WHAT: The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2014 Annual Meeting & Food Expo®, will bring together professionals involved in both the science and the business of food — experts from industry, academia and government. With more than 900 companies exhibiting, this event showcases the largest, most diverse collection of food ingredient, equipment, and packaging suppliers from all over the world. Over 100 educational sessions and 1,000 poster presentations will provide information on the latest developments and trends in food science.

WHO: The Opening General Session keynote presentation will feature Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe's, on Sunday, June 22, from 8:30-10:15 a.m. Rauch, renowned for growing Trader Joe’s from a small, nine-store chain in Southern California to a nationally acclaimed retail success story with more than 340 stores in 30 states, will share his thoughts about how to feed the world, one healthy, sustainably-sourced meal at a time.Educational Session Highlights:• Azodicarbonamide: A Case Study of Perceptions of the Safety of Food Ingredients• Perspectives on the GMO Debate• A Deeper Look Into the Post-Trans Fat World• Millenials: What's On Their Plate?• Potential of Insects as Food• The Safety of Spices: Challenges and Opportunities

WHEN & WHERE: June 21-24, New Orleans, Morial Convention CenterPress Room Hours:Saturday, June 21 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmSunday, June 22 8:00 am - 5:30 pmMonday, June 23 8:00 am - 5:30 pmTuesday, June 24 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Exhibit Floor hours:Sunday, June 22 12:00 pm - 5:00 pmMonday, June 23 10:00 am - 5:00 pmTuesday, June 24 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

For more information please visit the IFT 2014 Annual Meeting and Food Expo website.

SOCIAL MEDIA:• Follow the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo on IFT Live, Twitter @IFT, @IFTFoodFacts, @IFTMedia, hashtag #IFT14 and Facebook and LinkedIn

CONTACT: Registration is complimentary for credentialed media. All inquiries including requests for interviews should be directed to Mindy Weinstein, Director of Media Relations, [email protected], 312.399.9779 or Stephanie Callahan, Media Relations Manager, [email protected] 847.331.1963.

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About IFT This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Institute of Food Technologists. Since its founding in 1939, IFT has been committed to advancing the science of food, both today and tomorrow. Our non-profit scientific society—more than 18,000 members from more than 100 countries—brings together food scientists, technologists and related professionals from academia, government and industry. For more information, please visit ift.org.

Photography/Videography Exhibitors and their private consultants are permitted to photograph and videotape their own booth only. Exhibitors and their private consultants may film, photograph and/or videotape their own exhibitor-presented seminar(s) only. No other photography or videography is permitted. IFT reserves the right to refuse entrance to any media with a camera or video recording device that has not informed the Press Room of their intent.

MEDIA CONTACT
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