As consumers increasingly look to food and beverages as tools for proactive health management, the demand for functional ingredients continues to reshape the food and beverage landscape. This session will explore how ingredients delivering targeted health benefits, from prebiotics and probiotics supporting gut health to adaptogens and nootropics promoting mental wellbeing, stress management, focus, and cognitive performance while driving the next wave of innovation.

The discussion will also touch upon:

The growing consumer demand for functional nutrition and preventative wellness.
The role of natural, science-backed ingredients in product development.
Emerging opportunities in immunity, healthy ageing, energy, and mental wellness.
Balancing efficacy, consumer trust, and clean-label expectations.
How ingredient innovation is shaping the future of food and beverage across Asia and India.

PANELISTS:

Poonam Singh, Head of R&D, Del Monte Foods

Rinka Banerjee, Founder & Director, Thinking Forks Consulting

Sanjay Chauhan, Head of Sales & Marketing – South Asia, ANZ, MEA, MAFCO Worldwide LLC

Satyajit Hange, Co-Founder, Two Brothers Organic Farms

MODERATOR:

Gopal Chakarapani, Country Manager – India, Innova Market Insights

26th - 28th August 2026

Hall 3 & 4 - BEC, Mumbai