NATEEO AT IFT FIRST IN CHICAGO BETWEEN SCIENCE AND FOOD INNOVATION

Researchers, scientists and entrepreneurs from across the global food supply chain gathered in Chicago for the world’s largest food science and innovation fair, IFT First, organised by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

Our CEO, Silvia Santarelli, had the opportunity to explore the US food market and interact with its main players, closely observing the latest innovative solutions, new technologies, new products, services, ingredients.

This year’s theme, ‘𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦?’ allowed us to address topical issues.

Here are some highlights:

• 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: is fuelling revolutionary advances in predictive analytics, precision engineering, biotechnology and food development. The support of technologies, such as precision agriculture and blockchain for supply chain transparency, has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce and consume food, making it more efficient, transparent and sustainable.

 

• 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: it is now essential to integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of food production and distribution. Sustainable agriculture, for example, significantly reduces the carbon footprint of food production, thus contributing to the fight against climate change. Ingredients must meet the ‘good test’, i.e. they must be good for nutrition, good for taste, good for farmers’ livelihoods and good for the climate.

 

• 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: progress in this field goes beyond the mere availability of food, involving the use of transformative partnerships and the application of cutting-edge food science to ensure safe and nutritious food for all.

 

• 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: a pavilion of almost 100 start-ups, all with the potential to transform the food system. They include Scentian Bio, a technology company combining insect biology with nanotechnology in sensory devices, winner of the event’s Pitch 2024 competition; NuCicer, an ingredient producer specialising in chickpea flours and proteins; and Chainparency, a traceability software company based on blockchain technology.

 

Collaboration and the integration of diverse perspectives, disciplines and contexts are key to making the food system safer, fairer and more sustainable!

IFT First was a valuable experience of networking and sharing with the US market, enriched by a constructive overview of the challenges, opportunities and perspectives of the global food industry, issues to which Nateeo is committed to actively contribute!