Navigating the ultra-processed food debate: Scientific insights and ASEAN perspectives

SRD date:

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 10:00 to 11:45

Singapore Time (GMT+8)

SRD registration link:

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This IUFoST-FIFSTA roundtable examines the complex issues surrounding ultra-processed foods bringing a scientific lens to the debate and addressing their implications for the ASEAN region. With a focus on bridging science policy and innovation the discussion will highlight the critical role of food processing in ensuring food safety nutrition sustainability while challenging misconceptions about ultra-processed foods. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among leading experts and stakeholders the event seeks to provide a platform for ASEAN professionals to engage in evidence-based discussions paving the way for sustainable innovations in food processing and consumption.

Speakers:

Christiani Jeyakumar Henry

Former Director, Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, A*STAR

Professor Jeyakumar Henry was the founding Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, Singapore. He obtained his MSc and PhD in Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He was a Board member of UK Food Standards Agency, and Director of UKs first functional food Centre in Oxford, UK. His numerous awards include Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) -W.K. Kellogg International Food Security Award & Lectureship (2019), The prestigious Niigata International Food Award 2018 known as "Asian World Food Prize". In 2024 he was made a Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition -The Highest award in Human Nutrition. He Continues to be a Member of the IUFoST Task Force on "Food processing for Nutrition, Diet and Health".

Presentation Title:
Ultra-processed foods in focus: Bridging Science, Policy, and Innovation in ASEAN conclude by posing what challenges.

Puriyatno Hariyadi

Professor of Food Processing and Engineering

Dr. Puriyatno Hariyadi is a Professor of Food Processing and Engineering, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEFAST) Center, IPB University, Indonesia. Professor Purwiyatno Hariyadi previously served as Director of SEAFAST Center, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, and Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology. A member of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences and IAFoST, he consults for government and industry and served as Vice-Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (2017-2021). Former president of the Indonesian Palm Oil Society and IAFT, his research focuses on post-harvest handling and food processing, particularly sterilization, pasteurization, aseptic processing, and food irradiation. He is also the Chief Editor of FOODREVIEW Indonesia. He holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (1995).

Presentation Title:
Beyond Nova: Call for a Regulatory Framework for a Better Food System.

Matt Kovac

Chief Executive Officer, Food Industry Asia

Matt Kovac is the Chief Executive Officer at FIA, a pan-Asia trade association representing food, beverage, ingredients, and packaging companies. Matt has led FIA for 10-years and reports to a board of regional CEOs from major brands and ingredients suppliers. Matt manages a team of regulatory, trade, sustainability, nutrition and public affairs experts based in Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia and The Philippines. Matt has lived and worked in Singapore, Beijing and Taipei for the last 20-years and has built extensive experience in the food and agriculture sector working in senior leadership roles in strategy, communications, regulatory and nutrition, as well as public affairs. He is married with 4 children and has an MBA from Lancaster University, UK.

Presentation Title:
To process or not to process, is that really the question?

Aman Wirakartakusumah

Rector of IPMI International Business School and Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Technology

Aman Wirakartakusumah is the Rector of IPMI International Business School and Professor Emeritus of Food Science and Technology at IPB University, Indonesia. Professor Wirakartakusumah has held key positions such as Rector of IPB University (1998-2002) and Indonesia's Ambassador to UNESCO (2004-2008). He was President of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (2020- 2022) and President of IUFoST (2022-2024). He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. Aman has significantly contributed to food science and global policy, including his role on the UN FAO Scientific Advisory Committee and on many international advisory committees. Aman Wirakartakusumah Presentation Title: The Role of Food Processing in Food Safety and Sustainability: Transforming Food and Agricultural Systems.

Chairs & Facilitators:

Samuel Godefroy

President, International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST)

Professor Samuel Godefroy, President of IUFoST, is the former Director General of Health Canada's Food Directorate, Canada's Food Standard Setting body and a former Vice Chair of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. Professor Godefroy assumed senior food regulatory positions at the executive level with Health Canada for over 15 years. Prof. Godefroy is the founder of the Global Food Regulatory Science Society, (GFoRSS) a non-for- profit organization, aiming to promote food regulatory science disciplines at the international level. Samuel is Full Professor of Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Policies in the Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada and is leading the development of a Food Risk Analysis and Regulatory Excellence Platform (PARERA), hosted by the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF) of Université Laval. Prof. Godefroy serves as a senior food science and regulatory expert on a number of advisory bodies and committees domestically and internationally, including on the International Advisory Committee of the China Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA). Prof. Godefroy also serves as a strategic and operational advisor to international food safety capacity building initiatives focused on regulatory enhancement, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). He is a Fellow of IAFoST and co-chair of the IUFoST Codex Committee.

Julieta G. Austria

President, Federation of Associations of Food Science and Technology of the ASEAN (FIFSTA)

Julieta G. Austria is a seasoned food science and business leader with over 30 years of experience ariving innovation and grown in the tood industry. As President and General Manager or blue Macay Food Manufacturing Corporation, she leads a diverse team, developing and manufacturing high-quality food ingredients and products. Her expertise spans from research and development to market analysis, making her a valuable asset to any organization seeking to optimize its food operations. She is an active member of the food industry community, holding leadership roles in key organizations like FIFSTA, PAFT, and PCFMI. Her dedication to innovation, sustainability and community engagement has earned her numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in the Philippines' food industry.

Richard Khaw

Directorate in Charge, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP-SDO)

Richard Khaw has extensive leadership experience in food science, including his roles with the Singapore Institute of Food Science & Technology (7 terms as President), the Federation of Institute of Food Science & Technology of the ASEAN (active member since 2017). He was Chair of the 21st IUFoST World Congress in 2022 and is a member of the IUFoST Board of Directors 2024-2026. His expertise extends to being a member of the Expert Panel on the Novel Food Infrastructure Working Group by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), where he also serves on the Licensing Advisory Panel, and further appointed as National CODEX Committee Member on Food Safety.

Lotis Francisco

Professor, Food Science and Technology, University of the Philippines, Diliman and Vice-President, Philippines Association of Food Technologists

Dr. Francisco is a Professional Food Technologist, Certified Food Scientist, and Professor in Food Science and Technology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Georgia, and Master's degrees from the University of Western Sydney and UP Diliman. Lotis was named a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology in 2022. She is currently the Vice-President of the Philippine Association of Food Technologists, Inc., and is actively involved in various national committees and standards development efforts.

Rapporteurs:

Sheba Mae M. Duque

Assistant Professor and the current Assistant Director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños

Dr. Sheba Mae M. Duque is an Assistant Professor and the current Assistant Director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is actively involved in research on novel food processing methods, including Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology, to advance food innovation in the Philippines and is leading various collaborative researches with the industry on the development of functional food products and ingredients. As a rapporteur for this Scientific Roundtable Discussion, she will synthesize key insights to support a deeper understanding of the ultra-processed food debate in the ASEAN context.

Dennis Marvin Santiago

Professor and Director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology

Dr. Dennis Marvin Santiago is Professor and Director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines, Los Banos. He finished his BS in Food Technology and MS Food Science at UPLB and PhD in Bioresources Science at Iwate University, Japan. He published over 40 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and proceedings. He presented over 50 oral and poster papers at local and international scientific conferences. He has implemented more than 10 research projects on functional food product and process development using indigenous commodities to help alleviate malnutrition.

SRD Technical direction:

Grace Yip

G-ENN/FPF, EN

Manager Regional Distribution Management Health & Food Performance Ingredients Asia.

SRD video:

Link to Q&A's:

Navigating the ultra-processed food debate: Scientific insights and ASEAN perspectives Q&A's

ABOUT IUFoST
The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) represents more than 300,000 scientists from its work in over 100 countries. IUFoST is a full scientific member of ISC (International Science Council), elected by its ISC peers as the global representative of Food Science and Technology. IUFoST represents food science and technology to many international organizations, including UNIDO, the World Bank, International Academies of Science, regulatory agencies, industry and national science bodies. IUFoST organizes world food congresses, among many other activities, to stimulate the ongoing exchange of knowledge and to develop strategies in those scientific disciplines and technologies relating to the expansion, improvement, distribution and conservation of the world's food supply. It aims to harness and strengthen scientific understanding and expertise for the global good. IUFoST has regional groupings (FIFSTA for ASEAN) and numerous Disciplinary Groupings (including GFoRSS for regulatory affairs) to fulfil its mission.

ABOUT FIFSTA
The Federation of The Institutes of Food Science and Technology in ASEAN (FIFSTA) is an autonomous, non-political, and non- profit organization dedicated to advancing food science and technology in the ASEAN region. As a regional grouping within the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), the mission of FIFSTA ASEAN is to advance food science and technology for a healthier, more prosperous, and sustainable ASEAN region. This is achieved through the fostering of collaboration, the promotion of research, and the enhancement of food science education and industry practices, ultimately contributing to improved food quality, safety, and sustainability across the region and globally.

Further information contact
E-mail: Secretariat@iufost.org
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