Institute of Food Technologists
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific association founded in 1939 that serves food science professionals worldwide through membership programs, peer-reviewed journals, the IFT FIRST annual expo, and the CoDeveloper AI R&D platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Institute of Food Technologists does
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific organization founded in 1939 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with 101-250 employees. IFT operates as the global professional association for food scientists and technologists, serving members across industry, academia, and government through a community-led model built on membership programs, local sections, and interest groups. The organization's flagship product is CoDeveloper, an AI-powered R&D platform publicly unveiled at IFT FIRST 2025 that functions as an "AI-enabled co-scientist" built on IFT's 85+ years of peer-reviewed research. Supporting media properties include the Journal of Food Science (published since 1936), Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (ranked #3 globally by Impact Factor and distributed through Wiley Online Library), Food Technology Magazine, the Omnivore Podcast, and the Brain Food Blog.
Institute of Food Technologists firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institute of Food Technologists
- Legal name
- Institute of Food Technologists
- Website
- https://ift.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1936
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific association founded in 1939 that serves food science professionals worldwide through membership programs, peer-reviewed journals, the IFT FIRST annual expo, and the CoDeveloper AI R&D platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institute of Food Technologists industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Association Services
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Safety Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, Preventive Controls) (AFALAAAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Recall Readiness, Crisis Management & Regulatory Liaison (AFALADAG)
Keywords
Where Institute of Food Technologists is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Institute of Food Technologists business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Individual membership fees providing access to publications, networking, career resources, local sections, interest groups, and member discounts on events including IFT FIRST.
- IFT FIRST Event Registration: Annual event and expo registration fees, with IFT members receiving up to 30% discount. Includes scientific sessions, keynotes, workshops, expo hall access, and networking opportunities.
- Scientific Journal Subscriptions: Subscription access to Journal of Food Science and Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety through Wiley Online Library.
- Food Technology Magazine: Subscription-based magazine covering business, science, and technology in the global food system.
- Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers (Flagship, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) for IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, providing brand visibility and lead generation for sponsors.
- Professional Development and Education: Compensation reports, career center services, educational resources, and professional development programs for food science professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership with event discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Institute of Food Technologists product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a nonprofit scientific membership organization that advances food science through individual memberships, peer-reviewed publications, the annual IFT FIRST expo, and policy advocacy. Its flagship commercial product is CoDeveloper, an AI-powered R&D platform that connects food scientists to peer-reviewed research to accelerate formula development. Revenue is generated through membership dues, journal subscriptions (Journal of Food Science, Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety), event registrations and sponsorships, and access to the CoDeveloper platform.
Product overview
IFT operates as a scientific membership organization offering a portfolio of products and services centered on food science knowledge and innovation. The core offering is CoDeveloper, IFT's proprietary AI-powered R&D platform that serves as an 'AI-enabled co-scientist' connecting food scientists to peer-reviewed research for accelerated product development. This is complemented by IFT FIRST, the annual flagship expo event, and a suite of scientific publications including the Journal of Food Science (JFS), Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS), Food Technology Magazine, the Omnivore Podcast, and Brain Food Blog. IFT also provides educational resources, policy advocacy, and professional development through membership programs and the Scientifically Speaking newsletter.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CoDeveloper: AI-powered R&D platform built by food scientists for food scientists, accelerating R&D timelines backed by IFT's 85+ years of proven science
- Journal of Food Science
- Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS)
- Food Technology Magazine
- Omnivore Podcast
- Brain Food Blog
- IFT Feeding Tomorrow Fund
Products and services
- CoDeveloper AI-Powered R&D Platform AI-enabled co-scientist platform that connects food scientists to IFT's 85+ years of peer-reviewed research to accelerate R&D and formula development for food and beverage companies.
- IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo Annual food science and innovation expo convening the global food ecosystem with scientific programming, workshops, an exhibition hall with exhibitors and sponsors, and a startup pavilion.
- Journal of Food Science (JFS) Peer-reviewed scientific journal (since 1936) publishing original research reports and critical reviews across the food science spectrum, distributed via Wiley Online Library.
- Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS) Peer-reviewed journal ranked #3 globally in Impact Factor for Food Science, publishing in-depth critical reviews on food science, safety, and technology topics.
- Food Technology Magazine Subscription-based magazine covering the intersection of business, science, and technology in the global food system, available in print and digital editions.
- Omnivore Podcast Podcast featuring conversations with science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food, including AI in food safety and food innovation topics.
- IFT Membership Program Annual individual membership program providing access to publications, networking, local sections, interest groups, career resources, and event discounts for food science professionals.
- IFT Feeding Tomorrow Fund Scholarships Educational scholarships and career resources administered through the Feeding Tomorrow Fund to support food science students and advance careers in the field.
- Career Center and Compensation Reports Career services including compensation reports, job board, and professional development programs for food science professionals.
Quantifiable outcome
- AI in Food and Beverages Market projected to reach $79.05 billion by 2035 (12.12% CAGR)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Institute of Food Technologists
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Institute of Food Technologists technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Institute of Food Technologists partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kerry GroupcoreSponsor of IFT free public webinar on 'Top Trends Transforming Food Innovation in 2026'. Industry professionals from Kerry Group featured as speakers discussing consumer insights, ingredient safety, and policy developments.
- Food and Drink FederationcoreCollaboration partner for the Binsted Lecture on 'Leveraging AI in New Product Development and Food Safety' held at the Food and Drink Federation's London office. Represents long-standing tradition of international collaboration in the global food science community.
- Institute of Food Science and TechnologycoreCollaboration partner for the Binsted Lecture on AI in food innovation. Joint presenter of international food science events and educational initiatives.
- Campden BRIcoreCollaboration partner for the Binsted Lecture on AI in food innovation. Provides scientific and technical expertise in food and drink research, supporting IFT's educational programming.
- Seeding The Future FoundationcorePresents The Pitch! competition at IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion with $15,000 in prizes. Supports bold and impactful food system startups at their earliest stages through recognition and financial support. Bernhard van Lengerich serves as founder and CEO.
- Almond Board of CaliforniaminorSponsor of IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion, supporting emerging food innovators and startup showcase at the annual event.
- IFE ManufacturingminorIFT is curating ingredient innovation programming at IFE Manufacturing event (Food, Drink & Hospitality Week) covering sustainable sourcing, ingredient science, AI in formulation, and healthy diet products.
- Campden BRIminorCo-curating ingredient innovation programme at IFE Manufacturing with IFST, bringing together scientists and industry experts to explore ingredient innovation, sustainable sourcing, and AI-enabled product development.
- TastewisecoreAI food innovation company whose CEO Alon Chen delivers keynote at IFT FIRST on converting consumer signals into science-based decisions. Features AI applications for food innovation and product development.
- Food Industry FSMA 204 CollaborationcoreEight prominent food industry organizations formed collaboration to help industry prepare for FDA's Food Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204). IFT is one of the founding members working to share resources, provide education, and coordinate messaging across the food supply chain.
- Kraft HeinzcoreFormed The Kraft Heinz Not Company joint venture with NotCo, leveraging NotCo's AI-driven formulation expertise (Giuseppe platform) and Kraft Heinz's market presence for plant-based product development.
- IBM ResearchcorePartnership with McCormick & Company to integrate AI into product development. Developed AI system analyzing historical data including flavor formulas, raw material compositions, consumer feedback, and experimental results to identify patterns and suggest novel ingredient combinations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Institute of Food Technologists competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AOAC International: Global nonprofit standards organization developing analytical methods for food safety and quality, publishing the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Closely aligned with IFT's food safety testing, standards, and scientific publication mission.
- Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST): UK-based professional food science society and IFT's established international collaboration partner (co-presents the Binsted Lecture and IFE Manufacturing programming). Membership-based nonprofit serving food scientists through publications, events, and education — directly comparable mission and structure.
- American Society for Nutrition (ASN): Nonprofit scientific society advancing nutrition science research and practice, publishing the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and The Journal of Nutrition, and hosting Scientific Sessions and annual meetings. Highly comparable membership-and-publication nonprofit model targeting an adjacent food/nutrition audience.
- International Association for Food Protection (IAFP): US-based nonprofit professional association for food safety professionals, hosting IAFP Annual Meeting, publishing Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends, and providing food safety education. Directly comparable nonprofit scientific society serving overlapping food science audiences.
Others
- Food and Drink Federation (FDF): UK industry trade association representing food and drink manufacturers; IFT collaborated with FDF on the Binsted Lecture on AI in food innovation. Adjacent industry association rather than a direct scientific society peer, but a representative policy/industry partner in IFT's ecosystem.
- IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion Participants (PeakBridge portfolio): PeakBridge is a venture capital firm sponsoring the IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion; its portfolio (e.g., plant-based, alternative protein startups) represents IFT's emerging startup ecosystem counterpart rather than a direct peer. Included as a representative sponsor/ecosystem player rather than a comparable organization.
Broad incumbents
- American Chemical Society (ACS): Larger scientific professional society with a comprehensive membership, publications (50+ journals including Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry), and conference portfolio. Comparable membership/subscription/events business model at significantly greater scale.
- Society of Toxicology (SOT): Large nonprofit scientific society publishing Toxicological Sciences and The Toxicologist, hosting an Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. Comparable nonprofit membership/publication/events model serving a related scientific regulatory and safety community.
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS): Nonprofit scientific society for pharmaceutical scientists with publications (AAPS Journal, Pharmaceutical Research), an annual meeting (PharmSci 360), and professional development. Comparable nonprofit professional society structure across an adjacent applied-science vertical.
Regional players
- International Society of Automation (ISA): Global nonprofit professional society for automation professionals with publications, standards development, certification programs, and conferences. Comparable nonprofit membership/events/publications model applied to an adjacent technical-industrial community.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Institute of Food Technologists social profiles
Digital presenceInstitute of Food Technologists financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institute of Food Technologists leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Institute of Food Technologists subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Institute of Food Technologists funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Institute of Food Technologists M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments17 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Institute of Food Technologists
What does Institute of Food Technologists do?
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a nonprofit scientific membership organization that advances food science through individual memberships, peer-reviewed publications, the annual IFT FIRST expo, and policy advocacy. Its flagship commercial product is CoDeveloper, an AI-powered R&D platform that connects food scientists to peer-reviewed research to accelerate formula development. Revenue is generated through membership dues, journal subscriptions (Journal of Food Science, Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety), event registrations and sponsorships, and access to the CoDeveloper platform.
Is Institute of Food Technologists a public or private company?
Institute of Food Technologists is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Institute of Food Technologists founded?
Institute of Food Technologists was founded in 1936. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Institute of Food Technologists based?
Institute of Food Technologists is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Institute of Food Technologists make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are IFT FIRST Event Registration, scientific Journal Subscriptions, food Technology Magazine, event Sponsorships and professional Development and Education.
Who are Institute of Food Technologists's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AOAC International, Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), American Society for Nutrition (ASN) and International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). Others are Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and IFT FIRST Startup Pavilion Participants (PeakBridge portfolio). Broad incumbents are American Chemical Society (ACS), Society of Toxicology (SOT) and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). International Society of Automation (ISA) is listed as a regional player.
Does Institute of Food Technologists have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institute of Food Technologists.
What industry is Institute of Food Technologists in?
Institute of Food Technologists's product category is Professional Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAAAN, Food Safety Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, Preventive Controls), with a secondary code of AFALADAG, Recall Readiness, Crisis Management & Regulatory Liaison. Its SIC code is 8731.