Tag Archives: AFFI

Food Safety Consortium with AFFI 2024 logo
Beltway Beat

AFFI and Food Safety Tech announces 2025 Food Safety Consortium program committee, dates and Call For Abstracts

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Food Safety Consortium with AFFI 2024 logo

Food Safety Tech and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) are excited to announce that the 2025 Food Safety Consortium will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, from October 19-21. The 2025 event will focus on the convergence of policy, science, and best practices. With the conference being held near Washington, D.C., this year will place a renewed emphasis on policy discussions, reflecting the growing need to address regulatory and legislative issues. The program will also prioritize the sharing of best practices, offering attendees the chance to learn from one another and engage in collaborative problem-solving on hot-button issues.

The 2025 conference will continue the Consortium’s mission to:

  • Facilitate the exchange of scientific information and best practices among food safety professionals.
  • Address current challenges and advancements in food safety, technology, and compliance.
  • Promote collaboration between industry, academia, and regulatory bodies to enhance public health outcomes.

“The 2025 Consortium will build upon the success of previous events, which have featured high-level panel discussions, educational presentations, and pre-conference workshops.” said Rick Biros, Content Director and Founder of Food Safety Tech.

Notably, past FDA keynote speakers have included Jim Jones, Mike Taylor, Steve Ostroff, Frank Yiannas, and Erik Mettler, supporting the FDA’s industry outreach objectives to the food and beverage industry. In 2024, James “Jim” Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the FDA, was the keynote speaker. His participation was particularly significant, as the Food Safety Consortium was one of the first conferences following the agency’s reorganization where Mr. Jones addressed the food industry. “In 2025, we plan to include FDA leadership in the program. Having the conference in the Washington DC area helps facilitate greater accessibility for FDA officials, other government representatives such as those from USDA and DHS, as well as industry associations.” Biros adds.

Guiding the 2025 program is a newly formed committee that includes:

  • Jason P. Bashura, MPH, RS, PepsiCo R&D, Global Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Sr. Manager, Global Food Defense, PepsiCo
  • Erika Blickem, Director of Food Safety, J.R. Simplot Company, Inc.
  • Benjamin Chapman, Ph.D., Department Head, Professor, Food Safety Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, NC State Extension
  • Byron D. Chaves, PhD., Associate Professor & Food Safety Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Melody Ge, Sr. Director, Food Safety & Quality Operations, TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
  • David Hatch, Vice President, Digital Solutions Marketing, Neogen
  • Jill Hoffman, Senior Director, Food Safety and Quality, B&G Foods, Inc.
  • Justyce Jedlicka, NA Commercial Applications – Food & Beverage Regulatory, Science & Lab Solutions, BioMonitoring, MilliporeSigma
  • Barbara C. Kowalcyk, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University
  • Michael L Rybolt, Ph.D., Sr. Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Tyson Foods

Donna Garren, Executive Vice President of Science & Policy at AFFI, who leads the program committee, commented, “The committee’s collective expertise in food safety and leadership will be essential in shaping the conference program. The Consortium has always been a key platform for the convergence of policy, science, and best practices, and in 2025, we will ensure that policy discussions take center stage, especially given the proximity to Washington, D.C. AFFI’s work is always grounded in science, and our commitment to evidence-based solutions drives everything we do. This conference will continue to reflect that focus while fostering collaboration across all sectors of the food safety ecosystem.

Food Safety Tech and AFFI are requesting presentation and panel discussion abstracts for consideration to be presented during the Food Safety Consortium Conference, Oct. 19-21, 2025, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington VA.

Submit Your Abstract    Abstract Submissions are due by February 14 

Analyzing the Most Common Food Safety Issues in Cold Storage: How to Avoid Them & Prepare for the Future Frozen Food Supply Chain

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Watch this webinar recording and learn key food safety elements and details of FDA’s final Food Traceability rule and its implications for frozen foods. Panelists will reveal new research findings and never-before-seen audit data, share ongoing global efforts toward scale transitions in the frozen food supply chain, particularly as it relates to sustainability and energy-use, and discuss potential operational impacts in cold storage facilities.

Food Safety Consortium with AFFI 2024 logo

American Frozen Food Institute and Food Safety Tech Join Forces for 2024 Food Safety Consortium Conference & Expo

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Food Safety Consortium with AFFI 2024 logo

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and Food Safety Tech proudly announce their partnership on the 12thAnnual Food Safety Consortium, a conference for food safety and quality assurance professionals that equips attendees with cutting-edge knowledge, practical skills, and a collaborative network to enhance their professional development as champions of food safety and innovation in the production of foods and beverages.

“AFFI’s longstanding history of advancing food safety practices across the frozen value chain through scientific research, innovation, education and training is unparalleled,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “Our collaboration with Food Safety Tech for The Food Safety Consortium exemplifies AFFI’s steadfast commitment to cultivating a food safety culture and building a community among our member companies and the broader food industry that empowers employees to make critical food safety decisions and take preventive actions that reduce the odds of their facilities becoming a recall statistic.”

“Our partnership with AFFI is a significant enhancement to the Food Safety Consortium Conference,” said Rick Biros, publisher of Food Safety Tech and director of the Food Safety Consortium. “AFFI’s commitment to food safety and professional education will provide attendees with an unparalleled opportunity to enhance their learning, connect with regulators and industry leaders, and ultimately better serve their organizations and end users.”

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of AFFI and Food Safety Tech to elevate industry standards, and the exploration of key scientific and regulatory developments impacting public health and safety and its implications for food production. The Food Safety Consortium represents an invaluable opportunity for professionals to engage with leading experts, exchange insights, and collectively advance best practices in food safety.

Join AFFI and Food Safety Tech at The Food Safety Consortium October 20-22, 2024, in Washington D.C., where expertise and knowledge sharing leads to practical implementation, and together, we pave the way for a safer, more resilient food industry.

About AFFI

The American Frozen Food Institute is the member-driven national trade association representing all segments of the frozen food supply chain from manufacturers to suppliers and distributors. AFFI advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf, serves as the voice for the industry, and convenes industry leadership to create an environment where frozen foods are essential in today’s dynamic marketplace.

About Food Safety Tech

Food Safety Tech is a digital media community for food industry professionals interested in food safety and quality. We inform, educate and connect food manufacturers and processors, retail & food service, food laboratories, growers, suppliers and vendors, and regulatory agencies with original, in-depth features and reports, curated industry news and user-contributed content, and live and virtual events that offer knowledge, perspectives, strategies and resources to facilitate an environment that fosters safer food for consumers.

About The Food Safety Consortium

The Food Safety Consortium is a business-to-business conference focused on Food Protection that has food safety, food integrity and food defense as the foundation of its educational content. With a unique focus on science, technology and compliance, the “Consortium” brings together food safety and quality assurance professionals for education, networking and discussion geared toward solving the key challenges facing the food safety industry today.