India, May 21 -- Kerry, a global leader in taste and nutrition, showcased a bold consumer-driven vision for the future of meat at IFFA 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the meat industry. With a focus on future-forward innovation, the company unveiled a portfolio of market-ready concepts designed to help meat processors respond to rapidly evolving consumer expectations.
At the heart of Kerry's presence at IFFA was a clear and compelling vision: the future of meat is being reshaped by emerging consumer demands, and success lies in understanding-and meeting-those needs. Ian Carroll, Meat EUM Strategy Director for Europe at Kerry, shared the insights driving the company's innovation strategy.
Consumer-first, research-led
"The meat market and category are evolving," said Carroll in an interview at the event. "Consumer needs are changing, and if our customers in the sector want to succeed now and in the future, they need to innovate and align their products with those evolving needs. At IFFA, we present solutions grounded in market insight, supported by our technologies, and designed to help processors deliver what consumers are asking for today-and tomorrow."
This innovation-led approach is underpinned by Kerry's proprietary consumer research, which surveyed over 4,000 consumers across multiple global markets in 2024. The study revealed eight emerging consumer trends Kerry defines as "Next-Generation Meat Disruptors." At IFFA 2025, Kerry spotlighted four of the most actionable disruptors shaping the meat industry:
Super Clean, Super Clear - A call for ingredient transparency, fewer artificial additives, and cleaner labels.
Balanced Indulgence - A desire to enjoy meat as part of a satisfying eating experience while prioritizing health and sustainability.
Supercharged Convenience - The demand for quick, easy-to-prepare foods that don't compromise nutrition or environmental impact.
Exotic & Eclectic - The trend toward culinary exploration and bold, globally inspired flavors emerged strongly during the pandemic.
"These are the trends shaping tomorrow's meat market," Carroll emphasized. "At IFFA, we're demonstrating how to translate those insights into real-world solutions."
Six concepts that connect the dots
Kerry unveiled six innovative product concepts at IFFA that directly address the four featured disruptors. These were developed using Kerry's core capabilities in flavor systems, preservation, marinades, and coatings. "Our chefs and R&D teams worked hand in hand to create product prototypes that are both commercially viable and aligned with future-facing consumer needs," said Carroll.
Among the standout innovations:
A clean-label chicken nugget with tempura batter-free from raising agents and E-numbers-offering the same taste and texture as conventional alternatives.
The "Forest Grill Slider" is a beef-mushroom blended burger reducing meat content by 30% while maintaining a rich, smoky flavor using Kerry's proprietary smoke and grill technologies.
"These aren't just concepts-they're solutions," Carroll added. "They're ready to be adapted by processors looking to move with the market."
Flavor, safety, and shelf-life in one toolbox
Kerry also highlighted its strength in food preservation and protection. Carroll detailed how their comprehensive ingredient toolkit-spanning smoke flavors, marinades, glazes, and clean-label preservatives-supports flavor, safety, and shelf stability.
"One of our most exciting developments presented at IFFA was a predictive model for Listeria control," he noted. "It's based on thousands of hours of microbiological testing and helps customers predict food safety outcomes over shelf life without long and costly challenge testing. That's a game-changer for speed to market."
Staying ahead of regulation
With increasing scrutiny around food additives and ingredient sourcing, regulatory compliance was another key topic Kerry addressed.
"We have dedicated regulatory teams in every region," said Carroll. "Take smoke flavors, for instance. By 2029, many smoke flavorings currently used in meat won't be reauthorized in Europe. At Kerry, we're ahead of that curve-we've already developed alternatives like smoke vinegars and sugars compliant beyond 2029."
This forward-thinking approach ensures customers stay ahead of regulatory shifts without sacrificing taste or performance.
Global reach, local insight
Although Kerry's European operations took the lead at IFFA, the company's global presence was clearly on display. "Europe is a strategic market for us, but this event brings in customers from across North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East," said Carroll. "It's an invaluable opportunity to build relationships, initiate projects, and showcase our capabilities on a global stage."
Innovation beyond the booth
While the energy at IFFA was palpable, Carroll emphasized that the most critical work comes in the aftermath. "Our real focus begins when the show ends. We've had fantastic meetings and generated strong leads. Now it's about following up, co-developing new solutions, and helping customers reformulate products in line with consumer expectations."
As for what sets Kerry apart, Carroll didn't hesitate, "It's our ability to lead with insight. We don't just follow trends-we anticipate them. The Next-Gen Meat Disruptors framework allows us to understand where the market is going and help our customers get there first. We have the data, the technology, and the application expertise to make that happen."
In a market defined by fast-moving consumer expectations, regulatory shifts, and the constant need for differentiation, Kerry's presence at IFFA demonstrated its commitment to innovation and its capacity to deliver actionable, scalable solutions for the future of meat.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.