Indofood advances food research and Indonesia prepares for SIAL Food & Drinks 2026

PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk is advancing national food research through the Indofood Riset Nugraha (IRN) program. Marking two decades of the initiative, the company held the 2026 National Food Symposium focused on functional food innovation based on local resources to support national self-sufficiency.

As part of the 2026–2027 IRN program cycle, 83 undergraduate researchers were selected from 595 proposals to receive funding and mentorship. The symposium aims to bridge the gap between academic research, industry needs, government regulation, and market application to facilitate the downstreaming of food innovations.

In a separate industry development, the SIAL Food & Drinks Indonesia 2026 exhibition is scheduled for November 4–6 at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. Supported by several Indonesian ministries, the B2B event seeks to strengthen the connectivity of the domestic food and beverage industry with global markets and attract international investment.