CHICAGO, July 08, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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 share a sneak peek at a number of of the provider scientific periods and demonstrations that may happen at IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, the main meals science and innovation expo being held July 12-15, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Through cutting-edge scientific programming and multi-disciplinary discussions, IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) addresses the greatest points impacting the meals trade throughout novel know-how and innovation, well being and diet, sustainability and local weather, meals security, and shopper insights. New in 2026, all scientific programming will happen straight in the Expo Hall, providing attendees the distinctive alternative to have interaction with cutting-edge periods at the coronary heart of the occasion. By integrating scientific discussions and shows inside the expo atmosphere, individuals can seamlessly join with specialists, discover new applied sciences, and expertise the vibrant innovation showcased all through IFT FIRST.
That scientific programming consists of the Taste of Science stage the place attendees can take pleasure in an array of ingredient samples, interactive demos, and product tastings; in addition to the Solutions Showcase stage the place presenters dive into the challenges and alternatives in the science of meals. Meanwhile, the Hot Topics Studio provides a extra relaxed, casual environment as prime specialists talk about vital subjects impacting the meals trade at present.
“One of the things that make IFT FIRST unique is the opportunity to learn directly from the people who are advancing food science every day,” stated IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Our scientific presenters bring a depth of expertise and real-world experience that helps attendees better understand not only what’s new, but why it matters and how those innovations can be applied. Those conversations are why IFT FIRST is such a valuable experience for food science professionals at every stage of their careers.”
Here is a glimpse at a few of the can’t-miss provider periods at IFT FIRST:
Brenntag
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“From Prototype to Production: Food Innovation at Scale”
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Taste of Science: Tuesday, July 14, 11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Brenntag will current “From Prototype to Production: Food Innovation at Scale” at IFT FIRST, showcasing how complicated meals like soup dumplings will be translated from artisanal preparation to scalable manufacturing with out compromising high quality. Using soup dumplings as a case research, the session explores the intersection of culinary growth, ingredient performance, and course of engineering. A key focus might be taste and broth retention, two of the most technically demanding elements of manufacturing. In collaboration with Givaudan, Brenntag examines how taste programs, vegetable components, and broth design will be optimized to keep a wealthy, genuine sensory expertise whereas guaranteeing stability by processing, freezing, and cooking.
The session will exhibit how formulation influences moisture migration, texture, and taste launch in high-throughput environments. Attendees will acquire perception into how ingredient performance will be leveraged to enhance each consuming high quality and manufacturing efficiency. By bridging culinary craftsmanship with scientific precision, Brenntag highlights how meals innovation can transfer seamlessly from kitchen prototypes to scalable manufacturing programs.
Tate & Lyle and Manus
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“Reb M Stevia Without Compromise: Taste, Performance, and Supply You Can Formulate With”
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Solutions Showcase: Tuesday, July 14, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
For R&D and formulation groups, efficient sugar discount hinges on efficiency in style, utility, and provide. In this session, Tate & Lyle and Manus will introduce the Yume™ M Stevia Sweetener, which provides a sugar-like style with out compromise. We will spotlight key elements similar to sensory efficiency, ease of formulation, and consistency at scale. Additionally, the session will cowl a brand new all-Americas Reb M provide mannequin, from stevia cultivation in Peru to manufacturing in the United States, aimed at enhancing reliability and transparency for procurement and provide groups. Attendees will acquire sensible insights into Yume™ M Stevia’s efficiency throughout varied purposes and study key concerns for evaluating next-generation sweetener options. Product samples might be out there throughout the session.
Grain Processing Corporation
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“Flavor Without Compromise: The Faba Protein Story”
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Taste of Science: Tuesday, July 14, 2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Plant protein’s most persistent problem is not dietary efficiency, it is taste. Beany notes, bitter aftertaste, and chalky texture have pushed customers away from merchandise they solely tried as soon as. Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) is addressing that problem straight at IFT FIRST with a session constructed round science, sensory knowledge, and actual formulator perception.
At the heart of the session is a blinded, third-party sensory research. Across high-protein muffin formulations, GPC’s PURE-TEIN™ Faba Protein Concentrate outperformed pea protein focus on taste and whey protein focus on texture. Attendees will stroll by the research outcomes and discover what shopper analysis reveals about the faba alternative: robust openness to new proteins, low consciousness of faba particularly, and a transparent sign that style, not skepticism, is the barrier to adoption.
GPC’s PURE-TEIN™ is minimally processed, allergen-friendly, and North American-sourced, differentiating it from different plant proteins on the market. Attendees are invited to style for themselves with naan dipper samples served throughout the session.
WTI
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“Navigating the Future of Natural Emulsifiers and Preservatives in Foods”
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Hot Topics Studio: Tuesday, July 14, 3:30 – 3:50 p.m.
The shift towards clear label meals is creating new challenges for product builders tasked with balancing meals security, shelf-life, taste, performance, and shopper expectations. At IFT FIRST, WTI will lead a dialogue exploring the scientific, regulatory, and sensible concerns influencing the adoption of naturally derived preservation options.
Long earlier than clear label turned an trade precedence, WTI helped pioneer the naturally derived vinegar antimicrobial class, supporting the trade’s transition towards pure preservation methods. Today, its portfolio of vinegar-based antimicrobials, rosemary antioxidants, and lemon-based phosphate different programs helps producers exchange typical components throughout a variety of meals purposes.
Attendees will acquire sensible views on formulation challenges, efficiency trade-offs, and rising applied sciences shaping clear label meals safety. WTI will share how producers can consider and implement these alternate options whereas sustaining the meals security, high quality, yield, and taste their merchandise rely on.
Register for IFT FIRST.
IFT members obtain particular pricing on registration. To study extra, electronic mail [email protected].
About IFT FIRST
IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo is one in every of the most influential meals know-how occasions in the world because it unites instrumental leaders throughout the international meals system to assist form the way forward for meals. Each yr, IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) convenes outstanding meals, well being, and diet professionals throughout trade, academia, and authorities to collaborate, innovate, and educate. IFT FIRST incorporates a dynamic expo corridor that connects a lot of the prime international meals and wellness firms with consumers and these with buying affect, whereas additionally providing cutting-edge scientific programming that explores the hottest subjects throughout the science of meals. IFT FIRST additionally provides useful networking alternatives, distinctive meals competitions, and partaking interactive experiences to join, enrich, and empower attendees in their missions to rework the international meals system. For extra data, go to www.ift.org/ift-first-event/.
About Institute of Food Technologists
Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the international meals science group. IFT advocates for science, know-how, and analysis to handle the world’s biggest meals challenges, guiding our group of greater than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from round the world – from producers and product builders to innovators and researchers throughout meals, diet, and public well being – with a shared mission to assist create a worldwide meals provide that’s sustainable, secure, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT gives its rising group spanning academia, trade, and authorities with the sources, 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.
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Contacts
Media Contact
Dennis Van Milligen
Director, External Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]
