Smarter food safety for the new normal - Frank Yiannas

15:30 Welcome 

15:35 Smarter food safety for the new normal 

Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy & Response at U.S. Food and Drug Administration

16:20 Comfort break

16:30 Q&A 

17:00 Finish

Highfield's 2021 food safety conference will be held virtually over 3 days in a series of live webinar broadcasts, bringing together some of the world’s leading food safety experts and organisations.

As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that maintaining consumer trust in food safety is going to be an essential part of the food industry's recovery and growth in the months and years to come. 

Supported by the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and RHE Global, this year's virtual conference is aimed at professionals working in food retail, food manufacturing, food service and catering, as well as food safety tutors and environmental health officers.

Smarter food safety for the new normal

Maintaining Consumer Trust in Food is not only the theme of this conference, it’s also the FDA’s mandate – to give consumers the confidence they deserve to have in the safety of their food.

Deputy FDA Commissioner Frank Yiannas will talk about how the agency’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative aims to provide modern approaches for our modern times, the “new normal.” We are in the midst of a global food revolution as foods are reformulated, new foods and production methods are realized, and the food system becomes increasingly digitized. The New Era is a new approach to food safety, leveraging technology and other tools to create a safer and more digital, traceable food system. 

The New Era builds on the foundation laid by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). There are elements of FSMA that anchor New Era goals, such as a requirement under FSMA that there be a qualified individual to develop and apply a food safety system. Such an individual would also have an important role in establishing the food safety culture sought in the New Era initiative, not only in food facilities but in restaurants and other retail food establishments. And like FSMA, the New Era goals will be reached in collaboration with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international partners.

Mr. Yiannas will describe how the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for New Era of Smarter Food Safety goals, including enhanced traceability, alternate means of inspection, and safety considerations for foods ordered online and delivered directly to the home. The New Era of Smarter Food Safety, building on FSMA, will provide a path beyond the shadow of the pandemic to a future in which nations, working together, are stronger and more resilient than ever.

Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy & Response at U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Frank Yiannas is the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  He is the principal advisor to the FDA Commissioner on food safety policies, including implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.  His leadership role covers a broad spectrum, such as outbreak response, traceback investigations, product recall activities, and supply chain innovation.  Mr. Yiannas came to the FDA from leadership roles with Walmart and the Walt Disney Company. He has long been recognized for his role in elevating food safety standards and building food safety management systems based on science and risk.  

Attendees on this webinar will receive a CPD certificate worth 2 CPD points. 

Plus, every conference attendee will receive a FREE place on Highfield's Training solutions for a changing world webinar 14:30 - 16:00 on Thursday 10 June! 

To find out more about the conference go to highfieldconference.com or email us at events@highfield.co.uk