Intorduction

Food Leaders: Cornell Students Win Big at IFT FIRST 2025

Cornell Food Tech Students Win IFT in 2025, in which they are the University’s food technology students, have once again proven they’re a force to be reckoned with. At the IFT FIRST 2025 competition—a prestigious event bringing together the brightest minds in food innovation—Cornell teams swept multiple first-place awards, making this year one for the record books.

Held from July 13 to 16 in Chicago, the IFT FIRST (Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology) competition is hosted annually by the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA). This national platform challenges student teams to create, develop, and market innovative, practical food products that align with current dietary and sustainability trends.

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 Cornell’s Winning Creations: Where Science Meets Taste

Here’s a closer look at the cutting-edge, student-created food products that wowed the judges this year:

 NoriNom – First Place, IFTSA-Mars Product Development Competition

Inspired by sushi, NoriNom is a shelf-stable snack consisting of:

• Fortified rice cakes

• Sticky soy sauce glaze

• Edamame mash

• Dehydrated oyster mushrooms

• Wrapped in a nori sheet

The team, led by graduate student Annika Madler, carefully designed the product to preserve flavor, texture, and nutrition. Their focus? Creating layers where each ingredient had a clear purpose.

“We wanted to replicate the sushi experience in a ready-to-eat, convenient format,” said Madler. “It was all about function, flavor, and fun.”

 Eggsential Cereal – First Place, American Egg Board Eggcelerator Lab

Think cereal—only healthier. This high-protein, egg-based flaked cereal stood out for its unique nutritional twist. Developed by another Cornell team, it answered the call for protein-rich, shelf-stable breakfast options that families can trust.

 IamFan – First Place, Smart Snacks for Kids Competition

This pineapple-fried rice-inspired snack is combined:

• Freeze-dried puffed rice

• Dried carrots, bell peppers, and peas

• Pineapple chunks and jackfruit floss

• A fun dipping sauce to “sauce, seal, and shake”

It wasn’t just delicious—it met all USDA smart snack guidelines for schools, was gluten-free, vegan, allergen-friendly, and came in compostable packaging.

 Blueberry Brain Bar – Second Place, Smart Snacks for Kids

This brain-boosting bar, made from chickpeas and blueberries, was another kid-friendly option that highlighted brain health, plant-based ingredients, and natural sweetness.

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 Battle of the Minds: Cornell Wins 40th Annual College Bowl

Cornell also triumphed in the College Bowl Competition, beating the University of Arkansas 26–20 in the finals. This trivia-based contest tests students’ knowledge of food science, safety, engineering, and more.

“Cornell has built a strong culture of peer mentoring and innovation,” said Gavin Sacks, chair of Cornell’s Department of Food Science. “For 17 years straight, we’ve had teams reach the finals.”

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 Beyond the Competition: Real-World Impact

The exposure at IFT FIRST doesn’t end with awards. Over 16,000 industry professionals attended the Chicago expo, giving students the chance to network with food scientists, product developers, entrepreneurs, and recruiters.

Viral Shukla, Ph.D. candidate and president of the IFTSA, emphasized the importance of these opportunities:

“This isn’t just about winning. It’s about applying what we learn in the classroom to real-world problems—and meeting people across every corner of the global food system.”

Shukla has been competing since undergrad, and this year helped develop IamFan, with a mission to make healthy snacks that kids love and parents trust.

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 What’s Next? Industry Eyes on Student Innovations

Companies like Mars Wrigley, which sponsor competitions such as the Product Development Challenge, are watching closely. They now hold full proposals for concepts like NoriNom—and may choose to bring these student ideas to shelves nationwide.

Mark Nisbet, a Mars Wrigley executive and former Cornell student himself, explained:

“This competition gives students a real-world lens into product development. Cornell’s track record is impressive, and it all comes down to leadership, teamwork, and peer mentorship.”

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q1. What is IFT FIRST?
A: IFT FIRST is an annual competition and expo hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists, where students and professionals innovate solutions for food challenges.

Q2. What did Cornell students create in 2025?
A: They created innovative snacks like NoriNom, Eggsential Cereal, and IamFan, winning multiple first-place awards.

Q3. Are these student food products available in stores?
A: Not yet, but companies like Mars Wrigley may choose to produce them based on submitted proposals.

Q4. How does this help students’ careers?
A: It gives them hands-on experience, exposure to real industry professionals, and boosts their resumes significantly.