July 31, 2023
All in the name of science
It's been a busy couple of months for the FaBA team attending major conferences globally to reflect on innovations expected to reach the Australian food and beverage sector in the coming years.
FaBA Director and IFT President Dr Chris Downs attended IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) in Chicago in July. The largest since 2019, IFT FIRST was an opportunity for research and industry leaders to connect scientific development with industry need.
“It is you who are working to ‘future-proof’ the food system. Wherever there is a challenge, you consistently bring science, innovation and a resolute spirit that carries us forward to ensure that people around the world have access to safe, nutritious and sustainable food,” he told delegates.
Also in July, FaBA sponsored AIFST23 in Melbourne which focused on food security and sustainability.
FaBA Associate Director Operations Dr Sue O’Brien said the conference centred on many of the challenges FaBA was working to address.
“For the Australian F&B manufacturing sector to keep pace, it must be an early adopter of technologies such as AI and responsible innovation,” she said.
“It was fascinating to learn not only about current developments, but also some of the visionary work being carried out particularly in relation to food waste, plant-based proteins and growing plants in space.”