Food Matters Live Podcast

GLP-1 is the hot topics at the moment. But how do we know it’s more than just a fad? And could the emergence of GLP-1 drugs be leading to other, less pharmaceutical, innovations in the food industry?In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our Rotterdam event, a panel of experts explain why the eveidence suggests GLP-1 medications do represent a true, long-term disruption. With tens-of-millions of people already using the drugs, our speakers suggest we are already seeing consumer spending shifting away from junk food.How the industry responds will be critical, and there is an opportunity for brands targeting a more health-curious demographic.Collagen peptides that trigger natural GLP-1 secretion are already gaining attention as an alternative to daily injections, what else could be in store remains to be seen.

Why are UK retailers pursuing "health by stealth" with hybrid meat products while European counterparts openly label them as plant-meat blends? In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our Dublin event, two experts reveal why the future of alternative proteins isn't about replacing meat - it's about making meat smarter through hybrid blending. We discover that vegans and vegetarians make up only a third of the UK population, yet the industry spent years developing products exclusively for them while plant-based meat declined 1% year-on-year. Meanwhile, processed meat consumption is actually growing, creating an opportunity for hybrid solutions that deliver savings across cost, CO2, calories, and saturated fat.2050, if nothing changes, 40% of Earth's surface will develop novel climates - so perhaps the question isn't whether your grandchildren will eat alternative proteins, but which ones they'll choose.

Can the right nutrients in early life protect your brain decades later? Are we missing critical brain-boosting compounds in our daily diets?In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Rotterdam, neuroscience experts reveal the nutrient gaps undermining cognitive health across every life stage - and the innovative ingredients that could fill them. We discover that 90% of the UK population fails to meet omega-3 recommendations, and we learn about emerging evidence around the links between cognitive performance and products like spearmint extract and curcumin.How many of the claims can be backed up with science? And are we just scratching the surface when it comes to link between our cognitive health and our diet?

Dairy products may be perceived as 'much-loved by uninspiring' in some quarters, but there's plenty of work being done to change the category's image.In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our Dublin event, we discover how it's being transformed through the prism seven consumer lifestyle pathways.We learn about communal dining trends driving butter and cheese boards across Gen Z, and "prejuvenation" - where 20-somethings obsess over aging and drive collagen-infused dairy innovation.And there is a GLP-1 angle. As appetite suppressors change how people experience food, dairy is leaning into sensory innovation - texture (yogurts with three different textures in one pot), olfactory cues (fragrance as a purchase driver in Chinese RTD teas), and maximalist joy. From milk manga comics revealed as Japanese schoolchildren empty their bottles, to Velveeta's unapologetic 100-year celebration with nail polish and candles, dairy's future isn't about being healthy and boring - it's about nutrient density delivered with color, fun, and connection.

What does the future hold for flavour innovation in the food sector?In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Dublin, five culinary innovators reveal which flavour trends are defining the 2020s - and which unexpected ingredients will reshape menus by 2030.The panel dissects everything from "borderless cuisine", to the relentless march of hot honey across every category. And what of plant-based meat alternatives? Some of our panel push back on products trying too hard to mimic meat.And could we be about to witness a turnaround in fortunes for the PR around MSG?

What happens when 12% of US adults start using weight loss medication that suppresses their appetite? We're finding out in real time - and the food industry is working to respond. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Dublin in November 2025, we look at how GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are already leading to retailers and manufacturers all over the world fundamentally rethinking their strategies.The numbers are stark: households using GLP-1s spend 6% less on food overall, meanwhile, protein yogurts, meat snacks, nutrition bars and fresh produce are thriving as users seek nutrient-dense foods to maintain nutrition while eating far less.GLP-1 isn’t a side story, in fact, this consumer segment is already the same size as the vegan/vegetarian market in the UK. And the signs are that it’s only going to grow.The real challenge is, we don't know if users will take these drugs once, multiple times in cycles, or continuously at maintenance doses - and each scenario requires completely different food industry responses.

Is AI going to revolutionise food and beverage innovation, or are we being sold a lot of hype? While 85% of digital transformation efforts fail, companies like Coca-Cola and Carlsberg are already using AI for everything from trend-spotting to flavour prediction. In this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, recorded at our event in Dublin in November 2025, Antonio Weiss, author of "AI Demystified," cuts through the hype to reveal what's actually working in AI-powered new product development.Antonio explains why he believes large language models are useful for some parts of NPD (marketing, branding, trends), while the serious work of flavour prediction and demand forecasting requires specialist machine learning models like graph neural networks. He maps out both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Can we maintain the human "through line" between creator and consumer, or will AI slop dominate our feeds? The answer may depend on the choices we make today.