IAFP Invites Annual Meeting Attendees to New Late Breaking Session (7/22/08)
IAFP Announces 2008 Student Travel Scholarship Recipients (7/14/08)
IAFP Announces 2008 Award Recipients (6/24/08)
International Association for Food Protection Elects Isabel Walls to Executive Board (4/1/08)
Final Program Set for IAFP 2008 (3/25/08)
IAFP Holds 2008-2009 Secretary Elections (1/31/08)
IAFP Timely Topics Symposium: Prepared, But Not Ready-To-Eat Foods – What You Need to Know a Great Success (1/28/08)
IAFP Invites Annual Meeting Attendees to New Late Breaking Session
Des Moines, Iowa (July 22, 2008) – On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, IAFP will host the Late Breaking Session –Tomatoes, Peppers, Cilantro? The Consequences of the Salmonella Saintpaul Produce-related Outbreak at the IAFP 2008 Annual Meeting.
The roundtable will focus on the recent outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. The outbreak has dealt another economic blow to the produce industry and again challenged consumers’ confidence in the safety of the supply of fresh vegetables. With over 1,000 cases in most of the US states, this incident is one of the largest produce-related outbreaks in history.
The program will feature Ian Williams, Centers of Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia and Sherri McGarry, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, who will report outbreak investigation details. Keith Schneider, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida will share valuable insight from US and Mexico research. Cristobal Chaidez-Quiroz, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, will describe how Mexico managed the incident that affected their exports, leading to significant economic losses for the tomato industry of both Mexico and the US. The session will wrap up with a response from Dave Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C. followed by a roundtable discussion with all the speakers and Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch, Washington, D.C.
This roundtable is an excellent opportunity to hear first-hand about the latest progress of this investigation and the proposed response from the regulatory agencies and industry.
For more information on the Late Breaking Session or other program topics please, contact the Association office at 800.369.6337 or 515.276.3344; fax: 515.276.8655, E-mail: info@foodprotection.org; or visit the Web site: www.foodprotection.org
IAFP Announces 2008 Student Travel Scholarship Recipients
Des Moines, Iowa (July 14, 2008) – The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) will present Student Travel Scholarships to the following individuals at IAFP 2008, August 3–6, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Sponsored by the IAFP Foundation, the Student Travel Scholarships provide travel funds to enable selected students to travel to IAFP 2008.
Ji-Yeon Hyeon is working toward her Ph.D. at the Department of Public Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Konkuk University in South Korea. Ms. Hyeon’s p rojects are related to development and validation of various rapid detection methods, rapid kit assay, automated ELISA, and real-time PCR for detection of foodborne bacteria and viruses. She plans to undertake postdoctoral research in the US and pursue a career in veterinary science and food safety in the public health sector.
Hudaa Neetoo is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Delaware in Newark. Her research is concentrated on enhancing the microbial safety of sprouts commonly consumed in sandwiches and salads using high pressure processing technology. Ms. Neetoo is active in various professional organizations and intends to pursue a career in academia.
Rolf Erik Nilsson of Australia completed clinical microbiology studies before beginning his Ph.D. program at the Australian Food Safety Centre of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research in Hobart. Mr. Nilsson seeks to direct his research, which is aimed at developing an understanding of the molecular biology of persistent Listeria monocytogenes strains, toward defined industry applications, with the ultimate goal of reducing the economic risks faced by food industry and contributing to improved public health.
Christopher Nnadozie Njoku , a native of Nigeria, is an international master’s student in the Department of Sustainable Development at Linkoping University, Sweden, specializing in Water and Food Security. Currently at work on an intensive research thesis, Mr. Njoku also worked as a quality control officer and taught secondary education while serving his country’s National Youth Service Corp.
M. Elizabeth Palmer of Cornell University is a Ph.D. student in Food Science with a focus on Food Safety and Microbiology. Ms. Palmer’s research at the Food Safety Laboratory is centered on alleviation and mitigation of food safety and public health concerns by understanding Listeria monocytogenes’ mechanisms of stress survival and developing methods for its inhibition. Ultimately, she hopes to work as a food microbiologist/food safety scientist in a research or regulatory setting.
Akafete Teklu Fite , a native of Ethiopia, is pursuing her MSc at Addis Ababa University. She has earned scholarships and financial support for her research, which focuses on the prevalence, distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella serovars in apparently healthy slaughtered sheep and goats and abattoir environments at an export abattoir in Ethiopia.
IAFP Announces 2008 Award Recipients
Des Moines, Iowa (June 24, 2008) – The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) will present awards recognizing excellence in food safety to the following organizations and individuals at IAFP 2008, August 3-6, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Black Pearl Award will be presented to 3M Microbiology, St. Paul, Minnesota ,in recognition of 3M’s outstanding achievement in corporate excellence in food safety and quality.
The IAFP Fellow Award will be presented to Warren S. Clark, International Dairy Foods Consultant - Retired
P. Michael Davidson , University of Tennessee and Gloria Swick-Brown , Ohio Department of Health . IAFP Fellows are professionals who have contributed to IAFP and its affiliates with distinction over an extended period of time.
The Honorary Life Membership Award recognizes IAFP Members for their dedication to the high ideals and
objectives of IAFP and for their service to the Association. This year, John C. Bruhn , University of California – Davis,
Gale Prince , Retired – Director, Corporate Regulatory Affairs, and Helene Uhlman, Hammond Health Department will receive this honor.
The Harry Haverland Citation Award will be presented to John N. Sofos, Colorado State University, for his years of devotion to the ideals and objectives of the Association.
Bruce J. Bradley will receive the Food Safety Innovation Award for creating a new idea, practice, or product that has had a positive impact on food safety, thus, improving public health and the quality of life.
The International Leadership Award will be presented to F. Xavier Malcata, Escola Superior Biotecnologia, Portugal, for his dedication to the high ideals and objectives of IAFP and for promotion of the mission of the Association in countries outside of the United States and Canada.
International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods will receive the GMA Food Safety Award in recognition of a long history of outstanding contributions to food safety research and education.
The Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award will be presented to John B. Luchansky , USDA-ARS-ERRC, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, to recognize his service for outstanding contributions in the laboratory and recognizing a commitment to the development of innovative and practical analytical approaches in support of food safety.
Don Wilding , Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, Illinois will be presented the Sanitarian Award to recognize his dedication and exceptional service to the profession of sanitarian, serving the public and the food industry.
The Elmer Marth Educator Award will be presented to Joseph F. Frank, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, to recognize his dedication and exceptional contributions to the profession of the educator.
Robert H. Deibel , Deibel Laboratories, Inc., Lincolnwood, Illinois, is the recipient of the Harold Barnum Industry Award. This award recognizes his outstanding service to IAFP, the public and the food industry.
The County of Sacramento Environmental Management Department , will receive the Samuel J. Crumbine Award for excellence and continual improvement in a comprehensive program of food protection at the local level.
International Association for Food Protection Elects Isabel Walls to Executive Board
Des Moines, Iowa (April 1, 2008) Members of the International Association for Food Protection elected Isabel Walls to the Executive Board as Secretary. Dr. Walls will take office at the conclusion of IAFP 2008 in Columbus, Ohio and will fulfill a five-year commitment to the Association serving as President in 2011–2012.
Dr. Isabel Walls is a Senior Advisor with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, where she manages the development of technical reports and provides scientific advice on sanitary and phytosanitary issues that may impact international trade, including issues related to the World Trade Organization policies and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Dr. Walls earned her Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and has post-doctoral experience from the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Pennsylvania.
An IAFP Member since 1992, Dr. Walls has served on the Journal of Food Protection Editorial Board since 1996. She chaired the Journal of Food Protection Management Committee (2002–2004) and, as vice chair, oversaw the development of JFP Online. A founding member of the Microbial Risk Analysis PDG, she is also active in the Meat and Poultry Safety and Quality and Food Law PDGs, and was a Local Arrangements Committee member for IAFP 2005.
Final Program Set for IAFP 2008
Des Moines, Iowa (March 25, 2008) The International Association for Food Protection set the final program for IAFP 2008 – the Association’s 95th Annual Meeting, August 3-6, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The meeting has earned recognition as the leading food safety conference. Online registration and program information is available on the Association Web site at: www.foodprotection.org.
The meeting kicks off Sunday evening, August 3, with the Ivan Parkin Lecture followed by the Opening Reception held in the Exhibit Hall. This year’s honored lecturer is Dr. Russell S. Flowers, Silliker Group Corporation. Monday morning starts three days of sessions with over 550 presentations including 24 half-day symposia, six round-table sessions, 80 technical and 400 poster presentations. A sample of symposia topics include: 2008 Foodborne Disease Outbreak Update: Salmonella in Processed Foods, Bacterial Physiology–A Forgotten Theme That is Critical for the Food Microbiologist, Harmonization of Irrigation Water Practices , Sampling and Sample Prep: Unglamorous but Very Necessary, Chemical Contaminants Testing in Foods, New and Innovative Ways to Derive Risk-Based Management Options and Comparative International Approaches to Regulating Unsafe Food. The Fifth Annual John H. Silliker Lecture will be presented on Wednesday afternoon, featuring Dr. Michael P. Doyle, University of Georgia. For additional educational opportunities, IAFP 2008 will present three pre-meeting workshops on August 1 and 2.
Attendance is expected to exceed 2,000 of the top industry, academic and government food safety professionals. This broad mix of attendees includes professionals in quality control, processing operations, regulatory inspections, consulting groups, risk assessment, research and development, microbiological research, plant management, technical services, and HACCP management. The meeting will also showcase more than 100 companies demonstrating the latest products and technologies in the Exhibit Hall.
IAFP Holds 2006-2007 Secretary Election
Des Moines, Iowa (January 31, 2008) The International Association for Food Protection announced Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban and Dr. Isabel Walls as candidates for the 2008-2009 Secretary. The elected Secretary will assume their position following IAFP 2008 in Columbus, Ohio in August and will serve a five-year term of successive positions. Ballots have been E-mailed to all Association Members. The election will remain open through March 17, 2008. Election results will be announced on the IAFP Web site and in the May issue of Food Protection Trends .
Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban is the Laboratory Director for the USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Western Laboratory, a position held since 1992. While developing and directing program and administrative policies, he supervises a workforce of approximately 50 professionals and support staff engaged in chemical and microbiological food analyses.
Dr. Esteban worked in private practice and as a consultant for a European refrigeration firm while earning his DVM (1982) and MBA (1985) degrees from the National Autonomous University in Mexico. He immigrated to the US in 1985, working a number of interesting jobs before joining the Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting Company. In 1987, he founded a small business communications firm dedicated to developing marketing messages to Spanish-speaking audiences, and soon furthered his education with an MPVM and his Ph.D. in Epidemiology (1994) from the University of California-Davis.
Dr. Esteban has served on the IAFP Program Committee since 2003, and is Chairperson for IAFP 2008. He also judged the 2006 and 2007 Developing Scientist Awards competition, serving as Committee Chairperson in 2007.
Dr. Isabel Walls is a Senior Advisor with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, where she manages the development of technical reports and provides scientific advice on sanitary and phytosanitary issues that may impact international trade, including issues related to the World Trade Organization policies and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Dr. Walls earned her Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and has postdoctoral experience from the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Pennsylvania.
An IAFP Member since 1992, Dr. Walls has served on the Journal of Food Protection Editorial Board since 1996. She chaired the Journal of Food Protection Management Committee (2002–2004) and, as vice chair, oversaw the development of JFP Online. A founding member of the Microbial Risk Analysis PDG, she is also active in the Meat and Poultry Safety and Quality and Food Law PDGs, and was a Local Arrangements Committee member for IAFP 2005.
For the complete biographies of the candidates visit the IAFP Website at: http://www.foodprotection.org.
IAFP Timely Topics Symposium: Prepared, But Not Ready-To-Eat Foods – What You Need to Know a Great Success
Des Moines, Iowa (January 28, 2008) The International Association for Food Protection, in cooperation with the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) hosted IAFP’s First Timely Topics Symposium: Prepared, But Not Ready-To-Eat Foods – What You Need to Know. The Symposium was held January 24 th at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City in Arlington, VA. More than 110 attendees, from 23 states, Canada and Europe participated.
The symposium featured insights from seven leading experts from industry, academia and government on food safety-related issues associated with Prepared, But Not Ready-to-Eat Foods. The topics included the epidemiology of recent outbreaks, the regulatory position on this class of foods, consumer perceptions and expectations, issues associated with microwave ovens, microwavable foods, validating cooking instructions, and appropriate labeling for consumers.
IAFP Board President Gary Acuff states, “The IAFP Timely Topics Symposium was well received. The symposium brought together food safety professionals ranging from corporate microbiologists to attorneys for the industry to discuss this timely subject. The symposium was an excellent way for IAFP to further our mission of Advancing Food Safety Worldwide.”
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