IFT NEWS
Fran Katz retires, Neil Mermelstein becomes Editor
Frances R. Katz, IFT’s Editor & Associate Publisher, retired in mid-March, and Senior Editor Neil H. Mermelstein was named to succeed her as Editor of Food Technology.
Fran Katz joined the IFT staff as Editor/Director of Publications in 1996, serving as Editor of Food Technology and having responsibility for Journal of Food Science and other IFT publications. In 1997, she was named Editor & Associate Publisher, taking responsibility for the Sales Dept. as well as the Publications Dept. With Katz’s departure, Mermelstein has assumed responsibility for Food Technology, and a replacement for the Associate Publisher position will be filled soon.
Prior to joining the IFT staff, Katz served more than 30 years in food processing corporate management and in food magazine editorial positions. Her most recent editorial position prior to joining the IFT staff was as Editor-in-Chief of Food Processing Magazine, and before that she spent 18 years at American-Maize Products Co. (now Cerestar), most recently as Vice President, Research & Development.
Under her guidance, Food Technology underwent a redesign in 1996, designed to make the magazine easier to read and include more cutting-edge contents. She also oversaw the recent redesign and expansion of Journal of Food Science. She has volunteered to continue to write the “Industry Abstracts” column in JFS.
Neil Mermelstein joined the IFT staff in 1971 as Associate Editor. He became Senior Associate Editor in 1984 and Senior Editor in 1998. In addition to his editorial duties, he serves as staff liaison to several IFT committees. He also served as president of the American Society of Business Press Editors in 1980–81. He holds a master of science degree in chemical engineering, with a minor in technical journalism, and before joining the IFT staff he worked for six years in products research for the Procter & Gamble Co.
IFT names Congressional Science Award winners
U.S. Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Richard Durbin of Illinois are the winners of the inaugural IFT Congressional Support for Science Award.
The award recognizes recipients for distinguished service as legislators, policymakers, or advocates for advancing the role of science and technology in food and agricultural policies. The award will be presented annually to two members of Congress to acknowledge outstanding contributions to science-based food policies during the previous year.
As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, Senator Cochran has been instrumental in providing essential funding for agricultural research, education, and extension; food safety and inspection activities; and nutrition assistance programs, including the school lunch and breakfast programs, food stamps, and the Women, Infants, and Children program.
Senator Durbin has used his position as the Ranking Minority Member of the Oversight of the Government Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Government Affairs, as well as his seat on the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, to raise awareness among his fellow lawmakers and the public about opportunities to further strengthen U.S. inspection systems.
More than 500 people were invited to attend the March 29 award ceremony and reception, which was held in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room of the U.S. Capitol. IFT President Mary Schmidl, Executive Vice President Daniel Weber, and Vice President of Science, Communications, and Government Relations Fred Shank attended the ceremony, along with a number of congressional representatives, senior government officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, representatives of the National Academies, presidents of trade associations, and representatives of the legal profession.
Jen nominated for agriculture post
President George W. Bush nominated Joseph J. Jen for the position of Undersecretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.
Jen, a Professional Member of IFT, is Dean of the College of Agriculture at California Polytechnic State University. He was previously the Division Chairman and Dept. Head of the Division of Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia.
He is a graduate of Taiwan University and received a master’s degree from Washington State University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from Southern Illinois University.
IFT Student Association offers Annual Meeting activities
The IFT Student Association (IFTSA) has added two new events to its list of activities at this year’s IFT Annual Meeting & IFT Food Expo.
The first addition is the Canadian Challenge. Just prior to the annual IFTSA Food Science & Technology College Bowl Monday night, June 25, the winning Canadian Team from the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology’s Challenge Cup Competition 2001, held during the CIFST Annual Meeting in Toronto June 3-6, will face off against the IFT College Bowl team captains for an exhibition match.
The second addition is a Fun Run/Walk to raise money for the IFT Foundation. The 5 KM run/3KM walk will take place at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, June 24. Preregistration is available, but participants can also register at the event.
In addition to these new events, IFTSA will be involved with the 2001 Annual Meeting Career Fair on Saturday, June 23, where company representatives will be available to discuss employment and career opportunities. Other IFTSA events include the Product Development Competition with oral presentations Sunday morning and poster presentations Monday morning; the symposium “Retrospective on Significant Food Technology Issues from the perspective of the IFT Fellows” Monday; an Open Forum for Food Science Clubs on Monday; a Mixer and Welcome Assembly on Monday; and the Undergraduate and Graduate Research Paper Oral Competitions on Tuesday.
IFT annual Prayer Breakfast date set
IFT’s annual Prayer Breakfast will be held during the 2001 IFT Annual Meeting & IFT Food Expo on Tuesday, June 26, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel in New Orleans, La. The speaker will be Robert C. Maurer, President and CEO of the Standard Coffee Service Co. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased during advance registration or on-site at the ticket desk prior to Sunday, June 24.
New distinguished lecturers selected
IFT’s Committee on Sections and Divisions has selected 14 new individuals to serve three-year terms as Distinguished Lecturers.
Through the Distinguished Lectureship Program, IFT Regional Sections and Sub-Sections are given the opportunity to invite experts to speak on a variety of current issues. Costs are shared by IFT and the Regional Section. Listed below are the new Distinguished Lecturers for 2001-2002:Christine Bruhn of the University of California, Davis will lecture on “Irradiated Foods: In the Supermarket! In the Shopping Cart?” and “Biotechnology: Consumer Concerns, Consumer Communications.”
Robert Campbell will lecture on “Why Do They Add That?”; “Food Additives? Naturally!”; and “Foods Can Be Humorous!”
Joseph Carlin,of the the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services will lecture on “Eating and Drinking in the Early Republic.”
Theron Downes of Michigan State University will lecture on “Danger Opportunity—Why Packaging Will Play an Increasing Role in the Food Systems of the Future.”
Steven Harper of Small Planet Foods will lecture on “Organic Regulations: What you Need to Know to Successfully Compete in Organic Trade.”
Michael Joy of Firmenich will lecture on “Hot Regional Trends in American Cuisine” and “Creative Product Development.”
Robert Lapin of Zehren°Friedman Associates will lecture on “Improving Results Through Teams”; “Improving Results: Selling and Negotiating Every Day”; and “Improving Interpersonal Skills: Conflict Resolution.”
Martina McGloughlin of the University of California will lecture on “Biotechnology—Present Position and Future Developments.”
Bob Noyes of California Polytechnic State University will lecture on “A Logical Approach to Wine and Food”; “Lets You and I Have a Sensory Experience (with wine) or A Method to Help You Really Enjoy Your Next Glass of Wine”; and “The Rite of the Musical Wine List or Oh No-oo! You Want Me to Order the Wine Tonight?”
Lawrence Platt of RQA, Inc., will lecture on “Product Recalls: Preventing the Headaches.”
Barbara Rasco of Washington State University will lecture on “Sausage” and “Bioterrorism: What is the Risk to the Food Supply?”
Anna V.A. Resurreccion of the University of Georgia will lecture on “Will Consumers Buy Irradiated Poultry and Beef?” and “Beyond Demographics: Understanding Food Preferences Through Consumer Testing.”
Purnendu C. Vasavada of the University of Wisconsin will lecture on “Detection Revolution: Developments in Rapid Methods and Automation in Food Microbiology”; “Food Safety: International Perspective or E. coli Spells Trouble in any Language”; “Mycobacterium paratuberculosis: A Potential Milkborne Pathogen of Concern?”; and “In Defense of Milk . . .”
Thomas M. Zinnen, IFT’s 2000–01 Congressional Science Fellow, will lecture on “Making Provisions: Food & Science in Politics & Public Policy.”
Program books mailed out to Section Chair-Elects in April contain information on all 27 lecturers, as well as Distinguished Lecturer request forms. Request forms should be submitted to the IFT Field Services office by June 1. Contact Gail Wiseman, Field Services Manager, at 312-782-8424 or [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
IFT recognizes its 50-year members
Bluegrass—Virginia P. Watjen; Central New Jersey sub-section—W. Lasthuysen, Myron Solberg; Chicago—Charles J. Bates, Mel Mickevic, Mois J. Sintov; Dixie—Lloyd W. Regier, Herbert R. Rumminger; Dogwood—Kenneth Schroeder; Florida—George J. Banwart, George N. Bookwalter, Daniel G. Murray, Samuel I. Omansky, Edward J. Schuller; Great Lakes—P.C. Markakis, E. Lansing, Mich.; Great Plains sub-section— Gladys L. Gilpin; Kansas City—Gene L. Kessinger, Louis A. Wollermann; Keystone—Henry J. Dorn; Long Island—Alexander Astrack, Leonard M. Zuckerman; Longhorn—R.V. Lebel; Louisiana Gulf Coast—Robert E.Hayes; Maryland—Frank J. Feild, Mary Ann Lewis, Earl J. Merwin; New York—Eric G. Freudenstein, Harlan C. Peterson; Northeast—Frederick J. King, Erna L. Breton, Eugene J. Misiaszek; Northern California—Francis K. Baerwald, Gerald J. Desmond, William F. Talburt; Nutmeg—Burton H. Harwood, George W. Bierman; Ohio Valley—Laurence G. Harmon; Philadelphia—James J. Broderick, Edwin C. Dryden, Wolfgang Huber; Pittsburgh—George M. Shiffler; Puget Sound—Frederick W. Schwer; South Florida—Harold C. Gears, Charles H. Grimm, Hubert C. Harriman; Southern California—Yaacov J. Aronowicz, John T. Brickner, James Bunnell, Robert G. Roecklein, Meredith M. Sams; Texas—Edward E. Burns; Washington—Max Milner, Bernard A. Twigg; Western New York—Malcolm C. Bourne, Andrew C. Rice; Wisconsin—Merwin A. Leet
The 50-year members with no section affiliation are: Conrad F. Asenjo, Rio Piedras, P.R.; Morton Fox, Las Vegas, Nev.; Hugh Grovers, NSW, Australia; C.S. Priest, TAS, Australia; R.B. Rao, Hyderabad, India; and Fritz H. Reuter, NSW, Australia.
by SARA LANGEN
Assistant Editor