LONDON – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific group dedicated to advancing the science of meals and its utility throughout the international meals system, is proud to announce that IFT President Peggy Poole, PhD, will current the Binsted Lecture on “Leveraging AI in New Product Development and Food Safety” at the Food and Drink Federation’s London, UK workplace on February 12, 2026.
The occasion—streaming live (for a payment) at 6:30 p.m., London time (GMT)—is a collaboration between IFT’s British Section, the Food and Drink Federation, the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Campden BRI, a world chief in meals and drink science and analysis.
In 2024, Poole retired as vp of the Tea Division for Bigelow Tea Company, primarily based in Fairfield, Connecticut, the place she was accountable for R&D, high quality, and tea/ingredient procurement. She has greater than 40 years of expertise in the meals trade and assumed the position of IFT President on September 1, 2025.
“I’m honored and excited to deliver the Binsted Lecture and to engage with colleagues who share a commitment to food science,” stated Poole. “With more than 40 years in the food industry, I’ve watched our field evolve through waves of new tools and technologies. I look forward to reflecting on those experiences and discussing how AI can help us continue advancing food science, product development, and food safety in meaningful ways.”
The lecture is known as in honor of one of the founders of IFT, Raymond Binsted. IFT presidents have delivered the Binsted Lecture courting again to 1998, three years earlier than Binsted’s passing. Binsted additionally helped discovered the IFT British Section. Through IFT Sections, meals science professionals community and collaborate with their native friends by a spread of occasions and alternatives. IFT has 46 Sections unfold throughout the U.S., in addition to Mexico, Japan, England, and Canada.
“The Binsted Lecture provides an important opportunity to exchange perspectives across the global food science community, and IFT is proud to participate in this long-standing tradition of international collaboration,” stated IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Dr. Poole’s impressive career spanning food safety, product development, and the integration of new technologies makes her perspective on AI especially valuable at this moment of change.”
To be taught extra about IFT, go to www.ift.org.
About Institute of Food Technologists
Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the international meals science neighborhood. IFT advocates for science, know-how, and analysis to deal with the world’s biggest meals challenges, guiding our neighborhood of greater than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from round the world – from producers and product builders to innovators and researchers throughout meals, vitamin, and public well being – with a shared mission to assist create a world meals provide that’s sustainable, secure, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT gives its rising neighborhood spanning academia, trade, and authorities with the assets, connections, and alternatives crucial to keep forward of a quickly evolving meals system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For extra data, please go to ift.org.