Dates is a new product from Certified B Corp. These are dates that have been coated with classic candy flavors to produce “an innovative flavor sensation that’s even better than candy.”
The dates are sugar-free and high in fiber, with compostable packaging.
Flavors such as cookie dough, licorice and watermelon are available.
Energy elixirs made from organic ingredients
Dutch startup Sapinca uses ancient roots and forgotten fruits to produce an alcohol-free “organic energy elixir.”
These ingredients, largely native to Latin America and including roots like yacon and galangal as well as fruits like camu camu and pink pitaya as well as fruits like açai and camu camu, as the Incas called them, had medicinal qualities and powerful flavors.
Sapinca discovered these species and combined them to create perfect taste combinations. The name Sapinca comes from the words “Sap and Inca” which mean the juice of the Incas.
Sapinca is suitable for many occasions. It can be served as a shot, or mixed with hot water to make a spicy drink; on ice, or even in mocktails.
These drinks are vegan and organic.
Nutritional yeast
Yusto, nutritional yeast with umami flavor, won the SIAL Bio & Well-being award.
Umami flavors “act like a salt-reducing brushstroke,” allowing recipes to be reduced by up to 50%.
Yusto will be available in France from next month. It can be used for all types of food, including snacks, animal-free meats, sauces and nutritional products.
Yusto contains all essential amino acids and B vitamins, as well as functional fibers and a high level of protein.
Insect specialties
Since 2013, Essento has been creating, producing and marketing insect-based specialties for retail, food and online sales.
Insect snacks and protein bars made from insect flour are available from the Swiss company.
Recycled ingredients
The "grand prize" in the SIAL drinks category is Coeur de Pom "Les Confisades", a French sparkling drink made from candied fruit extracts.
The drink, made from by-products of candied fruit production, is expected to be available early next year.
Coeur de Pom is already available in a variety of fruit juices, vegetable juices, sparkling fruit drinks and fruit infusions.
Increase your vegetable intake
This year, the big winner of the SIAL Innovation Award is a variety of multi-use dry mixes that offer producers an innovative approach to creating cakes using plant-based ingredients.
Sabarot is known for its focus on convenience and nutrition. Its latest line was created to help bakers, meal prep companies, food service providers, and more easily add veggie-rich choices to their menus. The dry mixes combine protein-rich grains and legumes with carefully selected herbs and spices to produce tasty vegetarian cakes and plant-based patties.
Mix-and-match options include split peas with basil, an Indian lentil trio, and quinoa and bulgur with Mediterranean-inspired sun vegetables. Each pack is designed to be flexible, making four or five patties in eight minutes. Sabarot products have a gluten-free nutritional profile and contain plant-based fiber and protein to support digestion and satisfy diners.
Health bars can improve your well-being
Nutrition bars are crafted with scientifically proven ingredients to support two of today's most pressing wellness needs: immunity and mental performance.
Care Bar IMMUNITY is a powerhouse of gut and immune health boosts. The unique combination of IMMUSE Probiotics and Zinc with Selenium, Vitamin D3 and IMMUSE Postbiotic work to support a healthy microbiome and immune response. This is a great product for anyone looking to boost their immune system, especially during peak flu and cold season. The combination of pre and postbiotics makes this a great choice for gut health. It is a healthy snack that supports daily well-being.
Care Bar COGNITIVE contains Cognizin Citicoline, L'theanine L'tyrosine MCT Oil, all of which are well known for their ability to boost the brain. This unique formula helps improve memory, mental clarity and focus. This is a great option for anyone who needs a mental boost in the middle of the day.
Care Bars are multifunctional snack bars that combine taste and nutrition to bring advanced nutrition to the modern snacking environment.
Yogoody Shake
Yogoody, a Portuguese maker of powdered milkshakes, claims to have created a solution that challenges the drinkable yogurt category and offers a cleaner label option for ultra-processed powdered drinks.
Yogoody's shake doesn't focus on protein content, but rather on the gut by incorporating 7 different probiotic strains. It also contains oat fiber, fermented skim milk, and natural flavors and colors. We have been informed that the probiotics are "alive" when the shake is mixed with water. They also help grow other good bacteria in your gut. The shelf life of this product is only one year due to its clean label.
Shake is sold at retail, pharmacies, vending machines and D2C. The product is sold in Portugal as well as in the United Kingdom, Angola and Venezuela.
Gouda enriched with vitamins
Dutch cheesemaker Van der Heiden Kaas BV has highlighted its Dilano Dark Lemon Gouda, a blend of charcoal and vitamin D with a lemony taste.
We're told this Gouda is made for consumers who aren't familiar with Dutch cheeses, but would like to add an Instagrammable touch.
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