IFT FIRST Keynotes to Tackle Food Misinformation and Rebuild Trust in the Food System
The global food industry is facing a growing challenge: rebuilding public confidence in food science, safety, and innovation in an era increasingly shaped by misinformation and skepticism. To address these concerns, the nonprofit scientific organization Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) will spotlight the importance of scientific transparency, evidence-based communication, and consumer trust during two major keynote sessions at the upcoming IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, scheduled for July 12-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Recognized as one of the world’s leading food science and innovation gatherings, IFT FIRST brings together researchers, policymakers, industry executives, educators, and food technology professionals to examine the future of the global food system. This year’s event places a strong emphasis on restoring confidence in science-backed food policies and helping consumers better understand how food innovations are developed, evaluated, and communicated.
One of the featured keynote sessions, titled “Building Trust: Scientific Consensus and Policy for a Safer Food Future,” will take place on Monday, July 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT. Sponsored by IFT’s Scientific Journals, the session will assemble experts from government agencies, academic institutions, consumer advocacy organizations, and scientific leadership groups to discuss how rigorous research and collaborative consensus-building can shape public policy and strengthen trust in food science.
The keynote will be moderated by Brendan Niemira, PhD, Chief Science and Technology Officer at IFT. During the session, panelists will examine how scientific standards are developed, the challenges associated with defining scientific rigor, and the role transparency plays in improving public understanding of food-related research and regulation. Discussions will also explore how scientific journals, public institutions, and regulatory agencies influence global food safety standards and policy decisions.
The panel features a distinguished group of experts representing multiple perspectives across the food and nutrition landscape. Among the speakers is Andrew Bremer, MD, PhD, Director of the Office of Nutrition Research at the National Institutes of Health, who will provide insights into federal nutrition research priorities and the importance of credible scientific evidence in policymaking.
Angela Odoms-Young, PhD, Associate Professor and Director at Cornell University, will contribute expertise on nutrition equity and community-focused health initiatives, while Anupama Joshi, MS, Vice President of Programs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, will discuss consumer advocacy and the role of public engagement in food policy.
The session will also include Tia M. Rains, PhD, Global Co-Chair of the International Life Sciences Institute, who brings extensive experience in nutrition science and global health collaboration. Mary Ellen Camire, PhD, Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Maine School of Food & Agriculture, will add perspectives on food science education and evidence-based communication.
According to Niemira, public confidence in science depends heavily on transparency and accountability throughout the research process. He emphasized that scientific rigor should not simply be viewed as a label, but rather as a commitment to open methods, responsible interpretation of evidence, and collaborative consensus.
He noted that when scientific evidence is generated and evaluated transparently, policymakers can make stronger, evidence-based decisions while consumers gain greater confidence in the conclusions that shape food safety and nutrition standards. The keynote aims to demonstrate how stakeholders from across the food system can align around credible scientific frameworks that support both effective policy and public trust.
The second major keynote, “Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation: Restoring Confidence in Food Innovation,” is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT. This session will focus on how food scientists, communicators, and industry leaders can better engage with consumers in a digital environment increasingly influenced by misinformation, viral content, and conflicting narratives about food and health.
The discussion will be moderated by Bill McDowell, Editor-in-Chief of Food Technology and Vice President of Content and Channel Strategy at IFT. Panelists will share practical strategies for addressing myths, improving public engagement, and communicating complex scientific topics in ways that resonate with diverse audiences.
The session will feature Laura Lindenfeld, PhD, Executive Director and Professor of Communication at the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. Her work focuses on helping scientists communicate more effectively with public audiences through empathy-driven engagement and storytelling.
Charlie Arnot, Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Food Integrity, will discuss consumer trust research and strategies for improving confidence in the food system through transparency and shared values. Also participating is Roxi Smith, a food science content creator known through Hydroxide, who will offer perspectives on communicating science through digital and social media platforms.
Laura Chalela Hoover, MPH, RDN, Executive Vice President of Food & Beverage at Edelman US, will contribute expertise on public relations, consumer perception, and trust-building campaigns within the food and beverage sector.
McDowell emphasized that effective science communication requires both empathy and scientific rigor. He explained that communicators must first acknowledge consumer concerns and identify common values before presenting scientific consensus and evidence-based findings. According to McDowell, this balanced approach helps make scientific information more accessible, understandable, and ultimately more trustworthy for the public.
Beyond the keynote presentations, IFT FIRST will also host several related sessions examining misinformation, food safety culture, and evidence-based communication practices across the food industry.
One featured session, “What Evidence-Based Communication Strategies Can Food Scientists Use or Adopt to Counter Misinformation and Build Trust?” will bring together experts in nutrition communication, food safety, and regulatory affairs to discuss practical methods for engaging consumers and combating misleading information.
The session will include Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President and CEO of the International Food Information Council, and Alvin Lee, Director of the Center for Processing Innovation at the Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology, serving as hosts.
Additional speakers include Veronica Jaramillo, food scientist and science communicator at The Food Truth Project; Prateek Sharma, Associate Professor at Utah State University; Lynn Warner, Head of North America Regulatory at Givaudan’s Taste & Wellbeing division; and Denisse Colindres, Senior Manager of Nutrition Communication for the Americas at BENEO, Inc.
Another important session, “How Do Effective Food Safety Cultures Contribute to Consumer Trust?” will explore how organizations can strengthen food safety systems while improving transparency and accountability throughout supply chains.
The discussion will feature Layal Karam, Associate Professor of Food Safety at Qatar University, and Lilana Casal-Wardle, Senior Advisor for Food Safety and Supply Chain Risk Management at The Acheson Group, serving as hosts.
Additional panelists include Bertrand Emond, Culture Excellence Lead at Campden BRI; Lone Jespersen, Founder of Cultivate SA; Conrad Choiniere, Director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and Robert Prevendar, Chief Food Safety and Quality Assurance Officer at Yum! Brands.
Collectively, the keynote sessions and supporting discussions underscore IFT’s broader mission to advance the science of food while addressing the growing challenges associated with misinformation, public skepticism, and evolving consumer expectations. As the food industry continues to navigate rapid technological innovation, changing regulatory environments, and heightened public scrutiny, IFT FIRST aims to provide a platform where science, policy, and communication intersect to strengthen trust in the global food system.
By bringing together leaders from academia, government, advocacy groups, and industry, the event seeks to encourage open dialogue and collaborative solutions that support a safer, more transparent, and more resilient future for food science and innovation.
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