CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, will address the most challenging food safety issues – from food additives and GRAS to recalls and regulatory changes – at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, the annual food research, science, and technology event that is being held July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
A keynote on “Food Additives: Reformulation and Regulatory Challenges” will share the latest perspectives on clean label and natural alternatives and the growing pressure for food and beverage manufacturers to reformulate products and replace synthetic additives, including colors, preservatives, and other functional ingredients. Featuring five top experts across legal, regulatory, and consumer advocacy, this keynote will discuss the complexities of replacing synthetic additives – including costs, technical hurdles, scalability challenges and what it will take for food companies to stay afloat in a rapidly changing food market.
Other key sessions at IFT FIRST will focus on GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) regulations and the introduction of new food ingredients as well as navigating the FDA’s new era of food safety. Meanwhile, a variety of scientific panels will address the role technology must play to enhance food safety, the food safety challenges having the biggest impact on public health, why food recalls are still so common, how international regulatory frameworks are impacting new food products, as well as addressing consumer confidence in food safety.
In addition, a pre-event workshop on “NextGen Food Safety: Bridging Farm to Table with Smart Tech Solutions” is being hosted by IFT’s Food Microbiology Division on July 12-13 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CDT. Designed for agri-food professionals, the training will cover Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Agricultural Practices (GA), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), among other topics.
“Consumer expectations around food safety, transparency, and ingredient integrity are evolving, and the food system must rise to meet that demand,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “At IFT FIRST, we bring together experts from across academia, industry, and government to tackle complex challenges head-on—and ensure that we’re not just keeping up with change but driving it.”
IFT FIRST unites top experts throughout the science of food disciplines. Through cutting-edge scientific programming and multi-disciplinary discussions, IFT FIRST addresses the biggest issues impacting the food industry across novel technology and innovation, health and nutrition, sustainability and climate, food safety, and consumer insights. The dynamic expo floor, a celebration of the latest food innovations and technologies, features some of the top food, health, and wellness companies in the world launching or showcasing the products and solutions that will help usher in a new era of food.
This year, the latest food ingredient innovations will be on full display, including Sensient’s butterfly pea flower extract. The industry’s first plant-derived natural blue source, butterfly pea flower extract was one of three natural food dyes recently approved by the FDA. Meanwhile, leading food safety companies such as Datacor will showcase software solutions that help food and beverage manufacturers uphold stringent food safety and compliance standards. Featuring capabilities like real-time production monitoring, full batch traceability, integrated quality control, and audit-ready documentation, these tools support proactive risk management and regulatory compliance across the supply chain.
Register for IFT FIRST. Members receive special pricing to IFT FIRST. To learn more about becoming a member and taking advantage of networking and education opportunities year-round, email [email protected].
About IFT FIRST
IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo is one of the most influential food technology events in the world as it unites instrumental leaders across the global food system to help shape the future of food. Each year, IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) convenes prominent food, health, and nutrition professionals across industry, academia, and government to collaborate, innovate, and educate. IFT FIRST features a dynamic expo floor that connects many of the top global food and wellness companies with buyers and those with purchasing influence, while also offering cutting-edge scientific programming that explores the hottest topics across the science of food. IFT FIRST also offers valuable networking opportunities, unique food competitions, and engaging interactive experiences to connect, enrich, and empower attendees in their missions to transform the global food system. For more information, go to www.iftevent.org.
About Institute of Food Technologists
Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.
Contacts
Media Contacts
Dennis Van Milligen
Director, External Relations
Institute of Food Technologists
630-853-3022
[email protected]
Frannie Comstock
Manager, PR and Organizational Communications
Institute of Food Technologists
513-374-8900
[email protected]
