IFST mulls merger

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) will probably merge with a similar organisation within five years, according to its new president, Dr Richard Burt.

The move would ensure its survival and relevance to the food and drink industry, said Burt.

No merger talks are currently underway with organisations such as the British Nutrition Foundation and the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology, he said.

However, he recognised that amalgamation was necessary in areas such as food safety and nutrition to prevent duplication of effort. “I think a merger in the next five years is quite probable, but who with and when I don’t know,” he said.

It would not just be bodies involved in hygiene and nutrition that would be considered, “there is a whole range of other organisations that could be part of this”, Burt said.

“We’ve already talked with some organisations and I think there will be some amalgamation: not only to reduce overheads because each has got a secretariat; you can do more if you have a larger group. It’s a possibility, but nothing is actively happening at the present. However, it’s quite on the cards.”