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Episode 57

The Hottest Trends in Functional Foods, Upbeat About Upcycling, Welcome Gen Z

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Omnivore

Episode Description

Dr. Liz Sloan, who has kept a close eye on functional food and beverage trends for decades, shares her take on what’s ahead for this market in the year ahead. Dr. Lara Ramdin, widely known as the Upcycling Queen, talks to Omnivore about how upcycling not only reduces food waste but also offers a chance to enhance nutrition accessibility, support circular economies, and provide sustainable solutions to food insecurity. Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, discusses what Generation Z brings to the workforce and how mentorship can help build strong bridges between the generations.

This episode of Omnivore is brought to you by IFT FIRST--Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. Join food system professionals at McCormick Place in Chicago, July 13-16, 2025, for the industry's premier event connecting innovation, science, and business. Learn more at iftevent.org.

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Floating oranges and limes with a knife slicing through an orange.

Featured Guests

  • FT_Liz_Sloan

    A. Elizabeth Sloan President

    A. Elizabeth Sloan, PhD, is CEO and president of consumer trends consultancy Sloan Trends Inc. and a longtime contributing editor of Food Technology magazine. A veteran of work in industry, media, and public relations, Sloan received a PhD in food science and technology from the University of Minnesota.  

  • Dr. Lara Ramdin

    Lara Ramdin Chief Scientist

    Lara Ramdin, PhD, is a chief scientist, storyteller, and innovation leader working at the intersection of food, beauty, and circularity.

  • Huy Nguyen

    Huy Nguyen

    Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, is an entrepreneur and educational innovator with an extensive background in executive management serving in lead roles with technology startups and Fortune 100 companies. His non-profit platform, Solve Community Challenges (SolveCC), has pioneered a transformative approach to higher education, enabling colleges and universities to deeply engage students with their communities through collaborative experiential learning.

Categories

  • Food Health Nutrition

  • Functional Foods

  • Podcasts

  • Omnivore

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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