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Wellfood 2008 - The Congress For Health & Functional Food

By definition, health & functional foods are "foods that have a particular, demonstrable, positive effect on our health and well-being". Because they want to boost their health and well-being, more and more consumers are turning to products and concepts that the food industry is offering across all its product sectors. The increasing health consciousness of consumers is creating a favourable environment for innovations, which in turn is increasing value creation for industry, the trade, and the food service and catering market. But where is tomorrow's potential, what measures are available for targeted marketing, and which legal requirements need to be considered? For the second time, the trade congress "WellFood 2008", which takes place on 29th and 30th October in Cologne, will offer the sector an opportunity to get together and intensively exchange knowledge. In particular, the congress sees itself as a business platform for innovative manufacturers and marketing specialists from industry, the trade, and the food service and catering market who recognise the development potential, seek to exchange ideas and hope to encounter ideas for concrete measures they can implement.

The event is being organised by Koelnmesse GmbH in cooperation with LPV Lebensmittel Praxis Verlag Neuwied GmbH. In terms of content, the event is being supported by the Federal Association of the German Food Industry (BVE), the German Federation of Food Law and Food Science (BLL) and the Federal Association of the German Retail Grocery Trade (BVL).

The term "WellFood" stands for the trend toward improved health, performance, and illness prevention. This trend is not only reflected in products, but also in the concepts of the trade and the food service and catering sectors. Altogether, nearly 150 sector specialists participated in the first WellFood congress, which took place in autumn 2006. Anuga 2007 also reflected the trend in the form of presentations and a special show.

The programme of the WellFood 2008 congress, which is now available, will further promote the topic of Health & Functional Food. Experts in the field of market research - including representatives from GfK and Mintel - will present potential for growth and image-building within the sector, while trade specialists will take a look at the needs of consumers and nutrition trends. Examples of best practice will show how successful trading companies, including Coop and Konsum, have taken the right approach. A look into the WellFood markets in countries other than Germany will open new perspectives on this important growth market.

The topic of legal requirements will also be taken into account, with experts in the fields of labelling and packaging presenting background information and suggestions. Besides others specialists from Choices International Foundation, a initiative by Unilever, Campina and Friesland Foods, will report as well as representatives of the HDE Brussels. The packaging expert Berndt & Partner will identify successful marketing ideas by using packaging and design and will present practice oriented solutions.

In addition to trend-setting industrial concepts, including Unilever and Alpro, the programme also includes presentations of innovative concepts for the food service and catering sector. Here, for example, marketable catering concepts will be presented.

On the evening of the first congress day, participants will have the opportunity to learn all about the benefits of an innovative WellFood catering concept that will be presented during an attractive evening event. The congress will take place on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October 2008 in Koelnmesse's Congress Centre North from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first day, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the second day.

"WellFood 2008" is aimed at top mangers and decision-makers from the food wholesale and retail trade, the specialist trade, the food service and catering sector, and the food production and processing industry, as well as decision-makers from companies and institutions that offer products and services related to Health & Functional Food.



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