Food Packaging division

Food Packaging Division

Join the Food Packaging Division to discuss important and novel topics, technologies, and research inspiring the future of food packaging. #FoodPackaging


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Olive Li

 Food Packaging Division
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1000+

Division Members
Adults talking in a meeting around a table

1977

Year Founded
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36

Food Packaging Awards
...in honor of Don Riester, Rees Davis, and Aaron Brody awarded since 1986.

Noteworthy Programs

Student Food Packaging Development Competition

This annual international competition honors advancements in student food packaging development. Launched in 2019, students are challenged with developing a packaging solution to address a problem or need related to food packaging. A general certificate along with monetary prizes are awarded every year, along with recognition at the annual IFT FIRST Food Packaging, Food Engineering, and Nonthermal Processing Division joint social. 9 student winners have been awarded since 2019.

Learn more

IFT Achievement Award: Food Packaging Award in honor of Don Riester, Rees Davis, and Aaron Brody

The Food Packaging Award is one of IFT Achievement Awards. It honors an individual who has provided lifetime contributions to innovation in food packaging technology. Since 1986, 35 recipients have been recognized with this award.

Award Details

Division Accomplishments/Recognition

The Outstanding Volunteer award honors a current Division member who provided exemplary volunteer work to the Division in the current year. The 2023-2024 recipient is Tom Seymour.

The Outstanding Service award honors current Division members who have demonstrated a history of service to the Division or field. The 2023-2024 recipient is Eva Almenar.

Student Food Packaging - Development Competition winners

  • First Place: Amarthya Benigna Achmadi, Que Trinh Tran, and Annisa Mutiara Faida, University of New South Wales, Bamboo-Wheat Straw Biocomposites: A Sustainable Solution for Food Packaging
  • Second Place: Taylor Beck and Rinky Ghosh, The Ohio State University, Development of Sustainable Food Packaging with Enhanced Properties: Utilizing a Waste-Derived Plasticizer, Eggshells, and Natural Rubber in PHBV Bioplastic Blends
  • Third Place: Monjurul Hoque and Rahel Suchinitita Das, University College, Cork, Greening the packaging horizon: Fruit waste and seaweed revolution in food packaging

3 published review papers in Encyclopedia of Food Safety

  • Eva Almenar, Melvin Pascall, Min DeGruson – Novel and Sustainable Packaging
  • Melvin Pascall, Shyam Sablani, Peyton Greenwood - Aseptic Packaging
  • Min DeGruson, XiaoJing (Kate) Liu - Packaging Materials and Auxiliary Materials

Ongoing discussions on a grant writing activity

Quarterly newsletters

Division Oral Competition Finalists

  • First: Aaron Dudley, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University: Nanoencapsulation of Hemp Extract in Electrospun Nanofiber: Characterization of Physical Attributes, Release Profile, and Application as Active Film for Packaging
  • Second: Byeol Yi Kim, Seoul Women's University: Application of an Ethylene Indicator Using Potassium Permanganate to Monitor Freshness of Banana and Kiwi
  • Third: Cecilia Hernandez-Hosaka, Oregon State University: Cellulose Materials Obtained From Spent Coffee Grounds as Functional Biopolymers

Upcoming Events right arrow

Supplier Event

Maryland Section IFT Suppliers Night

Owings Mills, Maryland

Course

Revealing Emerging Food Trends: Insights for the Global FB Industry - Virtual Workshop

Online

Expo

Great Lakes Section IFT Supplier Night and Expo

Battle Creek, Michigan

Supplier Event

Great Lakes Section IFT 2025 Suppliers Day

Battle Creek, Michigan

How to Join a Division

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