April 21, 2015
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Room 201  FAPC

Frank Yiannas
Vice President, Food Safety & Health
Walmart Stores
Video Presentation
Presentation Slides

GLOBAL TRENDS IN FOOD SAFETY
Never before in history has the responsibility to provide safe and affordable food to so many rested on the shoulders of so few. And never before in history, have the consequences for not doing so been greater. It is difficult to overstate the difference in our food system today compared to just a century ago, when many of our food safety approaches were first being developed. At the dawn of the 20th century, a majority of consumers worldwide were still living in a pre-industrialized era, living off the land, with most people still involved with food production in some way, shape, or form. Fast forward a mere hundred years and the transformation that has occurred in food production is nothing short of amazing. Today, the way we get our food from farm to fork, the food system, has evolved into an increasingly complex network interdependent on many businesses, stakeholders, and individuals. Although there is no question that the emergence of today’s modern food system has provided consumers with a more diverse food supply and convenient source of prepared, economical, and ready-to-eat meals, these trends have resulted in both benefits and additional risks. This session will provide an overview of global food safety trends, emerging food system issues, and the actions needed to ensure consumers worldwide have access to an abundant supply of safe, affordable, and sustainable food.