More than 3,600 industry, academic, and government food safety professionals are headed to Utah to hear about current and emerging food safety issues, learn the latest science, discover innovative solutions to new and recurring problems, and network with colleagues from around the globe.

Organization: International Association for Food Protection

Conference: 2018 IAFP Annual Meeting

Venue: Salt Palace Convention Center

City: Salt Lake City

Following preconference workshops on Friday and Saturday, IAFP 2018 kicks off on Sunday evening with an opening session featuring Gary Acuff. In a lecture called “Where Do You Put Your Chopsticks?” the professor of food microbiology at Texas A&M University will discuss how to improve the quality and safety of food. Also on the agenda:

Interest-based connections. Attendees are encouraged to participate in one or more of IAFP’s Professional Development Group meetings, where they can be part of open and in-depth discussions in 24 topic areas related to keeping the food supply safe.

Generation next. IAFP recognizes that students are the future of the association and the industry.  Each year, IAFP gives full-time food safety students the opportunity to attend the annual meeting through its Student Travel Scholarship program. Once onsite, students can build their connections to the community at a luncheon just for them and at a job fair and student booth in the exhibit hall.

Rules and regulations. During Monday afternoon’s “U.S. Regulatory Update on Food Safety,” representatives from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture will be on hand to tell attendees about the implementation and development of new government policies and regulations affecting the industry.

For more meeting details, head to Facebook and Twitter (#IAFP2018).

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