IFT to examine latest food ingredients and technologies

The show, which is considered to be the largest global ingredients event, will take place at Chicago's McCormick Place between July 28 and August 1. The event's major theme this year is Health, Wellness and Foods,​ reflecting a general move throughout all sectors of the food industry to find ways to address an increased global demand for 'healthier' food and beverage products. Exhibit pavilions on the IFT show floor include Healthy Food Ingredients; Organic Food Ingredients; market research pavilions (Mintel and Innova); and a New Products & Technologies Forum. The show is also a hub of new science impacting the industry, and will feature 150 scientific sessions and 1,400 oral and poster presentations. Science sessions include: It may be healthy but how do we know it's safe to eat,​ which will address the regulatory and safety issues of minute food contaminants; and Healthy aspects of spices and herbs,​ which will examine recent research on the physiological effects of the ingredients. In addition: Technology transfer: Translating food science research outcomes into industrial applications,​ which will focus on the interface between basic research outcomes and the applications resulting in new food products and processes; and Practice makes Perfect: Recall simulation workshop,​ which will allow attendees to participate in an interactive recall simulation workshop where they learn industry best practices and current regulatory and legal requirements involved in managing a successful recall. This year's keynote session will be presented by Jason Jennings, who is described as a 'business thought-leader'. Jennings will speak about innovation in the food industry, and what leading organizations are doing to keep innovation alive. In addition, the show will feature a presentation from executives of General Mills, Campbell's Soup and Kraft Foods, who will talk about the food industry's approach to health, wellness, and foods, and how foods weigh in on corporate impact on consumers' health. Sustainability and the food industry will also be discussed by experts in sustainable food supplies, packaging, and products from companies including Wal-Mart, Unilever, and Kraft Foods. Another presentation will look at the 'changing face of organic consumers',​ where the characteristics and buying motives of different types of organic consumers will be examined. Alongside the packed presentation program, the exhibition floor will be no less loaded, with over 1,000 firms due to be exhibiting their newest ingredients, applications and technologies. FoodNavigator-USA.com and NutraIngredients-USA.com will be reporting from the show on new ingredients and science impacting the industry.