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.

The beauty industry is evolving beyond its traditional boundaries as more consumers combine cosmetic procedures, wellness therapies, and longevity-focused treatments with their everyday beauty routines. Driving this trend is the rise of the “beauty optimizer” — a consumer seeking a broader mix of solutions to enhance appearance, performance, and overall wellbeing. Nearly 70% of consumers are receptive to non-traditional beauty options, while around 80% believe beauty is closely connected to both mental and physical health rather than appearance alone.

This emerging optimizer segment now accounts for roughly 6% of adults in the United States, representing nearly 15 million people. On average, these consumers spent approximately $3,000 over the past year across conventional beauty products, aesthetic treatments, and longevity or wellness categories. According to industry estimates, if this group were to double in size, it could generate more than $30 billion in additional value for the beauty market.

The insights come from a new report by Boston Consulting Group and Women's Wear Daily titled Consumers Are Shaping a New Age of Optimization in Beauty. The findings are based on an April survey involving 5,000 beauty consumers across the US.

Jenny B. Fine, Editor in Chief of Beauty Inc and Executive Editor of Beauty at WWD, explained that while skin care, makeup, and hair care remain essential parts of beauty regimens, consumers are increasingly integrating cosmetic procedures, wellness products, and longevity-based solutions into their routines. She noted that today’s consumers are highly educated, strongly focused on measurable outcomes, and more open than ever to exploring multiple categories in pursuit of effectiveness, optimization, and long-term wellbeing.

The report also highlights how newer categories are strengthening engagement with traditional beauty products. Around 70% of optimizers said aesthetic treatments are now a routine part of their lifestyle, leading many to increase spending on premium or medical-grade skincare. Half of respondents also reported expanding their routines by adding more ingredients or additional skincare steps.

The growing popularity of GLP-1 medications is also reshaping beauty needs. About 30% of optimizers said they had used GLP-1 treatments within the past year. Among those experiencing side effects such as changes in facial volume, dryness, breakouts, or altered skin texture, nearly half reported upgrading to luxury or medical-grade skincare products. Additionally, almost 80% of respondents dealing with sagging or loose skin said they had increased their use of fillers, injectables, contouring treatments, laser procedures, or skin-tightening solutions.

Compared with the broader beauty market, optimizers are four times more likely to use supplements linked to longevity and anti-aging, and twice as likely to consume beauty supplements overall.

Technology is also playing a growing role in consumer research habits. Approximately 75% of optimizers reported using artificial intelligence tools within the last month to research beauty, wellness, or longevity-related topics, while 25% identified AI as their primary information source. Male optimizers, in particular, are adopting AI-driven personalization at a faster pace, with 40% using it to create customized beauty routines — a rate more than double that of women.

Although social media continues to influence product discovery, consumer trust is shifting elsewhere. Around 40% of optimizers said they discover products through influencers or social media advertising, yet very few consider social platforms their most reliable source of information. Instead, recommendations from friends and family remain the leading discovery channel, while medical professionals rank as the most trusted advisors. Roughly 75% of consumers said proven results and scientific credibility strongly influence their purchasing decisions.

Pierre Dupreelle, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG and the firm’s global beauty sector leader, said the beauty category is broadening significantly. Rather than depending on a small number of standout products, consumers are increasingly combining aesthetic, wellness, and longevity solutions to achieve desired results. He added that brands and retailers should closely monitor this transformation, as it reflects the future direction of the beauty industry.