Dairy Processing - May/June 2023 - 70

MEETING PREVIEW
Future focused
E
veryone attending the Institute of Food Technologists'
(IFT) annual event and expo this year will have more
than innovations to consider. IFT First organizers want
them to ponder what lies ahead with a much wider scope,
with a show-wide focus on future-proofing the food system.
Over the course of the event, scheduled for July 16-19
at Chicago's McCormick Place, 100 scientific sessions
and discussions will cover topics such as technology and
innovation, food safety, sustainability, health and nutrition,
and consumer insights.
" Each scientific session is designed to help attendees
address some of the most challenging issues impacting their
day-to-day roles, as well as the broader future of food, " said
Christie Tarantino-Dean, IFT's chief executive officer.
Tarantino-Dean said some of the key scientific sessions
will shine a spotlight on talking points such as food waste,
technical innovations, a growing global population, food
safety and consumer trust.
She said a session called " Reimaging Food Waste to Put
the 'P' in Profit & Loss " is set to examine " the hottest product
innovation ideas, " and capitalizing on upcycled food waste or
by-products. IFT put together the session to help attendees
improve companies' profit and loss statements.
" Food Tech Innovations That Are Changing How the World
Eats, " meanwhile, turns to leading food tech companies for
insights on innovations that are changing food consumption.
The session will dive into added-value products across
the food supply and serving the next generation of protein
solutions and sustainable ingredients.
A panel of experts will discuss the role of food science in
70 MAY-JUN 2023 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
IFT First will examine how innovations can alter the food system for the better.
by Benton Smith | bsmith@sosland.com
addressing global crises during " Science of Food Is Critical to
Finding Urgent Health and Nutrition Solutions for a Growing
Global Population. " Tarantino-Dean said food science
professionals are critical to bringing forward solutions at
scale that consumers want and the planet needs.
Preventing food-borne illnesses and other problems will
be the focus of the session titled " Expect the Unexpected:
Failure to Anticipate Threats Is a Critical Food Safety
Risk. " Tarantino-Dean said it will address " tough questions
organizations must be asking themselves " about investments,
strategies and implementation.
Specific to dairy processors, Tarantino-Dean expected a
number of onsite events and sessions to be of interest. Some
of those will cover alternative ingredients. A session on
animal-free milk proteins will show how some food scientists
are using microbes to create sustainable alternatives. And an
interactive session called " What Processing Technologies Are
Leading to More Sustainable and Resilient F&B Production, "
will showcase the science and technology of alternate
proteins and precision fermentation.
In addition to a dairy foods division social and a showcase
presentation from the dairy foods division graduate research
competition, Tarantino-Dean said dairy processors attending
IFT First can search by product category and ingredients/
additives to find specific exhibitors and curate their
experience. In total, the show's organizers anticipate more
than 17,000 people will attend this year.
" There has never been a better time, or more important
time, to attend IFT First, " she added. " We are looking forward
to the dairy community joining us. "
Institute of Food Technologists
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dairy Processing - May/June 2023
