Tag Archives: institute of food technologists

Episode 22: Plastic on Your Plate: Exploring the Effects of Micro & Nano Plastics on our Health and Food



Plastics have been a popular choice for food packaging for a considerable time, but the resulting accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste has caused growing concern about its detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. In this enlightening discussion, our host Bruce Perkin and guest speakers Dr. Maya Al Sid Cheikh from the University of Surrey and Paul Takhistov from Rutgers University dive into the topic of micro and nano plastics. Join the speakers as they share their expert insights and shed light on the impact of micro and nano plastics.


Episode 21: Sensory Science Series- “Fast & Early” – An approachable path to the valuable consumer voice- Part 2



This is the second podcast in a sensory sciences series in collaboration with the Sensory & Consumer Sciences Division. Host Bruce Perkin and guest speakers Becky Bleibaum and Anna Leachman will be discussing tools to get rapid and reliable consumer feedback on products. This conversation highlights the advantages of consumer research, what consumer acceptance is and why it is important, how tight timelines and budgets impact outcomes, and more. 


Episode 20: Sensory Science Series- “Culinary Quantitative Description Analysis QDA” – New data from an old tool- Part 1



This podcast is the first episode in a Sensory Sciences series in collaboration with the Sensory & Consumer Sciences Division. Join host Bruce Perkin and speakers Becky Bleibaum and Heather Thomas as they discuss Quantitative Description Analysis (QDA.) QDA is a sensory tool that was developed in the mid-1970s to correct perceived problems with flavor profile analysis. During this conversation, the speakers will be covering what QDA is and how it works, QDA strengths compared to other tools, taking QDA into a new space, making sure consumer voices are not lost when using culinary professionals and more. 


Episode 19: Bird Flu – Sorting Fact from Fiction



Bird Flu is a term that is used to describe the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The first instance of HPAI in 2022 was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana on February 3 and since then, over 50 cases have been identified across 17 states, in both commercial and backyard flocks. The records indicate that the current avian influenza outbreak is the largest we have seen since 2014–2015.
Join host Bruce Perkin and guest speaker Yvonne Thaxton as they discuss what is avian influenza, can humans’ contract it, the biosecurity measures that are in place and more!


Episode 18: Alternative Meat and a More Sustainable Food System



Join the Sustainable Food Systems Division along with host Bruce Perkins and guest speaker Sue Klapholz as they discuss her passion about addressing climate change by moving away from animal agriculture, while ensuring nutrition and public health are not compromised. In addition to sharing her passions Sue shares her insights as one of the original scientists at both Impossible Foods and Kite Hill.

To learn more on how to join the Sustainable Food Systems Division click here!


Episode 17: Wellness Flavors: Exploring new taste profile category emerging in 2022



Ancient grains have become a buzzword in the food and nutrition industries – and there’s a reason that humankind has cultivated and utilized these grains for centuries. AB InBev founded EverGrain to explore the potential of an ancient grain it knows better than anyone else – barley – and how through upcycling, it could eventually unlock an opportunity to reform the food sector’s approach to nutrition and sustainability. Through innovations from the EverGrain team, upcycled barley is the only source of plant-based protein at scale that can deliver high levels of nutrition, a low carbon footprint, and optimal taste and functionality in product development. During this podcast, you’ll hear from some key members of EverGrain’s showing how upcycled barley protein can truly revolutionize the plant-based market.


Episode 16: Starting Your Career in the Food Space



Are you looking to start a career in the food space? Join Bruce Perkin, Armetha Pihlstrom (Senior Director of U.S. and Canada Foodservice Sales at Future Farms) and Dr. Owen Carryl (Executive Recruiter/Head of the Food Industry Practice at Kaye/Bassman International) as they discuss tips and tricks on how to nurture your career! Learn tips and tricks on how to stand out in the job market, what companies are looking for in a candidate, the importance of internships, your digital footprint and more. During this episode discover how you go the extra mile during the recruitment process. In addition to tips and tricks join an important conversation about DEI in the work space.


Episode 15: Supplier Solutions: Virginia Dare



Wellness and personal health is on our minds now more than ever. That is why Virginia Dare has named Wellness Flavors the most influential taste trend of 2022, as physical and mental health takes priority and becomes the dominant driver behind new product launches and consumer goods. During this episode, host Bruce Perkins, Philip Caputo (Virginia Dare) who leads marketing and consumer insight development, and Robert Verdi (Virginia Dare) Vice President of Business Development discuss what we see as some of the most intriguing functionally-inspired taste profiles emerging, and the inherent therapeutic properties or associations they carry. To learn more about Virginia Dare please click here. ( https://www.virginiadare.com)


Episode 14: A look into Cold Plasma Technology



Join host Bruce Perkin and guest Dr. Brendan A. Niemira as they examine and explain cold plasma technology. Listen in to find out advantages cold plasma has over traditional methods, the environmental impact, benefit of cold plasma and food packaging, food preservation and more. Dr. Niemira has also reached out to a grower cooperator to build a large rig for spraying plasma-activated water directly onto growing crops.


Episode 13: Hacking Food Waste: A follow-up with IFT Student Competition Winners



Join host Bruce Perkins to learn more about the student group who won the Don’t Spoil It! An International Digital Hackathon in March 2021. The students share their motivations for joining the competition, the benefits from the competition, how they overcame obstacles, what they are currently working on and more.

Marcela Silva: Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School, Nigel Kang: University of Minnesota, Sofia Sierra Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School, Fawaz Bagoudou: Shinshu University, Chandrima Shrivastava: Empa