The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a part of the Consumer Goods Forum, is hosting its annual conference in a virtual format from 23 – 25 March.
In its 20th year, the interactive three-day forum will see hundreds of experts, decision-makers, and innovators from over 60 countries share food safety best practices and encourage ongoing collaborations and action.
The theme of this year's event is 'Rethink, Reset, Recharge', reflecting an unprecedented 12 months for the food and beverage industry.
'Unique And Collaborative Forum'
Director of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), Erica Sheward, commented, "With the Conference taking place virtually for the first time, it's easier than ever before for food industry professionals to get involved – and we're urging people from all corners of the globe to ensure they're part of this unique and collaborative forum.
"Food safety is everyone's business, and we must continue to work together to build consumers' trust in the food they buy."
Attendees will hear inspiring examples of leadership, ingenuity, and innovation, with expert speakers providing insights to address common challenges to help achieve the shared goal of safe food for consumers around the world.
The event will see senior leaders and experts from Amazon, HelloFresh, The Coca-Cola Company, Mars, Incorporated, Cargill, Target, PepsiCo, Walmart, Queen's University Belfast, Georgia University of Technology, and the World Health Organisation delivering talks and presentations.
The conference will explore the most urgent topics in food safety, including COVID-19, supply chain disruption and public health, building trust and transparency with consumers, as well as best practices, leading innovations, and technologies set to shape the future of food safety.
The speakers include renowned experts, academics, CEOs, public authorities, industry leaders, innovators, and grassroots professionals.
The GFSI has lined up Dirk van de Put, chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International; Yunling Zheng from Cargill; and Dr Andrew Steele, scientist and author of Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old, among others.
'A Major Opportunity'
Sheward added, "Collaboration to ensure safe food for consumers everywhere and sustainable food systems have never been more critical – and this event provides a major opportunity to learn from an unprecedented period and move forward in the best possible way.
"We are excited by the chance to help colleagues across the industry build on the ingenuity, resilience, and dedication shown by the food industry over the past 12 months."
The GFSI has also organised bespoke online networking features to ensure that participants can establish new connections across the global community and strengthen existing relationships.
As part of the interactive conference experience, attendees will be able to create personalised virtual versions of themselves, which can move around a 3D immersive site to meet others, irrespective of where they are in the world.
The event also includes 'Ask GFSI' Q&A panels on the final day, giving attendees the chance to directly interact with the GFSI leadership and hear their views on key issues.
The official conference partners are Ecolab and greenfence, GFSI added, while ESM is among the media partners for the event.
For more information about the conference, visit mygfsi.com/events/gfsi-conference/.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
