FOCUS ON THE FOOD INDUSTRY

The XVI World Congress of Food Science and Technology of IUFoST will mark the first time a Latin American country will host the most important scientific congress in the area of food science and technology in the world. It will take place in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil, from August 5 to 9, 2012. Held since 1962, the 2012 World Congress will bring together about 4,000 participants from all over the world, among them, the top experts and authorities in this field from industries, governments, academia and research institutes.

With the theme "Addressing global food security and wellness through Food Science and Technology", this international congress will address global food problems, discuss possible solutions and promote the collaboration and exchange of ideas between the academic community and the industrial and governmental sectors. The five-day event will feature more than 50 sessions, divided into plenary sessions, technical sessions,  symposia and panel discussions as well as business roundtables,  undergraduate and graduate forums and international project meetings. More than 130 internationally renowned speakers from 39 countries have already confirmed their participation.

Concurrent with the congress, UBM Brazil, the FiSA event organizer, will hold the World Food Congress Expo, where companies will present their new projects and products to a large audience of educators, researchers, students, representatives of industry, governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Fortitech, Nestle, QIAGEN and the publisher Elsevier are among the many companies already confirmed. SPACE IS FILLING UP FAST for the Expo – book now before it is too late.  Please contact iufost@ubmbrazil.com.br or telephone +55 11 4689 1935 or sponsor@iufost2011.galoa.com.br

Prof. Glaucia Maria Pastore, Congress Chair, emphasizes that there is great interest by the international industry in showcasing their companies to the huge Brazilian market and to see firsthand the innovation and functional food benefits, and possibilities in Brazilian food products.

According to Prof. Delia Rodriguez Amaya, Scientific Committee Chair, “the scientific program is strong and comprehensive and the entire Food Science and Technology community, as well as those in related fields, will have ample opportunities to update their scientific-technological knowledge and get informed about current tendencies, future perspectives, recent developments, innovations and the latest research.” 

For the industrial sector, besides the exposition, there will also be three sessions reserved exclusively for technical lectures to present innovations in the food industry. Industry speakers will participate in different sessions, discussing themes such as: Role of the food industry in implementing solution-oriented initiatives to increase food security; Industry's role in providing health and wellness; The hurdles of applying new technologies in the food industry; What industry is expecting from the Food Engineers?; Innovation – how do we take a good idea and make it a reality?; Are processed foods the villain of human health?; and The Brazilian food industry: Present and future perspectives.

Industry representatives will also have the chance to take advantage of sessions such as:

• International Perspectives on Food Safety and Regulations – a Need for Harmonized Regulations;
• Achieving Global Food and Nutritional Security. Strategies for Food Science and Technology;
• Diet, Nutrition and Health. Global Perspectives;
• Hot Topics in Food Production and Food Technology;
• Post-harvest Technologies. Strategies to Minimize Postharvest Losses;
• Food Component Reactions and their Impact on Food Quality and Human Health;
• New Processing Technologies. From Concept to Applications;
• Innovations and Trends in Food Packaging;
• Recent Developments in Functional Foods;
• Trends in Food Flavor and Texture;
• Current and Emerging Issues in Assuring Microbiological Safety of Foods;
• Unraveling the Globesity Puzzle;
•  Modeling and Simulation of Basic and Integrated Processes.

 A CEO Summit will gather the leaders of industry on the first day of the congress.

Global Food Industry Awards - YOUR CHANCE TO BE RECOGNISED

The 3^rd Global Food Industry Awards will be presented at the congress, highlighting the best in market innovation and product development  worldwide. Nominations are being accepted now and the deadline is quickly approaching.
OVER 40 COUNTRIES, representing small family business to multi-national corporations, have competed alongside each other for the Shanghai and Cape Town Global Food Industry Awards, presenting the best of their business in three categories:

• Product and/or process innovation including the industrialization of traditional foods

• Package Innovation

• Communicating science-related knowledge to consumers aiming at improving their lifestyle

The IUFoST Global Food Awards take place every two years at the world food congresses, are presented to the winning companies in front of the international food science community and are showcased in the exhibition hall during the congress.  This year the Awards will be presented on August 6, 2012.

Foz do Iguaçu, Parana, Brazil, http://www.iufost2011.galoa.com.br/