Fi Europe, the world’s leading food ingredients event, has revealed the full content agenda for its 2026 edition, bringing three days of expert analysis, practical inspiration and the connections that turn ideas into action.
Returning to Messe Frankfurt, Germany, 17-19 November, the event will feature a range of expert talks, panel discussions and deep dives from academia, start-ups, multinationals, consultants and researchers such as Innova Market Insights, Mintel, Euromonitor International and FMCG Gurus.
Formulating food for the GLP-1 era
Rapidly rising GLP-1 use around the world is completely reshaping consumers’ appetites, nutritional needs and expectations. Even among people not using the medication and markets where adoption is slower, interest in weight management, satiety and blood sugar control has exploded.
This is why day three of Fi Europe 2026 is dedicated to a Weight Management Spotlight exploring the significant challenges and opportunities within this sector. A highlight of the programme will be an expert editorial session from Sophia Cornelius, Specialised Nutrition Analyst at Mintel, entitled From pharmaceuticals to food: What the GLP-1 era means for nutrition innovation. In her talk, Cornelius will examine both the products serving GLP-1 users directly and the wider ingredient strategies targeting appetite management, satiety and metabolic health.
Francesca Berry, Head of Content Programming at Informa Markets, said, “GLP-1 medications are rewriting R&D briefs, pet owners are applying their own nutritional standards to what they feed their animals and new technologies are changing what is possible to manufacture at scale.” The 2026 programme creates a platform where the whole value chain can solve shared challenges, uncover new opportunities and power what comes next.”
Rising expectations in pet nutrition
The new Petfood and Nutrition Forum programme dives into how the continued humanisation of pets is raising the bar in one of the food industry’s fastest-growing categories. In Transparency, trust and consumer expectations in pet nutrition, a panel including Mike Hughes, Head of Research and Insight at FMCG Gurus, and Bill Bookout, President of the National Animal Supplement Council, brings consumer research and regulatory expertise to the question of how businesses innovate ambitiously while staying compliant and building trust.
A second panel, Scaling sustainable pet nutrition: From consumer demand to commercial reality, will explore the commercial challenges of sustainable pet food. Allison Hamburger, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition, joins industry voices to discuss alternative proteins, responsible sourcing, formulation and cost.
The forces reshaping the global food landscape
The Innovation Hub brings together experts from research, marketing, procurement and regulatory affairs to discuss the technologies, regulations and consumer demands shaping the food and beverage industry.
Lu Ann Williams, Co-founder and President of Innova Market Insights, returns to reveal Innova’s Top 10 trends in F&B for 2027, highlighting the consumer behaviours and market shifts set. Ina Dawer, Head of Ingredients at Euromonitor International, follows with Beyond protein: Where FMCG innovation is heading next, charting the wellness platforms scaling fastest.
Further sessions examine the scientific advances and technological breakthroughs moving from laboratory to production line, alongside the retail platforms and buying patterns transforming how finished products reach shoppers.
Securing supply, building partnerships
Day three’s Innovation Hub spotlight on supply chain resilience brings stakeholders together from across the value chain.
That collaborative spirit runs through the whole event, with a programme of in-person networking events including a Women’s Networking Breakfast. It will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the food and beverage industry. Another highlight will be the Future of Nutrition Lunch & Learn for senior decision-makers.
