By: Anthony Flood Date: 6/10/11

From the opening session, to the annual awards ceremony, to guest keynote speakers and notable lecturers - Michael Specter, author of “Denialism”, Regina Benjamin, MD – Surgeon General of the US – to new products showcased from over hundreds of product developers, to updates on the latest developments in food science - the city of New Orleans welcomes the 2011 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting!  The city will be bustling with over 20,000 attendees from as far away as CA, Canada, Mexico, Korea and of course Washington DC.

The IFIC team will be taking part and participating in the events; learning more about the science of modern food processing and technology and bringing updates to you along the way.  During the next few days, we will . . .

·         Be on hand to hear Michael Spectre, author of Denialism – that will really be interesting;

·         Take part in the Beacon Lecture series and hear Dr. Regina Benjamin – the U.S. Surgeon General

·         Present and attend at a number of educational sessions including:

o   The emerging science of thresholds:  next steps in allergen control;

o    Star-Trek or Green Acres:  The future of roles of chemistry and technology in the food industry;

o   What Does Sustainability Mean to the Food Industry?  Part 1: Defining Sustainability;

o   The Long-awaited NTP acrylamide bioassay.  Where do we go from here?; and

o   Translating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Bring About Real Behavioral Changes

 And I’ve only mentioned a few. We will provide updates along the way via Twitter, follow the hashtag #IFT11!

The city of New Orleans is quiet now.  I’ve already arrived to take part in the International Microwave Power Institute (IMPI) meeting which concludes today.  This weekend my IFIC and IFT colleagues will descend upon the city and give New Orleans another Annual Meeting to remember.