IFT FIRST Keynotes to Focus on Addressing Misinformation, Restoring Confidence in the Food System

CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) shared the details of its keynote sessions at the upcoming IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, being held July 12-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“Building Trust: Scientific Consensus and Policy for a Safer Food Future” will be held Monday, July 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT. Sponsored by IFT’s Scientific Journals, the multidisciplinary keynote will bring together leaders from government, academia, industry and consumer advocacy groups to discuss how consensus-building and transparent research inform policy and public trust. The panel, moderated by IFT Chief Science and Technology Officer Brendan Niemira, Ph.D., will not only address the challenges of defining scientific rigor, but will also discuss the importance of transparency as well as the role of scientific journals and agencies in shaping global standards, IFT said. 

Panelists will include:

• Andrew Bremer, M.D., Ph.D.: Director, Office of Nutrition Research at National Institutes of Health
• Angela Odoms-Young, Ph.D.: Associate professor and director, Cornell University
• Anupama Joshi, M.S.: Vice president of programs, Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Tia M. Rains, Ph.D.: Global co-chair, International Life Sciences Institute
• Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D.: Professor of food science and human nutrition, University of Maine School of Food & Agriculture

“Scientific rigor is more than a label; it’s a commitment to transparent methods, accountable interpretation, and consensus built in the open. When we’re clear about how evidence is generated and evaluated, we strengthen policy and rebuild public confidence in science,” said Niemira. “In this keynote, we’ll look at how stakeholders can align on credible standards so policies are grounded in evidence, and people can see why the conclusions deserve their confidence.”

“Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation: Restoring Confidence in Food Innovation,” taking place on Tuesday, July 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT, unites experts across media, academia and industry to share strategies for engaging diverse audiences, countering myths and promoting evidence-based dialogue, according to IFT. Moderated by Bill McDowell, editor-in-chief of Food Technology and vice president of content and channel strategy at IFT, the panel aims to help attendees learn how to leverage storytelling, digital platforms and transparent messaging to champion the integrity of food science and technology worldwide, the institute said. 

Panelists will include:

• Laura Lindenfeld, Ph.D.: Executive director and professor of communication, Alda Center for Communicating Science, Stony Brook University
• Charlie Arnot: Chief executive officer, The Center for Food Integrity
• Roxi Smith: Food science content creator, Hydroxide
• Laura Chalela Hoover, MPH, RDN: Executive vice president, Food & Beverage, Edelman U.S.

“Effective science communication should be a conversation that blends of empathy and rigor. It starts with acknowledging consumer concerns and identifying shared values, then clearly demonstrating how scientific consensus is developed and applied. That combination is what makes credible information more accessible, more likely to be heard and more likely to be trusted,” said McDowell.