Safe Food for Everyone: What Actions Can We Take Now?

Tuesday, April 9, 2024  | 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm

The World Health Organization estimates the global burden of foodborne disease to be 600 million illnesses every year and sadly 420,000 deaths. Children under 5 years of age carry 40% of the foodborne disease burden, with 125,000 deaths every year. The U.S. CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food or beverages and 3,000 die from foodborne illness each year. About US$ 110 billion is lost each year in productivity and medical expenses resulting from unsafe food in low, and middle-income countries. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that foodborne illnesses cost the United States more than $15.6 billion each year.

The goals of the panel discussion are:

1. For panelists to share how their food safety programs have changed in the last three years and how they will change in the next three years.
2. To discuss the integration of current and new technologies to improve food safety.
3. To explore the role of digital and AI on bending the curve of foodborne disease.
4. To enable the panelists to share what their organizations are doing to raise the levels of food safety knowledge within their organization and across the broader supply chain.
5. To hear the panelists perspective on optimal food safety training and education strategies in the digital age.

Areas of focus:

• The steps retailers, manufacturers and university researchers are taking to bend the curve on foodborne illness.
• Changes in food safety and quality management practices occurring within the food retail and manufacturing communities.
• Competencies in hazard analysis and managing risks.
• Exploring the degree to which the food industry understands the significance of pests as vectors in pathogen transmission.
• Will digital and AI help bend the curve of foodborne disease?
• New approaches to food safety education and training.

This session will be moderated by Ecolab’s John H. Hanlin, PhD | Vice President, Research Development & Engineering – Global Food Safety.