Tradeshow Insight: IFE 2025

Offering its 30,000 visitors the opportunity to “immerse themselves in food and drink product discovery”, the latest edition of International Food Event, IFE once again proved to be a vibrant showcase of the biggest and brightest food and drink innovations from the UK and beyond.

With ExCel in London’s Docklands playing host, IFE brought together 1,500 exhibitors from all around the world, representing countries as diverse as Greece, Italy, Vietnam, Turkey, South Korea, Kenya, Poland and India.

The event also saw the return of the New Products Tasting Theatre, a stage for innovative food & drink brands to demo and pitch live, as well as Startup Market, showcasing new-to-market companies and inspiring entrepreneurs.

Other prominent features were the Future Food Stage, where renowned thought leaders gave an insight into the food and drinks trends of tomorrow, and the Trends & Innovation Platform, offering a window into the consumer behaviours and attitudes influencing buying choices in the current environment.

Meanwhile the Exporters Hub offered expert guidance for companies seeking to expand internationally, while the Certification Clinic offered bespoke advice and updates on new rules & regulations, and the World Food Innovation Awards again celebrated innovation and excellence across every category of the global food industry.

Other co-located events, held as part of Food & Drink Hospitality Week, included IFE Manufacturing, The PUB Show, HRC and and International Salon Culinaire.

A tour of the showgrounds revealed that major trends such as plant-based and additive-free remain a focal point of innovation, highlighting ongoing consumer interest in natural formulations. Alternative grains were much in evidence, including pasta ranges made with ingredients such as millet and almond flour as headline ingredients.

Elsewhere, snack makers maintained a resolute focus on adventurous flavour blends, including dried fruit combined with barbecue and beetroot, and popcorn with wasabi and seaweed.

The next edition of IFE is scheduled for three days in 2026, starting on 30th March.