Top 5 Food & Drink Trends: IFE 2025

• Powerful Pastas & Noodles: Pasta brands spotlit their heathier formulations. The first almond flour pasta in the UK, Alpa, produced by Alpa Foods, is marketed as a pasta “for everyone.” Apart from being grain and gluten-free, its tagliatelle and penne both contain 20g of protein per 100g portion and are frozen to “preserve more of the nutritional value than if we sold it fresh, as well extend shelf life,” said CEO Regina Jones. Similarly, British health food producer Fu:di’s fresh Italian egg pasta is low in carbs, high in protein and free of seed oils.
  
  Meanwhile, Canadian organic food producer Otelia Premium presented its line of high-protein bean-based pastas. The range includes Black Bean Spaghetti and Edamame Fettucine, each of which offer over 20g of plant-based protein per serving.
  
  See also Netherlands-based vegan Chinese food maker Chilli Chan’s healthier knife-cut noodles. Available in Vegan XO Sauce and Sesame & Soy, the noodles are vegan, preservative-free and, unlike other instant noodles, sun-dried instead of deep fried.

• Age-Appropriate Drinks: Functional drinks addressed consumers’ different life stages. Umri (UK) is a functional drink for women aged 35+ experiencing perimenopause and menopause symptoms – although, according to co-founder, pharmacist Adeola Oke: “While women reap 100% of the drink’s benefits, men are likely to benefit from 75%”. Featured ingredients include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginseng, baobab, maca and magnesium. 
  
  Meanwhile, French wellness brand Jane’s Love drinks contain maca and damiana for improved libido and alleviation of hormone-related menopause symptoms. Jane’s Beauty beverages feature Lipowheat, a collagen precursor proven to stimulate the skin’s cellular activity and promote collagen synthesis.
  
  Targeting a younger demographic, British beverage Slurpz is a soda for 5-14-year-olds. Conceptualised as a healthier option for Gen Alphas bored of juice and water, the drink is lightly sparkling, contains 2.4g of sugar per can and comes in flavours Watermelon Waves, Strawberry Burst and Orange Splash. See Gen Alpha Food + Drink Trends 25/26 for more kid-centric wellness.

• Snack Flavours Flourish: The show featured snacks with innovative flavour combinations. Isle of Man popcorn brand Pop Cornaa showcased its variety of unusual popcorn flavours like Açaí and Lemon, Asian Mango and, a favourite among Gen Z consumers – tapping into this cohort’s cravings for piquant snacks – Seaweed, Wasabi and Soy. Popcornaa’s offerings encourage imaginative snacking like “savoury popcorn on a charcuterie board, or our chimichurri flavour, which is sold as a snack in a Brazilian restaurant,” according to its Marketing Alchemist, Sarah McCartney.
  
  Meanwhile, London restaurant Kin + Deum’s Protein Thai Chips and Wholesome Coconut Rice Chips boast a short list of ingredients, including sticky-rice and flavourful Thai seasonings. Also inspired by Asian cuisine, British independent food brand Too Much Sugar makes Miso Honey Roast Peanuts and Cashews, Gochujang and Lime Nut Mix, and Matcha Shortbread.

• Honey’s New Flavour Dimensions: Flavoured honey featured in alluring variants. British brand JD’s Hot Honey trio showcased its line of spicy honey sauces, including chipotle infused Smoked Hot Honey. Meanwhile, another UK honey maker, Hilltop Honey, launched Chai Spiced, Cocoa, Pink, Sweet & Salty, and Whipped spreadable honeys.

• Authentic Tastes: Brands introduced their heritage-inspired bites, crafted according to tradition. Inspired by family recipes, British startup All The Aunties’ handmade production method results in softer and creamier paneer, according to co-founder Jack Newton. The brand’s rich cheese comes in Original, Cumin, Chilli & Turmeric, and Sundried Tomato & Basil flavours, and features colourful packaging adorned with images of the founders’ From their Argentinian heritage, the founders of British sauce company Chimmy’s – one of whom is a Michelin-starred chef – produce chimichurri sauces that aim to deliver an authentic taste using natural and vegan ingredients.
  
  Maintaining wild bee farming traditions with a focus on sustainability, Georgian food producer TFELI and Jara Beekeepers Association’s Wild Jara Honey comes in Pure & Unheated and Honey with Comb varieties. Both are harvested from wild beehives settled on trees and rocks in Georgia.

For more recent food and drink product trends, see Foodex Japan 2025.