Welcome Message from Prof. Anlong Xu, Chair of the IUFoST World Food Congress 2026

It is my great pleasure, as Chair of the IUFoST World Food Congress 2026, to warmly welcome you to Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, for the Congress to be held from 25 to 29 October 2026.

Hong Kong is a city where food, science, culture, and innovation naturally converge. Long recognised as one of the world’s most dynamic food hubs, it is a place where culinary traditions meet cutting-edge science, where global supply chains intersect, and where ideas move freely between East and West. Leveraging our unique advantages and deep integration with the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong serves as a vital platform for both attracting global expertise and supporting the global reach of new solutions. This unique crossroads position makes Hong Kong an ideal setting for a truly global Congress dedicated to the future of food science and technology.

The IUFoST World Food Congress 2026 will bring together the international food science and technology community to address the pressing challenges shaping food systems today and tomorrow. In this vibrant and connected city, participants will engage in dialogue on food safety, regulatory science, emerging contaminants, innovative processing and ingredients, functional foods and health, sustainability, and the revitalisation of traditional food knowledge—all within a framework that values scientific rigour, inclusiveness, and collaboration.

Hong Kong’s strategic evolution into an International Innovation and Technology Centre and a global hub for high-calibre talent brings new dynamism to this event. The city’s long-standing role as a bridge between regions, disciplines, and sectors mirrors the spirit of this Congress. It is a place that brings people together—scientists, regulators, industry leaders, and future professionals—to exchange perspectives, build partnerships, and transform knowledge into practical solutions. Supported by an efficient government and a vibrant market, the city’s strong academic institutions, international outlook, and deep connections to regional and global food systems provide an exceptional environment for multidisciplinary exchange and innovation.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, I warmly invite you to join us in Hong Kong to contribute your expertise, share your insights, and be part of a Congress where food science meets the future. Together, in this global crossroads, we will shape conversations and collaborations that advance safe, sustainable, and resilient food systems worldwide.

I look forward to welcoming you personally to Hong Kong in October 2026.

Anlong Xu, Ph.D.,

Welcome Message from the President, International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST)

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the IUFoST World Food Congress 2026, to be held in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, from 25 to 29 October 2026.

At a time when food systems worldwide are facing rapid technological change, environmental pressures, evolving consumer expectations, and increasingly complex public health challenges, the role of food science and technology has never been more central. Science remains the foundation upon which safe, nutritious, sustainable, and resilient food systems are built—and this Congress reflects that essential role.

The IUFoST World Food Congress serves as a global platform where scientists, technologists, regulators, industry leaders, and future professionals come together to exchange knowledge, challenge assumptions, and advance science-based solutions. 

Over five days of dialogue and discovery, the programme will explore critical themes shaping the future of food systems, including functional foods and human health, innovative ingredients and processing technologies, the revitalisation of traditional food knowledge, and the application of science to improve sustainability and system resilience.

A strong emphasis of this Congress is placed on food safety and regulatory science, recognizing their importance in protecting public health and maintaining trust in food systems. 

The planned discussions are essential to strengthening national and international capacities to anticipate, detect, and manage evolving food safety challenges in an increasingly interconnected global food supply.

Beyond scientific exchange, this Congress is designed to foster transdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, bridging research, regulation, and application. It is a place where ideas connect, where evidence informs policy, and where innovation is translated into practical solutions that serve societies worldwide.

I warmly invite you to engage fully in the discussions, share your expertise, and contribute to shaping the future of food science and technology. Together, through collaboration and science-based action, we can advance food systems that are safe, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of present and future generations.

I look forward to welcoming you to Hong Kong in October 2026.

Prof. Samuel Godefroy,

Where Food Science meets the Future

In a world characterized by rapid technological advances, mounting environmental challenges, shifting consumer expectations, and unprecedented global health concerns, the role of food science and technology has never been more critical. As we confront these multifaceted issues, the need for innovative approaches that can ensure food safety, enhance the resilience of food systems, promote sustainability, and safeguard public health has become paramount. This IUFoST World Food Congress, to be held in Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, from 25-29 October 2026, will serve as a global platform that fosters vigorous scientific dialogue, multidisciplinary collaboration, and transformative solutions that address these pressing challenges. 

Science underpins how food systems evolve. This flagship Congress will convene scientists, technologists, policymakers, industry pioneers, and future leaders from around the world to explore science-driven solutions for food, health, and sustainability.

Over five days of discovery and dialogue, the programme will address the critical themes shaping the future of global food systems — including functional foods and human health, innovative ingredients and processing technologies, the revitalisation of traditional food knowledge, as well as food safety, regulatory science, and measurement technologies.

More than a scientific meeting, the IUFoST World Food Congress is a global platform for transdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, fostering critical thinking, and technological and application innovation - Where ideas connect and progress begins. 25-29 October 2026 - Meet us in Hong Kong