IFT FIRST 2025 in Review: Expo Trends & Quadra’s Texture-driven Prototypes
The 2025 IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo has officially wrapped, leaving attendees buzzing with inspiration from the latest breakthroughs in food science and technology. This year’s event offered a vibrant showcase of innovation, hands-on demos, AI-driven R&D tools, and an unmistakable focus on better-for-you ingredients and sustainable solutions.
Show Floor Highlights and Industry Trends
Better-for-you products anchored nearly every conversation, reflecting a shift from novelty to industry standard. Clean-label, organic, functional, and plant-based claims were widespread, emphasizing improved nutrition, wellness, and ingredient transparency.
Refinement over disruption characterized many prototypes, with companies opting to refine and enhance existing products—touting better taste, scalability, and cleaner sourcing rather than launching entirely new categories.
AI and digital transformation are rapidly influencing food formulation, with exhibitors unveiling platforms and technologies that accelerate product development and unlock new consumer insights.
Regulatory shifts and economic pressure prompted a pronounced interest in natural colors, cleaner oils, and supply chain resilience—including an uptick in domestic sourcing and natural ingredient fortification.
Quadra’s Prototypes: Texture Talk: Behind the Bite
Quadra’s booth drew steady attention with its enticing prototypes designed to meet today’s top consumer and manufacturer demands, including enhanced texture, unique flavors, and clean label alternatives. Take a deeper look at the Quadra concepts:
Brew Bonbon: The bold essence of affogato, reimagined in a single bite. Indulge in the rich harmony of affogato with a multi-layered bonbon crafted for the modern palate boosted with natural Guarana extract. Crack through a delicate dark chocolate shell made better for you with added fibers to reveal layers of velvety coffee gel, a creamy filling and a touch of white chocolate crumble for that satisfying bite.
Zesty Minis: Get ready for a bite-sized burst of bold flavor. Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Mexican street food, these mini muffins combine the comfort of fluffy cornbread with a zesty blend of chili, lime, and smoky peppers for a snack that’s packed with personality. Whether served as a party starter or a spicy sidekick, they bring a fiesta of flavor in every pop.
Aji Amarillo Creamy BBQ Dip: Turn up the flavor with this vibrant, plant-based BBQ dip that brings a Peruvian twist to every bite. Made with clean-label ingredients, our Aji Amarillo Creamy BBQ Dip delivers the perfect balance of smoky-sweet barbecue and the sunny heat of Aji Amarillo peppers—all wrapped in a rich, velvety texture that’s as satisfying as it is craveable.
ChurroSwirl: Treat yourself to the nostalgic comfort of a warm churro—now in a better-for-you soft-serve. This soft-serve delivers a decadently creamy texture and a perfectly spiced bite with every spoonful. Formulated to be GLP-1–friendly, this frozen delight is tailored for those seeking satisfaction without the sugar crash.
