The 2024 IFT FIRST Conference, themed “Collaboration + Innovation: How Can Food Science and Technology Transform the Food System,” took place in Chicago from July 13th to 17th. This premier event brought together over 22,000 participants, including researchers, government officials, food science professionals, university students, and industry leaders.

TU Dublin, a key partner in the UP4HEALTH project, made a significant impact at the conference with their poster and oral presentation titled “Safety and in vitro genotoxic potential of valorised partially defatted almond press cake powder for food ingredient applications.” This presentation showcased the innovative research being conducted under the UP4HEALTH project, which aims to develop sustainable food ingredients from by-products.

The conference featured over 500 poster presentations, 100 science sessions, and 1000 exhibitors from the food industry. TU Dublin’s poster presentation was well-received, highlighting the safety and potential applications of valorised almond press cake powder as a food ingredient. Additionally, TU Dublin’s oral presentation at the Toxicology and Safety Evaluation Division reached the finalist round and secured an impressive 2nd place in the competition.

The 2024 IFT FIRST Conference provided a valuable platform for TU Dublin and the UP4HEALTH project to demonstrate their contributions to food science and technology. Through collaboration and innovation, they are helping to transform the food system towards greater sustainability and safety.