In this “Best of 2025” episode of Omnivore, Food Technology revisits the top food science and thought leader interviews of the year. The AI era is unquestionably here, and it’s advancing at lightning speed. In this episode, AI “futurist” and IFT FIRST keynote speaker Steve Brown discusses the unprecedented opportunities that AI offers, its benefits for the global food system, and why it’s important to embrace its new technologies with a mindset of curiosity instead of fear. Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt explains why legacy food and beverage brands are under pressure to innovate, and how they’re stepping up to the challenge. Martin Hahn, a regulatory attorney and partner at Hogan Lovells, and Maha Tahiri, CEO of Nutrition Sustainability Strategies, explore how the MAHA agenda could reshape formulation, labeling, and ingredient safety strategies across the food industry in this live session recorded at IFT FIRST.
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GUESTS
Steve Brown is a former executive at Google DeepMind and Intel and the best-selling author of The Innovation Ultimatum: How Six Strategic Technologies will Reshape Every Business in the 2020s. A seasoned leader with deep experience working at tech giants, leading world-changing startups, and as a consultant to Fortune 100 companies, Brown is known for making complex tech accessible and inspiring. He will deliver a fast-paced and visually dynamic keynote at IFT FIRST titled “AI Now and Next: Getting Ready for the Future of AI.”
Sally Lyons Wyatt, Executive Vice President at Circana, is a global expert in CPG and foodservice, known for insights on consumer trends, sustainability, and emerging categories. With over 30 years of experience, she leads industry teams, advises Fortune 500 clients, and frequently appears in top media. A two-time “Top Women in Grocery” honoree, she champions early-career professionals at Circana.
Martin Hahn is a partner at Hogan Lovells with deep expertise in food law and regulatory strategy. With a background in food technology and a J.D. from Northwestern University, he advises clients across the food industry on ingredient approvals, labeling, enforcement, and compliance challenges. His work spans conventional foods, dietary supplements, infant formulas, and emerging product categories like hemp extracts.
Maha Tahiri is CEO and founder of Nutrition Sustainability Strategies LLC, where she advises companies on global health, nutrition, and regulatory strategy. A seasoned executive and board advisor, she brings decades of experience leading innovation and public health initiatives at major food and beverage companies. Tahiri is known for translating science and consumer insights into strategies that drive sustainable growth and improve the food system.
Omnivore Podcast
Join the award-winning editors of Food Technology magazine every other Monday for Omnivore, the podcast that intersects the business of food and the science of food, through lively discussion and interviews with product innovators, leading researchers, policy makers, and thought leaders from across the world of food.
