IFT FIRST to Address How the Top Consumer Insights Will Drive Future Product Development

CHICAGO – April 24, 2025 – 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 equip food and beverage leaders with the knowledge to create game-changing products and solutions when it provides indispensable consumer insights at IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo. IFT FIRST is the annual food science and technology event that is being held July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

IFT FIRST unites top experts throughout the science of food disciplines across academia, industry, and government. 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.

IFT will also be unveiling a revolutionary new approach to R&D and product development that will transform how food and beverage organizations anticipate and react to consumer trends and preferences.

“In every part of the food system, staying attuned to evolving consumer preferences is vital to being competitive and delivering what consumers want and need,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “At IFT FIRST, you can expect a wide range of content—from expert-led scientific sessions to insights-driven programming—that will help attendees anticipate market shifts and spark the innovation necessary to lead the future of food.”

At IFT FIRST's opening keynote, Michiel Bakker, President of Culinary Institute of America and former head of Google’s global workplace programs including Food at Google, will address Food as Experience Design: Applications in F&B Product Development where he will share insights on the importance of food and beverage businesses balancing profitability with public health and consumer demands and highlight the importance of integrating product and service for enhanced consumer engagement.

There are also several can’t-miss scientific sessions focused on consumer insights, including:

• “How Can Improved Consumer Education Foster Sustainable Food Acceptance?”
• “How Can Food Companies Earn Trust While Combatting Misinformation?”
• “Meeting Industry Needs: Recruiting and Retaining Food Science Students”
• “How Do Consumer Perceptions Influence Ingredient Avoidance and Purchasing Decisions?”

Hosts and panelists will include a variety of IFT member experts in leadership positions at top companies and from leading academic institutions including:

• Jordan Allen (Ingredion)
• Wolfgang Bindzus, PhD (Cereal Partners Worldwide by Nestlé and General Mills)
• Edith DeVita (Mars Inc. and Mars Wrigley)
• Clifford Hall, PhD (South Dakota State University)
• Nitin Joshi, PhD (PepsiCo)
• Jonathan Kershaw, PhD (Brigham Young University)
• K.P. Sandeep, PhD (North Carolina State University)
• Xiaolei Shi, PhD (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Fatheema Subhan, PhD (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona)
• Job Ubbink, PhD (University of Minnesota)

Attendees interested in becoming members and potentially presenting at a future IFT FIRST can stop by IFT HUB on the expo floor to learn more or email [email protected].

Early bird pricing has been extended to May 2, 2025. Register for IFT FIRST.

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.

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]