The general food section bulges with the fantastic diversity of cuisine on offer from all over the globe, says Amy Balchin

Exotic flavours and colourful fare feature strongly in this year’s IFE general food section, inspired by food from across the globe.
Harrow-based Spice Guru brings a taste of India to the show with its “true curry paste”, influenced by the Gujarat region of the country and available in three varieties for fish, vegetables and meat.
Herbs, spices and home baking products manufacturer Fiddes Payne will launch its hot and spicy Jamaican Jerk seasonings for poultry and meat, and its Herb and Spice Rubs.
For something sweeter, the company will also launch its new ice cream sprinkler with sugar strands, dark chocolate vermicelli and hundreds and thousands, and the Pretty’n’Pink and Luscious Lavender ranges of edible sugar shapes for decorating cakes, desserts and ice cream.
Diverse tastes will also be found within fresh produce. Florette shows its Heavenly Veg prepared vegetables and will provide tastings and demonstrations based around four varieties with Thai green curry, tomato coulis, goat’s cheese, and honey and ginger sauces.
Orexis Fresh Food will also be exhibiting its range of luxury dips and salads.
Food Fusion has exhibited at every IFE and will this year launch a pre-cooked rice product as well as adding a European feel with its Italian pastas, including ravioli, tortellini and mezzelune, Italian canned products and French pâtés.
Taking inspiration from the other side of the Atlantic, the UK’s only pretzel manufacturer Union Snack unveils its Penn State Pretzels range. New varieties and packaging design will also be previewed.
Following its launch into Sainsbury, first-time exhibitor Xcarb is preparing to unveil the next stage of its low-carbohydrate foods and snacks range. Its low-carb bread, trifle, cookies and cereal will be on display and, in what the company says is a first for the low-carb market in the UK, a low-carb pizza.
These products sit alongside Xcarb’s range of ready meals and mashed potato for those who are counting their carbohydrates.
In addition to the varied offerings playing on themes from around the world, regional food groups from Britain will be taking part.
These include Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Heart of England Fine Foods, Tastes of Anglia and South West Food and Drink.