Infant nutrition sector has 'many issues' to overcome: Zenith

By Mark ASTLEY

- Last updated on GMT

Infant nutrition sector has 'many issues' to overcome: Zenith
Despite "great growth potential", the infant nutrition sector still has “many issues” to overcome, Zenith International has claimed ahead of its first ever Infant Nutrition Conference.

The Zenith International Infant Nutrition Conference on 20 March will bring together “manufacturers and suppliers from all round the globe as well as a range of professionals with a direct interest, such as health experts and other advisers” ​to explore the opportunities and challenges that lie in the sector.

“The infant nutrition market has great growth potential but also many issues and we have not come across any other event that explores these effectively from an industry perspective,” ​Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith International, told DairyReporter.com.

The sector is generally recognized as one of the fastest growing food and beverage categories worldwide. But, according to Zenith, it is also a “sensitive subject" ​with "many critics​."

Zenith International is no stranger to conference organizing - its annual Dairy Congress and InnoBev Global Soft Drinks Congress events are in their eighth and tenth years respectively - but it has waited until 2014 to launch the Infant Nutrition Conference.

“Key factors in holding this conference now include a series of acquisitions, new research in health, and intensifying debate about quality, price and adequate supply,” ​said Hall.

Knowledge of trends, insights on innovation

Delegates from companies including Abbott Nutrition, Danone, DSM, DuPont, Emmi, FrieslandCampina DOMO, GEA, Tetra Pak, Valio, and Arla Foods are due to descend on the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile hotel in Paris on Thursday 20 March for the one-day event.

“We have already exceeded our expected audience target and this includes attendance from Asia along with many leading brand owners,” ​said Hall.

Attendees, some travelling from as far a field as Russia, Japan and Israel, will be treated to presentations by Meiji, DuPont, DSM, Heavenly Tasty Organics, Hero Baby, Organix, First Steps Nutrition Trust, the Healthy Marketing Team, and Zenith International.

DairyReporter.com’s own Mark Astley will also be taking to the stage at the Infant Nutrition Conference to explore the changing consumer trends that are sculpting the sector and driving product development.

“Delegates always look for greater knowledge of trends, insights on innovation and valuable networking," ​said Hall. "We want to go beyond that in seeking answers to questions that will contribute to our theme of Growth with Confidence.”

For more information about the Infant Nutrition Conference, click here.

*Join us for our free online event, Beverage & Dairy Treatment 2014, on March 20 2014. The program starts at 10.15am New York time, 3.15pm in Paris, and explores process technologies including aseptic, ESL and HPP. 

Exclusive webinars unite top consultants, suppliers such as GEA Procomac and Avure and brandowners including Coca-Cola Hellenic and Refresco Gerber. Click here to find out more and to register​ .

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