The Voice of Our Members
Caitlin Boon, IFT Member
Public Policy and Regulatory Outreach Implementation Task Force
Members: Ricardo Carvajal (Chair), Barbara Blakistone, John Bode, Caitlin Boon, Henry Chin, Mary Christ-Erwin, Jack Cooper, Daniel Engeljohn, Scott Hagedorn, Mickey Parish, Martha Rhodes Roberts, Hilary Shallo Thesmar
The Public Policy and Regulatory Outreach Task Force was formed in 2009 to position IFT as a voice on the science of food in the public policy arena. Members of the Task Force have focused efforts on developing and implementing a robust federal and regulatory policy program aimed at solving real, substantive food science-related problems.
Current and emerging issues have been identified within the topical areas of food safety, health and wellness, and emerging technologies, and the Task Force has developed teams for each of these areas. The tactical team leaders are Jack Cooper (Emerging Technologies), Dan Engeljohn (Food Safety), and Mary Christ-Erwin (Health and Wellness). The tactical teams will help provide ongoing issue management to maintain focus in each of the topical areas. The IFT Board of Directors approved the Public Policy and Regulatory Outreach Task Force report in June of 2009.
Congressional Support for Science Awards
IFT honored two distinguished members of the United States Congress, Senator Kent Conrad (D) of North Dakota and Representative Bob Goodlatte (R) of Virginia, with the 2009 IFT Congressional Support for Science Awards during a May 12, 2009 reception held on Capitol Hill. Both Senator Conrad and Representative Goodlatte were recognized for their outstanding contributions to science-based agriculture, food, and nutrition policies.
(L to R) IFT Executive Vice President Barbara Byrd Keenan, Senator Kent Conrad (D) of North Dakota, and 2008-09 IFT President Sheri Schellhaass
IFT Executive Vice President Barbara Byrd Keenan and Representative Bob Goodlatte (R) of Virginia
Media Relations
IFT received over 112 million media impressions, close to 5,000 media placements, and an ad value of nearly $20 million. Key drivers of these placements are IFT’s Media Updates, proactively identifying news opportunities, communication tactics such as audio news releases and mat releases, and media tours in both Los Angeles and New York City.
Key placements include: Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, WebMD.com, Women’s Health magazine, CBS News Chicago, Marie Claire UK, Rodale.com, Healthday.com, National Public Radio, Chow.com, KABC-TV Los Angeles, Marie Claire, Popular Science, Miami Herald, Eating Well magazine, Scientific American, Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine, Today’s Dietitian, and Women’s Health magazine.
The IFT Media Updates reach thousands of media professionals and highlight Food Technology articles, IFT peer-reviewed journals, and IFT events.
In particular, media continue to be interested in Journal of Food Science articles covering topics such as essential oils in the fight for food safety, microwaving hot dogs may reduce listeria, black tea may fight diabetes, and asparagus extract may be a cure for hangovers, antioxidants in vegetables.
Other topics of interested highlighted within IFT Food Facts include: Safer Packed Lunches; Keeping Summer Foods Safe; and Spring Cleaning Foods and Pantry.