Food institute was established in 1971. Currently the Institute is conducting intensive R&D studies, food quality control analyses, training programs and consultancy services. Since its establishment, the Institute has rapidly developed its infrastructure and reached an important and dynamic position in Turkey. In parallel with national development targets, the mission of the Institute is to contribute to the technological development and increase the competitiveness of the Turkish food industry and to carry out applied R&D studies for the assurance of the food safety and healthy nutrition of society.

The excellent relationships with other research institutes, universities and food industry in Turkey provide dynamism to the Institute. The Institute has also given special importance to fostering sustainable relations with both developed and developing countries through its various research programs.

R&D Activities include the improvement of existing technologies and development of new ones for processing and preservation of foods, increasing quality and yield,formulation of new value-added products, examination of nutrition-health relationships and assurance of microbiological safety in foods. Contract-research Projects (CRP) together with the R&D projects of strategic importance, there are also applied contract-research projects performed for industrial organizations. CRPs are among the priority activities of the institute. Companies or goverment provide financial support to CRPs. Quality Control Analyses are performed routinely for the companies producing food. QC laboratories are accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 standard. A variety of consultancy services, such as technological problem solving, establishing quality assurance systems, setting up laboratories and techno-economic feasibility reports. Training Programmes (national and international) for technical personnel from the food industry and also scientific meetings and conferences are organized.