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Food Industry Trends: Sustainability, Health & Innovation

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/01/15 .. try-trends-sustainability-health-innovation.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, January 15th 2026 at 2:22 GMT by Business Wire

A Look Back and Forward: Key Themes Emerge

The 2025 expo highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices across the entire food value chain. Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and eco-friendly options, pushing companies to re-evaluate their sourcing, production, and packaging methods. Demonstrations from industry giants like Nestle, showcasing advancements in plant-based proteins and sustainable sourcing initiatives, underscored this shift. We can expect even more sophisticated solutions and measurable impact reporting at IFT FIRST 2026.

PepsiCo's focus on innovative snack and beverage solutions, particularly alternatives to traditional sugars and strategies for reduced-calorie offerings, reflected a broader trend towards healthier food options. This aligns with the ongoing consumer focus on well-being and preventative health. Expect continued innovation here, potentially including breakthroughs in personalized nutrition and functional foods.

Beyond consumer preference, fundamental research into food science plays a vital role. General Mills' research on grain processing and ingredient functionality, and Ingredion's advancements in starch-based ingredients demonstrated the critical role of foundational science in driving practical solutions. The importance of these advancements often gets overlooked, but they are critical to creating better tasting, more nutritious, and more sustainable food products.

Beyond the Big Names: Safety and Preservation

Food safety and preservation remained a paramount concern, with DuPont's expertise in these areas showcased prominently in 2025. As global supply chains become more complex and the potential for contamination increases, technologies that ensure food safety and extend shelf life will be essential. The next IFT FIRST promises even more robust technologies and improved traceability systems.

IFT's Role and the Importance of Collaboration

Matt Herrick, IFT's Associate Vice President of Industry Research and Development, previously emphasized the platform's role in fostering collaboration. "IFT FIRST provides a vital platform for the food industry to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge," he stated. This collaborative spirit is at the heart of IFT's mission: to advance the understanding and application of food science and technology for the benefit of humanity. The Institute itself plays a crucial role in connecting researchers, academics, and industry professionals, accelerating the pace of innovation.

Looking Ahead to IFT FIRST 2026

With the advancements showcased in 2025 as a foundation, IFT FIRST 2026 promises to be even more impactful. Expect to see further developments in:

• Cellular Agriculture: Cultivated meat and other cell-based food technologies will likely be a significant area of discussion.
• Precision Fermentation: Using microbes to produce ingredients is gaining traction.
• AI and Machine Learning: Optimizing food production and predicting consumer trends.
• Upcycled Ingredients: Reducing food waste by creating new products from byproducts.

The event serves as a bellwether for the direction of the food industry, highlighting not only current trends but also the future possibilities. For food scientists, technologists, and anyone interested in the future of food, IFT FIRST remains an indispensable event.

Further information and registration details for IFT FIRST 2026 can be found at [ https://www.iftevent.org/first ].