Research Institute of Food Science and Technology

What Research Institute of Food Science and Technology does

The Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST) is a national non-profit research institute under Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, headquartered in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, and operating since 2006 (with roots going back to 1981 as a Khorasan branch of the Scientific and Industrial Research Organization). The institute runs two specialized research centers: the Food Materials Science Research Institute (Green Food Technologies, Sensory Science, Food Chemistry, Food Physics) and the Advanced Food Technologies Research Institute (Nano-Technology, Biotechnology, Food Safety and Quality Control). It maintains a pilot plant for scaling laboratory research, an accredited Environmental Laboratory, and a halal food testing laboratory that operates as the first sensory evaluation reference laboratory in eastern Iran.

The institute generates outputs across five revenue streams: industry-commissioned R&D contracts (approximately 90% of research projects are conducted with private sector partners, including Article 13 Knowledge-Based contracts with firms such as Shir Pegah, Dorna, and Payafte Sanat), government research contracts, doctoral education programs (with ~42 enrolled across four PhD tracks), accredited laboratory testing services, and technology transfer and incubation through its Innovation and Technology Center for Special Foods, Food College, and start-up portal (rifst.ac.ir/startup). It signs direct research agreements with food industry enterprises and government organizations, coordinates 34 international scientific cooperation agreements with 12 active international projects, and publishes the peer-reviewed journal "Research and Innovation in Food Science and Industries" (indexed in DOAJ, FSTA, CABI, ISC).

Commercial product outputs span functional foods (low-calorie bran pasta, omega-3 fortified orange juice, probiotic candy, gelatin-free marshmallow, instant saffron powder, date powder, walnut butter), specialized ingredients (flavored sugar, khakshir drink powder, fruit and vegetable wash solution), and food packaging and safety technologies (active antimicrobial films, nano-biosensors, electron beam irradiated packaging films, cold plasma decontamination). Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales of R&D and testing services with government grant funding and a start-up / investor matchmaking portal targeting ticket sizes of 100-500M, 500-1000M, and >1000M Tomans.

Name

Research Institute of Food Science and Technology

Legal name

موسسه پژوهشی علوم و صنایع غذایی

Website

https://rifst.ac.ir

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Research Institute of Food Science and Technology is a government-affiliated national research institute under Iran's Ministry of Science, conducting applied food science R&D, accredited lab testing, doctoral education, and technology transfer for food industry companies, entrepreneurs, and government agencies in Mashhad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Science Research & Development

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned) (AFALADAH), Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy) (BPAIAAAK), Food Testing, Laboratory Oversight & Method Standards (HLAJAEAF)

Keywords

• Food science research
• Food technology development
• Laboratory testing services
• Food packaging innovation
• Halal food certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Mashhad

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Industry Research Contracts: Commissioned R&D projects funded by private sector food companies and government agencies. The institute signs direct research contracts with industry partners for technology development, product reformulation, quality control, and process optimization. Approximately 90% of research projects are conducted with industry participation.
2. Graduate Education (PhD Programs): Research-based doctoral programs in food science and technology, admitting students through national entrance exams. Revenue from tuition and government subsidies for PhD research programs.
3. Laboratory Testing Services: Accredited testing services for food quality, safety, and chemical analysis. The institute operates as an accredited environmental laboratory and provides testing to external clients.
4. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: Transfer of developed technologies, technical knowledge, and know-how to industrial partners. The institute facilitates commercialization of research outputs through its innovation center.
5. Entrepreneurship and Incubation Services: Provision of incubation space, consulting, research, and laboratory services to innovators and startups at various stages from idea through technology readiness levels to industrialization and commercialization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST) is a national research institute under Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology that conducts applied research in food science and technology, provides accredited laboratory testing services, offers research-based PhD programs, and transfers developed food technologies to industry partners. The institute operates two specialized research groups (Food Materials Science and Advanced Food Technologies), a pilot plant, sensory evaluation laboratory, and an Innovation and Technology Center for Special Foods. Approximately 90% of its research projects are conducted with private-sector food industry participation.

Product overview

The Research Institute of Food Science and Technology is a national research institute under Iran's Ministry of Science, operating since 1385 (2006 CE) with a primary mission of food health and safety. The institute operates two main research institutes: the Food Materials Science Research Institute (with groups in Green Food Technologies, Sensory Science, Food Chemistry, and Food Physics) and the Advanced Food Technologies Research Institute (with groups in Nano-Technology, Bio-Technology, and Food Safety & Quality Control). It provides core services including laboratory testing (with environmental lab certification), graduate education (PhD programs in food science), startup/entrepreneurship support, and publishes the 'Research and Innovation in Food Science and Technology' journal. The institute has developed various food products including functional foods (low-calorie pasta, omega-3 fortified juice, probiotic candy), novel food technologies (instant saffron powder, date powder, antimicrobial packaging films), and provides technology transfer services for investors. An Innovation and Technology Center for Special Foods and a Food College support commercialization efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Science and Technology Research Services Commissioned applied research and development services for food industry clients across dairy, bakery, confectionery, meat, beverages, and ingredients sectors, including product reformulation, process optimization, and technology development.
• Accredited Laboratory Testing Services Accredited food testing, quality control, microbial analysis, environmental laboratory testing, and halal food certification services for food manufacturers, government agencies, and exporters.
• Graduate Education and PhD Programs Research-based doctoral (PhD) programs in food science and engineering, serving as an academic channel and talent pipeline for food science research in Iran.
• Startup and Entrepreneurship Services Incubation space, consulting, research support, laboratory services, investor matchmaking, and technology commercialization services for food technology startups and entrepreneurs at all stages from idea through industrialization.
• Innovation and Technology Center for Special Foods A specialized innovation and technology center focused on novel and special food products, providing support for new food product development, technology transfer, and industry-academia collaboration.
• Research and Innovation in Food Science and Technology Journal Scientific-Research grade peer-reviewed academic journal disseminating food science and technology research findings, indexed in DOAJ, FSTA, CABI, ISC, Magiran, and SID databases.
• Fruit and Vegetable Wash Solution A proprietary produce washing and disinfecting solution developed for decontamination of fruits and vegetables, leveraging cold plasma and related food safety research.
• Low-Calorie Bran-Based Pasta A low-calorie pasta formulation using wheat bran as the base, developed as a functional food product with optimized technological, structural, sensory, and nutritional properties.
• Active Antimicrobial Food Packaging Films Active antimicrobial packaging films developed for extending the shelf life of food products, incorporating nano-biocomposite and electron beam irradiation technologies.
• Walnut Butter Formulation Optimized walnut butter formulation with validated physical stability, chemical shelf-life, microbiological stability, rheological properties, and sensory characteristics, available for technology transfer to food industry partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of research projects conducted with private sector participation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 1405Scientific-educational cooperation agreement signed between the two institutions to facilitate international student participation in educational and research environments. International students recommended by the Research Institute participate in Persian language training programs at Ferdowsi University before beginning their research activities.
• Khorasan Razavi Municipalities Cooperation Organization (سازمان همیاری شهرداری‌های خراسان رضوی)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 1404Memorandum of understanding for food tourism development in Khorasan Razavi Province, including establishment of food tourism infrastructure, development of a National Food Museum, and organization of specialized events and festivals.
• Shir Pegah Khorasan (شیر پگاه خراسان)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1404Two R&D project contracts signed under Article 13 of the Knowledge-Based Production Jump Law. Projects focus on research and development in dairy products, with the institute providing research expertise and the company providing industrial context and commercial application.
• Khorasan Razavi Agricultural Jihad (جهاد کشاورزی خراسان رضوی)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 1400Two-year cooperation agreement covering joint research projects, agricultural product standardization for export improvement, reduction of production inputs and energy consumption in processing units, and agricultural waste management for animal feed or fertilizer production.
• London Metropolitan University (انگلستان)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 1396International research collaboration on bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria for biological preservation in food products, part of a broader international project program (I CARD) under the Ministry of Science's international cooperation framework.
• International ISESCO Organization (سازمان اسلامی، آموزشی، علمی و فرهنگی)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 1396ISESCO provided a $10,000 research grant for the development of pH-sensitive nano-biosensors for fish spoilage detection, and validated the research results upon completion.
• Dorna Food Industries Group (گروه کارخانجات صنایع غذایی درنا)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 1396Scientific, research, and technology cooperation agreement covering joint research projects, R&D unit development, and support for converting R&D units to knowledge-based companies.
• Bonyad Meli Elm - Iran National Science Foundation (بنیاد ملی علم ایران)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation agreement for the future of national food security. The partnership aims to strengthen research collaboration in food science and technology to address national food security challenges.
• Standards Research Institute (پژوهشگاه استاندارد)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for scientific and research collaboration in food standardization, quality assessment, and harmonization of testing methodologies between the two institutions.
• Nasir Growth Center (مرکز رشد نصیر)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement between the Special Food Innovation and Technology Center and Nasir Growth Center to support food startups and early-stage companies in technology development.
• Aftab Novkhir Haftad Mosque Company (شرکت آفتاب نوخیز هزار مسجد)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement between the Special Food Innovation and Technology Center and the company to support innovation in food products from the Haftad Mosque region.
• Grunida Innovation Center (مرکز نوآوری گرونیدا)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral technology cooperation agreement between the Special Food Innovation and Technology Center and Grunida Innovation Center for technology exchange and joint innovation activities.
• Saratov State University, Russia (دانشگاه ساراتوف روسیه)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research collaboration with researchers from Saratov State University, including a project on the application of edible oleogels in confectionery products, aimed at improving nutritional and sensory properties.
• Max Planck Institute, Germany (مؤسسه تحقیقاتی ماکس پلانک آلمان)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration involving doctoral dissertation defense with support from Max Planck Institute Germany.
• Phillips Hydrocolloid Research Center, New Zealand (مرکز تحقیقات هیدروکلوئید فیلیپس نیوزیلند)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration as part of doctoral dissertations under the Central Research Office and International Scientific Cooperation Office of the Ministry of Science.
• Italy - Academic Institutions (موسسات همتای ایتالیا)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral scientific meeting between Iran and Italy in Tehran with Italian academic delegation of 119 members led by the Italian Minister of Education, University and Research. The institute's representative presented research policies with significant interest from the Italian delegation.
• Khorasan Razavi Industrial Towns Company (شرکت شهرک‌های صنعتی خراسان رضوی)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific, research, and technology cooperation agreement to leverage synergies for improving public health, food product quality, and community welfare. The institute serves as the specialized reference of the Ministry of Science in the food sector.
• Payafte Sanat Aftab Shargh (پایا صنعت آفتاب شرق)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific, research, and technology cooperation agreement with the objective of enhancing public health awareness, improving food product quality, and contributing to community welfare.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Teagasc Food Research Centre: Irish government-affiliated food research centre with applied R&D, pilot plant facilities, and PhD training in food science. Closely comparable in its public-research-institute model, industry contract focus, and integrated food testing laboratory services.
• Wageningen Food & Biobased Research: Netherlands-based applied research institute under Wageningen University conducting contract R&D in food science, biobased products, and food safety. Directly comparable as a publicly-affiliated food science research institute offering industry contract research, doctoral training, and food technology IP commercialization.
• NIZO Food Research: Netherlands-based contract research organization specializing in food and nutrition R&D for industry clients, with pilot plant facilities and proprietary fermentation, food safety, and protein research capabilities. Directly comparable as a fee-for-service food science research partner.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV): German applied research organization specializing in food process engineering, packaging materials, and food safety analytics. Comparable as a contract research institute serving food industry clients with proprietary packaging and process technologies developed through industry-funded projects.

Broad incumbents

• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's state-owned applied research organization with significant food and biotechnology research alongside broader industrial R&D. Comparable as a public applied research institution with industry contract revenue and doctoral training programs.
• SGS: Swiss-based testing, inspection, and certification company with a large food and agri commodities testing practice. Comparable in accredited food testing services offered to industry, though operating across a much broader range of inspection categories.
• CSIRO Food Innovation Centre: Australia's national science agency operating large-scale food innovation research alongside a much broader portfolio of scientific disciplines. Comparable as a government-affiliated applied food research organization, though operating at significantly greater scale and scope.
• TNO: Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, a public applied research organization with food, nutrition, and packaging research streams. Comparable in its public-affiliate model, industry contract research, and applied food technology focus, though operating across a much broader portfolio.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global food and feed testing services group with extensive accredited laboratory infrastructure. Comparable in food testing and certification services, though operating as a much larger commercial testing enterprise rather than a research institute.
• Mérieux NutriSciences: Global food safety, quality, and testing services provider operating accredited laboratories worldwide. Comparable in food safety testing and analytical services to industry clients, though as a commercial testing enterprise rather than a research institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rifst
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Research Institute of Food Science and Technology