Each year, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) holds their annual meeting and expo. Since 1939, IFT has been bringing the most creative minds in the science of food and technology together to collaborate, learn, and contribute, all with the goal of inspiring and transforming collective scientific knowledge into innovative solutions for the benefit of all people around the world. IFT’s annual event and Food Expo is an excellent way to be one of the first to see some of the latest advancements and innovations in the science of food. Leading researchers and industry representatives come to IFT’s annual event to share their discoveries and soon to be released products. This year, more than 23,000 attendees were in Chicago to take in the educational sessions, networking opportunities, and walk the exhibit hall.
GMO Answers was there to talk to meeting attendees, including food scientists, buyers, food company executives, and students about GMOs. We also attended several sessions, including “The Clash Between Consumer Demands and Responsible Food” and “Embracing Agricultural Coexistence: Organic, Conventional, and Biotechnology.”
GMO Answers volunteer expert and farmer Katie Pratt held a Facebook Live chat during the show to talk about her three top takeaways:
- Food scientists overwhelmingly support GMO technologies and are looking for tools to be able to talk to the public about them.
- There is a disconnect between food scientists, nutritionists, dietitians on the R&D side of food companies and the marketing side, who are much more driven by trends and perceived consumer demand.
- Ultimately, farmers, scientists, and food companies all want the same thing: to provide healthy, safe, and affordable food to all.
Check out Katie’s Facebook Live to learn more about our experience at #IFT18.
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