News Brief May 2023

Codex

Guidance on food allergen labelling  was the subject of a CRD (Conference Room Document) submitted on behalf of IUFoST in relation with agenda item 5 of the meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL), held in Gatineau, Canada, May 15-19, 2023.

IUFoST’s comments on the proposed Codex texts being considered at CCFL47 were developed in accordance with the following principles:

  • IUFoST attempt to ensure that the latest updates in the scientific assessment related to food allergens are reflected in the proposed codex text,
  • That allergic consumers benefit from enhanced protection with the provision of accurate and clear information on food labels, 
  • That allergic consumers benefit from added choice in food alternatives, with requirements set to limit the overuse of precautionary statements which is currently resulting in depriving food allergic consumers from safe food alternatives, 
  • IUFoST attempt to contribute to maintaining the consistency between Codex texts. 

The CRD, developed in association with IUFoST Disciplinary Grouping GFoRSS, is available here.

Addressing safety and environmental issues in sustainable food packaging, next IUFoST SRD on June 8

Addressing safety and environmental concerns while creating sustainable food packaging is the theme of the next IUFoST Scientific Roundtable Discussion (SRD). The SRD, Sustainable Food Packaging: environmental and food safety issues  focuses on new innovations, regulations, and labelling and food safety issues. Key experts from India (Dr. Vismal Katiyar), USA (Dr. Young T. Kim), France (Dr. Nathalie Gontard) and Australia (Dr. Deirdre Mikklesen) provide perspective and leadership for the Question Period in which all are encouraged to participate. Co-chaired by Dr. Charles Aworh (Nigeria) and Dr. Carol Wallace (UK). Outcomes include video presentations and scientific papers.

Date: Thursday, 8 June from 07.00 to 08.30 ET (Toronto/New York), GMT-4.
To register click here.

Food Safety and Health - 14th IFOFS joint meeting of IUFoST and CIFST

IFOFS, 14th International Forum on Food Safety and Health was successfully held in Beijing in the last week of April. Co-sponsored by the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) and Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST), this year’s theme was "Food Safety and Health in the Age of Innovation".

"Nutrition Improvement of Whole Population Needs Support from a healthy Food Industry", emphasized Junshi Chen, Fellow of IAFoST, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Adviser of China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA).

"The development of nutritious and healthy food is of great significance, as it can not only improve national nutrition and prevent diseases but also make important contributions to promoting national economic development. Science and Innovation hold the keys to the development of nutrition and healthy food supplies, which must take enterprises as the mainstay and evolve with the driving power of industry experts and the guidance and support of government."

CIFST President, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Beijing Technology and Business University, Sun Baoguo stressed "all sectors of society should collaborate to establish a sound-eco environment with science, technology and innovation at its core. We should explore management models based on scientific consensus and create a supportive development environment that encourages innovation. Additionally, we must confidently and skillfully share stories about food and science, and food and culture, in order to cultivate the positive public opinions characterized by honesty and integrity, which will facilitate industrial development."

IUFoST President Aman Wirakartakusumah spoke in the Opening Ceremonies and he and President Elect Samuel Godefroy and IAFoST Fellows Erich Windhab, Patrick Wall, Mitsutoshi Nakajima, Pavinee Chinachoti and Roger Clemens were programme highlights from the international scientific community.


Junshi Chen, Aman Wirakartakusumah and Samuel Godefroy 

A Letter of Intent was signed by IUFoST and the City of Hohhot in Mongolia to recognize Hohhot’s outstanding work in promoting scientific excellence and creating infrastructure for capacity building and investment in Dairy Science food safety, sustainability and innovation. In recommending Hohhot’s work to IUFoST, CIFST continues to demonstrate its leadership in bringing together all stakeholders whose interest is in ensuring science, encouraging innovation and strong investment from all sectors for scientific advancement to promote safe food and healthy diets.

Millets SRD Review

Millets for Enhancing Agri-Economy, Nutrition, Environmental and Sustainable Development Goals 11th in the series of IUFoST Scientific Roundtable Discussions (SRDs) brought forward into focus the importance of a diversified diet with Millets as one of the major components of the meal globally. However, the backward integration of agriculture is needed to meet the demands as more people start consuming Millets. The small-scale Millet processing equipment that is developed with good R and D and Engineering in many countries needs to be replicated in many other countries to reduce drudgery and labour, especially women-oriented rural setups. Equally importantly, convenient but nutritious Millet food products are required to meet the lifestyle needs of rapidly urbanizing communities in Africa and Asia.  Further, nutritionally, Millets occupy a significant role in providing proteins, possible prebiotics, fiber, iron and zinc (despite their anti-nutrient attributes of phytates, which are common to all grains, and possible and goitrogenic polyphenols), and many forms of vitamins and minerals as well as potential bioactives to the diversified spectrum of diets. Global collaborative networks are to be anchored by Institutions like IUFoST in taking the lead to ensure cooperation and capacity building in Millets for sustainable food and nutritional security and safe food for society in tune with the UN Food System Summit Call.

Members of IUFoST have access to the video, speakers’ presentations and recordings through their Adhering Bodies (see below under Members Only for access). General Information and the Millet Summary are available here. Scientific paper and other resources pending. Questions and comments welcome through secretariat@iufost.org Subject: Millets

Members in the News and Significant Calendar Events

  • IUFoST Board member Declan Troy, recently participated in the interim Members’ Meeting of International Science Council., Paris France. Report to follow to members.
  • Past President Vish Prakash was Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Rice Bran oil Science, Technology, Nutrition and Regulations as a safe and Healthy Oil. India is the largest Producer of Rice Bran Oil in the World. The award was presented by the International Rice Bran Oil Association from Vietnam and Solvent Extractors Association of India in its International Meeting held at Hyderabad, India during May 2023. Dr Prakash addressed the gathering and stressed the sustainability of Rice Bran Oil in the larger agenda of global warming reduction.
  • Ogugua Charles Aworh, IAFoST President,  was invited as the theme speaker at the AfREN (African Food Research Network) Webinar on Food Safety Issues in Fresh Produce Supply Chain.  The discussion, hosted by Dr. Dola Adeboye, included a review of food safety issues and food safety certification. Dr. Aworh was joined by Susan N. Sekgweng, Managing Director of Plethora Consultants in this AfREN webinar.
  • Understanding Ultra-Processed Food and its Potential Consequences Forum”, organized by IUFoST Global Outreach and Industry Relation (GOIR) Working Group, IUFoST Adhering Body Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT), and Federation of Institutes of Food Science and Technology of ASEAN (FIFSTA), BITEC, will take place with Dr. Aman Wirakartakusumah's participation in Bangkok, Thailand, 15 June 2023. On site and online. For information contact: secretariat@iufost.org.
  • Members of IUFoST and Special Invitees are participating in the IUFoST Members Meeting, 29 June 2023, beginning at 07.00 ET (GMT-4). (see below in Members' Section for programme details). 
  • AAU Secretary-General,Professor Olusola Oyewole, on behalf of Rectors and Vice Chancellors of the Association of African Universities (AAU)  has invited IUFoST to deliver a welcome address at their biennial conference in Windhoek, Namibia,4—7 July, 2023. The AAU and IUFoST are developing a work plan for each of the first five years of their MoU addressing future food security challenges and the SDGs through actions to address and thus reduce food losses and waste; mitigating environmental effects through encouragement for innovative and new technologies; improve capacity building and education and training at all levels, especially in combating undernutrition, and safe food for all within the continent. Food Safety curricula and capacity building are major focus areas. 
  • FAO Director-General has convened a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the FAO DG for the week of 24-28 July.  Two IUFoST invited members of this committee, President Aman Wirakartakusumah and Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer Joachim von Braun will be participating.
  • ALACCTA, IUFoST Regional group in Central and South America, is holding a Scientific Roundtable on Food Processing, Safety and Health at end August at which IUFoST Food Processing Task force members will be presenting. More information and registration links to follow. 
  • LATU, IUFoST Uruguay Adhering Body, is organising the 11th International Symposium on Food Innovation and Development 27 to 29 September 2023 - Montevideo, Uruguay, with support from IUFoST. 
  • IUFoST has been invited to present a scientific session at The Seventh Adaptation Futures international conference. This series on global adaptation is being organized by Ouranos, (collaborative innovation hub) in partnership with the Government of Canada and WASP (WASP is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations University (UNU).  The conference will take place on October 2-6, 2023 in Montreal, Canada. More information to follow.
  • IUFoST Adhering Body, The Argentine Association of Food Technologists (AATA), is holding it Biennial Congress from 4-6 October in Puerto Madero, Argentina. IUFoST will be represented by plenary speaker Dr. Erich Windhab, IUFoST Distinguished Lecturer at the IUFoST World Congress in Mumbai 2018, IAFoST Fellow and Co-chair of the IUFoST Task Force on Food Processing for Nutrition, Diet and Health.
  • IUFoST President, Dr. Aman Wirakartakusumah, together with representatives of the Board and Council of Early Career Scientists will be delivering plenaries and sessions at the IUFoST regional group FIFSTA's 17th ASEAN Food Conference 2023 (AFC), Theme: Future of Food In ASEAN: What's Next?, Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 24 to 27 October 2023. 
  • PATPI, IUFoST Adhering Body in Indonesia, is holding its 2nd International Conference on Food Technology and Nutrition at which IUFoST President Aman Wirakartakasumah is invited to deliver a plenary address.  3-4 November 2023, Bali, Indonesia.
  • ASEAN-ASSET 2023: Global Summit on the Future of Future Food, mid-November 2023. More to come on IUFoST involvement.
  • The annual conference and exhibition of ISNFF, International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods , an IUFoST Disciplinary Group, will be held 10 - 13 December 2023,  Honolulu, Hawaii. 
  • The 22nd IUFoST World Congress 2024 of Food Science and Technology will be held in Rimini, Italy, from 8 to 12 of September 2024. Congress website: https://iufost2024-italy.com/

FOR IUFoST MEMBERS

Members' Meeting, June 29th, to hear from IUFoST Task Force on Food Processing for Nutrition and Health, Council for Early Career Scientists and International Academy -  IUFoST national scientific members (Adhering Bodies), together with other Special Invitees, are invited to hear the latest outcomes of the IUFoST Task Force on Food Processing for Nutrition and Health on Thursday, June 29 beginning at 07.00 ET (Toronto/New York), GMT-4,  and to develop national and regional actions. The Council of the College of Early Career Scientists will also be contributing their vision to the programme. Expert global groups and networks to address key demands around nutrition, safety, sustainability, sufficiency and scientific communication will be decided at this meeting. RSVP to secretariat@iufost.org by 5 June, Subject: Members' Meeting.

Members access to Scientific Resources - Members of IUFoST and others working in association with our national scientific members (Adhering Bodies) have access to the Members' Section of the IUFoST Website. To view the SRD Millets Video, hear the speakers and see the powerpoint presentations, please click here to login.

In Memoriam


Pamela Forshage

Pamela Forshage was employed by Universal Robina Corporation for over 26 years and was a member of numerous professional organizations.

She was one of the longest serving members of the board of directors of the Philippine Association of Food Technologists and was involved in IUFoST for many years.

Ser Low Ming

Ser Low Ming was the Past President of the Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST) and Fellow of SIFST who spent years of service both to Food Science and Technology and Food Safety education but also to fostering engagement within FIFSTA (IUFoST regional grouping for South East Asia) and beyond.

She was active in IUFoST and joined all of us in Singapore to celebrate the 22nd World Congress.  

Our condolences are sent to their families, friends and colleagues.

 

© IUFoST 2021