Symposium on Plant-Based Food & Nutrition: Innovations & Challenges

Come join us for a dynamic gathering of distinguished professors and speakers, industry leaders, industry boards, academics, researchers, and students.

This symposium offers exceptional exposure to a vibrant market in Southern California known for its leading role in innovations and housing the largest number of established companies in the plant-based food industry.

Who Should Attend

  • Researchers and academics studying plant-based nutrition and processing technologies
  • Students in nutrition, food science, public health and business
  • Dietitians and nutritionists seeking knowledge in plant-based nutrition
  • Food industry members exploring opportunities in the plant-based food market
  • Farmers looking for value-added agricultural products
  • Policymakers and government officials interested in promoting plant-based food and nutrition to schools and the public.
  • This program qualifies for Certified Food Scientist (CFS) recertification contact hours (CH).  CFS Certificants may claim a maximum of 4 CH per day for their participation in this program.  For more information, please visit ift.org/certification or email ifscc@ift.org.

     

Speakers

Darin Detwiler

Darin Detwiler

Chief Executive Officer
Detwiler Consulting Group

"The Role of Technology to Ensure Safety of Plant-Based Foods"

Christopher Gardner

Christopher Gardner

Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine
Stanford Prevention Research Center
Stanford University

"Plant-Based Diet vs. Animal-Based Diet: Health Advantages for Consumers"

Belal Hasan

Belal Hasan

Assistant Professor
Department of Nutrition and Food Science
Cal Poly Pomona

"Developing Next Generation Meat Analogues for International Cuisines Applications "

Celine Heskey

Celine Heskey

Associate Professor of Nutrition/Director
MPH Nutrition Coordinated Program
Loma Linda University School of Public Health

"The Nuts and Roots of Research in Plant-Based Eating Patterns"

Sudarshan Nadathur

Sudarshan Nadathur

Chief Global Flavorist - Dairy & Protein
ADM

"Solving Flavor Issues in Plant-Based Foods"

Lara Ramdin

Lara Ramdin

Chief Innovation & Science Officer
Upcycled Foods Inc.

"Processing Technologies for Sustainable Food Supply"

Matt Ruscigno

Matt Ruscigno

Co-author,
"Plant-Based Sports Nutrition"
Former chair
Vegetarian Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

"Plant-Based Sports-Nutrition: Meeting the Needs of Athletes and Leisure Enthusiasts"

Vandana Sheth

Vandana Sheth

CEO and Registered Dietitian
Vandana Sheth Inc. 

"Plant-Based Diets for Diabetes: Evidence-Based Strategies for Better Management"

Rafi Taherian

Rafi Taherian

Former Associate Vice President
Yale Hospitality

"Addressing Consumers' Resistance to Plant-Based Diets"

Job Ubbink

Job Ubbink

Professor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition
University of Minnesota

"Understanding Formulation vs. Processing: What is Really More Important for Ultra-Processed Foods?"

Casey Vanous

Casey Vanous

Senior Director - Global Product Development
Herbalife

"Meeting Consumers Demands: Industry Solutions for Plant-Based Foods"

Platinum Sponsors

Color Maker logo
ThermoFisher Scientific logo

Gold Sponsors

Logo for BUHLER
Logo for DC Norris North America
logo for Gold Coast ingredients, inc.
Nura logo
Sensus logo
Southern California Institute of Food Technologists Section logo
Texture Technologies logo

Silver Sponsors

Califia Farms logo
CII logo
Eurofins logo
Green Plate logo
Infors HT logo
NSI logo

Bronze Sponsors

Kalsec logo

 

Symposium Activities

  • Expert Presentations: Esteemed professors will delve into the realm of plant-based foods and nutrition 
  • Poster Presentations: Discover cutting-edge research and advancement in plant-based studies
  • Industry Expo: Forge connections with premier companies and influential nutritional organizations
  • Networking Sessions: Foster connections, exchange ideas, and broaden your professional network

Selected Distinguished Presentations

  • Advancements in Processing Technologies Applied in Plant-Based Foods
  • Understanding Formulation vs. Processing: What is Really More Important?
  • Plant-Based Diet vs. Animal-Based Diet: Health Advantages for Consumers
  • Meeting Consumers Demands: Industry Solutions for Plant-Based Foods
  • Nourishing Children with Plant-Based Diets
  • Solving Flavor Issues in Plant-Based Foods via Clean Label
  • Developing Next-Generation Meat Analogues for International Cuisine Applications