July 11 - 14, 2027 in Chicago, IL

IFT FIRST

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 edition of IFT FIRST in Chicago!
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Attendees at IFT FIRST expo at McCormick Place in Chicago
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The Leading Food Science and Innovation Event

At IFT FIRST, advocacy for science, innovation, and the power of collaboration take center stage. IFT FIRST is where researchers, suppliers, decision-makers, and more come together to connect, collaborate, and learn. Experience how research meets real world applications at IFT FIRST.

85+

Years of Scientific Credibility

1,000+

Exhibitors

100+

Educational Sessions

450+

Posters

3

Impactful Days

IFT FIRST Coverage

Explore editorial coverage from IFT FIRST, including keynote and session highlights, expert interviews, expo hall photo stories, and more.

Read More News

from left: Pelin Wood Thorogood (Radicle Science), Jay Gilbert (IFT), Anshul Dubey (PepsiCo), and John Ennis (Aigora)

Aug 25, 2026

What Comes After AI Insights?

Food innovation leaders at IFT FIRST explored where artificial intelligence is delivering value today, what the technology still struggles to do, and why better tools make human judgment more—not less—important.

Food Technology Magazine

Female scientist working on computer in laboratory

Aug 25, 2026

Building AI Literacy

As AI enters more food-industry workflows, Purdue’s Hanyu Chen says workforce training should focus on critical thinking, data literacy, and accountability—not any one tool.

Food Technology Magazine

Portrait of woman operating machines at food factory

Aug 25, 2026

Putting Plant Data to Work

Food manufacturers may already have the plant data they need to uncover energy savings. AI can help turn that information into actionable insight.

Food Technology Magazine

Sensory Analysis of Sea Fish Sample in a Test Tube

Aug 25, 2026

Can AI Predict Deliciousness?

Researchers are testing whether AI can help product developers predict sensory performance and narrow the field before the most promising plant-based formulations reach sensory panels.

Food Technology Magazine

Person preparing food by beating eggs in a bowl

Aug 25, 2026

Closing the Egg Replacement Gap

Ingredion researchers used machine learning to narrow the formulation space for egg-reduced baked goods, but human sensory expertise remained essential to getting the texture right.

Food Technology Magazine

An exhibitor speaking in front of a crowd of people around their booth at IFT FIRST.

Exhibit at IFT FIRST

Get in front of the people shaping the future of food. Download the 2027 Exhibitor Prospectus to see who you can reach, why they attend, and how to get your company in the room.

Download the Prospectus

Hot Topics Highlights

IFT’s YouTube Signature Series features high-impact conversations recorded live on the Hot Topics Studio stage at IFT FIRST, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore the forces shaping the future of food.

Watch the Series

In “Assessing Transformative AI Tools for Food Manufacturing: Operations, Safety and Trust,” experts examine how food industry professionals can evaluate AI tools for use in food safety, quality, regulatory, and other high-stakes applications.

In “What Are the Challenges with Increased Demand of Natural and Clean Label Ingredients?” experts examine the technical and operational realities behind growing clean-label expectations.

In “GLP-1 & The Future of Food: Formulating for New Consumer Reality,” experts explore how the growing use of GLP-1 medications is reshaping eating patterns—and what that could mean for food and beverage innovation.

Sponsor ad on the steps of McCormick Place at IFT FIRST as people walk up.

Maximize Your Investment at IFT FIRST

Explore our full range of sponsorship opportunities and discover how an IFT FIRST sponsorship puts your brand in front of high-quality, qualified leads to help achieve your goals.

Become a Sponsor

Explore Past Programming and Events

View Full Schedule

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Individual Presentation: Inside the GLP-1 Tsunami: The Science, the Standards, and the AI Answer Economy

GLP-1 is a structural reset of how people eat. To meet it, the food and beverage industry needs two things it does not yet have. A defensible nutrition…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Scientific & Technical Forum: How Do We Balance AI and Human Expertise in Food Innovation?

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Individual Presentation: Understanding Mechanisms of Light Induced Flavor Development in Milk Using Advanced Analytics

Sulfur-containing amino acids play a crucial role in the generation of initial flavor defects in milk exposed to light. Methionine, in conjunction with…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Individual Presentation: Reverse Micelle Extraction as a Method for Plant Protein Recovery: Insights From Hemp Byproducts

Plant-based protein demand continues to grow, yet conventional protein extraction methods often require a prior defatting step and produce isolates with…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

The Pitch! Finale (presented by Seeding The Future Foundation)

Watch six innovative startups compete live in The Pitch! Finale. Each finalist will deliver a 5-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges and a live audience…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Invited Student Research Presenter: Non-Thermal Hydrodynamic Cavitation Accelerates Cold Brew Coffee Extraction

This presentation features the latest and greatest science from an Invited Student Research Presenter! Invited Student Research Presenters were among the…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Invited Student Research Presenter: Effects of Pressure, Acidity, and Alkali Treatment on Protein Recovery From Insect Biomass Under High-Pressure Extraction Conditions

This presentation features the latest and greatest science from an Invited Student Research Presenter! Invited Student Research Presenters were among the…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Cancelled Individual Presentation: Food Processing Strategies to Mitigate Allergenicity in Edible Insect Proteins

The increasing demand for sustainable protein sources has positioned edible insects as a promising alternative due to their high nutritional value and low…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Individual Presentation: Gas to Solid Technology: Using Solid Ozone to Reduce Food Waste and Foodborne Illness

During this presentation, Stephen Goldman, Onza's Chief Science Officer, will explain how Onza's innovative IP can create entirely new, real-world applications…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

IFT FIRST Event and Expo

Community Conversation: The Future of Food, Unpacked

What forces will truly shape the food system over the next decade—and which trends are simply noise? In this live recording of the Omnivore podcast, futurist…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
IFT Membership

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Get exclusive discounts on IFT FIRST and courses, make new connections through Member Connect, and access publications and journals with an IFT Membership.

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