GELITA is inviting food and beverage professionals attending the IFT FIRST Annual Event & Expo, taking place from July 12–15, 2026, to visit booth #3214 and explore how collagen-based ingredients can help brands address growing consumer demand for wellness-focused and protein-enriched products.

Centered around the theme, "Be Active! Rethink Protein. Elevate Active Nutrition with Collagen Peptides," GELITA will present a range of scientifically supported ingredient solutions designed to help manufacturers develop food and beverage products that combine nutritional benefits with appealing taste, texture, and functionality.

Consumers today are taking a more preventative and lifestyle-oriented approach to health, creating increased demand for products that promote active living, healthy aging, weight management, and overall wellness. Additionally, changing dietary behaviors associated with GLP-1 therapies are driving interest in nutrient-dense products that provide enhanced nutrition in smaller serving sizes. This shift presents manufacturers with the challenge of creating products that are both highly functional and enjoyable to consume.

"GELITA enables manufacturers to rethink the role of protein in product development," said Angie Rimel, Marketing Communications Manager – North America. "Our collagen peptides and gelatin solutions help brands create wellness-oriented foods and beverages that deliver meaningful functional benefits without compromising on taste, texture, or consumer experience."

Be Active! Rethink Protein.
From functional beverages and protein bars to gummies and better-for-you snacks, GELITA's collagen-based ingredients support manufacturers in developing products aligned with today's key consumer preferences:

Visitors to the GELITA booth will have the opportunity to learn how collagen peptides and gelatin can create new possibilities within the functional food and beverage sector while addressing the increasing demand for convenient, nutrient-rich products.

Elevating Active Nutrition with OPTIBAR
As consumer demand for convenient, protein-packed snacks continues to rise, product developers face persistent challenges related to texture, binding performance, and sensory quality. GELITA's OPTIBAR collagen protein solution helps manufacturers optimize protein formulations by enhancing protein content while improving texture, structure, and overall eating experience.

For applications such as cereal bars, granola bars, and high-protein snack bars, OPTIBAR addresses common formulation challenges, including stickiness, brittleness, and undesirable flavors, helping brands create active nutrition products that encourage repeat purchases.

Functional Collagen Peptides for Beverage Applications
Interest in active nutrition beverages continues to grow as consumers seek convenient solutions to support their wellness goals throughout the day. GELITA's Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) provide beverage manufacturers with the flexibility to develop functional drinks that support beauty-from-within, mobility, and active lifestyles, while also offering clean-label advantages and formulation versatility.

Griffith Foods is focused on creating more sustainable and nutritious products for our global clientele. Our goal is to enhance the nutritional value of our finished products, ensuring we deliver the best possible offerings. To guide the development of our portfolio, we introduced new Global Nutrition Criteria, which set upper limits for sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, along with positive nutrient targets, where applicable, based on the specific category of our finished goods.

Creating the Global Nutrition Criteria
The Global Nutrition Criteria are based on average nutrient guidelines from 11 reputable global sources, including the World Health Organization, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and other federal health authorities. These criteria establish upper limits for sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, as well as minimum requirements for beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, where relevant.

By 2030, we aim to align the nutritional profile of at least 50% of our finished products with the Global Nutrition Criteria. Additionally, by 2025, we will integrate these standards into 100% of our product development processes for all new innovations. We track progress by measuring the percentage of products that meet these criteria.

Nutritional Standards & Achievements
In 2023, we surpassed our target of having 50% of finished products meet at least one of our five key health and nutrition attributes. These attributes are defined as follows:

Commitment to Health & Nutrition
Our aim is to be the leading partner in developing sustainable and nutritious products. Our commitment to the Global Nutrition Criteria and our health and nutrition objectives fuels innovation and drives the creation of delicious, planet-friendly offerings that enhance human health.

We have also increased our investments in nutrition by joining external organizations such as the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences. This helps us stay at the forefront of scientific advancements and best practices in the field of nutrition.

At Griffith Foods, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the food industry, ensuring our products not only meet but exceed nutritional standards for the benefit of consumers worldwide.

Our Sustainability Journey
At Griffith Foods, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. With a focus on regenerative practices, we are committed to significantly improving the future through our unified sustainability strategy, known as our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about our ongoing sustainability initiatives, visit us online and explore the 2023 Sustainability Report.