News

Entries open for inaugural Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards

Entries are open for the inaugural Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards, celebrating the ingredients, finished products, partnerships, and initiatives redefining the nutraceutical landscape.

For the first time in the show’s history, companies and organisations that are exhibiting at Vitafoods Europe will have the opportunity for their breakthroughs and innovations to be recognised for their contributions to nutraceutical advancement.

Informa Markets, the company behind Vitafoods Europe, unveiled the Innovation Awards as part of Vitafoods Europe 2025, which will be held between 20 and 22 May at Fira Barcelona, Gran Via.

Entries are now open, and organisations have until 7 March to submit their ingredients, initiatives, and products from the previous two years for consideration.

Once entries have closed, the panel of judges will convene and decide on a shortlist of finalists, which will be announced in April. Finalists will then be invited to present their entries to judges live in Barcelona on 19 May – the day before Vitafoods Europe – giving shortlisted entries the unique opportunity to bring their innovations to life.

Winners will be announced during the Innovation Awards ceremony on the evening of 20 May.

2025 categories: Eight awards to be won

The Innovation Awards cover eight awards across four categories.

The first four awards will recognise exhibitors with the most innovative ingredients in sports nutrition and active lifestyle; immune and gut health; cognitive and emotional health; and healthy ageing.

A fifth award will recognise the exhibitor with the most innovative consumer-ready nutraceutical finished product, and the sixth will be awarded to the most forward-thinking sustainability practice.

The final two awards will be open to exhibiting and non-exhibiting organisations and associations for industry partnerships, and contributions to diversity and inclusion.

Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards: Prizes to be won

The winners will benefit from increased visibility throughout the 2025 event, with dedicated signage spotlighting their stands on the show floor, as well as inclusion in event communications.

In addition, Smartcore, Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards’ official digital marketing services sponsor, will offer winning companies an exclusive brand awareness webinar sponsorship package worth €5,000.

An esteemed panel of judges

Informa Markets has also unveiled the expert judging panel, who will evaluate entries for innovation and impact. The judges’ expertise spans specialists and thought leaders from various sectors, disciplines, and fields across the nutraceutical landscape.

The panel will be presided over by Colin Dennis, chair board of trustees at IFIS Publishing, a non-profit academic publisher. Other judges include:

- Sandra Einerhand, founder and head of Einerhand Science and Innovation, a nutrition consultancy;

- Ian D Healey, editorial director of Dr. Harnisch Publications, Food Marketing and Technology, and drinkworld;

- Velamur Krishnakumar, managing director of Giract, a food ingredients and technologies market research and forecasting business consultancy;

- Efi Leontopoulou, manager of scientific and regulatory affairs at EAS Strategies, a specialist food, nutrition, and health consultancy;

- João Brites, director of growth and innovation at HowGood, an independent research company and SaaS data platform;

- Rosemary Maguire, managing director of In Essence, a food industry consultancy;

- Luca Bucchini, managing director of Hylobates Consulting, specialising in risk assessment and regulatory consulting;

- Sharon Morey, regulatory affairs manager at Campden BRI, a scientific, technical, and advisory service for the food industry; and

- Nick Henson, food product development consultant and new product development practitioner.

Julien Bonvallet, group brand director at Informa Markets, said: “These awards are an exciting opportunity to recognise the very best in industry innovation, with our expert judging panel at the heart of the process.

“Their keen eye for excellence will ensure Vitafoods Europe continues to support the outstanding achievements of organisations that push the boundaries of nutraceutical innovation.

“And, with the backing of our awards digital marketing services sponsor, Smartcore, winners will have the opportunity to further amplify their success and reach a wider audience. We’re excited to see what the industry has to offer and crown our very first champions.”