The 22nd IUFoST World Congress 2024 of Food Science and Technology will be held in Rimini, certainly among the most welcoming Italian places, from 8 to 12 of September 2024. We have lined up an exciting programme that will include industry-based workshops, distinguished plenary and keynote speakers, industry led concurrent sessions, applied research presentations and a plethora of networking opportunities since we expect to attract more than 2,500 delegates from Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and worldwide.
The congress aims to outline the new challenges that the sector will face and for these reason the multi and interdisciplinary meeting of all the scientific communities, that too often operate isolated from each other, will be welcome.
Abstract submissions and registration are now OPEN!
Congress website: https://iufost2024-italy.com/
Registrations: https://iufost2024-italy.com/registrations/
Abstract submissions: https://iufost2024-italy.com/abstract-submission/
ENTER OUR CONGRESS COMPETITIONS - Read all about them here!
IUFoST 2024 COMPETITIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
- IUFoST GLOBAL FOOD INDUSTRY AWARDS - closes 31 March
- IUFoST YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARDS - closes 15 March
- FOOD STUDENTS FIGHTING HUNGER IUFoST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION-UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL - deadline extended until 31 March
- FOOD SAFETY WITHOUT BORDERS IUFoST GRADUATE STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION - deadline extended until 31 March
- FOOD SUSTAINABILITY IDEA/CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION - deadline extended until 31 March
- IUFoST ROSE SPIESS VIDEO COMPETITION
And more to come including the Quiz Bowl! - More details on the QUIZ BOWL - don't miss out!
The submission system is activated! Get ready to enter. Here are some more details on each competition.
1. IUFoST Global Food Industry Awards:
Description
This award showcases the creative work of food innovators in the areas of packaging design, nutrition, enterprise, food safety and products. Awards are made in four categories to food products that best display the following qualities which aligned to the congress team Future of Food – Innovation, Sustainability & Health:
- Product and/or process innovation including industrialization of traditional foods.
- Package innovation, with specifics on the innovative part of the packaging and why it is important.
- Product / Packaging / Process support global effort in food and process sustainability
- Communicating science-related knowledge to consumers aimed at improving their lifestyle & health (e.g. children, teens, adults, seniors). Marketing campaigns may be nominated in this category.
A maximum of four (4) products can be nominated as award winners in each category.
https://www.iufost.org/webform/iufost-global-industry-awards
Judging Process
The nominations are assessed by a global panel. Finalists are required to submit example packaging for final judging and exhibition during the World Food Congress and awards are presented during the event.
Submissions by 25 APRIL 2024. Notification of Finalists 5 May. Final judging during Rimini Congress in September 2024.
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2. IUFoST YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARDS
Description
Eight nominees are selected to attend the IUFoST World Congress of Food Science and Technology and to address the world community of food science and technology assembled there. This unique experience has been a part of IUFoST World Congresses since 2006, demonstrating IUFoST's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of food scientists.
Eligibility
The young scientists must be in their first post-doctoral position, first academic position and be age 35 or under. Each nomination must include an abstract of the scientist’s research presentation and statements of recommendation from their professors or most recent employer. Note that nominees also must submit their abstracts through the World Food Congress submission portal (https://iufost2024-italy.com/abstract-submission/)
The Criteria for Consideration
The candidates should exemplify food science and technology nationally; have the ability to present themselves well in an oral presentation in a plenary setting; and have a focus which exemplifies the Congress theme with international application.
Judging Process
The nominations close 15 March 2024. https://www.iufost.org/webform/young-scientist-awards-%E2%80%93-post-doc... Nominations closed end of day 15 March. Winners notified 11 and 12 April.
Official representatives of the IUFoST regional groups assist in the final decision to be made on or before 21 March. Winners will be notified by 30 March. The eight young scientists will have all local expenses and registration costs paid to participate in the World Food Congress. The congress organisers have responsibility for funding their participation although the Adhering Bodies are asked to sponsor the travel costs for each winner. In the event the AB cannot support travel cost for the young scientist, the Organising Committee will support the least cost travel costs.
Each young scientist to be presented in the congress programme and he/she will address a global audience with his or her research.
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3. FOOD SCIENCE STUDENTS FIGHTING HUNGER IUFoST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION - UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
Description
The purpose of this Competition is to encourage food science and technology undergraduate students to use their knowledge and skills to develop innovative food products to meet global food market demands and sustainability of food supplies. In specific, students at the undergraduate level are challenged to develop high-protein, high-fiber, low-sodium products using low to no meat/alternative proteins based on regional raw materials and technologies. Alternative proteins could include leaf proteins, microbial proteins, and/or insect proteins.
Each adhering body is invited to review the development teams and their products and select up to two products to submit as its candidate(s) for the Undergraduate Food Science Students Product Development Competition.
The primary focus of the Competition is on the scientific and technological principles behind the product. Each project must include a suitable literature review; evidence of good project planning and allocation of work among a project team; and detailed consideration of key food science and technology components in the development of the product.
Eligibility
Adhering Bodies are invited to submit new product development projects produced by food science and technology students at the undergraduate level. Up to a maximum of two projects can be submitted per country. Each project team must submit a detailed written project summary prepared under the guidance of their academic supervisors for use by judges prior to the Congress.
Aside from undergraduates, graduates of class 2023 (not more than one year at the time of competition) are welcome to submit their entries.
Judging Process
Each Competition team will display its product, including samples, along with an outline of the project in poster form, and will present a short verbal presentation about the project.
A panel of judges will review project summary provided by each team prior to the displays and presentations. They will then review the displays prior to the verbal presentations in a closed session, during which they will question the teams about the products.
The judges will score the projects on a number of criteria and prizes will be awarded for the following categories:
- OVERALL CHAMPION
- BEST PRESENTATION
- BEST DISPLAY
- BEST TECHNICAL/SCIENTIFIC CONTENT
- BEST COMMERCIAL CONTENT/MOST MARKETABLE IDEA
Trophy/Medals and Certificate will be awarded for both the individual categories and the overall champion. Closed
Stage 2 – finalists will be informed by 20 April 2024
Stage 3 - Detailed written project reports submitted by mid July 2024
Judging
Each Competition team will display its product, including samples, along with an outline of the project in poster form, and will present a short verbal presentation about the project.
A panel of judges will review project summary provided by each team prior to the displays and presentations. They will then review the displays prior to the verbal presentations in a closed session during the Congress, during which they will question the teams about the products.
The judges will score the projects on a number of criteria including nutrition, safety, packaging/shelf-life, and prizes will be awarded for the following categories:
• BEST PRESENTATION
• BEST DISPLAY
• BEST TECHNICAL/SCIENTIFIC CONTENT
• BEST COMMERCIAL CONTENT/MOST MARKETABLE IDEA
- BEST INNOVATIVE IDEA
CASH Prizes may be awarded for both the individual categories and the best overall project.
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4. FOOD SAFETY WITHOUT BORDERS IUFoST GRADUATE STUDENT PAPER COMPETITION
Description
Food Safety has been identified as a key focus area for IUFoST that requires local solutions based on globally applicable principles. In keeping with the IUFoST vision to Strengthen Global Food Science and Technology for Humanity, the Food Safety Without Borders IUFoST Graduate Student Paper Competition was first introduced in 2014. The Competition is designed to allow Food Science and Technology students to make a difference to food safety in their country or region.
Eligibility
Food science and technology students enrolled in a M.Sc. or Ph.D. programme are invited to submit an academic paper with the objective of enhancing global food safety. The paper should address a food safety issue arising from an indigenous food from their home country or region in a practical way. The finalists will be invited to participate in the 22nd IUFoST World Congress of Food Science and Technology to be held in Rimini, Italy 08 – 12 September 2024.
Papers with senior co-authors are acceptable; however, most of the substantive work and contribution of the paper must be directly attributable to an author who meets the eligibility criteria. Each graduate student must submit an abstract and an academic paper prepared under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
To be considered for the Competition, the paper must include sufficient data to support claims and/or conclusions; not have been published elsewhere; and not be under consideration for publication elsewhere. The paper should be no more than 2500 words or six printed pages (Times New Roman, letter size 11, double spacing, 2 cm margins), including text, figures, tables, and references. See below for specific submission requirements.
Finalists are invited to attend the World Food Congress to maximize this unique experience through contact with attendees. You must register as a delegate. Some funding support may be available through IUFoST or Adhering Bodies, but this cannot be guaranteed. Cash prizes of $500, $250 and $100 will be awarded to three best papers/presentations and the winning paper(s) will be considered for publication in IUFoST-approved journals, subject to standard publication review procedures.
Application Process
An abstract of the academic paper and cover letter from an academic supervisor must be submitted through this online application by 15 March 2024. The cover letter should state the approximate percentages of the substantive work (ideas, methods, applications) and contributions that are directly attributable to the primary author. The online application system is open.
FInalists will be notified by 20 April. Finalists must submit a final paper by 30 June 2024.
Judging
Each academic paper will be reviewed by a panel of judges prior to the World Food Congress, and winners will be announced during the Congress.
Attendance at IUFoST Congress
Finalists are encouraged to attend the World Food Congress to maximize this unique experience through contact with attendees. Some funding support may be available through IUFoST and/or Adhering Bodies, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Awards
A cash prize will be awarded. Winning paper(s) will be considered for publication IUFoST-approved journals, subject to standard publication review procedures.
Final paper, 30 June 2024.
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5. Food Sustainability Idea/Concept Development Competition
Description
IUFoST considers sustainability issues for food and drinking water as one of the key topics of its current and future agenda. This is emphasized by its involvement in the Future Earth project as well as the IUFoST Sustainability Working Groups. As sustainability of our planet is directly affecting your future and related health and quality of life, we invite each of you to participate in a "Food Sustainability Idea/concept development Competition" at the IUFoST Congress 2024 in Rimini, Italy.
Criteria for Consideration
Interested participant is expected to submit a brief description of the idea (up to 2 pages) and the concept development (up to 5 pages, including drawings, introduction, results etc).
Suggested, but not to be limiting your creativity, topics can include:
- Food losses (postharvest, storage, processing, transport and home preparation)
- Food waste (processing, post processing, household levels including consumption as well as technologies dealing with sustainable postharvest and processing condition to increase food safety and food security)
- Energy conserving methods along the entire food chain; and
- Water purification, sanitation and recovery methods
Application
You must register as a delegate to the congress to enter this competition. Competition Closed. Finalists notified by 20 April.
Judging Process
The selected top five proposals will be formally acknowledged with a certificate and a cash award to be announced later and the sustainability champions will be invited to briefly present their contributions during the congress as a registered delegate.
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- IUFoST Rose Spiess Video Competition
Description
Food science and technology is a critical part of ensuring the health and wellbeing of people around the world and is essential to resolving food safety and sustainability challenges now and in the future. How that happens is unique to each country – even right down to communities within each country. The IUFoST Food Science and Technology Video Competition is your chance to tell the story of the positive impact of food science in your region, country and/or community.
This competition is part of the IUFoST World Congress of Food Science and Technology (World Food Congress) taking place in Rimini, Italy.
Who can enter?
Any student over 18. Note that more than one person can work on the video(s) and/or groups can enter, but only one prize will be awarded per video.
Your video(s) will be judged by a global panel of Food Science & Technology (FS&T) experts, so make sure that they focus on:
- Content – your video should emphasize the central role of FS&T in improving food-related issues in your area, such as, but not limited to, increasing longevity, sustainability and alleviating hunger through better food choices or production; enhancing nutrition; cutting down on food waste and food losses; providing education to those who do not know the importance of the discipline to their general health and wellbeing; FS&T along the food chain; and the impact of emerging technology
- Production value – high resolution images and sound are important to getting your message across, so make sure that your content is not undermined by poor production elements
- Creativity - Your video could be a panorama of FS&T in action, a vignette, animation, a rap, original movie, poetry, or music. It can be black and white or colour. Have fun with it and let your imagination soar.
Awards
- One (1) Grand Prize winner: $1,500.00, (USD) plus a full screening during the IUFoST 2022 World Congress and formal announcement of the winning entry.
- Three (3) Finalists: $700 (USD) each
- Five (5) Semi-finalists: $200 (USD) each
How do I enter the Competition? What’s the deadline? https://www.iufost.org/webform/iufost-rose-spiess-video-competition
Submit to IUFoST a link to your video by online submission and to complete the online form by 31 May 2024.
When will finalists be announced?
Contestants will be notified before public announcement of the winners. Winners will be publicly acknowledged during the IUFoST 2024 World Congress: Italy 8 - 12 September 2024.
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QUIZ BOWL
The IUFoST Quiz Bowl tests the knowledge of student teams from across the international community of colleges and universities. Quiz Bowl topics include areas in food science and technology, the history of foods and food processing, food law, food safety, food microbiology, food toxicology, nutrition, and general food-related trivia. The Quiz Bowl encourages interactions among students from different colleges and universities and provides a forum for students to engage in friendly competition.
The objectives of this competition are to facilitate interaction among students from different academic institutions, to stimulate student's desires to accumulate and retain knowledge, and to provide a forum for students and their academic institutions to engage in friendly competition, while enjoying personal and professional interactions.
Quiz Bowl - please register your team's interest in this competition
https://www.iufost.org/webform/food-quiz-bowl-competition
And there's more to come!
Poster presentations and speed presentations (3 minutes)
Watch this space and get ready!
