2013 European Symposium
May 15 – May 17 | Parc Chanot Convention Center, Marseille, France
IAFP’s European Symposium on Food Safety took place at the Parc Chanot Convention Center in Marseille, France from 15-17 May. In collaboration with the International Life Science Institute Europe and the Society for Applied Microbiology (with the technical cooperation of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations), IAFP hosted over 300 delegates at this year’s symposium.
Paul Mennecier, from the French Ministry of Agriculture, provided the Welcome Speech. Marta Hugas with the European Food Safety Authority then gave the Opening Session Address titled, “Risk Assessment of Biological Hazards and Its Impact on EU Food Safety Regulations.” Eleven symposia and three technical sessions along with a Closing Plenary Session compiled the three-day program. More than 90 oral presentations and over 120 poster presentations were given in Marseille.
Students competed in a developing scientists competition during the event. Kai Reineke from the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering in Potsdam, Germany received the technical honors and Brenda Magajna from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Canada took home the poster presentation honors.
Exhibitors and sponsors helped to support this year’s symposium through their financial contributions. Twenty-seven companies shared their food safety equipment, products and services with attendees through displays in the exhibition hall. We are indebted to each of these companies for the support they provided to the symposium. Networking breaks, luncheons and receptions were held each day. A standing cocktail social was held at the Palais des Arts on Thursday evening to extend the conversations.
Other groups to be recognized include the Organizing Committee and the Local Arrangements Committee. Marcel Zwietering served as chairperson for the Organizing Committee and Jean Guzzo served as the chairperson of the Local Committee. We appreciate the work of the committee members, along with that of the symposia organizers and convenors. With everyone’s help and all working together, the European Symposium in Marseille was a grand success!