News Release Distributed 03/11/11

A leading food safety expert will kick off the seventh annual Louisiana Food Processors Conference March 16-17 in Baton Rouge.

Dr. David Acheson, a physician and leading expert on foodborne pathogens, was originally scheduled to present a webinar but now will appear in person.

Acheson will give his insights on the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 4, 2011. The law is intended to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A former associate commissioner of foods for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Acheson had agency-wide leadership for all food and feed issues, including health promotion and nutrition. He now is managing director for food and import safety at Leavitt Partners LLC, a consulting firm working with PricewaterhouseCoopers on food safety for international clients.

The food processors conference will focus on new regulations in food safety and security, food marketing, global trade, processing training, emerging pathogens and record keeping, according to John Finley, head of the LSU AgCenter Department of Food Science.

The meeting, which will begin with registration at noon on March 16, also will include presentations on the benefits of factory farming by Joe Regenstein, product recall my Stuart Hanfling and workplace development by Carrie Regenstein. It will continue March 17 with sessions on food safety and marketing and consumer issues.

“This conference is intended for all those with an interest and stake in the future of the Louisiana food processing industry – food processors, food processing support industries, governmental representatives, state and federal regulatory agencies and entrepreneurs who may be considering a business in food processing, Finley said.

The conference will be held in the Energy Coast and Environment Building at Nicholson Drive and Nicholson Drive Extended on the LSU campus. It is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana food processing industry and allied supporters.