When
Presentation title: Beyond the Label: Reframing Food Safety Through Science and Storytelling
Presented by: Dr. Ragya Kapoor and Mimi Reimers with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition
Zoom link to join webinar: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/84627389395
What if proving food safety scientifically isn’t enough to ensure consumer acceptance of an ingredient? Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition presents a case study of how science and marketing intersect to communicate food safety for an ingredient that has been rigorously studied and repeatedly proven safe scientifically, yet remains misunderstood. We’ll examine how misinformation and cultural bias misalign an ingredient, leading to an erosion of consumer trust in food safety. Using transparency and a strategic approach to communicating science allows for building consumer understanding and acceptability of a safe ingredient. Join us to see how food scientists and marketers can collaborate to communicate food safety and how this contributes to safeguarding public trust in our food systems.
Dr. Ragya Kapoor - Senior Scientist, Innovation: Ragya Kapoor is a Senior Scientist in the Food Innovation Team at Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition, North America. Her work focuses on identifying and creating next-generation solutions and ingredients that enhance taste, texture and nutrition across a wide range of food applications. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she focused on encapsulation, protein chemistry and modification, and was a member of the NSF Center for Advanced Research in Drying. She earned a master’s degree in food science from Cornell University, with a focus on dairy chemistry, and process development. Outside of work, she enjoys running by the lake and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Mimi Reimers - Senior Specialist, Strategic Intelligence & Innovation Marketing: Mimi Reimers is a Senior Specialist in Strategic Intelligence and Innovation Marketing at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America. As part of the Food Innovation Team, she integrates consumer insights into product development, innovation strategy, and data-driven marketing, focusing on applying strategic intelligence to uncover emerging trends and unmet needs, bringing a human-centric lens to innovation within a B2B business. Mimi holds an MBA and a Master’s in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago, where she also competed on the cross country and track teams.