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Food Laws and Regulations Division

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Newsletter - Vol. 12, No. 2 - Spring 2002

Table of Contents 

bulletMessage from the Chair
bullet2002 Annual Meeting Programs
bulletCall for Volunteers
bulletUndergraduate/graduate student grant 
bulletAwards

Previous issues

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Message from the Chair -  Janine Neils, Chair

I am sending this e-mail notice out to as many members as possible to provide information regarding the Annual Meeting in Anaheim and to seek volunteers to serve on the Division Executive Committee. Please forward this information to any members who may not receive e-mail, or whose address may have changed. I apologize for not getting a printed newsletter in the mail. I'm hoping this medium will be the quickest way to get timely information to most of you. I welcome any comments on providing Division information and newsletters by e-mail. I have several important items to share with you.

If you wish to volunteer for any of the open positions, please send me an e-mail message expressing your intent and if at all possible, please plan to attend the Division Executive Committee Meeting and/or the Division Luncheon. There is no charge to attend the Executive Committee meeting; however, the luncheon is a ticketed event. So, if you plan to attend the luncheon, please order your ticket in advance.

One final request: Please send me your ideas and suggestions for programs and activities that the FLR Division should undertake to make the Division more relevant and useful to your personal needs as a member. Your suggestions will be considered during the Executive Committee meeting.

Annual Meeting Programs

First, I would like to summarize the annual meeting programs organized by the members of the Division. I am very excited by the content of this year's symposia, forums, business meeting, and Hot Topic.

bulletSunday, June 16th, 1:00-2:30 pm is the time scheduled for the Executive Committee Meeting at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.
bulletMonday, June 17th, AM Session - Hot Topic: Homeland Defense: Food Security. This session is organized by Dr. Barbara Rasco and deals with the topic of protecting your business from acts of bioterrorism.
bulletMonday, June 17th, AM Session - Symposium: Developments in International Regulations and Labeling Requirements for Materials Derived from Biotechnology. This symposium features Peter Berry Ottaway and J. Ralph Blanchfield speaking on the regulation and labeling of genetically modified foods in European Union countries, Susan Harlander presenting on the implications of labeling regulations on multi-national food companies, and Marion Healy of ANZFA addressing the Australian/New Zealand GM labeling regulations.
bulletMonday, June 17th, Noon - 2:00 pm - Division Luncheon and Business Meeting at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel. Luncheon speaker is Jerry Mithen from AIB. His topic will be on protecting your business and the food supply from the effects of intentional adulteration. An ounce of prevention is often worth a pound of cure.
bulletMonday, June 17th, PM Session - Forum: Homeland Defense: Food Security. The opportunity to discuss the topics of food security raised at the morning's Hot Topic session in a more informal forum setting.
bulletTuesday, June 18th, AM Session - Forum: Congressional Science Fellowship Forum on Public Policy: Opportunities for Food Scientists in Politics, Policy and Regulation. The Congressional Fellows will give a brief recap of their experiences and provide insight into the opportunities available through IFT's Fellowship program.
bulletTuesday, June 18th, PM Session - Symposium: The Impact of Identity Preservation and Food Traceability on the Food Industry. This symposium features Susan Harlander presenting on how traceability and identity preservation issues affect the food industry, Thomas Redick speaking on the legal issue of liability prevention when making claims regarding the genetic modification status of food products, Stephen Clapp on the history of traceability, Tim Aughenbaugh describing the nuts and bolts of identity preservation programs, and Jim Tobin explaining Monsanto's grain channeling system. As you can see, it's a jam-packed program. The topics are very timely, and the speakers should be very informative.

Call for Volunteers

Due to a number of circumstances, several vacancies for Executive Committee exist. Jack Cooper, a past Chair of the Division, has agreed to serve as Chair for the 2002-2003 term. To get the Division back on its feet we need volunteers for the following positions:

bulletChair Elect
bulletSecretary
bulletTreasurer
bulletMembership Chair
bulletNewsletter Editor
bulletMember at Large
bulletCouncilor and Alternate Councilor
bulletTechnical Practices Subcommittee Representative - To work with other Division Officers in arranging the technical program during the IFT Annual Meeting
bulletStudent Representative to the Division Executive Committee - To be assigned by the IFT Student Division
bulletAwards Committee Chair

As you can see, the Division is in need of revitalization. Please consider volunteering to serve in one of the above roles. I will be serving as the Past Chair and in that capacity will administer our regularly scheduled election for 2003-04.

Undergraduate/graduate student grant 

My third reason for writing is to solicit nominations for an undergraduate/graduate student grant offered to the FLR Division by Dr. George Burdock. The purpose of this grant is to allow an undergraduate or graduate student, who would not normally be able, to attend IFT's Annual Meeting. The candidate should have an interest, or be enrolled in a discipline relevant to food regulation. Please e-mail the candidate's qualifications to jneils@starbucks.com, or fax to 206-318-1495. The Executive Committee will consider all nominations received by Tuesday, June 4 in a Conference Call to be held on Wednesday, June 5. We will let the awardee know of the Committee's Decision the next day, Thursday, June 6. 

Awards

I would also like to take this opportunity to alert the membership to an award opportunity that exists within the Division. We don't have enough time this year to solicit nominations for the 2002 Annual Meeting, but please keep this opportunity in mind for 2003. This award recognizes lifetime achievement and major contributions to the profession of food laws and regulations, and especially recognizes those who have been active in IFT's FLR Division. We are looking for an Awards Committee Chair to administer this award.

Last modified:  August 29, 2004

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