The IFT First is an annual event that almost all the companies globally clear their calendars for. This event takes place in Chicago. Professionals who have not attended it yet believe that it is just a conference or a trade show, while it is much more than that. The IFT First event gathers:
- The entire food global system
- Researchers
- Buyers and investors
- Suppliers and startups
- R&D researchers and regulators
- All sized food developments companies
In this article, we cover why the IFT First expo matters, what is shifting for the IFT First show this year, and why you should schedule an IFT meeting with Shafi Gluco Chem this July.
What Makes the IFT First Annual Event and Expo Different?
Annually, multiple trade events surface in the market, but the IFT First Annual Event and Expo stands apart for a few very specific reasons. If you have been to a standard retail buyer show, the IFT First event feels completely different.
- Scale meets depth: Most expos are either massive or highly technical. This one is both. You have 1,000+ exhibitors alongside 100+ deep-dive scientific sessions.
- The attendee profile: You aren’t just talking to marketers here. The floor is packed with food scientists, R&D directors, formulators, procurement leads, and regulatory experts. These are the people actively deciding what goes into the global food supply.
- Research meets commerce instantly: For 2026, all scientific programming has moved directly onto the expo floor. You can listen to a research presentation on clean-label stability and immediately turn around to speak with a supplier offering that exact solution. No other food show does this.
To put the scale into perspective, the Institute of Food Technologists brings 15,500+ food professionals from over 80 countries together each year, making it the most diverse gathering in food science globally (IFT, 2026).
Why Is the IFT First Annual Event and Expo Highly Anticipated?
The IFT First Annual Event and Expo is highly anticipated because it dictates the commercial roadmap. Here are five reasons the industry circles this date:
- It sets the direction for the year: Deals made here turn into product launches in 12–18 months. What you see on the floor in July is what consumers will buy next year.
- Unmatched density: Over 1,000 ingredient, technology, and packaging suppliers are ready to talk formulation, pricing, and sampling in real time.
- The conversations are real: Emerging science and regulatory hurdles are actually debated in working sessions. Real decisions happen here.
- Startups show the future: The Startup Pavilion features 100 food-tech companies that are 12–36 months away from mainstream adoption.
- Built-in networking: The entire IFT First expo is designed as one massive networking event. The right people are already in the building.
For example, the global food ingredients sector is experiencing strong growth, with increasing demand for clean-label, plant-based, and functional solutions. Events like IFT First 2026 accelerate international partnerships and help suppliers like Shafi Gluco Chem expand into new markets.
What Innovations Will Be Showcased at IFT Expo 2026?
When you walk the IFT First expo floor in 2026, the innovations fall into a few clear categories.
| Innovation Category | What It Means at IFT First 2026 | Why It Matters to Buyers |
| Clean Label Ingredients | Shorter, recognisable ingredient lists | Consumer trust and regulatory alignment |
| Plant-Based Proteins | Rice, tapioca, and legume-based proteins | Meat alternatives, sports nutrition growth |
| Functional Foods | Ingredients with added health benefits | Gut health, immunity, energy management |
| Food Safety Tech | New testing and compliance solutions | EU, US, and global regulatory demands |
| Sustainable Sourcing | Traceable, lower-footprint supply chains | ESG buyer requirements |
| AI in Food R&D | AI-powered ingredient discovery | Faster product development timelines |
Our Rice and Tapioca ingredients sit right at the intersection of clean label, plant-based protein, and sustainable sourcing. Because the IFT First show put the science on the floor this year, you can literally hear the research on plant proteins, then immediately visit Booth S-1553 to sample them.
How Does the IFT Expo Impact the Food Industry?
The IFT First Annual Event and Expo directly impacts the food industry in four concrete ways.
- It moves ingredients from lab to shelf: When an R&D director tests a new tapioca starch at the IFT First event, it can end up in a national brand within 18 months.
- It shapes safety standards: The food industry tackles additive regulations and compliance head-on during these sessions, influencing future policy.
- It builds supply chains: Long-term procurement relationships are formed here. Ingredients that feed billions are sourced through partnerships established on this floor.
- It accelerates sustainability: Buyers looking for organic, traceable production like Shafi Gluco Chem’s FSSC 22000-certified facilities find their matches here.
Considering the global food ingredients market is projected to pass $100 billion by 2027, this is the single event where that market’s direction is shaped (Food Ingredients First, 2025).
How Can Attendees Benefit from Networking at IFT First?
Booking an IFT meeting in Chicago ahead of time is the smartest move you can make. The IFT First event rewards preparation.
- Pre-booked meetings: Scheduled meetings with exhibitors convert way better than spontaneous floor chats. Lock them in early.
- Networking Lounges: New for the IFT First expo this year, these are placed around learning zones to keep conversations going with speakers.
- Startup Pavilion: If you are a buyer, this is where you lock in a new supply partner before your competitors even know they exist.
- Working Sessions: These are debates, not lectures. You are in the room with regulators and industry leaders.
Why Shafi Gluco Chem Is Exhibiting at IFT First 2026
We are exhibiting at the IFT First Annual Event and Expo because our ingredients actually solve the formulation headaches being discussed on the floor.
- Clean Label: The industry wants simple ingredients. Our Rice and Tapioca range is naturally hypoallergenic, non-GMO, and additive-free.
- Plant-Based Proteins: Demand is spiking. Our Rice Protein is exported to 90+ countries and works perfectly in sports nutrition and meat alternatives.
- Sustainable Supply Chain: We have operated our Farmer’s Prosperity Program since 2003. We invest in the field to ensure traceability from the ground up.
If you are a procurement buyer or R&D manager at IFT First 2026, stop by Booth S-1553. We will have our full range of Rice Syrups (including 40% lower sugar), Rice Proteins, Tapioca Starch, and Maltodextrins ready to sample.
It is the best way to make the most of the IFT First show.
Going to IFT First Chicago 2026? Let’s talk about ingredients at Booth S-1553.
→ [Explore Our Ingredient Range →]
Shafi Gluco Chem Booth S-1553
12–15 July 2026
McCormick Place, Chicago, USA
FAQs
1. Why Is the IFT First Annual Event and Expo Highly Anticipated?
The IFT First Annual Event and Expo is highly anticipated because it is the single event where the global food industry converges. With over 1,000 exhibitors and more than 100 scientific sessions, this event covers product launches, partnerships, and industry standards for the year ahead.
2. What Innovations Will Be Showcased at IFT Expo?
IFT First Expo 2026 will cover innovations in clean label ingredients, plant-based proteins, functional food formulations, AI-powered R&D, and sustainable supply chains. At Shafi Gluco Chem, Booth S-1553 will present non-GMO, organic-certified Rice and Tapioca ingredients designed for clean-label formulations.
3. How Can Attendees Benefit from Networking at IFT First?
Attendees benefit from networking lounges, the Startup Pavilion, and interactive working sessions. Pre-booked meetings with exhibitors like Shafi Gluco Chem at Booth S-1553 deliver stronger outcomes than unplanned floor conversations.
4. How Does the IFT Expo Impact the Food Industry?
The IFT First Annual Event and Expo impacts the food industry by moving ingredient innovations from research to commercial formulation, shaping global food safety, establishing supplier-buyer relationships, and accelerating the adoption of sustainable ingredients.
