Welcome to the March edition of the IFIS newsletter! Each month, you'll find our highlights of new features, tips, resources, and much more.

Let's dive into the latest news you won't want to miss >>>

Research4Life is celebrating 25 years of providing access to academic and professional resources in low- and middle-income countries. As a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing the sciences of food and health worldwide, IFIS is proud to be a long-standing Research4Life partner.

Through Research4Life, IFIS makes FSTA freely available to universities and related institutions in more than 100 countries, helping to reduce knowledge gaps where specialist resources are scarce. This enables researchers, librarians, practitioners and students to discover high-quality, food-focused literature that supports evidence-based decisions, innovation and education. 

By supporting Research4Life, IFIS customers are also helping to open doors for colleagues worldwide, extending the impact of their investment in FSTA far beyond their own institutions.

To check if your institution is eligible and to register, visit Research4Life.

When looking to publish your research, be sure to carefully review the journal's Instructions for Authors.  Non-compliance is a common cause of rejection.

Journals outline requirements for article type, word limits, formatting, style, presentation, and more. Some even provide a set template. 

Although these guidelines can be frustrating and vary widely between journals, strict compliance is essential, as some publishers may reject or even block re-submissions for formatting errors.

For more advice on submitting your article, and each step of the journal publishing process, take a look at our Guide to Getting Published in Journals

March marks both International Women's Day and National Nutrition Month, so what better time to explore the intersection of female-focussed nutrition research. Women's health has historically been an afterthought, but the tide is turning. Here's just some of the latest research articles in FSTA which have caught our eye:

> Understanding the determinants of anemia reduction among women of reproductive age: Exemplar country case studies' methodology.

Aatekah Owais et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 121, Supplement 1

> Effects of Okara Powder Intake on Intestinal Microbiota and Short-chain Fatty Acid Production in Japanese Adult Women: A Placebo-controlled Double-blind Study.

Yasuyo Kishimura and Seiichiro Aoe, Journal of Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science, Volume 78, Issue 4

> The Effect of Curcumin on Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review Based on Randomized Controlled Trials.

Buket Akyakar et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Volume 26, Issue 17

Claim a free trial of Ovid NutriHealth now to continue exploring this topic.

We’re delighted to share that IFIS’ Rhianna Gamble, Head of Marketing & Engagement, co‑hosted this year’s Binsted Lecture in February as Chair of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) British Section.

The lecture, delivered by IFT President Dr. Peggy Poole, explored Leveraging AI in New Product Development and Ensuring Food Safety and Quality. The Binsted Lecture is a longstanding and prestigious annual event, organised as a collaboration between IFT’s British Section, IFST, FDF, and Campden BRI.

The latest articles from our Thought for Food and Research Skills blogs 

“Critical Gap” in Scientific Understanding of Foods, Study Says Research from The Periodic Table of Food (PTFI) identified 1,650 foods required to undergo molecular analysis to progress health and environmental knowledge. Read more

FSTA helps you discover emerging research quickly, adding new entries weekly. In February 2026, over 18,000 new records were added, curated from 643 different sources, including 194 publishers based in 50 countries.

3 new journals passed our strict assessment process during February. These new journals have been sourced from Germany and China, and focus on Food Chemistry and general Food Science.

Learn more about the newest additions, screened by the FSTA science team for quality, integrity, and relevance.

IFT Section Leadership Conference

11-12 March, Chicago, USA

Our Head of Marketing & Engagement, Rhianna Gamble, will be at the Institute of Food Technologists’ Section Leadership Conference. This two‑day, in-person event brings together volunteer leaders from IFT’s regional Sections for a programme focused on best practices, governance, and future planning.

Rhianna will attend as one of the two representatives from the IFT British Section, in her voluntary role as Section Chair.

If you're attending too, get in touch with Rhianna Gamble if you would like to meet.