Food Protection Trends

COMMENTARY from the Executive Director
November 2007

“We are always interested in thoughts and ideas that can help build the international network of food safety professionals"
By David W. Tharp, IAFP Executive Director

I know that over the past months I have written about IAFP and the ways in which we are developing internationally as an Association. For this month, I want to again update you on what IAFP has accomplished over the recent past.

In September, IAFP participated as a partner and supporter of the first “China International Food Safety & Quality” conference, or CIFSQ conference that was held in Beijing, China. You may have seen summary reports (linked from IAFP’s Home page) about this conference, but let me tell you first hand that it was a very exciting event for your Association! There were more than 1,000 people in attendance from more than 17 countries; with over 40 companies exhibiting their products and services. It was gratifying to see many international companies, who regularly support IAFP, were able to step forward to support this conference. IAFP’s summary report, including pictures, begins on page 916 of this issue.

You may recall that IAFP assisted the conference organizers by providing input on program topics and through speaker suggestions. As a result of our direct invitations, there were 10 internationally recognized food safety professionals on the pro-gram. In addition, there were another 10 IAFP Members who learned of the CIFSQ conference and volunteered their time and expertise to participate as presenters. In addition, there were a fair number of people from North America who made the trip to China just to attend this first-of-its-kind conference. We commend all who participated, whether as an attendee, speaker or sponsor! It was a well received program and one which garnered the attention of China’s food safety government officials.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Frank Yiannas, now our Past President, worked tirelessly in support of this conference. Frank provided guidance on topics, speakers and extended many personal invitations to encourage participation. Frank was also honored as a plenary session speaker in addition to bringing an IAFP welcome to all attendees. I am certain that recognition of IAFP skyrocketed in the Asian region as a result of our avid support of this conference. We were also surprised at the number of people who visited with both Frank and me at the conference who thought this conference was an “IAFP organized” gathering of food safety professionals. Because of the success of the conference, this is good! Be watching for information about a second conference (a follow up to this first China conference) to be held in September of 2008.

As I have said before, this is such an exciting time for IAFP Members! In addition to the involvement in China, by the time you read this column, our Third European Food Safety Symposium will have concluded. Since I am writing before the event began, we cannot provide you with a summary or pictures, but we will do so in the December issue of Food Protection Trends . We received excellent support from a number of companies who agreed to sponsor and exhibit at the symposium. It would be appropriate to recognize our lead sponsors at the Gold Level; they are bioMérieux Industry, Bio-Rad Laboratories and DuPont Qualicon. We appreciate the support provided by these industry leading companies and also from the IAFP Foundation. The financial contribution made by each of our sponsors allows IAFP to conduct the symposium in a financially responsible manner for the Association.

At the beginning of October, President Gary Acuff and I traveled to São Paulo, Brazil to visit possible meeting sites and to meet with potential sponsors and exhibitors in planning for a Latin American Symposium on Food Safety to be held in June or July of 2008. Soon, we will announce the program content and identify those agreeing to sponsor and exhibit. It was a short trip (as to time we had in São Paulo!), but one that will pay dividends for IAFP in the long-term. In so many of our world’s cultures, it means much more to meet someone face-to-face in order to show your sincerity. We must recognize this as IAFP grows internationally.

With the assistance of Maria Teresa Destro and Mariza Landgraf, we met at the University of São Paulo with more than 12 interested sponsors. This meeting was arranged in less than two weeks time and there were other companies who were unable to attend, but were still interested. As I was writing this column on the plane returning from São Paulo, I learned upon my arrival back in Des Moines that we already have one sponsor for the Latin American Symposium in the amount of $5,000! I believe this shows the power of demonstrating IAFP’s commitment to holding symposia outside of North America and it also shows the wonderful financial assistance provided by our supporting companies.

If you are interested in future involvement with IAFP’s international efforts, please contact me at the IAFP office. We are always interested in thoughts and ideas that can help build the international network of food safety professionals. It is an exciting time to be an IAFP Member!