The Institute for Food Science and Technology (IFST) has announced that it has been granted permission by the Privy Council to petition to become a chartered body.

The petition involves submitting to the Privy Council a draft charter and bylaws which would replace IFST’s constitution currently set out in its memorandum and articles. During IFST’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), IFST members voted in support of the petition and the proposed changes.

“New heights”

IFST president Helen Munday said: “As I said at the EGM, this is a topic that many members, be they on the current or previous boards, or as professional members have a great passion for – believing that attainment of chartership status will raise our profession and, in turn, the Institute to new heights.”

Munday went onto thank IFST members for their support with the high turnout for the EGM, and further thanked those trustees and members of the executive team who made the petition possible.

She added: “The next steps may well take some time, and it is not guaranteed we will be successful, but we will be sure to keep you updated on progress and please continue to offer your support to the Institute as we venture into this new uncharted territory towards chartership.”