IFT15 all about food innovation

Advances in produce processing and all other types of food manufacturing will be front and center at this year’s annual convention of the Institute of Food Technologists.

“IFT15: Where Science Feeds Innovation” gathers July 11-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The annual event assembles many of the world’s leading food scientists, technologists and related professionals. It is billed as the only global event to feature the latest food products and innovative trends and developments in food science.

Four general sessions are set to focus on big-picture and future-oriented issues.

A CEO panel takes on the topic, “Is Big Food Bad Food?” Another panel discussion will feature women in the food science business, where three leaders will discuss how they overcame challenges within their careers. Futurist Mike Walsh will share emerging trends and technologies, while a second futuristic session will get a look at the making of IFT’s new documentary film, “Food Evolution.”

IFT15 scientific and applied education sessions will address hot topics in food safety, product development, food health and nutrition, environmental sustainability and novel processing and packaging.

Over 80 educational sessions and 1,000 poster presentations will provide information on the latest developments and trends in food science. Focus areas for education at this year’s event include food, health and nutrition; food processing and packaging; food chemistry; food safety and defense; food engineering; product development and ingredient innovations; food microbiology; professional development; public policy, food laws and regulations; sensory science; sustainability; and teaching and learning.

A few of the presentations that bear directly on produce processing are:

• Packaging Materials to Enhance Food Quality and Safety
• Gaseous, Vaporized and Aerosolized Antimicrobials to Enhance Microbial Food Safety
• Decontamination and Inactivation Strategies to Reduce Pathogens in Foods
• Cold Chain for Produce Safety
• Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods in Chronic Diseases and Healthy Aging

With more than 1,200 companies expected to exhibit, this event showcases the largest, most diverse collection of food ingredient, equipment and packaging suppliers from all over the world, IFT said.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.am-fe.ift.org/cms/.