News Brief - March 2024

Speakers debate the issues in latest Scientific Roundtable on Global Food and Nutrition Security, Thursday, March 28

The latest in the series of IUFoST Scientific Roundtable Discussions, this one on Interdisciplinary Approaches towards Global Food and Nutrition Security of Sustainable Development Goals features outstanding authorities such as population biologist Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Director  of the Oxford Martin School, Oxford University, speaking about the Meat and Dairy Debate. The Global Challenges and Critical Needs of Food Science and Technology are reviewed by Swedish Academy of Sciences and IAFoST Fellow Professor Anne-Marie Hermansson. Join them and the other distinguished speakers, Dr. Susana Socolovsky, (Argentina), Dr. Rekha Singhal (India) and Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi (Canada) this Thursday, March 28 from 06.00 – 07.30 ET (Toronto/New York, GMT – 4).

This link to register click here.

Download programme and speakers’ profiles click here.

 

Announcing IUFoST Distinguished Lecturer for the Rimini World Congress 

IUFoST is honoured and delighted to announce that Dr. Steve Wearne, Chair of FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) will deliver the Distinguished Lecture at the 22nd IUFoST World Congress in Rimini, Italy.


Dr. Steve Wearne

Dr. Steve Wearne has a career spanning over 30 years in food regulation in UK government and internationally, including over 20 years in the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).  During this time, he has worked on issues across food policy and science, from additives and sweeteners, to veterinary residues and other contaminants in food, to modernisation of regulatory practice. For the past 20 years, Dr. Wearne has been a senior civil servant leading teams within the FSA. His roles have included Director of Policy & Science from 2013 to 2019 and, most recently, Director, Global Affairs.  Elected by Codex member countries to the position of Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in November 2021,  Dr. Wearne had served for the previous four years as Vice-Chairperson for this global food safety and quality standards setting body.

Dr. Wearne has also advised other parts of UK government on agri-food strategy, including as joint leader of the secretariat to the Trade and Agriculture Commission (2020-2021) and as adviser to the Food Strategy White Paper team (2021). He is a scientist by training, with a degree in biochemistry and a period of postgraduate research in molecular biology.

 

More Congress Highlights:

New IUFoST partner, The International Dairy Federation, is bringing a session to  the scientific programme, led by President Dr Piercristiano Brazzale, IDF President. The subject is “The role of dairy processing in delivering healthy and sustainable food systems”.

Panel Discussions with Dr. Erich Windhab and Dr. Ian Noble respectively, on subjects related to Food Processing for Diet, Nutrition and Health and the importance of partnerships with industry and others in Transforming our Food Systems will be featured alongside many other outstanding scientific sessions.

Nanotechnology, food engineering, nutraceuticals and functional foods and regulatory affairs Disciplinary Groups (ISFANS, ISFE, ISNFF and GFoRSS) are presenting their latest findings.  Regional representation is reflected in congress presentations by ALACCTA (Central and South America), FIFSTA (Federation of Institute of Food Science and Technology for ASEAN), WAAFoST (Western African Association of Food Science and Technology and EFFoST (European Federation of Food Science and Technology).

Using Artificial Education (AI) in Education is among the subjects of the IUFoST Education Working Group focus areas in their sessions.  

"Precision Nutrition and Food Science Strategies to Combat Persistent Metabolic Challenges Associated with Long-COVID", as featured in a soon-to-be published Nature Journal Science of Food extensive manuscript, is the subject of another congress session.

More than 1500 Abstracts have been received by the congress committee, currently all under review at this moment. We anticipate a hugely important and scientifically robust programme with time to meet, greet and enjoy friends and colleagues. 

Young and Early Career Scientists are invited to join the pre-congress programme set by our College of Early Career Scientists Council. This afternoon session just prior to the welcome social allows time to discuss career development, to network and get acquainted before the congress is underway. Space is limited and therefore you must sign up in advance for this CECS programme through the congress registration site. 

Reminder that the Awards Ceremony for the many award winners and those receiving special recognitions is on Thursday, September 11th, just before the IUFoST General Assembly where IUFoST Adhering Bodies, invited Associates and Fellows will be in attendance to discuss future strategies and business of the Union. A light lunch will be served for invited GA attendees. 

Twenty-Five new Fellows of the Academy will be inducted during the congress. We will introduce you to all the new Fellows in the coming months  through News Brief, in the lead up to the world congress when they will be inducted into the Academy.

Congress Competitions:  

Competitions for the Global Food Industry Awards, Sustainability, Food Safety,  and Product Development are open until 31 March. Don’t miss this opportunity to be recognized on the global stage. Link for competitions details here (scroll down page for each competition). The Quiz Bowl is back for this world congress and we look forward to seeing many teams from around Europe and elsewhere – entries already coming in from far and wide! Awards will be presented. Link to Quiz Bowl information (scroll down page to reach Quiz Bowl competition details) here.

 

Nominations, Elections for Academy Council, Scientific Council, IUFoST Board of Directors:

The Call for nominations is out and the deadline is 10 April for receipt of the nominations documents. If you wish more information on the procedure, eligibility and format, please write to IUFoST Secretariat @ secretariat@iufost.org. We welcome all those dedicated to the mission and vision of IUFoST to serve in its governance.

 

2028 Congress Bids:

The Call for Expression of Interest in holding an IUFoST World Congress is out. All those interested in hosting the world congress, please contact IUFoST Secretariat at secretariat@iufost.org for information. Deadline for expressions of interest is 26 April 2024.

 

News from IUFoST global partner - WHO  issues Call for Experts to develop food-based dietary guidelines:

The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently seeking experts to develop guidelines on optimal intake of animal source foods and plant food alternatives. This notice provides information about the work to be completed and application process. To support national efforts to promote healthier, safer and more sustainable diets and for this purpose, WHO is planning global guidance on animal source foods and plant food alternatives which will complement existing WHO guidance on macronutrient intake.

WHO is therefore issuing a call for experts to establish two groups of experts to contribute to the development of guidelines on optimal intake of animal source foods and plant food alternatives. For more information on desired qualifications, expert activities, and how to submit your application, please visit: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-experts-to-develop-who-food-based-dietary-guidelines. Questions regarding the call for experts should be addressed to: healthy_diet@who.intDeadline for submissions: 28 April 2024 (CET).