IFST Welcomes Vikan as Corporate Supporter

IFST is delighted to welcome Vikan A/S as a Corporate Supporter – one of a group of organisations that provide financial support and backing to IFST’s educational and charitable activities, and who receive recognition for this at IFST’s various events and activities throughout the year.

Vikan A/S is a major supplier of hygienic cleaning tools for the food and beverage processing sector and is involved in the development, manufacture and marketing of professional cleaning solutions that help minimise the risk of product contamination to enable food producers to produce safe and legal products.

Although an independent organisation; IFST looks to work alongside companies and organisations that reflect its mission which is ‘to recognise and empower food professionals by promoting excellence in science and its application throughout the food chain’.

Jon Poole, IFST’s Chief Executive said, “The financial support of our Corporate Supporters is extremely welcome and valuable to us in helping us to deliver against our charitable priorities especially in relation to education, support to students and the production of scientific information. The public and food professionals rely upon these resources for an unbiased understanding of the science behind new technologies and techniques adopted by the food sector to deliver safe, innovative and appetising food products.”

Already this year, with help from our Corporate Supporters, IFST has been able to produce new scientific resources, including Food Science Facts Sheets and technical Information Statements as well as running Student Career Launchpad events for apprentices and undergraduate students who are looking for careers in the food sector.

IFST is pleased to have already Marks and Spencer, Campden BRI, IFIS and Nutraceuticals as Corporate Supporters. Having Vikan join this group is an excellent addition to this group and helps extend the scale of our charitable activities.

Vikan are supported in their relationship with IFST by Deb Smith who is their Global Hygiene Specialist. Deb is an IFST Fellow and sits on the IFST Food Processing Special Interest Group, the Eastern Branch committee, and the IFST Scientific Committee. Deb is passionate about food safety and has been a member of IFST for 18 years. She values the collaboration opportunities and knowledge resources provided by the organisation and is committed to strengthening these resources.

Carsten Bo Pedersen, CEO at Vikan said, “We are pleased to support IFST both financially and through Deb’s time and expertise. Our primary owner and the charitable foundation behind Vikan, the Vissing Foundation, also supports many educational and charitable activities. These activities include research in disease prevention, diagnostics, and treatment (mainly related to cancer and diabetes), sustainable energy, as well as projects and activities that support marginalised children and young people. Working with IFST is a natural extension of these charitable activities.”

In the attached photo, Helen Munday, President of IFST (on the right) is presenting Deb Smith, Global Hygiene Specialist at Vikan (on the left) a certificate announcing Vikan A/S as corporate supporter.

IFST is looking for more corporate supporters to assist us in our various projects. Please get in touch with us via ce@ifst.org to find out more. More information on how to become an IFST corporate supporter can be found here.