Baken Delivers Flavor and Flair at IFEX 2025 Trade Expo
The brand introduced new flavors and new packaging.
Held from May 22 to 24 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the International Food, Beverage and Ingredients Exhibition (IFEX) 2025 featured key stakeholders in the food, beverage, and ingredients industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, and various support organizations. Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), IFEX served as a venue for showcasing the Philippines’ finest food products to a global audience. Among the exhibitors at the event was premium Filipino snack brand Baken.
Baken’s booth stood out at the trade hall, where many interested parties inquired about the bacon-based products. Wine pairing sessions were conducted to gauge the compatibility of Baken’s products with a fine selection of wine, from Chablis to Shiraz.
Baken introduced new flavors of its award-winning Real Bacon Crisps: Cheesy Jalapeño and Barbeque, which will be available in the market soon. Bacon Cookies and Bacon Jam were also sampled during the wine pairing session.
At the helm was Baken Founder and CEO Rachel Carrasco, who introduced the products in their new packaging and spearheaded the activities.
Carrasco’s line of premium all-bacon snacks and confections was inspired by a longstanding passion for bacon. Rooted in Carrasco’s Filipino upbringing, the brand draws from a culture where pork is a culinary staple and indulgence is part of tradition—especially evident during town fiestas marked by generous feasting and celebration. This cultural influence, paired with Carrasco’s vision for elevating a well-loved ingredient, laid the foundation for a distinctive, market-ready product line. Baken products are made with 100% real bacon and no artificial substitutes.
Baken will be holding Baken 1104, a unique culinary experience in partnership with Toyo Eatery owner Chef Jordy Navarra and Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2023, Lolla Singapore’s Johanne Siy, from June 3 to June 6, 2025.
Other exhibitors
Exhibitors from across the country showcased their products, serving everything from dried fruit and artisanal chocolates to fruit juices and liqueur. Some well-known supermarket brands like Mega Sardines also participated.
Logistics provider Zendease by 1Export, which enables the export of homegrown products to different parts of the globe, was also present at the trade exhibit.
