The newly combined Probiotech and Microbiota conference saw two very successful days packed with conference sessions between industry heavyweights and leading academics in the pre/pro-biotic and gut health arena.
Speaking with NutraIngredients at the conclusion of the event, chairman Koos Oosterhaven and event founder Jean-Michel Pommet told us that one of the biggest highlight for them was the promise of closer collaboration between industry and academia to help drive forward the currently at risk area.
“The first highlight for me is the participation of industry and academics in such a conference,” said Oosterhaven.
“We realised that scientists are fully committed to showing the regulatory authorities – especially in Europe – that science is strong and more valuable than ever,” added Pommet.
Oosterhaven told us that having contributions from various areas of expertise – including animal feed, cosmetics, gut health, and probiotics – helps the whole industry to build better science and create ‘something that is really worthwhile’.
“As you look at these different sectors, they have different approaches. And we can learn from each other,” said the Nizo expert.
“In feed and feed conversion, at some points they are a step ahead – and food can learn from that,” Oosterhaven added. “On the other hand, gut health science is very helpful in defining microbial communities on the skin for instance, so that combination, I think, is really worthwhile for the industry to follow up on.”
