Industry visit: ofi (Olam Food Ingredients)

What does innovation in the food industry look like in practice?

For a group of NUS CHS students, this question was answered firsthand when they stepped into ofi’s Customer Solutions Centre on 19 March for an industry tour.

The visit, organised as part of the NUS Science & Technology Industry Insights course, brought learning beyond the classroom and into a space where science meets real-world application.

From the onset, students were introduced to the complexities of the global food and beverage ingredients industry, gaining a clearer picture of how ofi operates within a broader ecosystem of food producers, manufacturers and consumers.

During the tour, the students gained insights on how evolving consumer preferences, health trends and sustainability considerations impact food product development from farm to factory to fork. They also caught a glimpse of various laboratories, witnessing how product formulation, testing and refinement shape the food products we often take for granted.

The product tasting segment was especially memorable, where they sampled how ingredient choices translate into functional foods with customised flavours and textures.

Beyond technical insights, the visit also opened up conversations around careers in the industry. Students left with a better appreciation of the diverse roles within ofi and the many pathways a science education can lead to – some aligning with their goals, others sparking entirely new directions.

Life Sciences student Lian Huixuan said, “There’re a lot of thought processes and details that go behind innovating food. This visit allows me to decide on some career directions that I would like to pursue in the future.”

A heartfelt thank you to ofi for hosting our students.