Cereals & Grains Association
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Arsenic in Grains and Food

Wednesday, October 3, 2012 | 10:40 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Atlantic Ballroom 2, Westin Diplomat Hotel

Organizer: Julie Miller Jones, St. Catherine University, Arden Hills, MN, U.S.A.

Recent news and media coverage regarding arsenic and other chemical contaminants in foods continue to influence perceptions about food safety. Consumers and health professionals appear to be taken aback upon hearing about the presence of arsenic or other toxicants in foods because they often have neither the context necessary to interpret the reports nor the information necessary to make informed decisions leading to optimal health choices. Key topics of the session include the current status of the controversy arising from the Consumer Reports findings, the state of the FDA arsenic analysis and how it differs from the analysis reported in media outlets, and a synopsis of findings to identify scientific research gaps. The health risks to the general public and to children and vulnerable populations will be part of the conversation.

This interactive session will be a forum to answer questions, to hear from experts, and identify research and communication gaps that will help all segments of AACC International. 

Impact of Drought on Grain

Monday, October 1, 2012 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Regency Ballroom 1, Westin Diplomat Hotel

Organizer/Moderator: Deirdre Ortiz, Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, MI, U.S.A.

This symposium will be HOT! The 2012 drought in the U.S. and other parts of the world have given us a glimpse into the future and this symposium will provoke discussion about the impact of drought on our major cereal crops. We will learn about the impact of drought on the grain trade, plant physiology and the functional properties of wheat and corn. Please join us for an informative session.

  • Global agriculture environment. V. ROBINSON, Pioneer Hi-Bred, A Dupont Business
  • Drought’s effect on corn physiology. L. LLOYD, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
  • Impact of drought on alkaline cooked corn for snack food. J. MATHEW, Frito-Lay Inc.
  • Impact of drought on the functional properties of wheat. M. MORELL, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – An Update

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 | 2:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Atlantic Ballroom 2, Westin Diplomat Hotel

Organizers/Moderators: Barbara Bufe Heidolph, ICL Performance Products LP, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A;
Jennifer S. Robinson, Bay State Milling Co., Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.

Experts in the area of food safety and the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act will provide an overview of the current impact of the FSMA including:

 2:30 p.m.     Welcome and overview. B. HEIDOLPH, ICL Performance Products LP, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.; J. S. ROBINSON, Bay State Milling Co., Minneapolis, MN, U.S.
 2:35 p.m.    

FSMA—An overview. J. MCENTIRE, Leavitt Partners Global Food Safety Solutions, Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.A.

 3:05 p.m.     Requirements for food ingredient suppliers or food manufacturers. Presenter to be announced.
 3:35 p.m.     International implications of the FSMA. A. C. JESS, Secretary General, CEEREAL – European Breakfast Cereal and Oat Milling Association, Managing Director, German Associations for the Starch Industry, the Pasta and Semolina Industries, the Breakfast Cereal, Oat and Rice Milling Industries, Berlin, Germany
 4:05 p.m.     The Food and Drug Administration’s expanded authority under the Food Safety Modernization Act: Current impact and what’s next. M. OLSEN, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Food & Drug Law Practice, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
 4:35 p.m.     Third party audit programs and certifying bodies: What role do they and will they play? M. OLEWNIK, AIB International, Manhattan, KS, U.S.A.
 5:05 p.m.     Supply chain from field to table: How do all participants engage in best practices? C. R. HURBURGH, Jr., Iowa State University, Ames, IA, U.S.A.
 5:35 p.m.      Food safety in the EU. A. C. JESS, CEEREAL, Berlin, Germany