Congress News - 26th July 2007

Dear Food Professional,

This congress has been put together with the awareness of a rise in poor levels of food related communications in all media. These play on traditionally misunderstood myths and themes, are generally inaccurate, scientifically and factually unsound and manifest as scare-mongering thereby spreading ignorance and misinformation. We intend to use this congress as an opportunity to bring some balance in this area, and to challenge all role-players to consider how to successfully counter the epidemic of emotional hype with sound facts.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/scientific_programme.asp

We are pleased to announce that the Scientific Programme* is now on the user-friendly and interactive website. You may view the abstracts of the presentations by clicking on the presenting author's name. Plan your congress visit in advance using this feature! We have also taken the extra step of grouping relevant posters with some of the sessions in the Scientific Programme with a hyperlink through to the relevant abstract as well.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/poster_presentations.asp

In addition to the oral presentations we have a large number of excellent, informative posters being presented at the congress and these will be well integrated into the tea/coffee venue so that you can get yourself a cup of your favourite hot beverage and engage these presentations on a one-on-one basis with the authors. Please visit the website to find a list of poster presentations as well as hyperlinks through to the abstracts.

WORKSHOPS: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/workshops.asp

The Workshop Programmes are also available on the website. Have a look at the Food Facts, Food Packaging and Cold Chain Programmes. The Organising Committee is encouraging food professionals, including food marketing professionals, to attend these workshops. The Food Facts Workshop is a must for journalists to attend! Bear in mind that if you register for one workshop you are at liberty to move between the different workshops should you find a particular talk of interest.
(*Programmes are subject to minor changes.)

EXHIBITION: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/exhibition.asp

We have a full-house of exhibitors of services, ingredients and equipment. Take a look at the website to see who will be there and peruse these exhibitors' websites by making use of the web-links.

SOCIAL EVENTS: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/

Come to Durban, the playground of South Africa and be "part of the party"!

Welcome Reception	2 September 2007	No Cost
Informal Dinner	3 September 2007	R195.00
Gala Dinner	4 September 2007	R295.00

For more information on the social events please refer to the website or contact Gill gills@turnergroup.co.za

REGISTRATION: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/registration.asp

Please visit the official website and you will be able to access the registration information and the booking forms.

The three options available to register are: online, MS Word document and downloading of a PDF form.

Early registration will close on 31st July 2007 and we encourage you to make use of the next week to qualify for the reduced rate.

If you do not have web access, please contact Gill gills@turnergroup.co.za for a registration form.

SPEAKERS: http://www.saafost2007.org.za/speakers_Titles_Abstracts_Biographies.asp

We are delighted to confirm that we have engaged quality speakers for the workshops and congress and you can find out more on the website. We have no less than 20 authoritative international speakers attending this congress. A sample of the line-up of these speakers & titles include:

• Panic Nation by Prof. Vincent Marks, Co-author of hit-seller "Panic Nation", delivering the Ernest Newbury Memorial Lecture
• Food Safety and its Control by Prof. Geoffrey Campbell-Platt, President-Elect of the International Union of Food Science & Technology
• Global Trends and Our Food System by Dr John Floros, President-Elect of the Institute of Food Technologists - USA
• Crisis Management in the Food and Drink Industry by Tony Hines
• Global Trends in Food Packaging by Keith Pearson, President of the World Packaging Organisation
• Practically Controlling Food Allergens in the Food Manufacturing Plant by Dr. René Crevel
• Better Foods With Nanotechnologies by Dr Frans Kampers

To find out more about other speakers and their backgrounds take a little time to visit the site at the link:
http://www.saafost2007.org.za/speakers_Titles_Abstracts_Biographies.asp