12 replies to this topic

[mesophile]

Good Morning All,

I attended a committee meeting last night with the Western Branch of the IFST and during the meeting a point was raised that not many people within the food industry have heard of the IFST or what it does.

As a result, I would like to ask a very quick question to you all - have you heard of the IFST (www.ifst.org)?

Many thanks,

Simon

Edited by mesophile, 11 January 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[Claudia_QP]

I've never heard of it but it seems very interesting!

[George @ Safefood 360°]

Hi Simon. Many years ago I was a student member of the IFST when doing a post grad in Food Technology at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The IFST were the awarding body at the time. Since then (and its about 16 years ago) I have heard nothing about them. Are they still in existence?

The IFT in the US are a very active organisation including a massive annual trade show, research, awards, etc. A very impressive organisation. I'm not sure if the IFST is the same type of organisation or even trying to be.

[mesophile]

Hi Simon. Many years ago I was a student member of the IFST when doing a post grad in Food Technology at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The IFST were the awarding body at the time. Since then (and its about 16 years ago) I have heard nothing about them. Are they still in existence?

The IFT in the US are a very active organisation including a massive annual trade show, research, awards, etc. A very impressive organisation. I'm not sure if the IFST is the same type of organisation or even trying to be.

Hi George,

Thanks for your reply. The IFST are very active in the UK and Europe, however don't appear to advertise much - maybe a small advert in the Food Manufacturer magazine and couple of other trade show journals?!? They host a number of events throughout Europe and UK, the latest major event in the UK was "The Changing Face of Auditing". This was a full day event (see link below) with a range of pretty impressive guest speakers, like Paul Stennett the CEO of UKAS, and David Brackston, Technical Director of the Food Schemes for BRC.
http://www.ifst.org/...tingconference/

Regards
Simon

[poppysnoss]

I am a member of the IFST. (MIFST) I first joined in the 90s when I won a years membership as a student. My course was in association with them and when I think about it, that was 16 years ago. Somehow!

[saqibfst]

i never heared about this
what is this about actually and what will be the benefit i can get it from .

saqib

[maurocon]

They publish a journal of scientific research in the field of food technology (http://www.wiley.com...p?ref=0950-5423), and its Impact Factor is 1.223.

mauro

[GMO]

I've heard about them, mainly because I sought them out as an ex member of the RSC (Chemistry not Shakespeare), I wondered what the equivalent was in food and whether to join.

10 years later, I've still not joined and unless prices go down and the 'value' of it goes up (as in what I get and how it's seen), I wouldn't join. The only people I know who are members and actively tell people by putting letters after their name etc are generally (I'm sorry to say), old school, clipboard techies, ie the image I'm constantly trying to debunk. Whereas FRSC and CChem are still very well respected terms. I'm not sure how it's happened that way but certainly a PR exercise is required!

[GMO]

Just had a look at the website. Only 1 upcoming event. Contrast that with Campden BRI. I know you're different beasts but I don't think you have the same level of respect among food professionals.

And putting pictures like this on a website:

http://www.ifst.org/...al_development/

Where are the mob caps? This is food not laboratory work!

£96 to join. An extra £90 p.a. to register as an auditor or mentor. A further £25 to try and register for CSci (and the last two could be refused without refund). That's £211 I could find something better to do with if I'm honest! Most work places won't fund this kind of thing anymore either.

[Dr.Des]

Hi Simon. Many years ago I was a student member of the IFST when doing a post grad in Food Technology at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The IFST were the awarding body at the time. Since then (and its about 16 years ago) I have heard nothing about them. Are they still in existence?

I also was a graduate of the same course (DIT, Kevin Street) back in 1991. I have not kept up my membership of the IFST but have kept track of what the organisation is publishing, and also it's equivalent in Ireland the IFSTI. It seems strange to me that people in the industry would not have heard of the IFST as they do seem to be quite an active organisation and provide great resources.

[Simon]

I think the IFST and IFSQN combined would make a perfect whole.

[Aegean]

Do they welcome PHD students but with a scholarship or a funding

Edited by Aegean, 20 February 2012 - 10:54 PM.

[AS NUR]

I think the IFST and IFSQN combined would make a perfect whole.

agree with you simon.. and hope this combnation can make benefit for all member of IFSQN