Tag Archives: Institute of Food Technologists

EP 18: Generational Marketing, FDA’s Food Traceability Rule, The ‘Skinny’ on Skinny Butcher



In this episode of Omnivore, our hosts interview food science thought leaders appearing in the pages of the August 2023 issue of Food Technology. Consumer trends expert Dr. Liz Sloan delves into the defining characteristics of key market segments ranging from youthful Generation Alpha to aging baby boomers and matures. IFT traceability experts Blake Harris and Sara Bratager provide insights into FDA’s final Food Traceability Rule and the need for speed in planning to meet the compliance deadline of January 20, 2026. Dave Zilko, CEO and cofounder of plant-based meat alternatives startup Skinny Butcher, chats about how the brand’s formulation, marketing, and to-market strategy help set it apart from its competitors. 

Plus: Find out more about IFT’s new Product Development Bootcamp, a comprehensive, 10-module online course designed to equip food and beverage professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to elevate and accelerate product development. Learn more at www.ift.org/bootcamp. 


EP 17: Sustainable Product Positioning, Plant-Based Product Safety, Where NOVA Goes Awry



Dr. Dave Lundahl, CEO of behavioral research firm InsightsNow, talks about the importance of—and challenges related to—sustainable food and beverage product positioning. Dr. Erdogan Ceylan joins us once again, this time to discuss potential food safety risks when formulating plant-based foods. Drs. Job Ubbink and Allen Levine assess the shortcomings (and strengths) of NOVA food classification. Plus: Find out more about IFT’s new Product Development Bootcamp, a comprehensive, 10-module online course designed to equip food and beverage professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to elevate and accelerate product development. Learn more at www.ift.org/bootcamp. 


EP 16: Campbell’s Innovation Engine, Fun Snacks for Kids, Upcycled Ingredient Tips



In the July episodes of Omnivore, Food Technology magazine’s award-winning editors bring you into the room with a not-to-be-missed line-up of food scientists and industry thought leaders. Craig Slavtcheff, executive vice president and chief R&D and innovation officer at Campbell Soup, talks about how the 154-year-old company keeps its innovation engine churning using agile design methodology and its Maker’s Culture. Jon Harrington, senior brand director at Beech-Nut Nutrition Co., discusses trends and challenges in making snacks for kids. Sargento scientists Dr. Karthik Sajith Babu and Kartik Shah give the scoop on the challenges of using upcycled food ingredients when developing new or updated products. 

Plus: This episode is sponsored by Food Technology Magazine. IFT Members receive Food Technology Magazine in print or digitally as a member benefit. Become an IFT member today. Subscribe to Food Technology Magazine at www.ift-omnivore.org/foodtech. 

 https://ift-omnivore.org/foodtech 


EP 15: Mars CSO Abigail Stevenson, Inside the Genomics Institute, Eco-Certification Programs



In the July episodes of Omnivore, Food Technology magazine’s award-winning editors bring you into the room with a not-to-be-missed line-up of food scientists and industry thought leaders. Dr. Abigail Stevenson, chief science officer at Mars, talks about the science that sparks her joy as she leads Mars’ efforts from blue sky to practical application to future-proof food innovation. Dr. Brad Ringeisen, executive director of the Innovative Genomics Institute, offers a fascinating overview of the institute’s research initiatives related to the use CRISPR gene-editing to bring about next-gen agricultural advances. Consultant and sustainability expert Arlin Wasserman comments on the unintended consequences of the proliferation of eco-certification programs.  

 Plus: This episode is sponsored by Food Technology Magazine. IFT Members receive Food Technology Magazine in print or digitally as a member benefit. Become an IFT member today. Subscribe to Food Technology Magazine at www.ift-omnivore.org/foodtech. 

https://ift-omnivore.org/foodtech 


EP 13: Fighting Food Fraud, IFT FIRST Preview, The Accidental Food Scientist



In the June episodes of Omnivore, Food Technology magazine’s award-winning editors bring you into the room with a not-to-be-missed line-up of food scientists and industry thought leaders. Kantha Shelke, principal at Corvus Blue, talks about how supply chain interruptions can open the door to fraudsters and what food companies can do to mitigate and prevent food fraud. Michelle Braun discusses what’s new at this year’s IFT FIRST annual event. Julie Emsing Mann shares how she stumbled into food science and why it’s important proactively recruit young people into the profession. Plus: Find out how Kalsec’s DuraShield Natural Food Protection Blends help extend shelf life while keeping your meat or poultry product’s label clean. 


EP 12: Climate-Friendly Snacks, Foodservice Innovation, Global Food System Challenge



Listen to the latest stellar line-up of food science-meets-business experts in this episode of Omnivore fresh from the pages of the May 2023 issue of Food Technology magazine. Bright Future Foods cofounders Jennifer McKnight and Mark Izzo offer a candid recounting of what it takes to build a climate-friendly snack brand. Chef Allison Rittman, founder of consultancy Culinary Culture, shares her thoughts on the future of foodservice innovation and what value means to today’s consumers. Five top winners in the Seeding The Future Global Food Systems Challenge talk about the impact the Challenge prizes and grants will have on their respective projects—each of which is functioning in a different way to help transform and advance the food system. Plus: Get fast, accurate technical support customized for your R&D and Innovation teams with an IFT Concierge Membership. 


EP 11: Clean Label Seasonings, the Future of Food at SXSW, Healthy Food Labels



Listen to the latest stellar line-up of food science-meets-business experts in this episode of Omnivore fresh from the pages of the May 2023 issue of Food Technology magazine. Unilever R&D senior scientist Neval Ceyhun shares expert advice on the five elements necessary to develop a clean label strategy for seasonings. From sessions on cultivated meat to using NASA satellite data to help solve food insecurity, the South by Southwest 2023 conference’s food track took a deep dive into shoring up the global food system. Deputy Managing Editor Kelly Hensel talks about her time at the conference and some of the key takeaways. The long-awaited update to FDA’s healthy food label guidelines was unveiled last fall. But dietitian and recipe analyst Linn Steward says the new rules overlook palatability, which could hinder their effectiveness with consumers. Plus: Get fast, accurate technical support customized for your R&D and Innovation teams with an IFT Concierge Membership. 


EP 10: The Jack in the Box Effect, Gluten-Free Breads, Marie Wright on Flavor



This episode of Omnivore features all-new conversations on timely topics with leading food scientists and industry experts taken from the pages of the April 2023 issue of Food Technology magazine. US Foods’ Dr. Ann Marie McNamara joins us to talk about the 30th anniversary of the Jack in the Box E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and how it revolutionized food safety. USDA researchers Ryan Ardoin and Brennan Smith discuss their recent study of gluten-free breads without bitterness. ADM’s Marie Wright shares her journey as a flavorist in her 30-plus year career. Plus: Register today for IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, July 16-19, 2023. 


EP 9: Food Safety Change Agent, Cool Tips on Freeze/Thaw, Top Trends for 2023



This episode of Omnivore features new conversations on timely topics with leading food scientists and industry experts taken from the pages of the April 2023 issue of Food Technology magazine. We have a chat with microbiologist and food industry executive Theo Morille to discuss key food safety learnings from her 35-plus year career that’s taken her from the lab to the C-suite. IFT’s Tracy Fink offers cool tips on how to mitigate freeze/thaw issues in refrigerated and frozen foods. Food Technology Contributing Editor Liz Sloan shares her take on the year’s highest-priority consumer trends. Plus: Register today for IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, July 16-19, 2023.


EP 8: Nutrition for the Ages, Food for Women’s Health, Food as Medicine



In this episode of Omnivore, our hosts interview food science thought leaders appearing in the pages of the March 2023 issue of Food Technology. Harvard’s David Eisenberg talks about the potential of food as medicine and the need for more industry partnership. FT contributing editor Linda Milo Ohr talks nutraceuticals and functional ingredients that can help us age well. Dr. Linda Alvarez discusses the importance of recognizing nutritional differences in men and women and her new product launch. Plus: Register today for IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, July 16-19, 2023.