IFT Workshops
July 12-13, 2025
IFT Workshops are the place to develop new skills and gain the insights needed to feed your thirst for knowledge and supercharge your growth. With high-demand topics, led by experts and industry professionals, our workshops give you inside access to the insights and trends shaping the science of food.
So as you’re finalizing your plans to join us in Chicago for IFT FIRST, take charge of your career – and your development – with our in-person workshops.
As a reminder, all 2025 workshops are being held at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk Headquarter Hotel.
Workshop Registration Includes
- Digital course materials
- Catered lunch
- Course certificate worth 14 credit hours
- Invitation to a complimentary happy hour and networking event
Contact us at [email protected] with any questions for additional assistance.
Why Attend?
What makes IFT Workshops the ideal partner for expanding your personal and career growth? It’s simple, IFT Workshops give you:
- Cutting-edge insights – Explore the latest trends, breakthroughs, and research findings that matter most to you.
- Access to experts – Engage with renowned thought leaders and innovators who are at the forefront of the science of food community.
- Hands-on experience: Each workshop includes interactive sessions, offering a deep dive into practical applications, helping attendees further develop their professional skills and advance their careers.
- Networking Opportunities: Make new connections with peers from around the world – whether virtually or in person – in the name of food science.
Workshop Offerings
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Food Science for the Non-Food Scientist
One of IFT ’s most popular workshops, Food Science for the Non-Food Scientist helps you better understand and communicate with your technical teams and customers. Learn the basic principles of food science and equip yourself with an enhanced understanding of the role of food science in the development of food products. Gain a better understanding of the importance of food safety, basic regulatory issues and food science trends.
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Labeling Requirements and Implications for Foods Marketed in the U.S.
Food labeling requirements in the U.S. are complex, and constantly changing, meaning you need to stay ahead of the curve. Get the foundational and practical knowledge you need to comply with both established and newer labeling laws and regulations for conventional foods, including meat and poultry. Plus, learn about emerging issues helping regulatory professionals and product developers react properly to marketplace drivers other than legal changes, such as consumer interest in clean/clear labeling, alternative protein products, corporate social responsibility, responsible sourcing.
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Exploring Artificial Intelligence for Next-Level Food Innovation
Build a deep understanding of artificial intelligence through hands-on exercises, industry use cases, and insights from AI thought leaders. Partnered with Sidecar, this workshop gives attendees the knowledge, skills, and confidence to harness the power of AI within their own organizations and roles. Sidecar will set up a dedicated instance of Betty, a personalized IFT AI assistant, tailored to IFT's content to create a real-world experience to show participants the value of integrating AI into their daily routines.
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Sustainable Packaging: Reducing Carbon Footprint & Food Waste
Explore sustainable packaging strategies aimed at minimizing carbon footprints and reducing food waste and discover the cutting-edge innovations driving the food packaging industry to rethink plastic packaging for more sustainable solutions. Find ways your organization can align with ambitious sustainability targets and contribute to a circular economy.
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NextGen Food Safety: Bridging Farm to Table with Smart Tech Solutions
Inspired and led by IFT's Food Microbiology Division, this workshop is designed for agri-food industry professionals seeking enhanced training, in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and more. We’ll also introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) for advanced food safety applications, with an overall goal of providing attendees with a deep understanding of smart food safety practices.