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Vitafoods India Conference Agenda

Conference Partner:

Time Topic
10:30 – 12:00
Inauguration Ceremony and Keynote Addressal
12:00 – 12:20
India’s nutraceutical market: Key trends in weight management and gut health
  • This session will uncover how functional foods, drinks, and supplements are meeting the shifting health priorities of Indian consumers, with a focus on gut health and weight management. As Indian consumers seek more holistic and convenient health solutions, the nutraceutical industry is at a pivotal moment. This session will provide actionable insights on key trends, from the demand for weight management products to the surge in gut health awareness.
  • This session will cover:
  • The rise of food as medicine: healthy diets vs. quick fixes
  • The impact of weight-loss drugs on food and drink trends
  • The growing focus on gut health in dietary supplements

Rushikesh Aravkar, Director, India Reports, Mintel

12:20 – 12:50
Indian Regulatory Framework and Policies for the Nutraceutical Industry
  • Regulatory framework to evolve to keep pace with the growing nutraceutical market and emerging trends (e.g., personalized nutrition, targeted nutrition, functional foods)
  • Evaluation of efficacy of emerging nutraceuticals or imported nutraceuticals for safety and efficacy before they are allowed
  • Current priorities of FSSAI in terms of nutraceutical oversight (e.g., product safety, labelling, advertising, innovation)

Moderator:

  • Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Past President, AFSTI (Mumbai Chapter), and Managing Director, FoodChain ID India

Speaker:

  • Dr. K.U. Methekar, Joint Director (WR), FSSAI
12:50 – 13:25
Contemporary Challenges for Food Supplements – EU Regulations on Safety and Efficacy
  • A “Novel Food” has not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997. Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 has both an Application Procedure and (for traditional foods from a third country) a Notification Procedure towards authorisation.
  • Functional foods cover nutrition claims and health claims. Health claims on foods must be scientifically substantiated. Regulation (EU) 1924/2006 is to ensure that any claim made on a food's labelling, presentation or advertising in the European Union is clear, accurate and based on scientific evidence.
  • The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides the scientific advice to the European Commission on novel foods and health claims. Applicants must make clever dossiers.

Hans Verhagen, Food Safety & Nutrition Consultancy

13:25 – 14:25
Networking Lunch Break
14:25 – 14:55
KSM-66 Ashwagandha: The Global Blockbuster Ingredient for Body and Mind.
  • Proven Efficacy: Clinically validated to reduce stress, boost cognition, and enhance physical performance.
  • Global Appeal: A trusted, natural adaptogen driving consumer demand for holistic wellness solutions.
  • Product Versatility: Seamlessly integrated into supplements, functional foods, and beverages worldwide.
  • Sustainable and Ethical: Sets standards with eco-friendly practices and community-focused sourcing.

Nishant Chachra, Vice President Business Development, KSM-66 Ashwagandha

14:55 – 15:25
Regulatory Considerations to sell a dietary supplement or food brands and ingredients in North America
  • FDA and Health Canada regulatory requirements, timelines and any government fees to sell a dietary supplement in USA and Canada.
  • FDA GRAS, NDIN and Health Canada novel food, ingredient NPN pathways for dietary supplements and food ingredients.

Andrew Parshad, President and Founder, Quality Smart Solutions

15:25 – 16:05
Magtein, the Groundbreaking Ingredient for Memory, Focus, Mood, Sleep Quality and Healthy Brain Aging.
  • Developed by MIT researchers, Magtein is the only form of Magnesium Shown to effectively cross the blood brain barrier and enter neuron cells, leading to improved brain functions in animal and humans.
  • Magtein improves memory and cognition by increasing neuron plasticity.
  • Magtein improves sleep quality, mood and daily functioning by blocking the background non-specific stimulation and improving the REM/Deep sleep scores.
  • Magtein reduces brain aging process by improving neuron mitochondrial function and energy production. Magtein has been shown in human clinical to reverse clinical measures of brain aging by nine years.

Dr Jennifer Gu, Senior Vice President of R&D, Threotech

16:05 – 16:35
INFORMED – Supporting India’s Supplements Industry
  • Introduction to the INFORMED quality assurance and testing programmes
  • How the programmes are supporting the global sports nutrition industry
  • Growth of the programmes in India/Asia, and the increasing demand from Indian brands, manufacturers, and consumers
  • Informed Manufacturer: new developments in facility certification

Terence O’Rorke, Senior Business Development Manager, APAC, LGC ASSURE

16:35 – 17:20
Panel Discussion: Exploring Cutting-Edge Formulations and Personalized Solutions in Nutraceutical Development
  • The session talks about dynamic advancements and market trends driving the industry, while emphasizing the focus on innovative delivery systems and personalized medicine.

Moderator:

Dr. Yashawant Kumar, Founder and CEO, Benefic Nutrition Pvt Ltd

Speakers:

Saurov Kakoti, Chief Product Officer, PlixLife

Dr Madhavi Marathe, Head, Clinical Nutrition & Medical Affairs and Clinical Research, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Vikas Talwar, Associate Director – Regulatory Affairs, Kenvue

End of Day 1
Time Topic
10:40 – 11:00
Welcome Address by Host
11:00 – 11:20
CQR-300® & Q.Actin® : Addressing Critical Healthcare Needs
  • Understand the size and scope of the weight management and GLP-1 agonist market.
  • Discuss the emerging GLP-1 market and new clinical research showing CQR-300 offers an impressive opportunity for capturing the natural health market for metabolic health.
  • Explain the powerful benefits of an iminosugar found in Q-Actin is changing the way we look at joint health and functionality.

David J Foreman, Consultant, Gateway Health Alliances, Inc.

11:20 – 12:20
Integration into Functional Foods and Beverages - Enriching Food Recipes with Value-added Ingredients and Botanicals
  • Enhanced health benefits through the integration of functional ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, botanicals, Vitamins and Minerals
  • Technical challenges in ensuring ingredient stability, bioavailability, and sensory optimization in formulations.
  • Increasing consumer demand for clean-label, plant-based, and sustainably sourced functional products.
  • Regulatory compliance and the need for scientifically substantiated health claims to ensure market credibility.
  • Emerging innovations, including AI-driven personalization and advanced ingredient technologies, shaping the future of functional foods and beverages

Moderator:

Dr. Vaibhav Kulkarni, Hon. Secretary, HADSA

Speakers:

Hitesh Patel, Managing Director, K. Patel Phyto Extracts

Vikram Kelkar, Managing Director, Hexagon Nutrition

Dr. Manjari Chandra, Founder, Manjari Wellness

Dr. Ganesh Kadhe, Founder & Director, Zantus Lifesciences

12:20 – 12:40
Demystifying Collagen: Understanding Types & Benefits
  • Different types of collagens and their properties
  • Difference between hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed collagen
  • How to select the right collagen for your brand
  • Focus on undenatured type II collagen UC-II®, with its unique properties & benefits
  • Groundbreaking clinical data, including results from Indian population

Dr. Hitesh Verma, Manager, Ingredients, Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients
12:40 – 13:30
Panel Discussion: The Power of Inclusion - Gender Diversity for Sustainable Food Systems
  • Understand the critical role gender diversity plays in building resilient and sustainable food systems.
  • Learn how inclusive practices can lead to more equitable benefits for all stakeholders in the food value chain.
  • Explore how businesses can integrate gender diversity into their strategies to drive responsible and sustainable growth.
  • Gain practical steps to implement diversity goals and measure their impact across the food system
  • Highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing barriers faced by women in agri-food systems.

Moderator:

Sangeetha Srinivasan, Vice President – Health & Wellness, Camlin Fine Sciences

Speakers:

  • Dr. Kurush F. Dalal - Archaeologist, Historian and Culinary Anthropologist
  • Dr. Chaithra C, Founder and Director, Samarth Biorgins.
  • Dr. Madhura Janve, MSc in Nutraceuticals, Course Coordinator, S. K. Somaiya College, Mumbai
  • Nandini Roy Chaudhary, Client Partner for Food & Beverages, Future Market Insights
13:30 – 14:30
Networking Lunch Break
14:30 – 14:50
Industry Standalone Session: Micronutrients & Nutraceuticals: Key Players in Enhancing Cognitive Function and Performance in Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Statistics show a rising trend in Alzheimer’s cases among senior citizens in India, projected to reach around 4.6 million by 2050, highlighting the urgency of this issue. This session will examine how micronutrients like vitamins B, D, E, and magnesium support cognitive function and may delay Alzheimer's onset, along with the biochemical pathways that underlie their protective effects. We will also discuss practical recommendations for integrating nutraceuticals into the diets of Alzheimer’s patients, addressing safety, appropriate dosages, and interactions with medications, while emphasizing the need for healthcare consultation before starting new treatments.

Prof. Vijayaraghavan Seshadri, Director Scientific Affairs, Velbiom Probiotics
14:50 – 15:10
Nutraceuticals: The India Advantage & Opportunity For the World
  • India’s Investment Landscape & Opportunities- Nutraceuticals
  • Facilitation Services and Support by Invest India
  • Connecting Stakeholders for Growth
  • Highlighting Flagship Initiatives & Way Forward

Indroneel Das, Cluster Lead and Chief of Staff, Invest India.
15:10 – 15:30
Exploring the EPA and DHA Omega-3 Market: Benefits, Sources and Market Dynamics
  • The global EPA and DHA omega-3 industry is a dynamic and diverse industry, with a variety of sources, including legacy ingredients like cod liver oil and anchovy oil, and new entrants like algae and calanus oil. This session will provide an overview of the category, sharing the latest market numbers and analyzing the trends and developments that have been most impactful to the sector.

Dr. Aldo Bernasconi, VP of Data Science, GOED, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s

15:30 – 15:40
Networking Session
15:40 -16:00
Industry Standalone Session: The Nutricosmetic Revolution: Synergizing Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals for Optimal Skin Health
  • Fusing Formulations: How the integration of cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals enhance skin vitality and scientific insights on how these products work together to boost collagen, protect against oxidative stress, and achieve skin health objectives.
  • Future Horizons: Future trends and market dynamics in the nutricosmetic landscape over the next 3-5 years.
  • Exploring how oral nutraceutical supplements and their topical applications work together for skin enhancement/li>

Dr. Manjari Chandra, Founder, Manjari Wellness
16:00 – 16:40
Fireside Chat: Unlocking the Secrets to Healthy Aging: Nutraceuticals' Role in Enhancing Healthy Aging and Extending Longevity
  • This session will cover the Active Aging Trends and the Latest Developments in sports and active nutrition as well as how specific compounds and nutraceuticals including dietary fibre, probiotics, fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols, spices, and essential trace elements, etc. have proven to be beneficial in abating age-related diseases and reducing aging processs as well as protecting cellular against oxidative damage.

Adip Roy, Associate Vice President – Regulatory Affairs, Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.

Kenn Israel, Co-Founding Partner and Nutraceutical Practice Leader, BeyondBrands

End of Day 2
Time Topic
10:45 – 11:00
Opening Remarks by Informa Markets In India
11:00 - 13:00
CASMB Talks
14:00 – 15:00
Industry Standalone Session: Unlocking Career Opportunities in the Nutraceutical Sector
  • Provide insights into the Nutraceutical industry's market trends, regulatory framework, and emerging innovations.
  • Explore various career paths and job roles within the sector, including research, manufacturing, marketing, and regulatory affairs.
  • Highlight the required skills and qualifications for success in the Nutraceutical industry.
  • Facilitate networking opportunities between students, faculty, and industry experts.
  • Encourage students to consider the Nutraceutical sector as a viable and rewarding career option.

Vishvajit Karandikar, Business Unit Head- Parenteral Nutrition, Fresenius Kabi

End of Conference