From reimagined classics to craveable new twists, experience Bell’s global ‘Purely Playful’ trend in action at Booth S1629 in Chicago, IL from July 14-16, 2025
NORTHBROOK, Illinois – Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (Bell) heads to the 2025 IFT FIRST®: Annual Event and Expo held in person and virtually from July 14-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
Hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), IFT FIRST®, one of the nation’s largest business-to-business food innovation expos, brings together food scientists, R&D teams, dietitians, entrepreneurs and other professionals from around the world for three action packed days. This year’s focus: addressing pressing food safety issues, from food additive reformulation to GRAS regulations, and beyond.
Themed Bell FLAVORLAND, a nostalgic nod to memorable flavors of years’ past, Bell booth S1629 will feature sweet, savory and beverage creations that lean into playful and joy-driven flavors, and showcase Bell’s global Spark – Ignites Creativity, Inspires Senses® program.
A key area of focus, the company will spotlight their BellTech® collection, an innovative flavor and fragrance technology platform, by incorporating solutions that help solve product development challenges around taste, such as boosting umami flavors and extending/replacing ingredients undergoing significant supply chain disruptions (e.g., vanilla).
“This year, we’re bringing our global Macro Trend, Purely Playful, to life in Bell FLAVORLAND. This trend takes joy to the next level, celebrating small wins, lifting our spirits, and saying 'treat yourself' more often. It’s about reimagining classic favorites and creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences that make us feel good – especially through impactful eating and drinking occasions.”
– Kelli Heinz, Vice President of Marketing and Industry Affairs
Step Into a Whimsical Flavor Playground
At booth S1629, IFT attendees can grab their Bell FLAVORLAND coloring book, their one-stop guide to navigating the company’s Meat & Savory, Sweet & Dairy, and Beverage Application stations.
Each station will feature a flavor packed menu item(s), including a reimagined TV Dinner (Meat & Savory featuring Bell’s Neostalgia trend), curated Slushies with Choice of Flavored Syrup (Beverage featuring Bell’s Sensorial Sparks trend) as well as Fruited Sour Hard Candies, Paper Dots and Vanilla Cream Cake Featuring Bell’s Cocoa Reduced Chocolate Frosting and Egg Replacer (Sweet & Dairy featuring Bell’s Treat Culture trend).
“Consumer craving for nostalgic flavors continues to exert influence on the market, and we see this in the U.S. and globally. Mintel data reveals that nostalgia not only drives preference for classic flavors, but also increases consumers’ openness to innovation from brands they love and trust. Bell Flavors & Fragrances’ menu reimagines classic foods and beverages with playful flavors and BellTech® technologies, which are intended to inspire the next wave of products. Our menu leans into familiarity, while pushing flavor innovation boundaries.”
– Justin Kozlowski, Vice President and Commercial General Manager, Flavors Division
View a few highlights from Bell’s standout menu available all day from Mon, July 14 – Wed, July 16:
Inspire Joy via Smile-Worthy Flavors at Bell Booth S162
Visit booth S1629 at IFT FIRST® for visionary flavor inspiration and to learn more about how BellTech® can elevate your brand’s current product development efforts and future pipeline.
In advance of the show, explore Bell’s enchanting menu, relevant taste resources and so much more – here.
For more on Bell Flavors & Fragrances, visit www.bellff.com. And, be sure to get social with us by following Bell Flavors & Fragrances on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
For media requests, please contact Kelli Heinz, Vice President of Marketing & Industry Affairs.