Webinars

The list below shows upcoming webinars held by IAFP and IAFP’s Professional Development Groups (PDGs). Please note that all opinions and statements are those of the individual making the presentations and not necessarily the opinion or view of IAFP.

Upcoming Webinars

  • Developing Food Safety Professionals PDG Presents: Pitch Slam: Inside the Roles Shaping Food Safety Jan 9, 2025 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time)

    Join us for an engaging webinar hosted by IAFP’s Developing Food Safety Professionals PDG, where five food safety experts take the stage in a “pitch slam.”
    Each presenter will have 5-7 minutes to “pitch” their unique role in food safety, sharing why it’s vital, the skills it demands, and perhaps a memorable story from their experience.
    This dynamic session offers an up-close look at diverse food safety positions, from daily tasks to industry impact.
    After the pitches, we’ll open the floor for questions, making this an ideal opportunity to gain career insights and explore potential paths in food safety.

    Learning Outcomes:
    1. Understand the diverse roles within food safety and their impact on the industry.
    2. Identify key skills, knowledge, and experiences needed for various food safety careers.
    3. Gain practical insights through personal stories from professionals, broadening your
    perspective on food safety career options.

    Presenters
    • Cory Bifoss, Presenter PureBio
    • Sarah Smith-Simpson, Presenter Nestle
    • Kyle Lunsford, Presenter Flexxray
    • Tia Glave, Presenter Catalyst
    • Carmen Miller, Presenter Consultant
    • Jill Stuber DFSP PDG Hosts
    • Alison Cousins DFSP PDG Hosts
  • Assess Food Safety Culture: Choosing Methods and Maximising Results Jan 21, 2025 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern Time)

    This webinar emphasizes the significance of evaluating food safety culture within various sectors of the food supply chain, including processing, retail, and regulators. Discover how assessing your organization's food safety culture maturity can help you implement meaningful changes. Through practical examples, participants will learn about successful interventions that organizations have employed to enhance their food safety culture. Expert speakers will share their experiences, discussing effective strategies and lessons learned. Join us to gain valuable insights and strengthen your organization's commitment to food safety.

    The participants will learn to:
    1. Understand the importance of assessing food safety culture across different sectors of the food supply chain.
    2. Learn from real-world examples of successful interventions to enhance food safety culture within organizations.
    3. Gain insights into common challenges and effective strategies for driving positive change in food safety practices.

    Presenters
    • Conrad Choinier, Presenter FDA
    • Andrew Clarke, Presenter Loblaw Companies Limited
    • Lone Jespersen, Presenter Cultivate SA
    • Kelly Stevens, Presenter General Mills
    • John David, Moderator Neogen
  • Crop Field Flooding and Food Safety: Industry and Extension Responses, Research, and Knowledge Gaps Jan 30, 2025 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Eastern Time)

    Organized by: IAFP's Water Safety and Quality PDG

    Flooding occurs when water overflows a field beyond a grower’s control, potentially contaminating soil and water sources. If floodwaters contact the edible parts of fruits and vegetables, the produce is deemed adulterated by the U.S. FDA. Recent flooding in major produce regions across Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. underscores the growing frequency of these events. Addressing flooding requires collaboration among industry, academia, government, and extension services to enhance food safety, agricultural viability, and economic resilience. This webinar brings together experts from North America to discuss flooding's impact on food safety and agriculture, covering recovery, coping strategies, and research needs.

    Learning Objectives: Participants will gain insights into flooding’s impact on food production, preparing them for future challenges. The webinar aims to promote discussions, share research, and support global food safety efforts.

    Key Takeaways: Research findings and gaps on flood impacts to produce safety, Best practices and resources for flood response, Challenges industry faces post-flood, Strategies for flood preparedness.

    Presenters
    • Channah Rock, Presenter University of Arizona
    • Elena Toro Rogers, Presenter North Carolina State University
    • Chris Callahan, Presenter University of Vermont
    • Jeff Hall, Presenter Canadian Produce Marketing Association
    • William Brodegard, Presenter Driscolls
    • Sonia Salas, Moderator Western Growers