Super Food FZCO: Health, Science, and Co-Development Take Center Stage at Gulfood 2025
Yashica, Gulfood 2025 has just concluded — how would you describe this year’s edition and your overall impressions of the event?
This year’s edition felt exceptionally dynamic. The scale, the energy, and the depth of conversations clearly reflected how fast the F&B landscape is evolving — especially around health-focused beverages, reformulation, and ingredient technology. We met a strong mix of established decision-makers and next-generation innovators, which reinforced for us that the industry is shifting fr om traditional commodity-based sourcing to science-driven, value-added partnerships. Gulfood 2025 was not just busy — it was strategic.
Super Food FZCO has been an active participant in the region’s leading trade shows. What made this year’s Gulfood special or different for your team?
Two things stood out: quality of interactions and clarity of intent. Many of our discussions were no longer exploratory — they were focused on solutions, co-development, and readiness for regulatory and market shifts. We saw a noticeable increase in demand for NutriScore improvement, sugar-tax compliance, and clean-label innovation. In short, clients knew exactly what they wanted, and they knew we were the right partner to help them get there.
What were your main objectives going into Gulfood, and how successfully were they achieved?
Our objectives were clear:
- strengthen relationships with existing partners
- identify new business opportunities in beverage, dairy, and functional drink segments
- showcase our ability to bridge ingredient science with consumer-led innovation
I’m pleased to say that we achieved all three. The conversations we had translated into actionable leads, reformulation projects, and early-stage pipeline discussions — all aligned with our growth strategy for the next five years.
Which trends stood out to you the most this year — in beverages, ingredients, or consumer preferences?
Three trends were very pronounced:
- Health label reformulation — A huge push toward NutriScore A/B, lower sugars, and better nutritional profiles.
- Functional wellness — drinks with added purpose: energy, immunity, beauty, digestive balance, and mental clarity.
- Natural authenticity — clean-label ingredients, transparency in sourcing, and simpler formulations with strong sensory performance.
Consumers are voting with their choices, and brands are adjusting quickly.
Health, functionality, and sustainability remain dominant themes. How is Super Food FZCO positioning itself within these movements?
This is exactly wh ere our strength lies. We are rooted in ingredient-science, sensory testing, and deep consumer understanding. Our approach combines:
- NutriScore & sugar-tax readiness frameworks
- Functional ingredient systems targeted to specific health needs
- Nature-forward formulation philosophy, emphasising purity, taste, and nutrition
We don’t just supply ingredients — we co-create solutions that help brands stay competitive and future-ready.
Did you notice any emerging technologies or product innovations that could redefine beverage manufacturing in the region?
Absolutely. AI-driven formulation support, advanced sensory mapping, and new hybrid ingredient systems are gaining traction. There’s also strong interest in rapid prototyping and digital quality-control tools.
Gulfood is always a place for partnerships. Were there any promising new connections or opportunities that emerged for Super Food during the show?
Yes — we were able to initiate conversations with regional bottlers, dairy manufacturers, and wellness-drink start-ups looking for turnkey support. We also deepened relationships with partners exploring sugar-reduction, flavour enhancement, and functional concepts for 2026. Several opportunities were directly linked to co-development rather than transactional supply — which aligns perfectly with our long-term strategy.
How do events like Gulfood contribute to your long-term strategy — particularly ahead of Gulfood Manufacturing 2025?
Gulfood feeds directly into our pipeline for Gulfood Manufacturing 2025. It helps us validate trends, understand upcoming regulatory pressures, and gather real-time feedback on our value proposition. The leads and discussions from this show are the foundation of our next six to twelve months — from pilot projects to full-scale reformulations. By the time we exhibit at Gulfood Manufacturing, we’ll be showcasing solutions shaped by the insights gained this week.
From your perspective, how is the regional beverage market evolving in terms of consumer awareness, innovation, and sustainability?
The shift is becoming more structural. Consumers are more aware of labels, sugar content, additives, and origin than ever before. Innovation is now driven by science and regulation as much as by taste. Sustainability is no longer a marketing angle — it is a requirement. Brands that focus on transparency, functionality, and nutritional integrity are the ones gaining traction. This aligns well with our positioning as an ingredient partner that values both nature and technology.
Finally, what’s next for Super Food FZCO in 2026 — what can we expect from you in the coming months?
2026 will be a year of acceleration. We are expanding our functional ingredient range, investing in flavour and sensory capabilities, and deepening our presence in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. You will see new collaborations, stronger co-development partnerships, and a push toward healthier, more innovative beverage pipelines. And of course, we are already preparing to showcase breakthrough solutions at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 — with a focus on health-driven, science-backed, consumer-connected innovation.
