FORWARD FOODING DISCUSSES KEY TRENDS IN FOOD INNOVATION

In your opinion, what are the key trends in food innovation?

Over the last decade we have seen food innovation shifting more towards technology-enabled solutions that can promote and bring more efficiency and sustainability to the food system. Right now, we are seeing entrepreneurs becoming more creative and focused on developing a new generation of FoodTech innovations, building on the work that is being done so far. Renewed attention has been paid to hybrid meat products, which combine plant-based meat with conventional meat or biotechmade ingredients, due to their unique ability to merge the benefits of multiple products into one. We expect to see a shift towards more scalable solutions such as precision farming, which optimizes resource usage, and biotechnology innovations that can enhance crop resilience.

What is the relationship between traditional food companies and food tech startups evolving in the Middle East?

The Middle East is undoubtedly an exciting emerging hub for food innovation, with numerous partnerships and initiatives which have the ambition of creating world-class innovation platforms. Innovation will be a key factor in propelling this region forward, perhaps more so than in other areas of the world. Consequently, food companies in the region are proactively seeking ways to boost their self-sufficiency in food production. Collaborations with FoodTech companies offer an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal.

How can established players in the hospitality industry collaborate with foodtech startups to drive innovation and create new opportunities for growth?

Innovation can address the issues while also creating economic opportunities. If we look at the issue of food waste, for example, measuring how much is wasted through technology (e.g., AI applied to smart scales) can help businesses lower their operating costs while showcasing more transparency and meeting the needs of more environmentally conscious customers. Another opportunity for cost reduction for the hospitality sector comes from the use of robotic technologies, which, in some cases, have proven effective in increasing sanitary standards, generating better margins, and scaling operations.

How can F&B companies in the Middle East ensure building the sustainable businesses that can withstand economic and environmental challenges?

The economic and climate resilience are closely linked to the creation of sustainable food systems. In our experience, one of the key pillars of building solid foundations for a food system is to foster collaboration among local ecosystems and empower key stakeholders with the right tools and knowledge to nurture these partnerships. These ecosystems serve as a collective ‘immune system’, shielding us from external threats.

Forward Fooding, is the world’s first collaborative platform for the food & beverage industry fostering innovation via FoodTech Data Intelligence and corporate-startup collaboration. They act as an ecosystem enabler to provide the necessary support and velocity to enable meaningful collaborations and partnerships between established food organizations and AgriFoodTech startup and scaleup companies globally. Alessio D’Antino, CEO and co-founder of Forward Fooding, shared his insights and vision for the future of the food industry with JNS Media International at Gulfood 2023.