Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

"All you can do is set yourself up to have the best possible conditions to where you might have a good idea." While making mapo tofu on stage, J. Kenji López-Alt shared his approach to creativity during today's #IFTFIRST Opening Keynote. Where do your best ideas come from? 💡 #IFTFIRST #CookingDemo #FoodInnovation

From the Main Stage: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt talks about rhythms in the kitchen, and how it can make your dishes more creative. 🧑‍🍳👨‍🍳 Spoiler alert: He gets his best dish ideas during long soaks in the bath. 🛁🫧 #IFTFIRST #FlavorScience #FoodieLife

The energy is officially here. 💙🎉 That's IFT President Peggy Poole helping kick off an incredible week of discovery, connection, and food science. Whether you're exploring the expo, attending sessions, or reconnecting with colleagues, we're excited to share the moments, conversations, and innovations shaping the future of food 👇 Tell us where you're joining us from: 📍 At IFT FIRST in Chicago 🌎 Following along from home #IFTFIRST #FoodScience #FoodInnovation #FutureOfFood #Chicago

A week of discovery officially begins. 🎉 The ribbon is cut, the expo hall is open, and IFT FIRST is underway. Next up: J. Kenji López-Alt takes the Main Stage at 9:30 a.m. We'll be bringing you highlights from the keynote and the biggest conversations shaping the future of food all week. Follow along! #IFTFIRST #FoodScience #FoodInnovation #FutureOfFood

Artificial intelligence is changing how food safety teams analyze data, identify patterns, and prioritize risk. But where should organizations draw the line between AI recommendations and human judgment? Discover what the technology can do today and where its limitations still exist: hubs.ly/Q04p6Ykh0 #FoodSafety #FoodScience #FoodIndustry #FoodTech

What will everyone be talking about at IFT FIRST? 👀 Get ahead of the conversation with our newsletter. Inside you'll find: 🧠 How this year's scientific program came together 📖 What's new at IFT FIRST in 2026 🎙️ A special episode from the Omnivore podcast 📍 Planning tips to help you navigate the event 📖 Read the latest issue: hubs.la/Q04n_9zl0 #IFTFIRST #FoodScience #FoodInnovation #FoodTech #FoodIndustry

Your expertise can help shape the future of food science. 🌎 IFT's volunteer opportunities are now open through July 31! Every contribution helps strengthen the food science community. Whether you're passionate about mentoring, leadership, scientific programming, local Sections, Divisions, or Resource Groups, there's an opportunity to make an impact while growing your own professional network. 🔗 Apply today: hubs.la/Q04nHkDr0 #FoodScience #Leadership #Volunteer #ProfessionalDevelopment #IFTCommunity

How do you scale delicate foods like soup dumplings without losing quality? Join From Prototype to Production: Food Innovation at Scale to explore flavor systems, broth retention, and ingredient functionality in action. #IFTFIRST | @Brenntag

Plant protein's problem isn't nutrition, it's taste. GPC's PURE-TEIN™ faba protein outperformed pea protein concentrate on flavor and whey protein concentrate on texture in a blinded sensory study. Come taste for yourself. #IFTFIRST #SponCon #PlantProteins

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025–2026 IFT Section Award Winners! Our community is stronger because of the volunteers who share their time, expertise, and passion to help others grow. Today we're celebrating this year's Sectional Service Award and Volunteer Award recipients and the impact they've made across IFT Sections: hubs.ly/Q04m-ZMH0 #IFT #FoodScience #Leadership #VolunteerRecognition #Community

Join Tate & Lyle and Manus for a session on Yume™ M Stevia Sweetener! Discover its sugar-like taste, ease of formulation, and reliable all-Americas supply chain. Learn about the innovative Reb M supply model and sample the product firsthand. Gain practical insights to elevate your formulations! @tateandlyleplc #IFTFIRST #TateandLyle #Manus #SweetYume #SponsoredContent

🔗 Explore the IFT FIRST Hot Topics Studio and other expo experiences here: #block-18488" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">ift.org/ift-first-even…

Natural preservatives can't just replace conventional ones. Entire preservation systems need to change. Food safety, shelf life, quality, and taste. All of it still has to perform. WTI is sponsoring the conversation. IFT FIRST Hot Topics Studio, July 14, 3:30 p.m. #IFTFIRST

Want more AI insights? The IFT AI & Food Safety Hub features insights from industry leaders, researchers, consultants, and legal experts. Check it out: ift.org/trends-and-lea… #FoodTech #AIOptimization #AITrends

🔍 Data quality ✅ Validation 🛡️ Integrity gates 👤 Human oversight Before AI can help food safety teams identify risks, optimize testing, or improve decision-making, organizations need systems they can trust. Find out the biggest mistakes companies can make when using AI tech: hubs.ly/Q04mfsCY0 #FoodSafety #FoodScience #DataAnalytics

What does $250,000+ in scholarships given to over 100 students represent? Countless possibilities for the future of food. 🌎 Congrats to the 2026 Feeding Tomorrow Fund Scholarship recipients. 🎉 Your passion, curiosity, and commitment to advancing food science inspire us all. Interested in supporting the next generation of food scientists? 🔗 Check out the Feeding Tomorrow Fund and its impact: hubs.la/Q04lYjwq0 #StudentSuccess #Scholarships #STEMEducation #FutureOfFood #FoodInnovation

The future of food safety probably won't be built by AI. 🤖 But it will be shaped by the professionals deciding how to use it. Explore expert insights, feature articles, and podcast conversations that examine where AI is creating real-world value and where caution is still warranted. 👇 hubs.la/Q04lW_Mw0 #FoodSafety #ArtificialIntelligence #FoodScience #FoodTech #RiskManagement #FoodInnovation

AI's biggest opportunity in food safety may not be automation. 📊 According to an expert from @LandOFrost, optimization is where the true potential lies. ✅ Spot trends sooner ✅ Focus resources where risk is highest ✅ Take action before intervention becomes necessary Find out how predictive analytics can help food safety teams move from reacting to problems toward anticipating them: hubs.la/Q04lPg4r0 #FoodSafety #FoodScience #PredictiveAnalytics #FoodTech

🏛️ GRAS reform | Food additives | Labeling transparency | FDA oversight Food policy conversations are in the spotlight, and proposed changes could lead to significant implications for the food system. 🎟️ Join us for a free, interactive discussion on the latest updates and how the industry can prepare. hubs.la/Q04lC0KR0 #FoodPolicy #FoodScience #RegulatoryScience #NutritionScience

⚠️ What happens when AI detects risk before contamination occurs? That's the question Jeff Varcoe, VP of Quality Assurance & Food Safety at The JM Smucker Co. is exploring. Dive into insights on environmental monitoring, predictive analytics and more: hubs.la/Q04lfdGj0 #FoodManufacturing #FoodIndustry #QualityAssurance