REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 GLOBAL FOOD INNOVATION AWARDS
Innovation has long been one of the defining pillars of SIAL Paris. Since its creation in 1996, SIAL Innovation has established itself as an international competition dedicated to identifying, rewarding and promoting the most innovative products in the agri food sector. With registration opening today, exhibitors are invited to submit their latest developments and take part in a programme that has become a trusted reference for decoding market trends and consumer expectations worldwide. Participation is free and open to all SIAL Paris exhibitors with products developed or launched within the past two years, including those still in the test or launch phase.
Fully integrated into the DNA of SIAL Paris and amplified through the SIAL Network, SIAL Innovation plays a strategic role in connecting innovation with business. By highlighting selected products before, during and after the show, the programme contributes to SIAL Paris’s positioning as a global meeting point for the food sector, where ideas are translated into concrete commercial opportunities.
A competition structured around market realities
SIAL Innovation is designed to reflect the diversity of today’s agri food landscape. Products submitted to the competition are analysed by an independent jury composed of French and international experts, who assess innovation through criteria such as originality, relevance and value added for consumers or industry professionals. The competition is organised around four main categories: Consumer Packaged Goods, Out of Home Catering, Intermediate Food Products, and Equipment and Technology, ensuring that innovations are evaluated within their professional context.
In addition to category recognition, SIAL Innovation awards several distinctions that highlight excellence at different levels. These include the three Grand Awards Gold, Silver and Bronze, alongside sector and special awards such as Start up, Packaging, country awards and a special 30 year favourite marking the anniversary edition. Winners benefit from extensive visibility, from showcases within the SIAL Innovation Area to international promotion through the SIAL Network World Champions Tour.
The 2026 calendar underlines the programme’s structured approach. Registration remains open until 28 August, followed by selection and jury deliberations throughout September. The awards ceremony will take place on 17 October on the SIAL Talks stage, placing innovation at the centre of SIAL Paris’s editorial and conference programme.
Yumgo, a frozen dessert success recognised by SIAL Innovation
Among the success stories highlighted by SIAL Innovation in 2024 is Yumgo, a French company that has built its reputation around specialising in plant-based solutions capable of replacing eggs in professional kitchens without compromising on performance. Initially developed to meet the technical demands of chefs, bakers and food manufacturers, Yumgo’s products are designed to replicate the functional properties of eggs while aligning with evolving expectations around sustainability and nutrition.
This expertise has extended into the dessert category with a range of gourmet plant-based frozen products developed specifically for food service. Yumgo won the Frozen Products Award for this range, which includes ready to serve cookies and chocolate mousse.
According to the company, the objective was to demonstrate that plant-based desserts can deliver indulgence, consistency and ease of use at scale, while remaining accessible to professional users operating under tight operational constraints.
According to co-founder Anne Vincent, Yumgo’s approach is rooted in close collaboration with culinary professionals. The products are developed by chefs for chefs, with a focus on texture, taste and reliability in real kitchen conditions. This philosophy has allowed the brand to position itself not simply as an alternative, but as a credible replacement solution for eggs and egg-based preparations across a wide range of applications.
Winning the SIAL Innovation award marked a decisive step in Yumgo’s development. According to the company, the recognition generated significant visibility in France and internationally, opening discussions with new distribution partners and accelerating interest from the foodservice sector. Chefs and pastry professionals, in particular, responded to the promise of plant based desserts and egg alternatives that do not require compromises on quality or culinary standards. The award acted as a catalyst for growth, reinforcing Yumgo’s positioning within a highly competitive and fast evolving market.
SIAL Innovation at the heart of SIAL Paris
SIAL Innovation plays a strategic role within SIAL Paris by structuring how innovation is identified, highlighted and shared during the event. The SIAL Innovation Area, located in Hall 6, one of the most visited zones of the show, acts as a key point of reference for buyers, media and visitors seeking to discover the most recent product launches and market ready solutions. Selected products are presented through dedicated displays and guided tours led by innovation experts, offering a curated reading of emerging trends and concrete applications across different food industry sectors.
For exhibitors, taking part in SIAL Innovation means benefiting from a recognised innovation label, targeted buyer meetings and extended visibility beyond the event itself. Through year-round editorial coverage, digital platforms and international relays, the SIAL Network ensures that innovations identified in Paris continue to resonate across global markets.
With registration now open, SIAL Innovation once again invites exhibitors to position their products within a programme that has become a barometer of change. By combining expert evaluation, international exposure and business acceleration, it reinforces SIAL Paris’s role as a leading international food trade show where innovation remains a central driver of the industry’s evolution.