Vitafoods Europe unveils a prestigious panel of judges that will decide the winners of its inaugural 2025 awards

Submissions are now open for the first-ever Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards, which will take place as part of Vitafoods Europe 2025 (20-22 May) to celebrate the innovations that are reshaping the nutraceutical landscape. Organisations have until 7 March to submit their ingredients, products, and initiatives from the previous two years for a chance to be recognised as significant contributions to nutraceutical advancement. Organiser Informa Markets has also unveiled the expert judging panel which will evaluate entries for innovation and impact, with winners announced during the event’s awards ceremony held on the evening of 20 May at Fira Barcelona, Gran Via.

Celebrating industry excellence

Winners will be decided by a prestigious independent judging panel comprising experts and thought leaders from a breadth of sectors, disciplines, and fields. Presiding over the panel will be Prof. Colin Dennis, Chair Board of Trustees at IFIS Publishing, drawing on decades of experience in research, development, education, training, and consultancy. Other experts on the panel include:

• Dr Sandra Einerhand – Founder and Head of Einerhand Science & Innovation BV, an award-winning nutrition consultancy
• Dr Velamur Krishnakumar B.Tech (Chem) – Managing Director of Giract, a leading food ingredients and technologies market research and forecasting business consultancy
• Efi Leontopoulou – Manager of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at EAS Strategies, with 20 years’ experience providing guidance to food and ingredients businesses 
• Joao Brites – Director of Growth & Innovation at HowGood, a SaaS platform that provides guidance to food and agricultural companies on their social and environmental impact
• Nick Henson – Food Product Developer and renowned NPD practitioner with 35 years of experience and broad cross-category expertise

Speaking on the awards, Prof. Colin Dennis said, “Innovation is fundamental to the success of any sector, but especially in the drive for health and wellbeing in our current society. My fellow judges and I are excited about the launch of the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards. Our panel has been carefully curated to represent a breadth and depth of perspectives from across the industry – but we are united in what we’re keen to see from contenders: pioneering advancements that are helping to shape a better future. As judges, we shall be looking for the latest data and evidence which supports the impact of the most innovative and sustainable ingredients and products.”

Shaping tomorrow together

Categories in the 2025 Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards will recognise exhibitors with the most innovative ingredients in sports nutrition and active lifestyle; immune and gut health; cognitive and emotional health; and healthy ageing. The awards will also recognise exhibitors with the most innovative consumer-ready nutraceutical finished products and forward-thinking sustainability practices. Other outstanding initiatives will also be commemorated, with awards on offer to both exhibiting and non-exhibiting organisations and associations for industry partnerships and contributions to diversity & inclusion. 

The panel of judges will decide a shortlist of finalists, which will be announced in April. Finalists will then be invited to present their entries to judges live in Barcelona the day before Vitafoods Europe, giving shortlisted entries the unique opportunity to bring their innovations to life.

 The winning companies will benefit from increased visibility throughout the 2025 event, with dedicated signage spotlighting their stands on the show floor, as well as inclusion in event communications. In addition, the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards’ official Digital Marketing Services Sponsor, Smartcore, will offer winning companies an exclusive Brand Awareness Webinar Sponsorship Package worth €5,000.

“These awards are an exciting opportunity to recognise the very best in industry innovation, with our expert judging panel at the heart of the process,” says Julien Bonvallet, Group Brand Director at Informa Markets. “Their keen eye for excellence will ensure Vitafoods Europe continues to support the outstanding achievements of organisations that push the boundaries of nutraceutical innovation. And with the backing of our Awards Digital Marketing Services Sponsor, Smartcore, winners will have the opportunity to further amplify their success and reach a wider audience. We’re excited to see what the industry has to offer and crown our very first champions.”

Entries for the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards are open until 7 March. For more information about the awards and how to enter, visit: https://www.vitafoods.eu.com/en/whats-on/awards/this-year.html