Food scientists often picture the solution to feeding 7.2 billion people as large-scale, industrialized, and efficient food systems that produce high quantities of food with minimal waste products. Although these systems are relevant, they only offer one dimension of global agriculture. With 815 million people who go hungry, 155 million undernourished children, 2 billion people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, and a shocking 2.0 billion adults overweight or obese, we need a more comprehensive approach to functioning food systems.

However, in many parts of the world, such as Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, adequate nutrition and the opportunity to compete in the global food environment is stunted by bottlenecks in the food supply-chain. Bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN) continue to set translational policies and strategies to combat suboptimal nutrition across the globe and issues within the food supply-chain, largely without representation from the food science community. Many policies to date have focused on the tail ends of the supply-chain, farmers and consumers. Food scientists have the unique expertise and ability to impact these systems at all points – from storage and distribution to processing, packaging and retail – through innovation and technology.

Organized by the IFT Food Laws and Regulations Division, this interactive virtual event with global experts Jack Bobo and Paul West discussed how food science can offer unique solutions to these international challenges.

IFTNEXT is made possible through the generous support of Ingredion Incorporated , IFT’s Platinum Innovation Sponsor.

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Length: 56 minutes
Contact Hours: 1.0

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