The Grocer News Team
The International Food and Drink Exhibition has bounced back from the hit it took during the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, with organisers claiming that this year's show was a resounding success.
As The Grocer went to press, final visitor numbers were expected to pass the 30,000 mark, up from 26,000 in 2001.
The event included high profile visits from minister for food and farming Lord Whitty, who opened the show, and Sainsbury's group chief executive Sir Peter Davis.
The word from the 1,400 exhibitors was that business had been brisk, with a significant number of international visitors providing export opportunities.
IFE director Lisa Tompkins said the new Fresh Ideas @ IFE area, which highlighted some of the best new product innovations, had been particularly successful. Visitors voted daily on the one product they thought most innovative out of the 12 showcased in the section, with results varying every day.
Suppliers taking part in that area of the show included the
Yamato Soysauce & Miso Company in the International Cuisine category, with its raw soy-sauce for marinating food.
In the Healthy Eating Category The Clover Group displayed its Butter Buds aimed at retailers and caterers. The products have a buttery taste, but virtually no fat or cholesterol content.
In the general food and drink sector of the exhibition ethnic food business Kitchen Guru and Company was another of the dozen innovators, showcasing its Indian meal spice pack. The meal solutions kit for four people includes recipes and spices for consumers to cook Indian dishes from scratch.
Tompkins said that demonstrations by top chefs in the Innovation Zone had also proved a key crowd puller, providing buyers with a wealth of new ideas.
The Retail Trends Forum led by industry experts and analysts had been another popular feature. She added: "We're delighted with how the show has gone.
"We've had attendance from all the key multiples."

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