In the US, the Food Safety Summit is to be held, 18-20 March, at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 food safety professionals and will be addressing a number of key issues including the risk of terrorist attacks.
"This Summit provides an opportunity for food industry representatives to come together and learn about important issues related to food safety, quality assurance and food security," said Dr. Rhona Applebaum, NFPA's Executive vice president and chief science officer. "This conference is designed to give participants the necessary information to meet the challenges facing today's food processors, restaurants and retailers."
According to the organizers, participants at the Food Safety Summit are industry decision-makers in quality assurance and food safety. They include executives in quality control, food safety, plant operations and sanitation. Leaders from the processing, restaurant and retail food industry, representatives from Capitol Hill, the White House and key regulatory officials also will be in attendance at the conference.
Events at this year's Conference, include a half-day workshop, 'Food Security and Bioterrorism: Your Role in Protecting the Nation's Food Supply.'"Food and water supplies are considered potential bioterrorism targets, putting those who make and serve food on the front lines for consumer protection," Dr. Applebaum noted. "In this workshop, leaders from the US government, the military, law enforcement, corporate security and the food industry will come together to provide the latest information on possible threats to the food and water supply and the steps that need to be taken to protect against them."
Each day, the conference will feature education sessions grouped into five tracks: Food Security; Food Plant Operations; Laboratory and Technology; Quality Assurance and Management; and Restaurants and Foodservice.
In addition to the education tracks and General Sessions -- which will feature government and industry leaders as Keynote Speakers -- the Food Safety Summit also will present the "Food Safety Expo," an exhibit that will include new food safety products and solutions from more than 150 companies, the largest exhibition of its kind focusing exclusively on food safety.
The event's main sponsor is the National Food Processors Association, with other sponsorship coming the National Restaurant Association, Food Safety Magazine and Food Marketing Institute.
For more programme information and registration materials, visit www.foodsafetysummit.com .