NEWSLINE, Number 53, November 2002, ISSN 0159-4419
ICSU General Assembly Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Report of the IUFoST President Prof. Dr. h.c. W.E.L. Spiess
The International Council for Science (ICSU) General Assembly is held every three years to reflect, consider and decide on ICSU's activities / strategies and to elect ICSU's office holders for the forthcoming term of office. During the 27th General Assembly, special meetings were organised for Union and National Members and fora regarding scientific problems around sustainability and capacity building were held. The gathering was attended by close to 240 delegates, representatives of various institutions and ICSU staff members; amongst them were about 30 Union Representatives and 80 National Representatives. IUFoST is one of only 26 Scientific Unions elected to ICSU.
The Union Forum was an extension of the meeting of various Union representatives in February 2001 in Paris. The underlying idea of the meeting was to offer a platform to the Unions where they could discuss problems specific to the Unions. The outcome of the discussions in the Union Forum, the joint Session of Unions and National Members, the Scientific Fora and discussions during the business oriented part of the General Assembly can be summarised as follows:
The Unions recognize that the ICSU secretariat is interested in reflecting the Unions in its various activities. It was however criticized that, for example, the small grants program (US$ 5000) was discontinued without consultation with the Unions and that certain statements at the World Summit on Sustainable Development were made without reflecting the position of the Unions concerned.
During a later discussion it was also very heavily criticized that activities around Food Security and on Water Research are being discontinued without a clear understanding in which way these important areas will be taken care of in interdisciplinary working groups.
The new Executive Board will be asked to modify ICSU's Mission Statement in a way that the role of the Unions becomes more clear and evident. (see page 3) It was also suggested that reference to 'Developing' and 'Developed' countries in the Mission Statement should be deleted.
Unions should initiate internal discussions on the outcome of the WSSD (see Key Commitments of the Summit, page 5) in order to develop activities that would help to implement the recommendations of the WSSD). As appropriate tools for the implementation, interdisciplinary fora or symposia on food security, climate change, biodiversity etc are recommended.
The materials presented at the Scientific Fora were extremely interesting and reflected ICSU's involvement in the preparation and the outcome of the WSSD to quite an extent. With regard to identifying future actions in the areas of food security, biotechnology and genetics, continuing the present discussion process was recommended.
Of interest in this context was also the study "Perspective on National Foresight Studies", prepared by SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK). The report is based on an analysis of the results of existing national "foresight" exercises. The GA discussions are being considered as the beginning of an iterative process within the ICSU family, which should lead to the identification of emerging scientific priority issues. Based on the outcome of these discussions at the GA, National and Union Members will be asked to reflect further on the subject and provide written input to this process regarding what they consider as priority emerging issues for ICSU. (See the Identification of Emerging Issues in Science and Society With a Role for ICSU, page 3).
With respect of the work of the Unions and their Adhering Bodies, the following information is of relevance:
In countries such as France, United Kingdom, Japan and India, the National Research Councils or the equivalent bodies have special committees (e.g. the COFUSI in France, which is a part of the CNF) for the support of individual Scientific Unions. It seems however that not all Unions or all segments of science are represented in those committees. In order to make use of these committees, Unions are encouraged to investigate to what extent Adhering Bodies can benefit from those institutions. The Unions should try to work more closely through and with local and or regional UNESCO offices in order to improve the efficiency and the impact of their activities.
The International Union of History and Philosophy of Science (IUHPS) maintains archives that are open to all Unions. IUHPS invites the sister Unions to make an intensive use of these archives to preserve records and other important documents of the Union activities.
The ICSU Website should be used by the Unions as a platform for the exchange of information between the Unions and to the outside world of Science. The ICSU Website should also be used for all actions aimed at networking between Unions and capacity building.
The ICSU grants programme should be used more intensively for major activities of co-operating Unions especially for capacity building in developing countries.
The Unions should support ICSU in preparing scientific statements on important issues. Those statements should be designed in way that they would summarise the state of the art in a specific field of science in a manner as understandable to lay persons as policy-makers or journalists. ICSU will release special guidelines for the preparation and issuance of position statements.
In order to make better use of ICSU and to build on the experiences of other Unions in capacity building, recruiting younger colleagues for Union activities and developing joint actions, it was recommended that special task forces be organised in the individual Unions.
The business part of the General Assembly is reported and documented by the ICSU secretariat. In the elections of officers and representatives of Scientific Unions and National Scientific Members on the Executive Board the following candidates (major positions) were elected: President-Elect: G. Mehta, India; Vice-President for Scientific Planning and Review: D.A.D. Parry, New Zealand; Vice-President for External Relations: P.D. Tyson, South Africa; Secretary General: A.-M. Cetto, Mexico; Treasurer: R.Elliot.
Résumé: Participation in this important event was certainly extremely valuable for the further development of IUFoST. It became obvious where IUFoST can provide input into ICSU activities and how ICSU could be used to shape IUFoST's profile and to develop initiatives along relevant needs especially of the developing counties e.g. securing a safe and nutritionally balanced food supply.
It was also an opportunity to strengthen the existing contacts with other Unions especially in the area of Life Science. Experiences were shared with other Unions regarding organizing Union activities and it demonstrated opportunities for implementing IUFoST's goals with regard to capacity building particularly in developing countries.
In order to make full use of the opportunities and potential offered through and by ICSU to IUFoST, the present contacts with ICSU and the Life Science Unions must be improved and ICSU's experience should be considered when planning new activities e.g. Electronic Publishing, Strategy Development, Capacity Building.
It is also recommended that two or three representatives of IUFoST should participate in the next ICSU General Assembly.
ICSU is a non-governmental organization founded in 1931 to bring together natural scientists in international scientific endeavour. It comprises 98 multi-disciplinary National Scientific Members, Associates and Observers (scientific research councils or science academies) and 26 international, single-discipline Scientific Unions to provide a wide spectrum of scientific expertise enabling members to address major international, interdisciplinary issues which none could handle alone. ICSU also has 27 Scientific Associates.
ICSU's objectives are set out in its Statutes and Rules of Procedure, to which all Members and Associates of ICSU adhere. One of the fundamental principles of ICSU is that of the universality of science (Statute 5), which affirms the right and freedom of scientists to associate in international scientific activity without regard to such factors as citizenship, religion, creed, political stance, ethnic origin, race, colour, language, age or sex.
The Council seeks to break the barriers of specialization by initiating and coordinating major international interdisciplinary programmes and by creating interdisciplinary bodies alone or in partnership with others which undertake activities and research programmes of interest to several members. A number of bodies set up within ICSU also address matters of common concern to all scientists, such as capacity building in science, environment and development, and the free conduct of science.
The Council acts as a focus for the exchange of ideas and information and the development of standards. Hundreds of congresses, symposia and other scientific meetings are organized each year around the world, and a wide range of newsletters, handbooks and journals is published.
The principal source of ICSU's finances is the contributions it receives from its Members. Other sources of income are the framework contracts from UNESCO and grants and contracts from UN bodies, foundations and agencies, which are used to support the scientific activities of the ICSU Unions and interdisciplinary bodies. One of ICSU's greatest strengths, however, is the time contributed freely by the thousands of scientists committed to the objectives of the Council. For more information on ICSU see: http://www.icsu.org
Summary
The International Council for Science (ICSU) has a role to take the initiative in developing the scientific agenda on emerging issues of common concern to the global community, with clear international and cross-disciplinary dimensions. This role derives from the depth and breadth of its scientific resources, having 98 national scientific academies and research councils and 26 international scientific unions as its members, and from its political independence, and complementary to national and other international organisations. To fulfil this role, ICSU needs to develop a mechanism for identifying emerging scientific questions for the global scientific community, for which ICSU's initiative in developing and co-ordinating the research agenda is needed and appropriate. This role is becoming more important as the societal problems requiring input of science are increasingly driven by global economic development and population increase. At the same time the increased multidisciplinary and complexity render the disciplinary mechanisms of scientific agenda setting less effective. ICSU will share this agenda with the international scientific community and both the policy and decision-making communities.
This note provides the rationale for these activities, based on the views of the ICSU Committee on Scientific Planning and Review (CSPR) on the changing role of ICSU and the consequences for its mission.
Because ICSU and its members believe that:
ICSU's mission is to mobilise the resources and knowledge of the international scientific community from all disciplines on problems of importance to science and to society.
This main mission has evolved from ICSU's 1931 mandate as is witnessed in the new Statutes adopted in 1998. The following roles will be given higher priority:
The primary output of ICSU should be analysis, ideas, and advocacy of the role and the contribution of Science. ICSU has within its community of scientists, Unions and National Members the intellectual resources to recognise early the significance of scientific developments both for the future of science itself and for society. ICSU has a unique role, which is complementary to national and other international organisations, deriving from the depth and breadth of its scientific resources and its political independence, and must ensure that its voice is heard along with theirs. ICSU must develop a culture of paying at least as much attention to broad trends in scientific progress and major societal challenges requiring scientific solutions, as to fostering research in specific issues and disciplines. It should focus its energies and resources on questions for which its capacities are uniquely effective, and avoid duplication or competition with other bodies where they are better equipped.
In general, ICSU should only fund the development of new activities when there is a clear added value in a role of ICSU, i.e. when the problem is a real global scientific or societal problem, requiring global multidisciplinary collaboration. Among others, examples of such a problem may include: an aggregated global issue (e.g. climate, energy, water, population health, and genomics); a problem related to the free circulation of scientists or conditions for doing science; a problem where ethical issues are involved.
In addressing those issues, ICSU could make a unique contribution by, for example, bringing together unique or wide ranging expertise from within the scientific community, and if necessary, from outside the scientific community; providing a mechanism for developing the scientific agenda, when the 'normal' mechanisms do not work; providing a mechanism for exchanging best practices or common methodologies; promoting new scientific human and institutional capacity building, particularly in developing countries; assisting development and enhancement of global datasets; providing 'seed money' that is essential to mobilising substantial additional funding from other sources.
ICSU has neither the financial resources, time, nor expertise for major exercises in international implementation. This raises a major strategic question about how and by whom appropriate management functions are to be put in place more systematically when needed, as has been done on an ad hoc basis for World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP).
The above implies that ICSU will use its limited budget mainly for the following activities:
Key Commitments, Targets and Timetables from the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation1
Poverty Eradication
Halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of the world's people whose income is less than $1 a day and the proportion of people who suffer from hunger (reaffirmation of Millennium Development Goals).
By 2020, achieve a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, as proposed in the "Cities without slums" initiative (reaffirmation of Millennium Development Goal).
Establish a world solidarity fund to eradicate poverty and to promote social and human development in the developing countries.
Water and Sanitation
Halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water (reaffirmation of Millennium Development Goal).
Halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation.
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Encourage and promote the development of a 10-year framework of programmes to accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption and production.
Energy
Renewable energy — Diversify energy supply and substantially increase the global share of renewable energy sources in order to increase its contribution to total energy supply
Access to Energy — Improve access to reliable, affordable, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound energy services and resources, sufficient to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the goal of halving the proportion of people in poverty by 2015.
Energy Markets — Remove market distortions including the restructuring of taxes and the phasing out of harmful subsidies. Support efforts to improve the functioning, transparency and information about energy markets with respect to both supply and demand, with the aim of achieving greater stability and to ensure consumer access to energy services.
Energy efficiency — Establish domestic programmes for energy efficiency with the support of the international community. Accelerate the development and dissemination of energy efficiency and energy conservation technologies, including the promotion of research and development.
Management of the natural resource base
Develop integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans by 2005.
Oceans and fisheries — Encourage the application by 2010 of the ecosystem approach for the sustainable development of the oceans.
On an urgent basis and where possible by 2015, maintain or restore depleted fish stocks to levels that can produce the maximum sustainable yield.
Put into effect the FAO international plans of action by the agreed dates: for the management of fishing capacity by 2005; and to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by 2004.
Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimination of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including representative networks by 2012 .
Establish by 2004 a regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment
Eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to over-capacity.
Atmosphere — Facilitate implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by ensuring adequate replenishment of its fund by 2003/2005.
Improve access by developing countries to alternatives to ozone-depleting substances by 2010, and assist them in complying with the phase-out schedule under the Montreal Protocol.
Biodiversity — Achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity.
Forests — Accelerate implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action by countries and by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and intensify efforts on reporting to the United Nations Forum on Forests, to contribute to an assessment of progress in 2005.
Health
Enhance health education with the objective of achieving improved health literacy on a global basis by 2010.
Reduce, by 2015, mortality rates for infants and children under 5 by two thirds, and maternal mortality rates by three quarters, of the prevailing rate in 2000 (reaffirmation of Millennium Development Goal).
Reduce HIV prevalence among young men and women aged 15-24 by 25 per cent in the most affected countries by 2005 and globally by 2010, as well as combat malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases (reaffirmation of General Assembly resolution).
Sustainable development of small island developing States
Undertake initiatives by 2004 aimed at implementing the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities to reduce, prevent and control waste and pollution and their health-related impacts.
Develop community-based initiatives on sustainable tourism by 2004.
Support the availability of adequate, affordable and environmentally sound energy services for the sustainable development of small island developing States, including through strengthening efforts on energy supply and services by 2004.
Review implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States in 2004.
Sustainable development for Africa
Improve sustainable agricultural productivity and food security in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals, in particular to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.
Support African countries in developing and implementing food security strategies by 2005.
Support Africa's efforts to implement NEPAD objectives on energy, which seek to secure access for at least 35 per cent of the African population within 20 years, especially in rural areas.
1 Note: this list is not exhaustive but provides information on the key commitments set out in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. For the full text, including the exact terms in which these commitments were made, visit the official website: www.johannesburgsummit.org
SIK is participating in a 3-year co-operative project between six research organisations, 30 industrial partners and 13 food plants in five Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faeroe Islands). The aim of this vast project has been to develop knowledge on the contamination routes of pathogenic bacteria, and to develop, test and implement techniques for the effective prevention and control of these bacteria.
The principal target organism of the 36 surveys performed at meat, poultry and fish and seafood producers, has been Listeria monocytogenes. The food industry, particularly producers of ready-to-eat products like cooked ham, cold smoked salmon and pre-cooked shrimp, are concerned with the potential danger of Listeria monocytogenes in their products because of possible risk to the consumer. The cold-tolerant nature of Listeria spp. allows the survival and even growth in refrigerated products under storage or temperature abuse.
In the investigations, some 2700 samples have been analysed, basing survey technologies on HACCP and hygiene audit techniques together with bacteriological sampling of raw material, products and process environment. Using different finger printing techniques (Ribotyping or RAPD, AFPL techniques), over 700 strains of Listeria were isolated from food factories. All data and information were entered into coded databases in a confidential conference system, via access to a SIK-based Internet server administered by SIK.
The findings with regard to overall frequency of Listeria spp. in food processing plants have been summarised as follows:
Listeria spp. was present in all plants surveyed.
Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes was higher in seafood processing plants (90%) than in meat processing plants (24-41%) and Poultry plants (48%).
Hygiene precautions at all stages of processing are extremely important to prevent recontamination of the product.
Correct handling and storage during processing is extremely important for all types of food products.
Raw materials play an important role in cross contamination inside a plant.
Cleaning does not sufficiently eliminate the presence of Listeria in products or at plant environmental surfaces.
After the experimental work of sampling and typing, accumulated data were analysed and pathways of contamination in the different food plants determined. Preventive actions have been implemented and validated, the results of the latter to be presented at a closing seminar at SIK this fall. A final step will also be to compile a Handbook of Good Hygienic Practise (GHP) with focus on Listeria monocytogenes.
The study will provide an important background for the design of a new factory environment, more hostile to Listera and other vegetative psychrotropic micro-organisms than today's factories. In its scope, this project is deemed to be unique and is providing knowledge of great general value to risk assessment in the food industry and in the establishing of HACCP programs. It is also a good example of what can be achieved by pooling competence and resources of neighbouring small countries.q
References:
Gustavsson,P. et al. (2001). Combating Listeria monocytogenes in Nordic food plants: Nord Safety – a database for the future. In Proceeding from Food Factory of the Future, 27-29 June 2001, Gothenburg, Sweden, 117-121.
Suihko,M-L. et al. (2002). Characterisation of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from the meat, poultry and seafood industries by automated ribotyping. Int.J.of Food Microbiology 72 (2002), 137-146.
The conference on Food Ingredients was organized by the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and CMP Media (Thailand) Co., Ltd from 7-8 November 2002 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. The theme, "Challenges in Functional Food Ingredients", covered specific areas of carbohydrate and dietary fiber, protein, food additive and health ingredients. The objective of the conference was to update information on the current development in science and technology of functional food ingredients. The programme included topics such as new functional food ingredients for improving health benefits of Asian foods and functional meat proteins for use in processed meat products.
The Propak Asia 2002 Food Conference was organized by the Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand, King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, Thailand's National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand Industrial Standards Institute, Food Group of the Federation of Thai Industries in conjunction with Federation of Institutes of Food Science and Technology in ASEAN from 12-14 June 2002 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The theme was safe food, good health through modern processing and packaging technology. 173 participants attended the conference from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, England, America and ASEAN. The objective was to provide a forum for experts, industries and professionals to present and discuss the risk analysis of processed foods. The programme covered the specific areas of food safety, risk assessment and communication, advances in food processing, cleaning and sanitizing system, health food, trends in food processing machinery and novel packaging/packaging technology.
8th ASEAN Conference, Hanoi
The 8th ASEAN Food Conference is being organized by ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (ASEAN COST) and Federation of Institutes of Food Science and Technology in the ASEAN (FIFSTA) from 8-11 October 2003, Hanoi, Vietnam. The theme of the conference is "Cooperation and Integration for Development". The objective of the conference is to highlight significant issues related to food science and technology and to promote tighter cooperation in research and technology transfer in the region. The first Propak Vietnam Exhibition will be held in conjunction with the conference. The exhibition will introduce advanced technological achievements by presenting the latest machinery and technology available for food industry.
The organizing committee would like to invite interested scientists and technologists to present scientific papers both oral and poster. The abstract must be submitted to the conference secretariat (VAFST@hcm.vnn.vn or phti-mard@hn.vnn.vn) before 30 March 2003.
It is always nice to say hello from this "Tierra de Gracia" (land of grace) as Columbus called the New World.
We are happy to report the success of the 3rd Venezuelan Congress in Food Science and Technology held last July in Caracas, organized by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTA) of Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV); ILSI North Andean, Venezuelan Chapter, and the CYTED Program (Science and Technology for Development). Thanks to all our speakers who accepted this invitation.
We would like to share some information on the development of food irradiation in Venezuela. Pioneer studies began in the 1960s at the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) -now part of the Ministry of Science and Technology- with a 60Co source of 500 Ci. Some time later in a pool type facility, activity of the source was raised to 10.000 Ci. Different commodities have been irradiated, such as potatoes, onions, corn, tomato, bell peppers, black beans, precooked rice starch, mango, papaya, etc. Preliminary irradiation of papaya was conducted in the 70´s, by Dr. J. Moy from the University of Hawaii, who visited the country on an OAS sponsored visit.
In the 90's, a project of the Agency for International Development (AID-CRD) was granted to Venezuela and Israel, on utilization of low dose irradiation for senescence retardation and disinfestation of crops important to development of tropical countries. The Soreq Nuclear Research Center, the Volcani Institute for Agricultural Products, the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC) and the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos of Universidad Central de Venezuela were involved. Interest in the issue has been continuous, even if at the mercy of the many ups and downs that this technology has suffered in different countries.
Today, with the increasing acceptance and applications of food irradiation in the world, the IVIC´s source has been reloaded to 200.000 Ci, and even if commercial trials cannot be performed, pilot plant scale studies can be conducted. A project on white cheese irradiation is about to start. This type of cheese is widely consumed in the country and has been most frequently (74%) associated to foodborne diseases in Venezuela (1988-1998) according to public health official records. Application of food irradiation technology to dairy products has been hindered in some cases due to development of off-odors and adverse effects on other characteristics. Preliminary studies have shown good tolerance of Venezuelan white cheese (palmita type) to low radiation doses applicable for sanitizing foods, with no objectionable sensory characteristics observed, which suggests a good potential for this technology to control white-cheese foodborne diseases. Apart from the scientific and academic significance, it is always good that ongoing research on food irradiation and its results be divulged to the national press in order to keep the issue alive and present in the public debate.
A delegation from the Faculty of Science (Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos) and the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences (Instituto de Agronomía) of Universidad Central de Venezuela, visited the Peoples' Republic of China this past summer. The purpose of the trip was to explore possibilities of bilateral cooperation in the area of agriculture of tuberous crops.
Among other Chinese institutions, the delegation visited the Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing; the Office of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation of the Jiangsu Agriculture and Forestry Department; the School of Food Science and Technology of Southern and the Yangtze University (ex Wuxi University of Light Industry). The State Bureau of Foreign Affairs appointed the Xuzhou Sweet Potato Research Center as the national demonstration and extension base of foreign intelligence introduction on high starch sweet potato. The Potato Research Center is divided into 3 divisions of germoplasm, genetic breeding, cultivation and processing.
The Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) (sweet potato processing) and the Institute of Biologic and Nuclear Technique of SAAS (for virus free sweet potato, transgenic plants, etc.) in Sichuan; the Sichuan Beilli Rice Industry Co. Ltd.; the University of Guangxi; the Association of Cassava Starch of Guangxi; the Chemical Industrial Research & Design Institute (the Guangxi Nanning Cassava Technical Development Centre) that produces high pure fructose & crystal fructose from cassava, mannitol, hard crystalline sorbitol and cartionic starch by dry method, isomalt, were also visited.
The delegation returned deeply impressed by the scientific and technological development of the country, its beauty, its history and the friendliness of its people. Despite its industrialization, China remains a predominantly agricultural country, with agriculture having undergone major social and technical changes.
Hasta la próxima vez amigos.
The World Conference and Exhibition on Oilseed and Edible, Industrial, and Specialty Oils (AOCS 2002) with the theme "Sources, Processing, By-Products, Utilization and Feed Formulations, Applications and Fonctionality" was held on August 12-15, 2002 in Istanbul, Turkey. The conference was organised by S.Sefa Koseoglu (USA), U.Ersoy (Turkey) and M.Parmentier (Euro Fed Lipid),and sponsored by the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS), Euro Fed Lipid, and the Turkish Vegetable Oils and Fats Industrialist Association.
This World Conference brought together professionals from all areas of oilseed, oils and fats processing, and by-product utilization to learn the latest information on current and emerging technologies from world renowned experts. The technical program included 15 sessions in 3 parallel streams. 120 lectures and many posters were presented in the sessions.
In addition to the technical program, four pre-conference short courses were offered: "Soyfoods. J. Hershey, ASA, USA; and J. Jacob, ASA, Turkey", "Soybean, Canola, Sunflower, and Corn - Oilseed Extraction, I. Debruyne, ASA, Belgium", "Aquaculture and Poultry Feed. M.N. Riaz, Texas A&M University, USA" and "Oil Refining and Processing. I. Debruyne, ASA, Belgium".
The Technical program covered both practical and technical aspects of oilseed and edible/industrial/speciality oils processing, by-products, utilization and feed formulations, applications and functionality. In the opening ceremony (Chairpersons: S.Koseoglu, USA and U.Ersoy, Turkey), the Keynote Speakers were J. Segers, The Netherlands "The Role of Quality Assurance in the Global Supply Chains for Edible Oils and Fats", J. -M. Gille, Belgium "Effect of Globalization on the Economics of Scale in the Oils and Oilseeds Processing Industry: Not Only the Largest Survive", R. Wilson, National Program Director, USDA, USA "The Role of Biotechnology in the Evolution of Oilseeds and Oilseed Products", M. Bai, Chinese Cereals and Oils Association, China "The Current Status of Chinese Oil Industry and Outlooks in Post-WTO China", T. Ozilhan, TUSIAD, Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, Turkey "Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in Turkey: Risks and Opportunities", and R.H. Phipps, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, United Kingdom "Genetically Modified Crops: A Technology for the 21st Century".
The exhibition provided an opportunity to everyone to establish worldwide contacts and meet the leaders of the oils and fats industry. For further information on the Conference please contact, S.Sefa Koseoglu, Tel: +1 979 845 2749 , Fax: +1 979 845 2744 , e-mail: s-koseoglu@tamu.edu
The IUFoST Regional Group, FIFSTA, held its General Meeting on 13 June 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand with representatives from associations in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Bhutan and these members reported on their country's activities.
FoSTAT of Thailand
Dr Sakrindr reported that FoSTAT today has some 450 individual members and 150 corporate members. The association was promoting its youth program more aggressively by bringing more awareness of FoSTAT activities to young graduates. For human resources development, the association organized one or two seminars a month by tapping the expertise and know-how of members and expert visitors.
The association became an Affiliate Member of IFT last year and has been associated with IUFoST for a long period. Such affiliations brought useful exchanges of technical matters and opened another avenue to obtain foreign experts for conferences.
FoSTAT was working with key institutions like US EPA in certifying members for providing better process control tools. It also had linkage with the agricultural departments of eight universities for an Academic Forum for Agro Industries. A link was also set up with the Food Section of the Federation of Thai Industries to look into academic certification of various functions of food science and technology. It would register professionals at the request of the government agencies. There was a Food Risk Promotion Program with the Thai FDA as well.
Myanmar
Ms Win Win Kyi, the National Technical Consultant to FAO Projects in Myanmar, made a comprehensive oral presentation on the recent industrial development in Myanmar, particularly in areas of food crops. She stressed that Myanmar required help in technology transfer and would welcome the members to visit her country.
Dr Alastair Hicks, FAO, added that there were some USD 15 million projects in three regions of Myanmar today and the country would appreciate any sort of technical linkage. Members were urged to keep contacts with Ms Win Win Kyi to facilitate such process. He noted that there was a rather weak linkage with the Royal University of Cambodia. Dr Sakrindr remarked that at this initial stage, a proper channel would be through the ASEAN COST for help.
Dr Ruud said that COST had on-going projects such as the ASEAN-China Functional Food Focal Point for Vietnam to help in human resources training programs by offering two fellowships with training in Thailand for four months. The ASEAN Foundation could be of financial help. COST would welcome any proposal for joint collaboration.
Bhutan
Mr Gyem Dorji of Bhutan Agro Industries told the meeting that Bhutan was looking for direction from ASEAN and FIFSTA. It had a lot to learn from them. Bhutan has many small scale productions and the country is involved mainly in traditional agricultural activities.
PAFT of the Philippines
Dr Escueta reported that PAFT membership was growing fast and had about 100 corporate members and some 1500 professional members throughout the country. The growth was helped by an increase in the number of universities offering food science and technology courses.
Since 2001, 14 student charters had been formed, based in universities to encourage student participation and to provide venue for graduate students to present their research findings. The affiliation with IFT and IUFoST helped to bring in expert speakers for their national conventions.
PAFT provided services to the small and medium enterprises such as providing grants to get two-week HACCP training at the University of Georgia of the US.
The law to regulate the practice of food technologists had been passed, meaning that the food technologists in the Philippines now have professional status.
MIFT of Malaysia
Dr Nik said that MIFT was first formed in 1971 and had more than 20 corporate members and some 500 individual members. MIFT has helped in the government process to regulate various practices in relation to food technology, namely:
MIFT activities included:
SIFST of Singapore
Mr Lim Chee Kian reported that SIFST was set up in 1976 and today it had 26 corporate members and about 200 professional members. Student members came mainly from the three tertiary institutions in Singapore. The institute was planning to allow three student representatives to attend the council meetings to facilitate better communications.
The institute had representations in government organisations. It had successfully organized a conference in conjunction with Food Ingredient Asia exhibitions this April and launched a HACCP Consultant Registration Scheme in March. The web page of the institute was set up last year and had been regularly maintained.
A GM Food Conference was being organized and would be held on February 27 – March 1, 2003. Members of FIFSTA were welcome to participate in this conference and the Presidents of FIFSTA would be invited to Singapore. A FIFSTA meeting could be arranged then.
A technical trip to Thailand would be made in November. FoSTAT had kindly agreed to help in making local arrangements. The other activities of the institute included the publication of SIFST Annual by the end of the year and conducting short courses on HACCP and GMP to food industry.
VAFST of Vietnam
Prof Le Doan Dien reported that the association had about 178 scientists and technologists, 57 industrial/business members, 47 members from the government and administration plus 36 student members. The many seminars organised in 2002 included:
Other projects for 2002-2005 included:
The focus of these programs was on:
The association set up a website for the ASEAN Food Conference in 2003 and aimed to get international support for food science and technology development in Vietnam, particularly in human resource qualification and food safety and quality training.
PATPI of Indonesia
Ms Winiati reported that PATPI had about 800 members, mostly from the universities and few from the local food industry. It published a journal called Food Technology and organised an annual conference in October 2001 with 112 oral presentations and 71 poster papers. This year's conference would be held in July in Malang.
PATPI was working on "Total Food Safety" from farm to table with the National Institute of Food Safety and prepared to give awards for food industry based on its hygiene and sanitation. It was also looking into programs to increase consumer awareness on food safety.
ATAM held its Annual Meeting in Uruapan, México from September 25-27. We held a conference, discussion tables, presentation of research papers and, as usual, some social events which students and professionals attended. The main theme of the meeting was Functional Foods, with Dr. Dennis Gordon from North Dakota State University as a principal speaker.
As does every Association, we have our problems and this year is no exception as we have been hit by the economical problems in the world. It was decided that our Annual Meeting should go ahead because our Association is one with traditions to uphold. We were able to publish our journal again and, although it is a slow process, we are beginning to get more papers to publish. Our Journal Tecnología de Alimentos is the only specialized journal on Food Science and Food Technology published in Mexico.
Several months ago, we held our Annual Dinner of Ex-Chairmen, with most of them in attendance. We had a very good reunion and we gave a Diploma to Miles Sakal from Mane Mexico for all the support he has given throughout the years to ATAM. We also discussed a few strategies to get ATAM back on track. As a result we will hold a strategic planning meeting to organise the future of the Association. It was obvious that we were all sad because of the problems we are going through at this time, but we are sure we will have the support of all the Ex-Chairmen who love the Association and we will be able to recover from these difficult times..
Development of food science and technology in Poland is based on the activity of every scientific and research centre. It is co-ordinated and supported by the Committee for Food Technology and Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Science and the National Committee IUFoST. Moreover, there are a number of organisations cooperating actively, among them The Polish Association of Food Technologists should be distinguished. All the structures connected with food science and technology have realised closer collaboration with scientific research centres and foreign organisations, in particular those in the European Union countries. An example of that is the formal co-operation with the Association of German Food Technologists (GDL) initiated by, among others, Prof. W. Spiess - the president of IUFoST.
The most important forum for the exchange of accomplishments and experience in the field of food science and technology in Poland is the annual session organized successively by the academic scientific centres. This year the international session was organised by the Agricultural University in Lublin on 10-11 September.
The 33rd session on "Food science - advances and perspectives" was a significant scientific event for various reasons. Firstly, the major Polish scientific research achievements were presented as well as the developments of the Department of Food Science and Technology of Agricultural University in Lublin established 50 years ago. The achievements of Prof. S. Bujak - the founder of the Department and an honorary guest of the session - were highlighted. During the session a meeting of the Polish National Committee IUFoST was held to debate current affairs as well as various aspects of the co-operation with IUFoST. It is worth mentioning that the proceedings at the scientific conference and the Polish National committee IUFoST were honoured with IUFoST President Prof. W. Spiess' presence and kind participation.
In the session presided by Prof. Z. Sikorski, 351 participants from Poland and abroad took part; the proceedings were run in five sections and proceeded by the plenary papers: Ethics in science (Prof. A. Szostek), New developments in food science. Needs-impacts-potentials-perspectives (Prof.W. Spiess), New generation food and rational nutrition (Prof. J. Gawedzki), Sonification of biological substances (Prof. J. Dolatowski), Food from genome to proteome (Prof. H. Kostyra), Chromatographic techniques in phenol compounds identification in food of plant origin (Prof. M. Stobiecki), Graduation of sense impressions (Prof. P. Tomasik et al.).
The section "Technology and quality of plant materials" featured 94 works covering the problems of, among others, fruit and vegetable processing, grains quality, baking and pasta obtainment, modification of starch and extrusion, pulse seed processing, lipides, phenole compounds and phytinians. The issues of processing poultry and pork, milk and dairy products dominated the section (74 works) on "Technology and quality of animal materials" A great number of the papers dealt with health safety of food and the needs and expectations of consumers.
Quite differentiated papers in terms of a subject matter (73) were presented in the section "Developments in food biotechnology" discussing bioproducts, alcohol distillation, yeast production, winemaking, brewing industry as well as the problems of infections, industrial microbes improvement and the issues of environment protection combined with food production.
Another section "Advances in food analysis" (31 works) focused its attention on the problems of chromatography, spectrophotometry, microbiology, enzymatics, fractal analysis and bioinformatic methods as well as determination of micropollutants and adultaration. The fifth section "Analysis of consumer's market"(17 papers) discussed the results of a survey on the preferences of food consumers, feeding habits, awareness of nutrition state and a trade mark of some food manufacturers. The conference was accompanied by an exhibition introducing producers of food and analytic equipment from Polish and foreign firms.
The meeting of the Polish National Committee IUFoST presided by Prof. A. Rutkowski was held with the active co-operation of President of IUFoST, Prof. W. Spiess, and devoted to some general aspects of the current and long-term activity of the Committee and its collaboration with IUFoST. The debate covered the problems of, among others, support for young Polish scientists in the forthcoming world congress in Chicago, review of the papers submitted to this congress and a conference to be organised by Centre of Live Quality in Olsztyn (Poland).
IUFoST President Prof. W. Spiess encouraged everyone to take part in the Internet conference that will precede the congress in Chicago, referring to this type of meeting initiated before the previous conference in Seoul. Prof.W. Spiess also suggested the organisation of a conference on "Food safety" and "Food preparation and ethics" in Poland. There were discussions on the possibilities of co-operation with EFFoST as well.
Summing up the performance of the conference and meetings, it should be noted that the papers, works and their results presented direct the trends for the research work, initiation efforts and scientific-research and organisational co-operation. Therefore, President W. Spiess' pronouncement and commitment proved to be most inspiring just like the problems discussed in the plenary papers. For more information and the conference proceedings: Prof. B. Baraniak, email: biochbb@agros.ar.lublin.pl.
The Australian Institute of Food Science and Techn-ology (AIFST Inc), has come a long way since it was formally established in 1967.
Origins of the AIFST
AIFST had its origins in 1950, when American and Australian food technologists formed the 19th (Australian) section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) of the USA. The section grew rapidly, and in 1952 a second section was formed. These two IFT sections—Australian (Northern) and Australian (Southern)—continued to grow rapidly until in 1966 membership exceeded five hundred, representing the food and allied industries and government and educational organisations in most states of Australia.
Moves leading to the formation of the AIFST had begun in 1964 when, at the IFT Annual Convention in Australia, a committee was established to determine whether there would be support for an Australian Institute. A subsequent postal ballot showed a support of greater than 75%. A Constitution and structure were drafted and agreed upon at the 1966 Convention. In 1967 at the Annual Convention held in Shepparton, Victoria the IFT Australian Sections were dissolved and the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology was founded.
Structure
The Institute is governed by a National Council, which sets the policies and strategies, for the operational future growth of AIFST. An Executive Committee then overseas their implementation, and direction. State Branch Committees and specialist interest groups further support this, and organise a range of meetings, seminars, and similar events. All committee members are elected from and by members on an annual basis. Activities are supported by a National Office, with nine staff members, who work on all divisions of the business. These are Publishing, including Food Australia and specialist publications, Institute Conventions/seminars and their management/secretariat, and Membership Development.
Membership
There are currently over 2000 individual members, from industry, academia, government and other community sectors. The membership grades are Fellow, Professional and members, which also includes students. They are leading technologists, engineers, chemists, microbiologists, educators, nutritionists, executives, and students working in the food and allied industries. Whilst the majority of members reside and work in Australia, the Institute has members in the UK, USA, South America, ASEAN, South Pacific, and other countries.
IUFoST Connections
AIFST has given enthusiastic support to IUFoST from the beginning. Australia was one of the 20 founding nations and indeed, simply because of alphabetical precedence, was the first nation to receive a Certificate of Membership from the hands of IUFoST President, George Stewart at the first IUFoST General Assembly in Washington DC in 1970. Dr J R Vickery, first president of AIFST, was a member of the International Committee which took the first steps to form an international union.
When Dr Vickery retired in 1967 he handed the IUFoST torch to Jack Kefford who was elected to the first Executive Committee in 1970 and remained a member for 21 years, serving as Secretary General 1978-1987. Professor Ron Edwards continued an Australian presence on the IUFoST Executive from 1991 and was elected a Vice President of the Union in 1995. Currently President-elect, Alan Mortimer represents Australia on the IUFoST Governing Council. There is keen competition between IUFoST adhering bodies for the honour of hosting the World Congress, and Alan fought strongly to secure the 10th World Congress, which was organised and hosted by Australia in 1999.
Future Goals
Although there are many challenges to face in the future, the outlook for AIFST is positive. A strategic plan for 2002-2005 has been revised, and appropriate strategies and objectives are being implemented. There are two conferences planned for 2003, the 11th Australian Food Microbiology Conference in March 2003, including the launch of the revised publication Foodborne Microorganisms of Public Health Significance, and the 36th Annual AIFST Convention, to be held as part of 2003 Foods for Life. This will also include the International Dairy Federation, 2nd World Symposium of Dairy products in Human Health and Nutrition, and also DIAA Dairy Science World Series Conference. A proposal to introduce Continuing Professional Development has been sent to all members, with a CPD pilot plan being implemented in 2003.
The inaugural AIFST Student Product Development Competition was held during the 2002 Annual Convention, and it is now planned as an annual event. The other awards are Award of Merit, the Food Industry Innovation Award, the Malcolm Bird Award, the John Christian Award, and the Jack Kefford Award.
The Institute is committed to the development and promotion of food science and technology as a profession and to maintaining its position as an unbiased, professional, scientific body.
IUFoST Elections
The IUFoST President-elect ballot has been sent to all IUFoST Delegates. Please notify the Secretariat if it has not been received. The deadline for return of ballots to the IUFoST Auditors is 10 January 2003.
The ballot for election of general members of the IUFoST Governing Council, term 2003-2006, will be sent to all IUFoST Delegates in January with a deadline for return of early March.
Nominations to the IUFoST Academy are now invited from IUFoST Adhering Bodies, Academy Fellows and Governing Council members. If forms are required, please advise the IUFoST Secretariat. Deadline for receipt of Academy nominations is 15 January 2003.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS OF INTEREST
2003
JANUARY 16-18 International Conference on IT-Based Capacity Building in Science, Okinawa, Japan. Contact: Science Information and International Affairs Division, Executive Office, Science Council of Japan, 7-22-34 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8555, Japan, Tel: + 81 3 3403 1091, Fax: + 81 3 3403 1982, E-mail: www.scj.go.jp/eng_index
February 9-13 3rd International Symposium on Food Rheology and Structure, Zurich, Switzerland. Contact: ETH-Zurich, Institute of Food Science/Laboratory of Food Engineering, ISFRS 2000, LFO E19, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland, Fax: + 41 1 632 11 55, E-mail: secretary@isfrs.ethz.ch, Website: www.isfrs.ethz.ch
FEBRUARY 22-25 2003 FTRI-ICC Conference and Exhibition on Food Additives and Cereal Fortificants, Cairo, Egypt. Contact: Dr.Nabih Ibrahim and Dr. Lila El-Mahdy, E-mail: nlftri@internetegypt.com
February 27-March 1 Genetically Modified (GM) Foods – Prospects, Challenges and Safety, Singapore. Contact: Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (SIFST), c/o Singapore Professional Centre, People's Association, West Block, Room 4, 9 Stadium Link, Singapore 397750 ,Tel: ++ 3482586 Fax: ++4409450, E-mail: ctmapl@singnet.com.sg, Website: www.sifst.org.sg
March 5-7 Fi Asia-China Exhibition and IUFoST Symposium on Food Safety: Current Issues and Technologies, Shanghai, China. Contact: CMP Information, PO Box 200, 3600 AE Maarssen, The Netherlands, Tel: + 31 346 559444, Fax: + 31 346 573 811, Exhibition E-mail: Fi@cmpinformation.com, Website: www.fi-events.com., Symposium E-mail: iufost@ca.inter.net, Website: www.iufost.org
MARCH 24-28 11th Australian Food Microbiology Conference 'Building on Green and Gold', Noosaville, Queensland, Australia. Contact: , AIFST Inc., PO Box 1303, Waterloo DC NSW 2017, Tel: +61 2 8399 3996, Fax: +61 2 8399 3997, E-mail: aifst@aifst.asn.au, Website: www.aifst.asn.au
APRIL 2-4 Expo Diet and Light Nutrition Exposition and Congress, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Contact: Latin Event Feiras e Congressos Ltda, BF Three Congressos, Tel/Fax: ++55 47 326 4267, E-mail: latineve@latinevent. com.br, Website: www.latinevent.co.br/diet
April 13-16 International Conference on Agricultural Science and Technology, ICAST, Houston, Texas, USA. Contact: 2003 ICAST Secretariat, Tel: + 1 979 845 1551, Fax: + 1 979 845 9749, E-mail: Secretariat@2003icast.org, Website: www.2003icast.org.
April 20-22 1st International Conference on Food Systems, Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Contact: Prof. Ahmed Al-Badawy, Organising Committee Chair, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17555, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.Tel: + 971 3 705 1247, Fax: + 971 3 763 2384, E-mail: foodsys.conf@uaeu.ac.ae, website: www.cfs.uaeu.ac.ae/conferences/foodsys/ficfs.htm,
MAY 5-7 First World Congress on Food Irradiation 'Meeting the Challenges of Food Safety and Trade' / FMI Show 2003, Chicago, USA. Contact: National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, Attn: First World Congress Registration, 165 Food Safety & Toxicology Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1302, USA, Fax: +1 517-432-2310, Website: www.foodsafe.msu.edu
JUNE 13-20 Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology Workshop/Symposium XXIII, Manhattan, Kansas, USA. Scientific contents contact: Daniel Y.C. Fung, Kansas State University, Tel: +1 785 532 5654, Fax: +1 785 532 5681, E-mail: dfung@oznet.ksu.edu. Registration information contact: Bettie Minshell, Tel: in the USA: 1-800-432-8222, Outside of the USA: +1 785 532 5575, Fax: +1 785 532 5637, E-mail: minshel@ksu.edu, Website: www.dce.ksu.edu/dce/cl/microbiology
June 2-4 Future Technologies for Food Production and Future Food Scientists Symposium, organised by LiFT, Gothenburg, Sweden. Contact: Tina Petersson, Conference Secretariat, SIK, Box 5401, SE-402 29 Gothenburg, Sweden, Tel: + 46 31 335 56 00, Fax: + 46 31 83 37 82, E-mail: hl@sik.se.
July 12-16 IFT Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Contact: Institute of Food Technologists, 525 West Van Buren, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60607-3814, USA. Tel: + 1 312 782 8424, Fax: + 1 312 782 8348, E-mail: info@ift.org, Website: www.ift.org
July 16-20 IUFoST Congress XII 'Feeding the world - Opportunities without Boundaries' organised by IFT, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Contact: Congress XII, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Suite 1000, 525 West Van Buren, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60607-3814, E-mail: info@ift.org, Website: www.worldfoodscience.org/worldcongress
August 17-22 21st International Congress of Refrigeration, organised by International Institute of Refrigeration, Washington, DC, USA. Contact: Gloria Cofer, ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 30329, Tel: + 1 404 636 8400, Fax: + 1 404 321 5478, E-mail: gcofer@ashrae.org, Website: www.icr.2003.org
AUGUST 24-27 36th Annual AIFST Convention 'Food – Leading the Way', Melbourne, Australia. Contact: AIFST Inc., PO Box 1303, Waterloo DC NSW 2017, Tel: +61 2 8399 3996, Fax: +61 2 8399 3997, E-mail: aifst@aifst.asn.au, Website: www.aifst.asn.au or www.2003foodsforlife.com
SEPTEMBER 3-7 International Conference 'Advanced Analysis – Exploring Biological Systems in Food', Olzstyn, Poland. Contact: Dr. Jerzy Radecki, Division of Food Science, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, ul Tuwima 10, Poland, Tel: + 89 523 5696, Fax: + 89 524 0124, E-mail: cenexfood2003@pan.olsztyn.pl
September 17-18 International Seminar on Functional Foods: Market, Technology, and Health Benefit, Yogyakarta (Central Java), Indonesia. Contact: Prof. Dr. Kapti Rahayu Kuswanto, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Gadjah Mada University, Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia. Tel: +62 274 551220, Fax: +62 274 589797, E-mail: dekan-tp@ugm.ac.id and/or Dr. Sri Raharjo,Tel:/Fax: +62 274 549650, E-mail: sraharjp@yogya.wasantara.net.id
September 21-25 5th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. Contact: Meetings and Exhibits Department, AOCS, PO Box 3489, Champaign, Illinois, USA 61826-3489, Tel: + 1 217 359 2344, Fax: + 1 217 351 8091, E-mail: meetings@aocs.org
September 24-26 Euro Food Chem XII: Strategies for Safe Food, Brugge, Belgium. Contact: Euro Food Chem XII Secretariat, c/o Rudy Senten, Karel Mertensstraat 15, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium, Fax: + 32 65 205 645, E-mail: rudy.senten@antwerpen.be
October 5-8 IV Ibero American Congress on Food Engineering, Valparaiso, Chile. Contact: IV Congreso Iberoamericano de Ingenieria de Alimentos, Departamento de Procesos Quimicos, Biotecnologicos y Ambientales, Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile, Tel: + 56 32 654 302, Fax: + 56 32 654 478, E-mail: cibia4@pqui.utsfm.cl
OCTOBER 8-11 8th ASEAN Food Conference 'Cooperation and Integration for Development', Hanoi, Vietnam. Contact: Post Harvest Technology Institute, No. 4 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Tel: +84 4 825 8440; Fax: +84 4 826 9862, E-mail: phti-mard@hn.vnn.vn or VAFST@hcm.vnn.vn
November 18-20 Fi Europe, Frankfurt, Germany. Contact: CMP Information, PO Box 200, 3600 AE Maarssen, The Netherlands, Tel: + 31 346 559444, Fax: + 31 346 573 811, E-mail: fi@cmpinformation.com
NOVEMBER 23-28 International Workshop 'Food-based approaches for a healthy nutrition in West Africa: the role of food technologists and nutritionists', Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa, Contact: Dr. Inge D. Brouwer, Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology P.O. Box 8129, 6700 EV Wageningen, Pays-Bas, The Netherlands, Tel: +31 317 485920, Fax: +31 317 483342, E-mail: fn2ouaga2003@yahoo.co.uk
2004
March 21-25 International Dairy Federation Symposium on Cheese: Ripening, Characterization and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic. Contact: Vladimir Filip, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Technicka 3, CZ 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic, Tel: + 4202 2435 3268, Fax: + 4202 2435 3285, E-mail: Vladimir.Filip@vscht.cz
June 6-9 XV International Symposium on Problems of Listeriosis, Uppsala. Sweden. Contact: Prof. Wilhelm Tham, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7009, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden, Tel:+ 46 18 67 23 94, Fax: + 46 18 67 33 34, E-mail: wilhelm.tham@lmhyg.slu.se
12th World Congress Internet Discussions Underway!
On October 3, the internet discussions on Creative Fermentation Technology and Plant-derived Vaccines officially began. The invited discussion paper, invited responses and comments from subscribers are posted on the Congress website (http://www.worldfoodscience.org/worldcongress/internet.html). There are 19 subscribers to the fermentation technology internet discussion and 15 subscribers to the plant-derived vaccines ID at time of reporting. Discussion on the fermentation technology topic has centered on the labelling of Quorn (join the internet discussion to learn what it is!) as a "mushroom" or a family relative of the mushroom. Also, the issue has been raised on the use of genetically modified enzymes and microorganisms in fermentation technology and the use of genetically modified substrates. What are the likely legal labelling requirements?
The Internet forum's community continues to expand and currently consists of international subscribers from Chile, China, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Switzerland, UK, USA, and Zimbabwe.
To subscribe to the internet discussion list serve, go to http://seafood.ucdavis.edu/iufost/iufostlistinfo.htm. Both topics will be the subject of a forum at the 12th World Congress in Chicago. Please sign up and join in the discussion.
Congress offers outstanding programme
Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen, World Food Prize recipient and former Director of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, will introduce the overall Congress theme in his keynote address entitled Feeding the World… Opportunities Without Boundaries.
The IUFoST Distinguished Lecturer at Congress XII is former World Bank Vice-President and current Director-General of Egypt's Library of Alexandria, Dr. Ismail Serageldin. Symposia, roundtable discussions and poster sessions follow the plenary presentations, each around international themes and featuring top experts. Congress topics include 'Overcoming Barrier to Globalization', 'Feeding the Children', 'Food Flavors: Ethnic and International Taste Preferences', 'Food Waste Management and Value-Added Products', 'Integrated Food Systems for Food Security in a Changing World Environment 'and' Water Security-Availability and Quality.
For more information, please visit the Congress website at www.worldfoodscience.org/worldcongress. In addition, the Congress circular will be posted by mid-December. Please remember that the deadline date for technical paper and poster submissions is 31 January 2003. For those wishing to apply for Student Scholarships, please follow procedure indicated on the IUFoST website under Congress (www.iufost.org).
06 December 2002
© International Union of Food Science & Technology (IUFoST), 2002 / Comments to IUFoST Webmaster
Back to Newsline Page