Today marks the kickoff of the 18th Annual Food Safety Summit Conference & Expo in Rosemont, IL--northwest of Chicago. Nearly 2,000 academians, food distributors, foodservice operators, growers, processors, regulators and retailers have come together once again to hear from industry leaders and to learn about the many issues facing the food safety industry. As usual, there will also be plenty of opportunities to view new and innovative products and services to help alleviate some of the industry's most pressing issues.

Year after year, the Summit has become known for hosting an insightful and necessary array of educational sessions, speakers and subject matter experts. Here is a snapshot of will be covered at this year’s event:

Certification Courses: Prevention Controls for Human Foods; Seafood HACCP; and Food Safety Auditor Training

Workshops: Process Validation; Pre-Requisite Programs; The Food Safety Professional’s Roadmap to Success

Educational Sessions: New Scientific Developments on Norovirus; Recent Outbreaks That Cause Alarm; GFSI 2020; Food Fraud/Prevention; Active Managerial Controls in Retail Food Businesses; Foodborne Illness Investigations; Listeria; Foreign Supplier Verification Rules; and Retail Food Safety Risks.

There will also be a panel session on the use of social media in the food safety industry. Food Safety Magazine’s own digital editor--Tiffany Maberry--is scheduled to speak on this hot topic.

The Food Safety Summit kicks off with a welcome reception tonight and will continue with exhibits and sessions through Thursday May 12.

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