Industry experts and top regulatory officials including FDA Deputy Commissioner Mike Taylor are scheduled to discuss new efforts to reduce public health risks at the 18th annual Food Safety Summit in May.
For the first time the event is scheduled in Chicagoland, with the exhibit hall, keynote sessions, certification courses and two dozen seminars and panel discussions all taking place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
New Food Safety Summit logo
“The Food Safety Summit Educational Advisory Board has put together a dynamic line-up of sessions and speakers for the 2016 conference, which is packed with prominent subject matter experts within the food safety community who will offer the most up-to-date information on the most pressing topics facing the industry,” summit director Scott Wolters said in a news release.
Set for May 10-12, the event is preceded by certification courses on May 9 that are open to attendees of the Food Safety Summit. The four courses scheduled include two offerings, “Preventive Controls for Human Foods” and “Food Safety Auditor Training.” The other two certification courses set for this year are “HACCP Certification Training” and “Seafood HACCP – Segment Two.”
Other highlights of the 2016 Food Safety Summit Conference & Expo include:
Integrating the Nation’s Food Safety System Forum — Developed by the Association of Food and Drug Officials, this forum will bring together high ranking Food and Drug Administration officials, state and local food safety program managers, members of the Partnership for Food Protection, consumer groups, and industry representatives to discuss efforts and projects in place to integrate government resources dedicated to food safety in this country.
Keynote Presentation: The New Food Safety Environment — This interactive presentation from the regulatory community and the food industry, including manufacturing, retail and foodservice, includes Glenda Lewis, FDA; Kathy Gombas, FDA; Scott Brooks, formerly with Kraft Foods; Joan Menke-Schaenzer, formerly with ConAgra Foods Inc.; Jay T. Mayr, Reser’s Fine Foods; and Gillian Kelleher, Wegmans Food Markets.
The 5th Annual Town Hall will offer attendees the unique opportunity for a candid and interactive discussion on the latest food safety issues with CDC’s Christopher R. Braden, FDA’s Mike Taylor; USDA’s Alfred V. Almanza; and AFDO’s Joseph Corby.
Exhibit Hall — More than 200 companies will showcase their products and services, with dozens offering free education sessions on the Solutions Stage.
