Highlights from ITF15

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) celebrated their 75th annual food meeting and exposition at the McCormick Center in downtown Chicago, IL from July 12th-14th 2015. Burdock Group has attended and exhibited at IFT’s annual meeting since 2004. As in prior years, professionals from around the globe met at IFT to discuss trends and innovations in food and related industries.

On Saturday night the IFT conference kicked off with the Awards Ceremony and Welcome Reception held at the Chicago Fields Museum. The museum provided a lovely venue for a warm evening of drinks, food and engaging conversation.

IFT15 Welcome Reception at the Fields Museum in Chicago

On Sunday, the IFT Food Law and Regulations (FLDR) and the Toxicology and Safety Evaluation (TASED) Divisions held their joint division luncheon. Burdock Group presented our annual student travel awards to two exemplary toxicology students, Wendan Wang and Gengjun Chen. Each student was given $500 to cover travel and expenses to attend IFT, along with a commemorative plaque and a copy of Cassarett and Doull’s Toxicology textbook, in which Dr. Burdock co-authors the chapter on Food Toxicology.

Burdock Group Student Travel Award Winners for IFT15, presented at the Food Law and Regulations and Toxicology and Safety Evaluation Joint Luncheon. Dr. Ray Matulka presenting to Gengjun Chen (left) and Wendan Wang (right).

Dr. Susan Mayne, the new director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), was the key speaker at the FLRD/TASED luncheon. Dr. Mayne discussed CFSAN’s priorities, which included FSMA implementation, the Redbook update, updated nutrition guidelines (e.g. infant formula and PHOs), menu labeling, gluten free labeling, and reducing sodium intake through voluntary guidance. She also noted internal priorities for CFSAN included a separate office for supplement regulators, new upcoming legislation for cosmetics, and increasing international programs. As a scientist and prior academic, Dr. Mayne emphasized that scientific research was at the forefront of how she planned to approach new initiatives for CFSAN.