Science, AI, and Trust: Insights Ahead of IFT FIRST

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Omnivore

Episode Description

In this special episode of Omnivore, Anupama Joshi of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Alon Chen, co-founder and CEO of Tastewise, join the podcast for a preview of the ideas shaping IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, taking place July 12–15, 2026, in Chicago. Joshi, who will speak in the keynote panel Building Trust: Scientific Consensus and Policy for a Safer Food Future, explores how misinformation, policy gaps, and evolving scientific standards are influencing public trust in food and nutrition and what it will take to build greater transparency and credibility across the food system. Chen, featured in the closing keynote Designing with Agentic Intelligence: Faster, Smarter, Safer Food Innovation, discusses how AI is helping food companies identify emerging trends, translate early signals into actionable insights, and move more quickly from concept to commercialization. Together, these conversations highlight the intersection of science, policy, and technology that will define discussions at IFT FIRST—and the challenges and opportunities facing food professionals today.

Plus: This episode of Omnivore is brought to you by IFT FIRST—Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. Join us July 12–15, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Learn more at ift.org.

Featured Guests

Anupama Joshi Vice President of Programs

Anupama Joshi, vice president of programs, Center for Science in the Public Interest, is a social change leader with executive management experience in nonprofits and philanthropy. She has more than 20 years of success in developing and scaling national and international programs, building coalitions, shaping policy, advancing racial equity, and leading through change.
Alon Chen CEO

Alon Chen is CEO and co-founder of Tastewise, an AI-driven intelligence and execution platform for the food and beverage industry. A former Google executive, Chen now helps food and beverage companies use artificial intelligence to identify trends, develop products, and bring innovations to market faster.

Omnivore

IFT’s Omnivore and Omnivore Presents: SciDish podcasts spark lively, thought-provoking conversations with the science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food. Each episode delivers sharp analysis, practical insights, and bold ideas designed to challenge assumptions, ignite innovation, and energize your work across the global food system.

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