The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST, pronounced eye-you-fost) is the international non-governmental organization established in 1962, devoted to the advancement of food science and technology. Its members are nations, represented by their respective national food science and technology institutes and societies (termed Adhering Bodies). Initially called the International Committee of Food Science and Technology, it would become known as IUFoST after the 1970 meeting in Washington, DC. It is a full member of the International Council for Science (ICSU).
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The feasibility of establishing an international organization of food scientists and technologists dedicated to the nutritional needs of the people of the world was informally explored during the First International Congress of Food Science and Technology held in London in 1962. The President of the Congress was Lord Rank, a flour miller among other things, and in his presidential message he said: "If the potentialities of ... food science and technology are to ... culminate and nutritionally adequate, then there must be international collaboration." This crystallised informal discussions that had already been taking place among a number of food scientists from around the world; and from the Congress emerged an International Committee of Food Science and Technology. The work of this Committee culminated in the formal inauguration of the International Union of Food Science and Technology during the Third International Congress of Food Science and Technology convened in 1970 in Washington, DC, USA. The 1970 meeting in Washington, DC, USA was referred to as "SOS/70" with SOS being referred to as Science of Survival. It addressed issues such as food shortage issues in China and India, and the interest in single-cell protein. 60 topics were covered in that meeting. Seven of the topics would be covered at the 2010 meeting in Cape Town: sensory evaluation, food safety, food chemical/ physical structure, food science education, food engineering, grain (corn, wheat, rice, etc.), and nutrition. 37 topics covered in recent congresses were not mentioned at the 1970 meeting. Main issues addressed for the 2010 were climate change for food production and processing, water shortage issues in food processing, obesity, and consumer attitudes on food safety and nutrition both perceived and real.[1]. At the Cape Town Congress the IUFoST General Assembly adopted the "Cape Town Declaration" setting out its commitments on food safety, food security and food science education; and charting the tasks and road ahead for the food science and technology profession (full text available at [1]).
The supreme policy-making body is the IUFoST General Assembly, consisting of voting delegates appointed by the Adhering Bodies. It meets during World Congresses but may meet electronically between Congresses if the need arises. Between Congresses IUFoST affairs are normally dealt with by the Governing Council, consisting of the elected Officers, the President of the International Academy, the Chair of the Scientific Council and six elected Councillors. Note that the naming of countries after their names is merely to indicate their locations. It does not indicate that they represent those countries. The By-laws require that they act only in the interests of IUFoST itself.
2010-2012 IUFoST Governing Council membership
President: Prof. Geoffrey Campbell-Platt (UK) President Elect: Prof. Pingfan Rao (China) Past President: Dr. David R. Lineback (USA) Secretary-General/Treasurer: Judith Meech (Canada) Academy President: Dr. Daryl Lund (USA) Chair of the Scientific Council: Prof. Rick Yada (Canada) Councillors: Dr. Anne Goldman (Canada) Prof. Dietrich Knorr (Germany) Prof.Vishweshwaraiah Prakash (India) Dr. Gordon Robertson (Australia) Dr. Mary Schmidl (USA) Mr. Nigel Sunley (South Africa)
The Scientific Council's responsibilities include maintenance of the scientific standard and integrity of all IUFoST activities, including approval of publicly released scientific matters, awarding of prizes and the content of learned statements on scientific matters. It is also responsible for recommendations to the Secretary-General, with the advice from the designated Fellows of the Academy, chairs and members of working groups, task forces to carry out specific tasks such as preparation of position papers, including Scientific Information Bulletins (SIBs) (available at [2]), and offering of expert advice. The Scientific Council does not play a role in the Union's financial affairs. The Scientific Council is an elected body. Members of the Scientific Council are all Academy Fellows who are elected by other Academy Fellows, subject to General Assembly ratification. Members of the IUFoST Scientific Council, term 2010-2012
Chair: Prof. Rick Yada (Canada) Past Chair: Dr. Mary Schmidl (USA) Chair Elect: Prof. Gustavo Barbosa Canovas (Uruguay) Councillor: Prof. J. Ralph Blanchfield (UK) Councillor: Prof. Lucy Sun Hwang (Taipei) Academy President: Dr. Daryl Lund (USA)
There are several specialist international bodies which form Disciplinary Groups under the IUFoST umbrella and contribute Standing Committees. These currently include the International Society of Food Engineers (ISFE), the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF), the International Symposium on the Properties of Water (ISOPOW), the International Food Research Collaboration (IFRC) and the International Society of Food Applications of Nanoscale Sciences (ISFANS).
The International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) is a group of elected distinguished food scientists and technologists who collectively form a pool of scientific expertise in food science and technology from which IUFoST may draw non-aligned expert advice on scientific matters. Elected Fellows represent no organisation but serve as independent persons to work and promote high standards of ethics and scientific endeavours. They are at the forefront of IUFoST, helping to strengthen global food science and technology for humanity. They also include the current and past presidents of IUFoST, the current and past secretaries-general of IUFoST.As of 2010[update], there are 182 Fellows from 45 countries. IAFoST does more than simply afford recognition of its Fellows. It takes its own initiatives, with appropriate co-ordination, to promote food science and technology, stimulate education and training, and improve international cooperation. Among its activities, the International Academy nominates candidates for the IUFoST Scientific Council for General Assembly approval and sends proposals for members of working groups to the President or Scientific Council and allocates jury panels for awards.
Academy (IAFoST) Executive Council - Term 2010-2012
President: Dr. Daryl Lund (USA) President-Elect: Prof. Dr. Eng. Walter Spiess (Germany) Past-President: Prof. Vishweshwaraiah Prakash (India) Councillor: Prof. Delia Rodriguez-Amaya (Brazil) Councillor: Prof. R. Hai Liu (USA)
| Year | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | London | United Kingdom |
| 1966 | Warsaw | Poland |
| 1970 | Washington, DC | United States |
| 1974 | Madrid | Spain |
| 1978 | Kyoto | Japan |
| 1983 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 1987 | Singapore | Singapore |
| 1991 | Toronto | Canada |
| 1995 | Budapest | Hungary |
| 1999 | Sydney | Australia |
| 2001 | Seoul | South Korea |
| 2003 | Chicago, Illinois | United States |
| 2006 | Nantes | France |
| 2008 | Shanghai | China |
| 2010 | Cape Town | South Africa |
| 2012 | Foz do Iguassu | Brazil |
| 2014 | Montreal | Canada |
Membership in the International Union of Food Science and Technology is open to all nations on the basis of one representative body from each nation or defined territory. IUFoST represents more than 200,000 food scientists and technologists worldwide through its Adhering Bodies. This also includes regional groups in Western Africa (WAFFoST), Europe (EFFoST), Asia (FIFSTA) and Latin America/Caribbean (ALACCTA).
The IUFoST secretariat is headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto.