BOULDER, Colo., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Nutracon and Engredea, two focused ingredient and supply chain events in the U.S. nutrition industry, posted record attendance last week at the Anaheim Convention Center.Nutracon and Engredea, co-located with Natural Products Expo West, are events devoted to innovation and next-generation product development across the healthy food, beverage, dietary supplement, bioactive and NutriCosmetic markets. Nutracon and Engredea drew over 220 exhibitors and 7,500 buyers and influencers over five days.

"The global healthy products market is booming, and so are the ingredients and innovation that fuel it," noted Len Monheit, Executive Director of Engredea and Nutrition Business Journal."Early estimates indicate 8% nutrition industry growth and 6.5% supplement industry growth in 2011.To keep pace we've made great investments this year including a large hosted VIP program, the Innovodex mobile app, the Innovation Station and a new focus on international business development via the Market QuickStart program in India and China. These investments are what define Nutracon and Engredea today, but this is just the start we plan to build on these exciting programs for many years to come."

"I get more work done in three days here than three weeks in the office," said Gabe Herrick, Director of Sales for Bioenergy Life Science. "We continue to meet the right contacts and leads that spur innovation and I can't wait to start following up."

Innovation, a theme at the show, took center stage at Nutracon as Zychrome from InterHealth Nutraceuticals and Portobello Mushroom Powder from Dole Nutrition Institute took home the 2012 NutrAward for Best New Ingredient and Best New Finished Product, respectively.

2012 also marked the launch of New Hope Natural Media's Hall of Legends, an awards ceremony recognizing those individuals who have made considerable contributions to the success of the natural products industry.

In addition, Functional Ingredients magazine editors combed the Engredea show floor to identify and honor the most innovative exhibitors with Editors' Choice Awards. The 2012 Editors' Choice Award winners include:

2012 Best Science: Helios Corp

2012 Best Marketing: Sabinsa, Curcumin C3 Complex

2012 Best Partnership: DSM and Provexis

2012 Best Botanical: Ilhwa Co., Gin ST15

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Innovation Sparks Success - Nutracon and Engredea Post Record Numbers