Bryan Hitchcock Named Institute of Food Technologists’ Chief Science and Technology Officer
Chicago – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced the promotion of Bryan Hitchcock to chief science and technology officer, a top leadership position within the nonprofit scientific institute committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system. Hitchcock assumes the role from former IFT President John Ruff who has served in an interim capacity for the past two years.
Hitchcock joined IFT in 2019 as senior director, food chains, and executive director of the Global Food Traceability Center, spearheading efforts to address food traceability challenges and harness opportunities across the supply chain.
“Over the past three years, Bryan has expanded the reach and reputation of our Global Food Traceability Center and built its project portfolio,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Through his superb strategic capabilities, vision, and leadership, he has championed sound science and its application. I look forward to Bryan’s continued contributions to IFT as he assumes this important role.”
As chief science and technology officer, Hitchcock will oversee critical science of food initiatives, stewarding foundational scientific research through to its application in the food system. He will continue to lead the Global Food Traceability Center while also overseeing IFT’s Science and Policy, Knowledge and Learning, and scientific journal publishing teams.
“I’m thrilled to serve the science of food profession as IFT’s chief science and technology officer,” Hitchcock said. “As the global food system rapidly evolves, science and technology play an increasingly critical role; together, we at IFT can make a tremendous impact to ensure a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supply.”
Prior to joining IFT, Hitchcock spent nearly two decades at PepsiCo, most recently as R&D senior director, where he attained extensive product and process development expertise in the food and beverage industry and gained a wealth of experience in new product and technology innovation, ingredients, processing, quality/food safety, supply chain, and people development.
Learn more about IFT’s senior leadership team here.
More IFT Press Releases
Semifinalists Announced for $1 Million USD Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge
This year’s Challenge received a record number of submissions (over 900) from 78 countries as multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs submitted their innovative approaches to transform the food system towards better nutrition security and planetary health.
Sean Leighton Assumes Role of Board President at Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists is proud to announce that Sean Leighton has officially assumed the role of Board President succeeding Christopher Downs, PhD.
Former University of Guelph Food Science Student Wanxin (Maggie) Xue Wins Excellence in Leadership Award at IFT FIRST
The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes an undergraduate student member of IFT who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in their execution of student activities that furthers the mission of IFT.
Clemson University Food Science Team Wins College Bowl at IFT FIRST
Since 1985, the IFTSA College Bowl Competition has tested the knowledge of student teams from across the United States in the following areas: food science and technology, the history of foods and food processing, food law, and general IFT/food-related trivia.
More Brain Food Blog Posts
Food Safety: A Quick Take on the Past 30 Years and a Look at What's Ahead
A conversation with IFT's senior food safety and traceability scientist Sara Bratager
August Content Spotlight: Sensory and Consumer Sciences
Sniffing around for resources on sensory and consumer sciences? Here's a taste of IFT's recent featured content on the topic.
July Content Spotlight: Product Innovation
Check out this compilation of IFT resources addressing product innovation from multiple angles.
Latest News
Poisoned Calls for a Bigger Conversation on Food Safety
Former FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas discusses what the Netflix documentary Poisoned got right—and what it missed—about modern food safety.
Food Safety: A Quick Take on the Past 30 Years and a Look at What's Ahead
A conversation with IFT's senior food safety and traceability scientist Sara Bratager
IFT Honors 2023 Class of Fellows
A collection of quotes from the 2023 Fellows from the 2023 IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo.
Baking in Innovation
A look at five key focus areas in the bakery category, which has performed well in the past year.
Greek Yogurt in Pizza Dough Cottage Cheese Snacks Natural Sugar Substitutes
A column describing three new consumer products available for purchase.