How sweet it isn’t

Milo’s Tea Company execs Anthoney Kohistani and Chris Kidenda are regulars at IFT FIRST, the world’s biggest annual convention of scientists and entrepreneurs involved in food technology. So, they felt at home last week as they wandered the floor of Chicago’s McCormick Place, populated by more than 1,000 exhibitors showing off additives that bring up the rear of ingredient lists: Synthetic compounds and natural extracts purported to make colors brighter, textures smoother, and flavors deeper.

But in addition to shaking hands with current partners and old friends, the representatives of the Alabama-based refrigerated tea producer were also stalking the aisles with an eye toward the future.