AIFST New Member welcome and orientation webinar

If you are a new member to AIFST or joined a while ago and would like to know how to navigate our website, we would love for you to join us for an introduction on how to get the best from your membership.

As a valued member we are committed to you having an enriching and rewarding experience as a member of AIFST.

Member Orientation is designed as just that – an informative webinar where we walk through the key things you need to get the most from your AIFST membership.

We look forward to welcoming you!

FoodTech Qld

19-20 June 2025

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

FoodTech Queensland brings together the most innovative food manufacturing and technology solutions into one destination event on the beautiful Gold Coast.

Held every three years, FoodTech Qld unites major food operators with influential industry figures and explores the critical challenges faced by food manufacturers. As Queensland’s leading event for food processing and production, it’s the industry’s meeting place for driving business growth, discovering advanced solutions and reconnecting with peers.

To register, visit the FoodTech Qld website HERE

AIFST Members receive 10% discount off Conference Passes! Please contact us at aifst@aifst.com.au to receive the discount code.

AIFST and CSIRO are pleased to present a Shelf Stable Webinar Series.

Five webinars form part of the series.

Webinar 1: From war rations to reliability of supply chain. Why shelf stable, why now?

Theme: Strategic framing of shelf-stable foods for sovereignty, nutrition access, and national resilience

Shelf-stable food is no longer just about long shelf life – it's about national readiness, resilience, and sovereignty. In a world of climate shocks, supply chain volatility, and shifting geopolitical risks, we need nutrition that moves with us – into the field, the flood zone, or the frontline. This session will spotlight how shelf-stable innovation is transforming rations from survival packs into high-performance nutrition systems. We’ll connect Defence, industry, and research to ask: how do we engineer food that protects our people and strengthens Australia’s food sovereignty?

Our speakers:

Professor Steve Rogers - Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research & Community Connection, Charles Darwin University (CDU)

Professor Rogers has research and high-level leadership experience in the environment sector, mining exploration and mineral processing industries with an extensive understanding of the complex regional issues facing Northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Professor Rogers was formerly the CEO at the Centre for Appropriate Technology Ltd (CfAT Ltd), an Aboriginal-controlled, not-for-profit technology and infrastructure solutions company based in Alice Springs, operating across rural and remote Australia.

With a PhD in Microbiology, Professor Rogers spent 13 years with the University of Adelaide and CSIRO Land and Water at the Waite Research Institute in Adelaide. His research interests include using microorganisms to clean contaminated industrial sites.

Professor Rogers has held several other positions working with global mining and oil and gas sectors, as the CEO of the CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, Managing Director of the Parker CRC for Integrated Hydrometallurgy Solutions and WA program manager with the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Lieutenant Colonel David Long - SO1 Catering, Australian Defence Force

LTCOL Long entered the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2003, graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon to the Australian Army Catering Corps in 2006. His postings have been to Canberra, Brisbane, Townsville, Darwin and Melbourne filling a broad variety of roles. As a General Service, Logistics and Catering Officer he has experience planning and commanding group feeding capabilities. He is now employed in the Defence Catering Cell within Joint Logistics Command with a focus on catering policy. The Cell also provides a co-ordination function for feeding across the wider Australian Defence Force. His operational experience includes Afghanistan and Defence Aid to the Civil Community.

Daniel Philp, Defence Nutrition Australia

Daniel has worked directly in the food industry for the last 5 years with experience covering the last 20 years, from farm work harvesting vegetables and fruit to food manufacturing and his most recent experience is in brand development and commercialisation. Being raised in a rural food producing community gives Daniel an appreciation of the whole supply chain especially the human element of food production.
He is currently one subject away from completing his MBA through the University of Queensland. During the study, he began investigating sovereign food supply for the ADF having been inspired from his service in the Army as a Rifleman. As co-owner of startup Defence Nutrition Australia, the veteran owned business seeks to bring sovereign food security to our service personnel and nation in support of Australia's National Defence Strategy.
Daniel has a keen interest in military history in particular biographies, manoeuvre warfare and a resource understanding of conflict and strategy. When not working on projects in Brisbane, he can be found on his rural property where he has spent the last 10 years creating a natural habitat for wildlife and returning the land to a natural balance.

Future webinars in this series include:

• Technologies That Transform – Processing for Quality, Nutrition, and sustainability
• Resilience in the Regions – Decentralised Manufacturing & Remote Access of nutritious food
• Sustainable by Design – Circular Packaging and Upcycling of By-Products
• The Future Retail Shelf and its Disruption, Foodservice, and Export Potential

Engage 2025: A hybrid education program for tertiary

food science students

Engage 2025 is an opportunity for tertiary food science students to come together to connect and learn from industry and academic leaders from across the agrifood industry The program is delivered in a hybrid format across 8 x 2hr sessions across several university locations. Students will have the opportunity to attend in person or virtually.
The aim is to enhance their current academic program and networks, building on their current skills and challenging their knowledge through critical and reflective thinking to better prepare them for the practical, real-world need for food science and their potential place within the agrifood industry. This program is intended to ‘jump start’ their industry readiness.

The course will be run over 9 x 2hr sessions. Eight of these sessions will be held face to face at university campuses around Australia and recorded for all registered participants. The final session, Careers, will be a Zoom session. These sessions would be delivered monthly from April 2025 to October 2025.

You are welcome to still register for this program as previous sessions have been recorded for all registrants.

Program topics include:

• The food industry status - agrifood industry trends
• Research & Development
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• Sustainability
• Humanitarian Food Science
• Nutrition
• Careers in the agrifood industry

Session 1 University of Queensland - held on 1st April 2025

Session 2 La Trobe University - held on 1st May 2025

Session 3 Western Sydney Uni Richmond Campus - held on 26th May 2025

(These events have concluded and have been recorded for registrants to access)

Session 4 Deakin University Downtown - Friday, 27th June 2025 from 3pm

Session 5 UNSW, Friday, 25th July 2025 from 4pm

Session 6 RMIT City Campus - Tuesday, 26th August 2025 from 4.30pm

Session 7 University of Sydney - Tuesday, 23rd September 2025

Session 8 Uni of Melbourne - October

Session 9 AIFST - October

AIFST and FaBA - Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator are looking forward to delivering this program for our student and graduate members.

AIFST online workshop: How to confidently make voluntary marketing claims food

How does the Australian Consumer Law go beyond the Food Standards Code?

Most of the marketing of food products is not prescribed by regulation in Australia. So how can we confidently assess whether our products are “natural”, “vegan”, “good for you”, “sustainable” or “fresh”? The key is being able to assess your risk of breaching the Australian Consumer Law. This half day workshop will enable participants to:

• Identify who their “reasonable consumer” is.
• Assess what their expectations may be; and
• Know how much evidence we need to hold to substantiate our marketing claims.

We will look at recent regulatory actions on emphasising key ingredients, origin claims, sustainability, and packaging claims, and more.

This workshop is suitable for people working in regulatory, marketing, QA, R&D, NPD and legal at food companies, especially those responsible for either substantiating or approving key marketing claims.

Presented by Charles Fisher, KHQ Lawyers – Principal Solicitor in Food & Beverage 

Charles is a Principal Solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Please note: Due to long length and interactive nature of this workshop it will not be recorded so please only register if you can attend on the advertised date

SA Event - Food Tech Talks 

Join the SA Branch committee as they present an engaging event featuring four speakers on various food science topics.

Topics and Presenter profiles:

"Australian Almonds: From Production to Processing, Innovation & the Road Ahead" with Avinesh Byreddy

Avinesh Byreddy holds a PhD in Food Chemistry and Biotechnology, with over seven years of experience in the food industry. He has held quality-focused roles across the wine and almond sectors, contributing to food safety and quality systems. Avinesh Byreddy has published in leading research journals and was awarded a prestigious research scholarship by Deakin University. His strong scientific background and industry expertise make him an asset in ensuring product integrity and compliance.

“Preparing for the New Reality: Sustainability and Food Processing” with James McIntyre

James is a Principal at 2XE, specialist consultant helping businesses improve performance through sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon management.

2XE works with manufacturers and regional businesses, offering advisory services and software support. James has supported over 200 businesses—particularly in the food and beverage sector—and brings nearly 20 years of experience, including time in the Federal Government. Known for his technical expertise, leadership, and clear communication, James helps manufacturers simplify complexity, enhance energy efficiency, and achieve measurable sustainability and Net Zero outcomes through a pragmatic, collaborative approach.

"Food Under Control: Making Sense of Processing Methods & Preservation Techniques" with Rai Peradka

Rai Peradka is a qualified Food Technologist with extensive experience in the food industry. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at TAFE SA, specialising in teaching Food and Beverage Processing to diploma and degree-level students.

Over several years, Rai Peradka has delivered hands-on training in Food Processing Technology, effectively combining industry insights with educational expertise.

He is passionate about sharing his knowledge to contribute to the betterment of the food industry and the development of future professionals.

“Thinking outside the box – Science and Commercials” with Vin Wong

Vin's journey began as a lab intern, diving into microbiology with gusto. Now an account manager for Langdon Ingredients, he masterfully balances technical prowess with commercial savvy. Vin offers a sommelier experience to customers, navigating a volatile supply chain with innovative solutions. Think differently, be adaptable, survive, and thrive.

The event will conclude with networking over refreshments

There is a nominal entry fee to cover the cost of refreshments

This Event is supported by Applied Food Studies, TAFE SA

The AIFST VIC Branch is holding a Trivia night and you are all invited!

The battle of the brains is happening as the 2025 AIFST Trivia Night takes place again.

Get your colleagues together and form a team, or come along on the evening and join one to compete against others in the industry. 

The trivia night provides attendees with a casual and social environment for food industry professionals to network with peers, catch up with colleagues from the past and present, and to meet others in the industry.  

Your Quizmaster Deon Mahoney will entertain you all with his broad range of trivia questions! 

PROGRAM: 6.30pm - 9.00pm

Your ticket includes Trivia, Canapes, and a drink from the bar.

Thanks to our event partners  NEOGEN,  HALCYON PROTEINS and THERMOFISHER

• AIFST Virtual Workshop: Navigating the Food Regulation Maze

• 
  

• Food regulation can be confusing! 

  Do you ever ask yourself "How do I know if the ingredients I want to use in my new product are approved and safe?"

  Or what about... "How do I know what I can or can’t say about my product?"

  This workshop is designed to help your business collect and manage the information needed to assist with regulatory compliance.

  The workshop will cover:

• Overview of the food regulation system in Australia and New Zealand
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
• Mandatory labelling requirements under the ANZ Food Standards Code
• Uniform Trade Measurement Legislation
• The Food-Medicine interface - Complementary medicines
• Practical exercise looking at assessing a label

Whether you are entering the food industry or just trialing new products, learn more about the regulations that can protect your products and your consumers.

Please note - This workshop will NOT be recorded due to it its interactive nature and long length so you will need to be able to attend in person on the day.

Presenters:

Fiona Fleming - AIFST

Fiona is CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). She is an experienced Corporate and Regulatory Affairs professional who has been involved in leading and facilitating change and developing management strategies across a portfolio of food policy and regulation matters in global FMCG and NGO environments.

Mr Jim Moshovelis

Jim has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries with a strong background in regulatory and government affairs, stakeholder engagement, product development and quality assurance. He advises and assists companies wishing to register or list their products with the TGA.

Charles Fisher - KHQ Lawyers

Charles is a principle solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Registration Cost:

AIFST Members: $110.00

Non-Members: $195.00

Student/Graduate Members: $60.00

Student/Graduate Non - Members: $80.00

NZIFST Members: $110.00 with code

Not a member? Join online today!

Sharon Natoli: Speaking with Confidence & Growing Your Influence

A Short Course for Aspiring Female Leaders in Food Science

Due to the popularity of this course we are scheduling some more dates with the fabulous Sharon Natoli.

3 x 90 minute online sessions for female food scientists. Sessions will be held fortnightly over a period from 5th Aug - 2nd Sept 2025. Registrations are limited to 25 so be quick!

Course outline-

Session 1: Barriers, Intentions and Challenges (5 Aug)

• Awareness of the barriers that get in the way of speaking with confidence and growing your influence.
• Why confidence and influence matters in the workplace – what you gain from developing your skills in these areas.
• How to increase your confidence and influence – a starting point for change.
• Setting intentions.
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 2: How to Increase Your Confidence (19 Aug)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• The power of words – words and phrases you can use to enhance your confidence
• Standing in your power – embodying confidence through your body language
• Structuring your message for clarity – using the power of three to create rhythm and memorability
• Shifting from nervousness to confidence – how to manage nerves before you speak or participate
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 3: How to Increase Your Influence (2 Sept)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• Speaking to be heard – voice projection and warm up
• Five speaking styles for influence
• When to use more words and when to use less
• Managing your state – bringing energy to your speaking
• What’s next? Intentions and outcomes.

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Sharon Natoli helps individuals, teams and leaders find their voice, grow their presence and ignite their influence by speaking up with confidence.

Sharon has 30 years experience in one on one counselling, communication, media and spokesperson roles, and as an advisor to organisations in the food sector assisting brands find their voice through key message development. Her professional experience is complimented by her personal understanding and empathy about the internal barriers that hold people back from speaking up and sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions with confidence.

Sharon’s philosophy is that speaking up is a critical ingredient for demonstrating leadership readiness and making the career contribution you'd like to make.

Food Science Fundamentals

Virtual Short Course

The aim of this course is to familiarise food industry staff on the basic principles of food science.

Understanding the language used to assist communication with other staff and customers. Identify how food science impacts and supports their non-science role. 

This course will be delivered virtually, and the content includes:

• What is Food Science?
• Food Policy & Regulations
• Food Chemistry – the building blocks
• Food Packaging
• Food Microbiology
• Nutrition – food and the human body
• Food Processing
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• The Future of Food

The course is held over four (4) afternoons:

1. Thursday 7th August 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST)
   
2. Thursday 21st August 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 
3. Thursday 4th Sept  2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 
4. Thursday 18th Sept 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEST) 

Only 30 places available.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the interactive nature and long hours these sessions will NOT BE RECORDED and you are expected to be in attendance to gain the most from this course.

AIFST25 Convention 12-13 August 

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature over 60  scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

AIFST25 Convention Tuesday 12 August 

Day 1 only ticket includes Tuesday 12th August 2025 face-to-face convention sessions and the Food and Wine Networking Event.

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature more than 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

AIFST25 Convention Wednesday 13 August 

Day 2 only ticket includes Wednesday 13th August 2025 face-to-face convention sessions and the Food and Wine Networking Event.

AIFST25 will be held as a face-to-face event, on August 12 & 13 in Melbourne featuring a full technical program and exhibition.

With the theme Grow, Learn, Connect, and Champion, AIFST25 will be held over two days with plenary and concurrent session streams, the convention will feature more than 50 scientific and food industry speakers from across the agrifood sector. Food safety will feature strongly, alongside advances in health and nutrition, sensory and consumer science, food security and resilience, sustainability, and packaging. 

Please join us in August to grow, learn and connect.

Visit our AIFST25 website page HERE for partners and more!

For all partnership enquiries, please contact Clive Russell on 0407 066 188 or via clive.russell@aifst.com.au.

Marketing the health benefits of food products

The opportunities of Standard 1.2.7 and the risks of the food-medicine interface

No matter the category of food product, consumers now expect it to be healthier and better for them. But marketing the health benefits of food products – whether they are true or not – can open up a can of regulatory worms. This half-day workshop will cover the following:

• The risks of a claim re-classifying a product from food to medicine.
• How format can impact on health marketing (i.e. can my food be sold in a pill, tablet, or capsule)?.
• How has the regulation of sports supplements changed?
• Distinguishing between high-level health claims, general level health claims and nutrition content claims.
• Knowing whether the Food Standards Code needs to be amended or not.
• How much scientific information is necessary to self-substantiate a health claim.
• Assessing whether your product is eligible to make health claims (i.e. do I need to meet the NPSC and what on Earth is the NPSC?); and
• Identifying pathways to market the health benefits of a product without making health claims.

This workshop is suitable for people working in regulatory, marketing, QA, R&D, NPD and legal at food companies, especially those responsible for approving key marketing claims.

Presented by CharlesFisher,  KHQ Lawyers – Principal Solicitor in Food & Beverage 

Charles is a Principal Solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Not a member? Join online today!