About the conference

From climate change and natural disasters, water quality and shortage, epidemics and supply chain disruptions, to ever-increasing connectivity, technology and artificial intelligence… there is no shortage of challenges for us to tackle. What does this mean for fresh food safety? 

Over 140 food safety practitioners, CEOs, managers, food technologists, researchers, growers, supply chain specialists and industry representatives gathered at the University of Sydney and online for a day of thought-provoking sessions with world and regional experts in food safety and be ready to think about different futures for food safety.

International keynote speaker – Dr Ana Allende

The 2023 special guest speaker was Dr Ana Allende. Dr Allende presented the keynote ‘Produce safety systems of the future: What we know and what we should know‘.

Dr Allende is a Senior Researcher from CEBAS-CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) with a focus on the safety of fresh produce, Dr Allende obtained her PhD in Food Science and Technology at the University of Cartagena, (Spain) and has published more than 230 research articles in peer-reviewed international journals. Her research activity has been focused on the safety aspects of fruits and vegetables, specifically, on leafy greens and fresh-cut products from pre-harvest to post-harvest operations. Her research topics deal with the study of preventive and intervention strategies implemented through good agricultural practices, and the optimisation of processing operations including water disinfection in the agro-food industry, that impacts product quality and safety.

A password has been provided to all conference delegates to access the recorded sessions and slide decks. Contact the FPSC events officer at events@fpsc-anz.com for more details.

Drew McDonald

The FPSC welcomed back Drew McDonald the second consecutive year. An engaging speaker, Drew is a crowd favourite! Drew is Senior Vice-President Quality & Food Safety with Taylor Farms and currently serves on numerous food safety-related technical committees, including Chair of the US Center for Produce Safety (CPS) Technical Committee. Drew has also participated in the authorship of many produce food safety articles and guidelines. In the session ‘Short and sharp: news and trends from the US’, Drew shared insights from the CPS’s research programme, with a focus on innovation.

A password has been provided to all conference delegates to access the recorded sessions and slide decks. Contact the FPSC events officer at events@fpsc-anz.com for more details.

Speakers

In addition to Ana and Drew, the programme featured over 20 experts in food safety from Australia and New Zealand, including representatives of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre.

A password has been provided to all conference delegates to access the recorded sessions and slide decks. Contact the FPSC events officer at events@fpsc-anz.com for more details.

Get social with us!

Follow us on social media and search the hashtag #fpsconference2023 to see posts from the day!

Facebook: @FPSCANZ

Twitter: @FPSC_ANZ

Intagram: @fpsc_anz

Linkedin: Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand

Fresh Produce Safety Centre Australia & New Zealand acknowledges the financial support from the following organisations:

Platinum Supporters: IFPA Australia-New Zealand Limited| The University of Sydney | Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd | Woolworths Ltd

Gold Supporter: ALDI

Silver Supporters: AUSVEG | Costa Group | Fresh Select | Harris Farm Markets Pty Ltd | Horticulture New Zealand | iFoodDS | OneHarvest | Perfection Fresh Australia Pty Ltd | Seeka | Zespri International

Bronze Supporters: APAL | GS1 Australia | MG Marketing and LaManna Premier Group | Metcash Food and Grocery | PM Fresh Pty Limited | Symbio Laboratories | United Fresh New Zealand