IAFP 2021

Monday, August 2, 2021

Des Moines, Iowa - IAFP 2021 was held for the first time as a hybrid event by the International Association for Food Protection. The three-day meeting took place July 18–21 in Phoenix, Arizona and concluded with more than 2,600 registered in-person and virtual attendees representing 55 countries, 48 states plus the District of Columbia, and six Canadian provinces. The meeting has earned recognition as the leading food safety conference.

Due to travel restrictions, President Roger Cook officially opened the General Session virtually on Sunday before turning the program over to Dr. Kali Kniel, IAFP Past President, who recognized those who made this year’s meeting possible. Dr. Ruth Petran, IAFP President-Elect, then introduced this year’s Ivan Parkin Lecture, presented by Dr. Robert Gravani, Professor Emeritus of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, who spoke on “It’s All About People, Isn’t It?”

IAFP 2021’s program featured more than 900 presentations including 59 symposia, 30 roundtable sessions, 130 technical presentations, and 548 poster presentations. Most sessions and presentations were recorded and are available to all registered attendees. Representatives from 111 companies showcased equipment and the latest innovations in food safety services through in-person, virtual, and hybrid presentations in this year’s Exhibit Hall.

Monday’s agenda included a “U.S. Regulatory Update on Food Safety,” featuring Ms. Sandra Eskin with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Mr. Frank Yiannas with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On Wednesday afternoon, the John H. Silliker Lecture featured Dr. Barbara J. Masters, Vice President, Regulatory Policy, Food and Agriculture, Tyson Foods, Inc., Washington, D.C. Dr. Masters presented “We All are Working on the Same Puzzle.”

Wednesday night’s Awards Banquet honored excellence in food safety by recognizing 31 individuals and organizations with awards. The meeting concluded with the gavel presentation to Incoming President, Dr. Ruth Petran, Senior Food Safety Advisor, The Acheson Group and Ruth Petran Consulting, LLC, Eagan, Minnesota.