IAFP 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

IAFP 2012 was another successful meeting for the International Association for Food Protection. The three-day meeting concluded July 25, 2012 with a record-breaking international audience of more than 2,500 food safety professionals representing 43 countries, 46 states, and five Canadian provinces. The meeting has earned recognition as the leading food safety conference.

IAFP 2012's Opening Session recognized two Fellow Award recipients, five Travel Award recipients from State or Local Health or State Agricultural Departments, and nine Student Travel Scholarship Award recipients. The Ivan Parkin Lecture followed, featuring Ms. Jenny Scott, who is the Senior Advisor in the Office of Food Safety for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in College Park, Maryland. Ms. Scott spoke on "Industry and Government Roles in Food Safety Controls - A Perspective from Two Sides."

The program featured over 850 presentations, within 43 symposia, five roundtables, 520 poster presentations, and 118 technical presentations. Representatives from a record 135 companies, including 25 new exhibitors, showcased equipment and the latest innovations in food safety services.

Wednesday afternoon's John H. Silliker Lecture featured Dr. Catherine Woteki, who is Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics (REE) and the Department's Chief Scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Dr. Woteki spoke on "Challenges in Food Security and Food Protection."

Wednesday night's Awards Banquet honored excellence in food safety by recognizing 24 individuals and organizations with awards. The evening concluded with the gavel presentation to Incoming President, Dr. Katherine M.J. Swanson. Dr. Swanson is Vice President of Food Safety for Ecolab Inc. in Saint Paul, Minnesota.