Terms of Payment

  1. Annual Memberships and Registration fees are non-refundable. 
  2. Annual subscriptions run on an ongoing 12-month basis: 
    1. A non-member applying for a Professional Level and/or one of our Specialist registers is required to pay the full subscription rate for that category.
    2. The subscription payment is non-refundable if an application is unsuccessful. Associate member benefits will apply if an application is unsuccessful. 
  3. However, if a decision to cancel a new membership and/or registration is made within 30 days of the payment being processed, and the application has not been passed on to our Membership Assessment Panel (MAP), a refund can be provided less a 10% administration charge. We aim to refund this amount (which will be confirmed in writing) by credit card or bank transfer and therefore you may need to provide additional details on request. Refunds may take up to a month to process from the date of written cancellation being received. 
  4. Please be advised that there is an admin fee of £16.00 for processing a paper-based application (i.e. for applications not submitted using our online application system). This is only applicable to memberships. Please contact joinus@ifst.org for more information.
Student Memberships
  1. Applications from individuals studying a food related/food science related course at an institute of higher education will be accepted as a Student Member and eligible for the student membership rate.
  2. No member shall be permitted to remain as a student member for a period exceeding 4 years in aggregate.
Reduced Subscription Rates

As part of our commitment towards general advancement and application of food science and technology for the benefit, safety and health of the public, we offer Reduced Subscription Rates for:

  • Low-income members
  • Retired members

For more information on these rates, please get in touch by emailing us at: membership@ifst.org

Refer A Friend

We are looking to grow our membership and what better way to do that than by referrals from our members? Renewing your membership until 31 December 2022 provides you with the opportunity to refer up to two friends, colleagues or contacts as new associate (or above) members. Each new member you refer will benefit from a £20 reduction on their membership fee for 2022-23. For every person, you refer (up to two per member) you will receive a discount code enabling you to deduct £20 off your fees when you next renew your membership. Take part, tell your friends and help us build a stronger IFST. 

Terms and conditions 

  • Offer applies to existing members (Associate, Member, Fellow) paying a full subscription fee by card, renewing their membership up until 31 December 2022.
  • The offer is open for a period at the discretion of IFST - until 31 December 2022.
  • To qualify, eligible members should request discount codes for up to two friends, colleagues or contacts by emailing membership@ifst.org.
  • The discount code will entitle a new applicant to a £20 reduction in the membership fee for an application submitted before the end of December 2022.
  • After a new member(s) has submitted their application and paid their fee using a discount code, the referring member will receive a discount code (worth up to £40).
  • Offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offers or membership discounts or concessions.
Feeding Our Future

IFST is the leading professional body for food technical professionals providing career professional development, knowledge resources and a community for our members, If you are working in a technical role in the food sector at a senior level but are yet to join IFST, this is for you. Being part of a professional body, networking with your peers and having opportunities to contribute and invest in your profession is an important part of your professional development. We invite you to "pay it forward" by joining IFST and simultaneously supporting an up-and-coming food technical professional by nominating them to also join us FREE. IFST will fund your nominated member for the first year by using your membership fee, thus growing and feeding the future of the food profession.

Terms and conditions 

IFST demonstrates its commitment to growing the technical food profession by investing in our ‘Feeding our Future’ campaign during 2022-23. For each new nominated senior IFST member who joins us (the first 150 to apply), IFST will fund joining and membership fees for another individual nominated by the new joiner, as long as they meet our Associate member criteria. IFST will approach key individuals who are not existing members and invite them to join and nominate. Individuals are also able to nominate themselves and must have been working in the food profession in a senior role for at least 10 years. We encourage all new members to share their achievements on social media in line with our member social media guidelines.

IFST events: cancellations and amendments

Cancellation by IFST

In the event of circumstances beyond our control, IFST reserves the right to amend the programme, reschedule or cancel this event.

In the event of cancellation or postponement, delegates will be notified in writing and provided with a full refund or the option to transfer to another event.

Please be advised that the IFST cannot be held responsible for any travel or accommodation costs incurred should an event be rescheduled or cancelled.

Cancellation by attendees

All requests for cancellations and/or transfers must be submitted in writing to events@ifst.org.

Changes will become effective on the date of written confirmation being received.

The appropriate cancellation charge will apply based on the cost of your booking (unless otherwise stated at the time of your booking), as shown below.

Notice before the start date of the event and refund applicable

21 calendar days or more  -  Refund of event fee less 10% admin fee

Between 20 and 10 calendar days (inclusive)  -   50% refund of your event fee

9 days or fewer or failure to attend - no refund

We aim to refund the event fees by credit card or bank transfer and therefore you may need to provide additional details. Refunds may take up to a month to process from the date of written cancelation being received.

Change of delegate

In the event of a delegate being unable to attend, the place may be transferred to another person, subject to written notification of the request.