IFSH/FRI Symposium Recap: Unlocking the Future of Food Safety Through Data Sharing

On September 14th, 2023, the IFSH/FRI Symposium took place at the Sheraton Suites Chicago O'Hare, bringing together food safety and data analytics professionals from government, academia, and industry.

A New Era of Smarter Food Safety: In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched the "New Era of Smarter Food Safety" initiative. Its goal? To harness technology and innovative tools to create a safer, more digital, and traceable food system.

The Power of Data Sharing: Food companies and regulatory bodies worldwide increasingly recognize the value of data sharing. Whether it's between private companies, public-private collaborations, or regulatory agencies, sharing data holds immense promise for improving traceability, scaling AI applications, and ultimately delivering safer food to consumers.

Overcoming Data Sharing Challenges: While the benefits are clear, significant obstacles exist, including privacy concerns, protection of trade secrets, and potential regulatory implications. Enter data trusts: independent organizations that act as data fiduciaries, governing the responsible use of data.

Symposium Highlights: Speakers at the symposium delved into the business case for data sharing, showcased real-world examples of data trust in food safety, and explored data quality considerations. A panel of experts from academia, industry, and government discussed the challenges and opportunities in this crucial field.

Thank you to all of our speakers and panelists who shared their knowledge and expertise:

Nathan Anderson, Cronan McNamara, Naomi Fukagawa, Martin Wiedmann, De Ann Davis, Stacey Wiggins, Suzanne Sawyer, Clare Narrod, Eric Hoffman, Justin Ronca, Barbara Kowalcyk, Juliana M Ruzante, Amanda Kreuder, Adam Borger, Sheryl Shaw, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Seán Leighton, Shawn Stevens, and Sharon Lindan Mayl