W1 A Farm to Fork Approach to Retail Food Safety: Food Safety Professionals
Integrating Upstream to Ensure Compliance and Execution
What is the impact to the organization when a new process, product, idea, etc. is developed,
implemented and key departments or teams are not involved? Impacts can affect financial,
reputation, brand integrity and lack of proper execution on the front lines. This session will
focus on successful integrated approaches to implementing new processes, designs, plans
and more, to include polishing the executive speak and presence of the Food Safety Professional. Experts will explore the benefits and impact of integrating food safety with facility and
equipment design, research and product development, as well as procurement and operations.
W2 Food Regulation – What New Mandates Face The Food Industry
in 2011 and Beyond?
Foodborne illness outbreaks, major food recalls and declining consumer confidence in the U.S.
food supply as well as the U.S. government’s ability to regulate the industry has lead to major
food legislative reform. The US Congress has struggled with finding the appropriate legislative
language acceptable to the Senate as well as the House of Representatives. The vast majority
of the food supply chain is pensive and uncertain about what new preventative controls, performance standards, traceability requirements and user fees, will arise from new legislation and
become regulations. Stakeholders will hear from the “people in the know” in Washington
D.C. regarding the potential legislative impact and what consumers expect from the food
industry supply chain.
W3
Emerging Issues: Identify, Explore and Manage
We are always looking toward the horizon to determine what emerging issues are going to
affect our businesses and ask the questions: What impact, direct or indirect, will it have on us?
What do we have to do to be prepared? Who should we involve? How do we keep on top of the
issues and react in a timely manner? During this session industry experts will lead and facilitate
discussions on what steps to take to be prepared for emerging issues to include formats for
workgroups, cross-functional teams as well as discussions on current emerging issues to include
chemical, biological and physical issues the industry is facing today. Attendees should be
prepared to participate as well as contribute during this dynamic session.
W4 Traceability
Food safety issues regarding at-risk product continue to grow. It is incumbent upon all of
those within the food supply chain to be able to quickly identify the ingredients or products
in question, where they have come from and where they have gone. This session will identify,
discuss and review best practices and challenges regarding traceability.
W5 Food Safety Media Training: How to Be Smart
You may have received media training in the past, but do you know how to handle food
safety-specific media inquiries? During this session, we will take an innovative approach to
food safety-related media training by looking at it from all sides: from the perspective of a
crisis-management public-relations officer, a food safety reporter, and a food safety lawyer.
Hear from these experts on what works best in the midst of a crisis in order to protect your
brand. The session will provide a comprehensive overview of best – and worst – practices,
and will help sharpen your media relations skill set.
