IAFP Annual Conference A Huge Success
As I cruise back to Milwaukee at nearly 40,000 feet, reflecting quietly upon the last few days, I know there are certain experiences in life I will never forget.
One of these was the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) annual meeting in Anaheim. The venue was outstanding, the program was phenomenal, and the company was no less than amazing. In addition to seeing many old colleagues, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting numerous new friends, whose views, perspectives and shared experiences have already changed my life. For that, I thank them.
I also had the distinct pleasure of seeing Mike Taylor and listening to his comments during the conference regarding recent FDA accomplishments and new initiatives.
Taylor remains hopeful that the Food Safety Modernization Act will pass the Senate this year. He also discussed at length the recognized and significant challenges the agency faces as it works to develop and implement new food safety produce rules. These challenges are driven in large part by the expansive diversity in products, as well as significant diversity in growing regions, climates, operations, practices and markets. These challenges, of course, increase when contrasted against the goal that any new rules be risk-based, scalable and appropriate.
During his comments, Taylor also noted appropriately that “most of the actions that determine whether or not food is safe are not governmental actions; rather, it’s the work of everyone in the farm to fork continuum.” As explained by Taylor, this includes the critical food handling practices at the consumer level.
Conceding that FDA cannot “regulate consumers,” however, Taylor recognized that we need a new food safety educational initiative that “treats consumer behavior as seriously as it is.” In this regard, Taylor promised additional research as the agency works to determine how to best “change consumer behavior. “ Put simply, Taylor agreed that “food gets safer when everybody in the food system does their job.”
The remainder of the conference, as noted, was tremendously substantive and informative. And, it was humbling to be surrounded by the superstars of food safety. In each and every way, the IAFP staff and their countless volunteers should be thanked for putting together a world-class event.
And, as you can imagine, we are extremely excited for 2011, when the conference follows us home – for its 100th Year Anniversary – to Milwaukee.
