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ICMSF Awarded GMA Food Safety Award

On August 6, 2008, the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) received the 2008 Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Food Safety Award at the annual meeting of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) in Columbus, Ohio.

ICMSF Chairman Martin Cole, Ph.D., accepted the honor on behalf of the Commission, along with an impressive group of past and present ICMSF members who took the stage with him for the award presentation.

The GMA Food Safety Award is awarded annually to individuals or organizations in recognition of a long history of outstanding and timely contributions to the global management of food safety issues.

In presenting the award plaque and $3,000 honorarium to ICMSF, Craig W. Henry, Ph.D., GMA Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, stated, "This award recognizes an outstanding organization or individual who has made very significant contribution to food safety. Since 1962, ICMSF has provided microbiological specifications, books and resources to the global food supply chain, putting together hard science in its recommendations and supporting the essential science that the industry needs to assure food safety. We appreciate all the Commission has done in the past four decades, and we look forward to its continued contributions to food safety knowledge in the years to come."

Cole thanked GMA for recognizing the long-time contributions of ICMSF, noting that . "It's a real thriill for us to have some of ICMSF's veterans with us here tonight-John Silliker, Frank Busta, Mike Doyle, just to name a few. Thanks to their hard work, they really set a solid foundation for this organization. The 18 microbiologists from around the world who comprise the current sitting Commission are committed to keeping the traditions of the ICMSF set by these pioneers. We’ve worked well together to provide the scientific and conceptual information that is critical to the successful application of food safety principles, approaches and risk management techniques at all links in the global food chain."

On behalf of ICMSF, Cole donated the $3,000 honorarium to the IAFP Foundation, which provides financial resources for encouraging development of food safety professionals, sharing and exchange of scientific information on food safety, enhancing food safety in developing nations around the world, and promoting food safety around the world.

 

 

IX Latin American Congress of Food Microbiology and Hygiene
IV Venezuelan Food Science and Food Technology Congress
Margarita Island, Venezuela
May 16-18, 2007

In May 2007, 817 attendees from 20 countries converged in Margarita Island to hear 34 international and 33 national guest speakers present recent developments in food safety and quality, food science and technology, consumer trends and regulatory issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. More than 300 scientific abstracts were presented, and delegates also attended several pre-meeting short courses on topics ranging from rapid methods for microorganism detection in foods, methods validation, and methods to establish food shelf-life.

Four scientific papers were distinguished by the following awards:

International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF), Award: "Listeria monocyotogenes molecular typing using RAPD and sequence of actA and hly genes." Authors: Vanegas López, Maria Consuelo; Medrano Medina, Mayra Viviana; and Marino Ramirez, Leonardo. Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.

Publitec Award: "Use of reverse transcription-PCR for transgen detection. Model: Coffee transformed using the B. thuringiensis cry1ac gen." Authors: Soraya de Guglielmo C.; Rosanna Valerio; and Andrea Menéndez. Laboratorio de Clonación y Genética Vegetal, Instituto de Biología Experimental de la Universidad Central de Venezuela y Departamento de Biología de la Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela.

Dr. Josefina Gómez Ruiz Award: "Magnetic inmunoseparation as an alternative rapid method for Salmonella detection in foods". Authors: Diana Rosentul and Patrica Blasco. Gerencia de Soporte Científico, Empresas Polar, Venezuela.

Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Universidad Central de Venezuela Award: "Use of alginate and gelan as probiotic edible coatings in fresh-cut fruits." Authors: Rodriguez, Francisco J.; Tapia, Maria Soledad; Rojas-Graü, Maria Alejandra; Ramírez, Jorge; Carmona, Andrés; and Martin-Belloso, Olga. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela.