IAFP 2025

Thursday, August 14, 2025

Des Moines, Iowa – IAFP 2025 was held in Cleveland, Ohio, July 27–30, and concluded with more than 3,000 registered attendees representing 60 countries, 49 states plus the District of Columbia, and nine Canadian provinces. The meeting has earned recognition as the leading food safety conference.

President Mark Carter officially welcomed attendees to Cleveland at IAFP 2025’s Opening Session on Sunday evening. Those honored throughout the session included one Fellow Award recipient; three Travel Award recipients from Health or Agricultural Departments in North America; three Travel Award recipients from a Country with a Developing Economy; and 20 Student Travel Scholarship Award recipients. Charters for two new IAFP Affiliates were also presented. Dr. Manpreet Singh, IAFP President-Elect, then introduced this year’s Ivan Parkin Lecture, presented by Dr. Alejandro Mazzotta, Senior Vice President of Quality, Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs, Chobani, New York, New York. Dr. Mazzotta spoke on “Less Is More: Ditching Distractions and Focusing on Value.”

IAFP 2025’s program featured more than 1,000 presentations including 63 symposia, 24 roundtable sessions, more than 120 technical sessions, and more than 600 poster presentations. Most sessions were recorded and are available to all registered attendees as well as those who could not attend. Representatives from 160 companies showcased equipment and the latest innovations in food safety services through presentations in this year’s Exhibit Hall.

Monday’s agenda included the “U.S. Regulatory Update on Food Safety,” with Dr. Denise Eblen, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, and Mr. Kyle Diamantas, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as featured speakers.

On Wednesday afternoon, the John H. Silliker Lecture featured Dr. Julian Cox, Associate Professor – Food Microbiology, and Associate Dean – International, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Dr. Cox presented, “Of Poultry, Pathogens and People: Perennial Passions.”

Wednesday night’s Awards Banquet honored excellence in food safety by recognizing 28 individuals and organizations with awards. The meeting concluded with the gavel presentation to Incoming President, Dr. Manpreet Singh, Professor, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.