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Capital
Voices April 2005 |
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Capital
Voices April 2005 |
News Bites….
Once again it is time to elect Executive Committee Officers for the upcoming program year (2005-2006). IFT will oversee electronic voting for our Section this year again, and you may already have received that ballot. The electronic election was scheduled to open March 21 and close on April 8. If you have not already voted electronically, and wish a paper ballot please contact Dorothea Vafiadis at the address provided. Information on the candidates is provided below. All ballots must be received by April 22, 2005.
We are considering phasing-out paper ballots in future elections. Last year we provided members with both options, and received many more electronic ballots than paper ballots. Please let us know, however, if you would like us to continue providing both options; send your comments to Dorothea Vafiadis, Past-chair of the Washington, DC Section, at dorothea.vafiadis@cnpp.usda.gov.
IFT-UMD Mentoring Dinner Following April 11 Program
Following the April 11 program, we invite you to join us for a buffet dinner and mingling with UMD student members of IFT. After the nutrition labeling program, we will gather at the IFT Washington office, located just 6 blocks from FPA (or one metro stop). Fred Shank, Vice President of the office, and IFT staff will greet us. The evening will provide an opportunity for UMD students to talk to us and learn about the wide range of careers in the field of food science represented by our membership. The mentoring dinner will begin at approximately 5:30 pm, and wrap up about 7:00 pm. There is no charge to attend. If you would like to participate, please email your name and a brief description of your professional interests to Mary Murphy at mmurphy@environhsi.com. We hope you can join us at this mentoring activity!
The final DC Section IFT program for the 2004-2005 year will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 4, 2005. At this meeting, Dr. Michele Perchonok from NASA will be speaking on, "The Challenges of Developing a Food System for a Mars Mission." We also will recognize the students who presented outstanding exhibits related to Food Science at local science fairs. The meeting will be held at the University of the District of Columbia, in Auditorium 44. This location is accessible via the Van Ness metro stop. Watch for additional details in the next newsletter.
50-Year IFT Members
The Washington, DC Section is pleased to recognize two individuals in our section who have been members of IFT for 50 years. The members are Thomas Fazio, of Laurel, MD, and Carl W. Hall, of Arlington, VA. Congratulations to you for your continued participation!
IFT provides each section with the current “IFT Jobs Available Bulletin,” which lists a variety of positions currently being advertised. IFT policy prohibits providing the listings electronically, but we are happy to fax or email the information. If you would like to receive a copy of this bulletin, please email the Employment Chair, Yaguang Luo, at LuoY@ba.ars.usda.gov.
If
you have information or ideas that you would like to contribute to the DC
Section IFT Newsletter, please contact the Newsletter Editor, Jennifer Burnham,
at jennifer.burnham@cfsan.fda.gov.
It is not too early to start making your plans to attend this year’s Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana, from July 16-20, 2005. Visit http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000501 for more details. Hope to see you there!
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Revising the Nutrition Label
to Reflect the
Dietary Reference Intakes
| PROGRAM: |
The
Nutrition Facts box has appeared on most food labels in the United States
since 1994. The label
provides consumers with information on the amount of energy and select
nutrients per food serving, as well as the percent of a “Daily Value”,
a set of reference values for total daily nutrient intakes based primarily
on the 1968 Recommended Dietary Allowances. Since 1997, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy
of Sciences has released Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for nutrients
that provide reference values for nutrient needs by life stage group.
The Daily Values used on the current food label, therefore, do not
necessarily reflect our most current understanding of nutritional needs.
Effort is underway to revise the Daily Value reference data used in
nutrition labeling to reflect the current DRIs. In
this session, we will hear an overview of the report prepared by an
Institute of Medicine committee in which recommendations for the use of
the DRIs in nutrition labeling and fortification are presented, a summary
of current activities at FDA regarding revision of the food label to
reflect the DRIs, and perspective from the food industry on the potential
impact on a revised food label on the industry.
|
| WHEN? | Monday,
April
11, 2005 Registration
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm |
| COST? |
$10.00 Members |
| WHERE? |
Food Products Association – 1350 I St,
NW |
| REGISTRATION? | Pre-registration
is requested by Thursday, April 7, and encouraged to prevent your delay at
the building security desk.
Send your RSVP to Mary Murphy,
Chair of DC-IFT, at mmurphy@environhsi.com.
Please include name, affiliation, and telephone number and indicate
DC-IFT/SNE member status.
You may also fax your registration information to Ms. Murphy at
703-516-2304. |
Candidates for 2005-2006 Executive Committee
Chair: Farida Mohamedshah Director, Office of Scientific Affairs, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc., Washington, DC
Farida Mohamedshah is a Nutritionist with research experience in the government, and private sectors. She joined the Distilled Spirits Council in 2001 and currently serves as Director, Office of Scientific Affairs. She assists in developing educational materials for physicians, dieticians and other health care professionals, build strategies and supports scientific projects related to alcohol and health, monitors scientific research and regulatory issues (national and international) and develops position papers on issues related to nutrition labeling, allergens, biotechnology, analytical parameters, food additives and contaminants. Prior to joining Distilled Spirits Council, Ms. Mohamedshah was a Nutritionist at ENVIRON. Ms. Mohamedshah developed both U.S. and international nutrient databases. She evaluated the nutritional components of Generally-Recognized-As-Safe (GRAS) self-determinations and prepared nutrition review sections of GRAS dossiers. Ms. Mohamedshah provided guidance on human clinical trials and monitored the clinical trials. Ms. Mohamedshah also worked as a Nutritionist at the Nutrient Data Laboratory at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has authored articles in peer-reviewed journals. Ms. Mohamedshah is an active member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dietetic Association; American Diabetes Association; Society for Nutrition Educations; Institute of Food Technologists; Research Society on Alcoholism; American Public Health Association. Ms. Mohamedshah earned her master's degree in Nutrition from University of Maryland, and a master's and bachelor's degree in Textile Chemistry from University of Bombay, India.Chair-Elect: Marcia Greenblum, M.S., R.D. Associate Director of Educational Outreach, Egg Safety Center, Washington, DC
As an enthusiastic nutrition professional with greater than twenty years experience as a registered dietitian, I seek to bring clarity to the complexities of nutrition science through education. My strengths are as a team player who demonstrates leadership skills by bringing together members toward accomplishing organizational goals. My current involvement in IFT are as a participant in the Taskforce on Consumer Education and Public Outreach and as moderator, speaker and organizer of two nutrition division sponsored IFT annual meeting sessions. I earned an MS in Nutrition from the University of Maryland at which time I assisted in research conducted at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center. I began my career as a clinical dietitian attaining the status of nutrition specialist at South Baltimore General Hospital where I participated as a member of the nutrition support team. I expanded teaching nutrition to healthcare professionals at Baltimore Community College and continued teaching nutrition to biology and management students at Montgomery Community College. I am currently employed as Associate Director of Nutrition and Food Safety Education with the Egg Nutrition Center. I conceptualize, design, write and coordinate the development of nutrition and food safety educational materials and conference exhibits to promote eggs within the context of a healthy diet. I have held positions of newsletter editor, legislative liaison and am the immediate past president of the District of Columbia Dietetic Association. I am also currently membership and marketing chair of the Dietitians in Business and Communications. I would like to bring my skills in project management and goal oriented planning as well as a devotion to nutrition education and professional development to the executive committee of DC IFT. I would like to continue the outstanding work that the current committee has done to encourage student research and provide practical, professional and stimulating topics to members of the DC IFT for their professional enrichment.
Treasurer and Awards Committee: Joan R. Rothenberg, M.S., M.A.Director, Food Science, International Food Information Council, Washington, DC
Joan R. Rothenberg is the Director, Food Science for the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Prior to joining IFIC, she held policy and public information positions with the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, and Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). In 1999, Ms. Rothenberg worked with Congress as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Science Fellow, sponsored by IFT. Ms. Rothenberg has been an active member of IFT since 1977, serving in different capacities in various Sections, Divisions, and Committees. Before she began her career in Washington, Ms. Rothenberg gained extensive experience in the packaged food and food service industries working on product development and research with companies including Starbucks Coffee, General Foods Corporation, Campbell Soup Company, and Slim Fast Foods.
Secretary: Hilary Shallo Thesmar,Ph.D., R.D.Director, Egg Safety Center, Washington, DC
Hilary Shallo Thesmar, is the Director of Food Safety Programs at the Egg Nutrition Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Thesmar received her Ph.D. in Food Technology from Clemson University. In addition to a Master of Science degree in human nutrition from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, Dr. Thesmar completed the dietetic internship at Winthrop and is a Registered Dietitian. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Institute of Food Technologists, the International Association for Food Protection and the American Society for Microbiology. As Director of Food Safety Programs, Dr. Thesmar directs the American Egg Board food safety research program, monitors and evaluates research information on nutrition and food safety issues related to eggs, works with government and private agencies involved in food safety, and provides technical expertise to the egg industry.
Councilor: Robyn R. Jones, M.S. Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Compliance, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Robyn attended North Carolina State University receiving a Bachelors degree in Food Science in 1999 magna cum laude. She then went on to pursue research in Food Rheology and Sensory Evaluation at Michigan State University and earned a Masters of Science degree in Food Science in 2001. While at Michigan State, she was a participant in an International Food Laws and Regulations Study Abroad program in Thailand, Korea, and Japan. Robyn has been actively involved in IFT as a student and as a professional holding the positions of IFTSA Career Fair Chair, Student Representative to the Employment Committee and most recently, Science Fair Coordinator for the D.C. Section of IFT, member of Food Laws and Regulations Student Awards Committee and IFT's Students/New Members Committee. Robyn is currently employed at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA in College Park, Maryland where she is a Consumer Safety Officer in the Office of Compliance and is responsible for monitoring various Compliance Programs and developing new field assignments in hot topic areas.
Alternate Councilor: Maureen Storey, Ph.D. Director, Center for Food and Nutrition Policy, Virginia Tech, National Capital Region
Dr. Maureen Storey is Director and Research Associate Professor at the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy (CFNP), an independent, affiliated center in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. She joined CFNP on September 1, 1998 and in March, 2002, she was named acting director of the Center. On July 1, 2003, she was appointed the Center's third director. Prior to joining the center, Dr. Storey was Senior Vice President of Health and Nutrition Marketing at Hayes, Domenici & Associates, a public relations and marketing firm in McLean, Virginia. She has been an executive with the Kellogg Company, where she held several management positions in nutrition over a 10-year career. Responsibilities included leading the nutrition communications strategies and activities as well as nutrition labeling and advertising for Kellogg's domestic operations. Dr. Storey received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. She was a National Cancer Institute postdoctoral training grant recipient at the University Wisconsin-Madison. She is a member of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences and the Institute for Food Technologists and has published scientific papers on such topics as beverage consumption, added sugars and diet quality, calcium supplementation, iron-zinc-copper interactions, and dietary fiber.
Member-At-Large: Eyassu G. Abegaz, Ph.D. Assistant Manager, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Ajinomoto Corporate Services LLC
Dr. Abegaz is employed by Ajinomoto U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co. of Tokyo, a major food/feed, pharmaceutical and fine chemical company. He is Assistant Manager of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs and conducts product assessment relating to quality, safety and labeling; compliance with U.S. bioterrorism regulation. Dr. Abegaz is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists and a member of American Chemical Society. He was inducted to Phi Tau Sigma Food Science Honor Society in 2002. He served as a Secretary of the University of Georgia Food Science Club and was an active member of the New Product Development Team from 2002-2003. He received the American Candy Technologist Scholarship in 2001 and 2003 for his research work. Dr. Abegaz received his MS and PhD form the University of Georgia in 2000 and 2003 respectively. His research involved flavor evaluation of foods by instrumental techniques, sensory analysis and consumer testing. His research work was presented in scientific meetings and published in scientific journals.
Member-at-large: Karen Kafer, R.D.Nutrition & Health Communications Consultant
Karen Kafer is a Washington, DC based consultant specializing in health professional outreach, public-private partnerships and nutrition and health communications. She currently works with a number of food, nutrition and health organizations, including the National Dairy Council. She takes a leadership role in representing nutrition education and research initiatives on behalf of clients, working to bring about change in the diet and health of Americans through collaboration. An award-winning marketing and nutrition communicator, Karen has more than 20 years of corporate, nutrition and health communications experience. Previously, Karen held a number of management positions at Kellogg Company, including positions in corporate affairs, marketing, functional foods, Kellogg Kitchens, and as director nutrition communications for Kellogg Canada. In her last position as director of public relations and marketing communications for Kellogg USA, Karen headed up the team responsible for all internal and external communications for the Kellogg's, Morningstar Farms and Kashi brands. While at Kellogg, Karen was named Consumer Marketing All-Star by the Public Relations Society of America. As a registered dietitian and current board member of both the DC Metro American Dietetic Association (DCMADA) and Society for Nutrition Education (DCSNE), she works actively on behalf of health professional organizations including the American Dietetic Association Foundation and The Susan B. Komen Race For The Cure Foundation, both of which she is a past board officer. Karen was also named Consumer Marketing All-Star by the Public Relations Society of America. Karen is a graduate of Oklahoma State University where she was honored with the Distinguished Alumnae Award.
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Last Modified: April 10, 2005