Vitafoods Europe has revealed the agenda for its “largest and most forward-looking edition yet,” taking place 5-7 May 2026 in Barcelona.
This year’s programme is designed to help brands respond to some of the most disruptive forces shaping the nutraceuticals landscape, with full-day sessions dedicated to the explosive impact of GLP-1 medications on nutrition strategies and the rapidly rising beauty-from-within market.
The spotlight sessions will occur on the third day of the event, running concurrently with an extensive programme featuring more than 37 hours of content across multiple stages, including the Vitafoods Insights Theatre and the Vitafoods Europe Conference.
With more than 100 expert speakers from the nutraceutical sector, the new programme provides unmatched insights into emerging trends, product innovations and the future of nutrition.
Notable speakers include Professor Tim Spector OBE, Scientific co-founder at ZOE and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, along with leading specialists in trends and innovation from organisations such as Mintel, FMCG Gurus, Innova Market Insights and others.
The GLP-1 era: turning disruption into opportunity
With more than 150 new GLP-1 drug candidates currently in development, products making GLP-1-related claims have experienced an estimated 124% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the past five years.
This indicates that the weight management sector is poised for a significant transformation. In response, there is a growing demand for targeted nutritional solutions that support users throughout their GLP-1 journey, focusing on aspects such as muscle maintenance, metabolic health and overall well-being.
To assist brands in navigating this evolving landscape, the show will feature a dedicated spotlight on weight management on May 7.
The sessions will include discussions on the need to shift from a focus on calorie restriction to holistic, evidence-based approaches, the potential of plant-based proteins for metabolic support and emerging supplement-based alternatives to GLP-1 medications.
These sessions will provide insights into how the nutraceutical sector can deliver effective, tailored results for consumers.
Key sessions will include Sophia Cornelius, specialised Nutrition Analyst at Mintel, on “The future of weight management: Nutrition innovation in a GLP-1 era” and a panel discussion on complementary supplements for GLP-1s, featuring Lauren Struszczak, Senior Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation.
Beauty-from-within: the next nutrition boom
The beauty-from-within movement is advancing rapidly, with nutricosmetics poised to become a significant sector of the global nutrition industry.
The market is expected to grow from around $8.3bn in 2026 to nearly $16bn by 2034. As consumers increasingly associate their appearance with overall well-being, innovations are shifting from traditional supplements to functional foods and beauty drinks.
Vitafoods Europe will showcase nutricosmetics, bringing together experts to discuss the science and innovations driving ingestible beauty.
Sessions will cover the intersection of beauty, nutrition and pharmaceuticals, focusing on emerging ingredients such as peptides and antioxidants, as well as strategies appealing to younger consumers.
Attendees will gain insights into the expanding nutricosmetics market, featuring a session by Mike Hughes from FMCG Gurus on market opportunities.
More to learn across the show floor
Vitafoods Europe 2026 will also feature key learning platforms, including the Vitafoods Insights Theatre, which will present market updates and major consumer trends, with Innova Market Insights unveiling its top ten trends for 2026 on May 5.
Another highlight will be the Startup Challenge, showcasing innovative ideas from emerging entrepreneurs.
The Vitafoods Europe Conference will focus on cutting-edge science and feature a programme designed for professionals in research, product development and strategy. These events will complement the Nutraceutical Showcase Theatre, which highlights voices from across the nutraceutical supply chain.
Networking and knowledge
In 2026, networking sessions will return, including the Future of Nutrition Lunch & Learn, where industry experts will discuss the impact of biohacking and longevity science on nutraceutical innovation.
The Women’s Networking Breakfast will also return, featuring a panel discussing how women’s health influences resilience, product development and business success.
This popular session encourages networking and fosters meaningful relationships, focusing on personal and professional growth.
Speaking on the 2026 agenda, Gareth Baguley, Brand Director, Vitafoods Europe, Informa Markets, said: “We are in what is perhaps the most dynamic period of nutraceutical innovation in recent history.”
Advances in science and technology are rapidly reshaping what is possible and raising expectations around how nutrition can support health. As a result, we are seeing a fundamental shift towards solutions that support health in more personalised, preventative and holistic ways.
“The Vitafoods Europe 2026 programme is designed to bring these shifts into sharp focus, enabling the global nutrition community to explore the ideas, research and collaborations that will define the next chapter of nutraceuticals.”
To explore the full agenda, click here: https://www.vitafoods.eu.com/en/whats-on/agenda/full-programme.html
