Webinar: PFAS in Drinking Water

Join us for an insightful Webinar led by Ian Musgrave.

The Australian National Health and Medical research Council (NHMRC) has released draft guidelines for acceptable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in drinking water.

PFAS chemicals are also known as “forever chemicals”, because they don’t break down easily and can persist in the environment, including drinking water supplies.

The new guidelines – which are not mandatory but will inform state and territory policy – are expected to be finalised in April 2025. They propose a reduction in the maximum levels previously considered safe for four key PFAS chemicals: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFBS. What is the basis of these guidelines and what impact will they have?

Our Speaker: Ian Musgrave.

I am a molecular pharmacologist who works at the University of Adelaide, Australia. I have a broad interest in the understanding of how surface receptors can modulate neuronal function and survival, as well as interests in natural product pharmacology and toxicology as well as drug design. I am also interested in evolutionary biology, science communication (member of SA Science Communicators). I am also an avid amateur astronomer.  I am currently the education officer of the Toxicology Special Interest Group of the Australasian Society for Pharmacology and Toxicology. I am also collaborating with Professor Roger Byard on the forensic implications of herbal medicines.

The AIFST NSW Branch is holding a Christmas Party and you are invited to attend!

Celebrate the end of a busy 2024 and take the opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends from across the industry.

The theme for this years event is "Beachy Christmas" so come dressed in your green and red, or hawaiian shirt and don't forget the sunnies!

Registration includes a drink on arrival, pizzas and sides!

When: Wednesday 27th November 2024,

Where: Li'l Darlin, 23 Willoughby Road Crows Nest NSW 2065

Its a short walk from the new Crows Nest metro station.

Thank you to our event Partners Hygiena and QMS

The AIFST QLD Branch is holding its annual Christmas Party and you are invited to attend.

Celebrate the end of 2024 and take the opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends from across the industry.

When: Wednesday 27th November 2024, 6pm til late

Where: The Lord Alfred Sports Lounge, 68 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane. PLEASE NOTE Change of venue / location

This is always a popular event with our QLD members so get in quick and register your place.

Thank you to our event partners: ASKAFOODTECH, Evolve Scientific,  Alchemy Agencies  QMS, and BVAQ.

Join the ACT Region Branch for end of year Christmas Party!

Celebrate the end of 2024 and take the opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends from AIFST and across the industry.

This event will be held at the Hermonie German Club Canberra. We have booked a private space on the deck.

Tickets include a selection of canapes and potato wedges. There will be a bar for everyone to buy their own drinks.

The AIFST WA Branch are holding their annual Christmas Party at Leederville Sporting club "The Bowlo" and you are invited to attend.

Start your weekend with a social sunset game of Bowls.  An opportunity for members to get together and reconnect with colleagues and friends from across the industry to celebrate a successful year. Come along and take part in the popular Australian seasonal activity of Bowling.  

The registration price includes a bar tab to quench your thirst be a range of premium quality pizzas for dinner. We are excited to come together to farewell the 2024 year.

Here’s to a night of fun!

The AIFST VIC Branch is holding their annual Christmas Party and you are invited to attend.

Celebrate the end of 2024 and take the opportunity to connect with colleagues and friends from AIFST and across the industry. 

This is a cocktail style event and registration includes canapes and a drink.

This is a popular event with our VIC members so get in and register early so you don't miss out!

Please note - We have moved the date of this event back one week and it is now the 5th December.

Thank you to our event Partners Neogen, QMS, Thermofisher Scientific and Halcyon Proteins

Sharon Natoli: Speaking with Confidence & Growing Your Influence

A Short Course for Aspiring Female Leaders in Food Science

Due to the popularity of this course we are scheduling some more dates with the fabulous Sharon Natoli.

3 x 90 minute online sessions for female food scientists. Sessions will be held fortnightly over a 6 week period from 4 Feb - 4 March 2025. Registrations are limited to 25 so be quick!

Course outline-

Session 1: Barriers, Intentions and Challenges (4 Feb)

• Awareness of the barriers that get in the way of speaking with confidence and growing your influence.
• Why confidence and influence matters in the workplace – what you gain from developing your skills in these areas.
• How to increase your confidence and influence – a starting point for change.
• Setting intentions.
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 2: How to Increase Your Confidence (18 Feb)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• The power of words – words and phrases you can use to enhance your confidence
• Standing in your power – embodying confidence through your body language
• Structuring your message for clarity – using the power of three to create rhythm and memorability
• Shifting from nervousness to confidence – how to manage nerves before you speak or participate
• Getting into action - fortnightly challenge.

Session 3: How to Increase Your Influence (4 March)

• Fortnightly challenge follow-up and sharing
• Speaking to be heard – voice projection and warm up
• Five speaking styles for influence
• When to use more words and when to use less
• Managing your state – bringing energy to your speaking
• What’s next? Intentions and outcomes.

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Sharon Natoli helps individuals, teams and leaders find their voice, grow their presence and ignite their influence by speaking up with confidence.

Sharon has 30 years experience in one on one counselling, communication, media and spokesperson roles, and as an advisor to organisations in the food sector assisting brands find their voice through key message development. Her professional experience is complimented by her personal understanding and empathy about the internal barriers that hold people back from speaking up and sharing their thoughts, ideas and opinions with confidence.

Sharon’s philosophy is that speaking up is a critical ingredient for demonstrating leadership readiness and making the career contribution you'd like to make.

Food Science Fundamentals

Virtual Short Course

The aim of this course is to familiarise food industry staff on the basic principles of food science.

Understanding the language used to assist communication with other staff and customers. Identify how food science impacts and supports their non-science role. 

This course will be delivered virtually, and the content includes:

• What is Food Science?
• Food Policy & Regulations
• Food Chemistry – the building blocks
• Food Packaging
• Food Microbiology
• Nutrition – food and the human body
• Food Processing
• Sensory & Consumer Science
• Food Safety
• The Future of Food

The course is held over four (4) afternoons:

1. Thursday 13 February 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEDT)
   
2. Thursday 27 February 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEDT) 
3. Thursday 13 March 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEDT) 
4. Thursday 27 March 2025, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (AEDT) 

Only 30 places available.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the interactive nature and long hours these sessions will NOT BE RECORDED and you are expected to be in attendance to gain the most from this course.

The 19th Annual NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium

19 - 21st February 2025. Palmerston North, NZ.

The event will take place from Wednesday, February 19 to Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Distinction Coachman Hotel in Palmerston North.

Keynote Speakers:

NZOZ are pleased to announce two keynote speakers for the symposium:

• Dr. Sidsel Jensen, Product Experience Sciences Manager at Fonterra Research & Development Centre. Sidsel is an experienced professional in sensory and consumer sciences and has been the Product Experience Sciences Manager at FRDC since February 2022. Leading a team of more than 20 skilled researchers and technologists specializing in sensory and consumer research, Sidsel emphasizes a consumer-centric approach to innovation. Before joining Fonterra, she spent eight years at the Carlsberg Group, where she played a vital role in integrating sensory and consumer science with commercial strategies.
• Dr. Julien Delarue, Associate Professor at UC Davis. Julien is an Associate Professor at UC Davis, specializing in sensory and consumer science, focusing on measuring sensory perception and preferences for food design. His research explores context in hedonic measures, uses immersive environments and digital tech, validates descriptive analysis methods for new product development and consumer research, and aims to understand sensory influences on food preferences for healthy and sustainable eating behaviours.

Register now 

NZOZ Symposium webpage  Early Bird pricing is available until December 16, 2024. If you are an AIFST member, please contact us for the discounted member code

Accommodation:

Accommodation is not included in the registration price. Find options here.

Abstract Submissions:

We are also inviting abstract submissions for the symposium. Submit your abstracts by October 28th, 2024, through this submission form.

For further details about the symposium, including speaker information and additional updates, please visit the NZOZ website.

AIFST Queensland Event

Risk Assessment Principles and Practice feat. Food Recall 101

Please note - this event has been re-scheduled to the 26/2/25

• Do you need to update your Risk Assessment process?
• Do you know the right questions to ask and who should be involved?
• Have you thought outside the square?
• Do you know there is a difference between HACCP and Risk Assessment?
• How do we categorise the risk? What if you don’t have the answers? How do you access the data?

Be prepared for the next food safety incident and risk proof your future.

·         Introduction to Risk Assessment - Deon Mahoney, Consultant

·         Theory of Risk Assessment - Dipon Sarkar, Victual

·         Food Safety Risk Assessment – Regulatory Approach - Robin Sherlock, Safe Food Production QLD

·         Risk Assessment Methodologies – Food Fraud - Clare Winkel, ICS

·         Risk Assessment Case Studies - Deon Mahoney, Consultant & Jasmine Lacis-Lee, BVAQ

·         Q&A – What Keeps You Up at Night? - All speakers

·         Risk Assessment Unplugged – hands-on practical workshop with a real-life scenario - Deon Mahoney, Consultant

·         Recall 101 - Fiona Fleming, AIFST

·         What now? - All speakers

This AIFST workshop will bring together individuals from various backgrounds and professions who share a common interest in risk assessment and recall. Participating in this event will allow you to network with industry professionals, experts, and like-minded individuals. Networking can lead to valuable connections, collaborations, and opportunities for professional growth.

Program Overview

Thanks to:

AIFST is pleased to present the 2025 Food Microbiology Conference on 5th & 6th March 2025 in Sydney

The theme for the 2025 Food Microbiology Conference is:
BUGS IN THE BALANCE: A world of diversity

Join us for an in-person conference featuring a dynamic two-day agenda packed with insights from renowned speakers. Attendees are invited to enhance their networking opportunities at an optional exclusive canapés and drinks gathering on 5^th March at the venue.

AIFST’s aim is to create a professionally enriching experience, offering a platform for meaningful connections and valuable insights that will deepen your understanding of challenges and opportunities in food microbiology.

The AIFST Food Microbiology Conference will be of interest and relevance to personnel across the entire food industry, as well as food regulators, academics, researchers, and government officials.

CATERING

• Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea included in ticket price. 
• Optional networking event ticket for 5^th March 2025 (please purchase separately via this LINK).

The 2025 Food Microbiology Conference is being held on 5th and 6th March 2024 at the Novotel at Homebush in Sydney

This option is to purchase a ticket to attend the networking evening on the 5th  March. There are limited numbers for this event hence why it is not added as an inclusion with the main conference registration.

The ticket includes a drink, a 2 hour canape packaging and grazing table. 

This registration is only available to attendees of the conference.