5th asian conference on food and nutrition...

5th Asian Conference on

Food and Nutrition Safety”Science-based Solutions – Sustainable Actions”

&Symposium on

Biotechnology and Nutritionally Enhanced Food and Crops

November 3-7, 2008 • Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Philippines

Organizers

Food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of Science and Technology, Philippines

International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)Southeast Asia Region

SUMMARY REPORT

Rodolfo F. Florentino,

M.D., Ph.D.

Editor


5th Asian Conference on

Food and Nutrition Safety”Science-based Solutions – Sustainable Actions”

November 5-7, 2008 • Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, PhilippinesNovember 5 Nov

Organizers


2 5th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety

Welcome from the Organizer

On behalf of ILSI, we take great pleasure in welcoming our distinguished guests, speakers and delegates to this

5th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety, held in beautiful Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines.

ILSI Southeast Asia Region (ILSI SEA Region) is privileged to partner with the Food and Nutrition Research

Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) of the Philippines, to jointly organize and co-

sponsor the 5th meeting of this conference series in Asia.

This Conference’s theme, “Science-based Solutions - Sustainable Actions” highlights the increasing challenges

faced by many governments, especially those in the developing countries, in ensuring aff ordable safe food

and water supply for their populations. Amidst the current global fi nancial crisis coupled with the recent

unprecedented rise and volatility in world food prices, there is urgent need for the international community

and all stakeholders in the food supply chain to come together. Concerted eff orts in addressing and resolving

emerging and re-emerging food hazards and water safety concerns, including the potential eff ects of climate

change on biosecurity, understanding of and better harnessing of technology for nutritious food production,

and strengthening of science-based food regulatory measures will eff ectively improve the quality and safety of

our foods along the farm-to-table continuum.

We appreciate the many eminent food safety experts and scientists from diff erent parts of the world who are

joining us here to share their expertise, exchange knowledge and lessons learnt to help improve current food

safety control in the developing world. We need to utilize rational and appropriate science-based approach

while implementing sustainable actions that facilitate trade and ease the fl ow of safe foods across nations.

We are grateful to all contributors including international agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, international institutions and national agencies here in

the Philippines for their generous and enthusiastic support. Last but not least, the Conference would not be

possible without the guidance and hard work of the Scientifi c and Organizing Committee as well as the staff of

the Secretariats in ILSI SEA Region and FNRI-DOST, for their precious time and tireless eff orts in the planning and

execution of this Conference and its Satellite Symposium on Biotechnology and Nutritionally Enhanced Food

And Crops, held just prior to the Conference.

We hope that you will fi nd this Conference fruitful and enjoyable, and that you will also take time after the

Conference to explore Cebu’s many cultural and tropical attractions and experience the warm hospitality of the

Filipinos!

Geoff ry Smith Yeong Boon Yee

President Executive Director

ILSI Southeast Asia Region ILSI Southeast Asia Region

Chair, 5th ACFNS Co-chair, 5th ACFNS


35th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety

Welcome from the Co-organizer

It is with great pride and pleasure that I, on behalf of the Conference Organizers and Sponsors, warmly welcome

our valued speakers and delegates to the 5th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety (Science-based

Solutions – Sustainable Actions) and its Pre-Conference Satellite Symposium on Biotechnology and Nutritionally

Enhanced Food and Crops. This Conference is brought to us all, through a strategic public-private sector

partnership, forged by a common desire to better our lives through science and its applications.

This is the fi rst time in 18 years in the history of the international Conference that the Philippines becomes its

venue (after Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Beijing, and Bali), off ering multi-faceted opportunities for local, regional,

and international food safety stakeholders in government, industry, and private sector – to interact and ensure

that science works to improve the quality and safety of our food supply, within and outside our national or

regional geographical boundaries in Asia.

The Conference is more relevant today than ever before because the present world fi nancial crisis can threaten

our food security safeguards, particularly our food and nutrition safety assurance eff orts against emerging and

re-emerging food hazards, from the farm to the table. The countries in the Asian region must be ready to meet

these new and persistent food and nutrition challenges, with science-based solutions for sustainable actions.

As Co-Organizer, the FNRI-DOST envisions participants being updated on scientifi c advances and regulatory

developments, thereby promoting their understanding and appreciation of science-based decision processes

and of harmonized approaches toward compliance with international standards - to render local products

globally competitive, while protecting consumer health.

For its part, the FNRI-DOST will continue to pursue food and nutrition safety- focused research and development,

build and maintain responsive technical infrastructure and services through its nutrition surveys, food analytical

and biochemical laboratory services, nutritional food product development, technology transfer, education

and communication, consistent with its mandate.

As Local Chair of this Conference, I hope that the public-private partnership initiative (that was responsible for

this momentous scientifi c event to happen in the Philippines) multiplies into networks and programs for the

same cause: optimum health for all, through food and nutrition safety.

On behalf of the FNRI-DOST family, I wish the speakers and the delegates a memorable learning experience

from the Conference, Cebu and its people.

MARIO V. CAPANZANA, Ph.D.

Director, FNRI-DOST

Local Chair, 5th ACFNS



About the Organizers

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a nonprofi t, worldwide foundation based in Washington,

DC, USA, established in 1978 to advance the understanding of scientifi c issues relating to nutrition, food safety,

toxicology, risk assessment and the environment. ILSI accomplishes its work through its world-wide branches

and the ILSI Research Foundation.

Established in 1993, ILSI Southeast Asia Region is headquartered in Singapore to facilitate and coordinate

scientifi c programs, research and information dissemination throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand

and the Pacifi c Islands. By bringing together scientists from academia, government, industry and the public

sector, ILSI SEA Region seeks a balanced approach to solving problems of common concern for the well-being

of the general public. ILSI SEA Region receives fi nancial support from industry, governments and foundations.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) is the principal research arm of the Philippine government

in food and nutrition, and is one of the research and development institutes of the Department of Science and

Technology (DOST). The Institute is committed to pursue the goals and objectives of the National Science and

Technology Plan (NSTP) and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). After sixty-one years, the FNRI

continues to provide relevant technologies and scientifi c information on food and nutrition. Some of its major

accomplishments include the development and commercialization of nutritional food products, conduct of

periodic nation-wide nutrition surveys, development of analytical food quality and safety assurance systems,

strategies and programs to address the malnutrition problems, and tools, guidelines and standards to serve the

needs of nutrition and nutrition-related workers. All these technologies are transferred to health and nutrition

program implementers as well as the households and communities with the end view of improving the quality

of life of Filipinos.




Conference ProgramWednesday, November 5, 2008

0715 - 0830 Registration

Opening Session

0830 - 0930 Introduction

Mr John Ruff , President, ILSI

Mr Geoff ry Smith, President, ILSI SEA Region

Welcome Remarks

Congresswoman Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, M. D, Representative, 6th District, Province of

Cebu, Philippines

Keynote Address and Offi cial Opening

Dr Francisco T Duque III, Secretary, Department of Health, Philippines

0930 - 1010 Morning Break, Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Opening Plenary Emerging Food and Nutrition Safety Issues – Global Challenges, Asian Perspectives

Chair: Dr Rodolfo Florentino, Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines, Philippines

1010 - 1050 Trade, Economics and Policies Impacting World Food Supply, Food Safety and

Biosecurity – International Perspectives

Dr Masami Takeuchi and Dr Ezzedine Boutrif, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations (FAO-UN)

1050 - 1130 Climate Change and Evolving Food and Agriculture Practices – Implications for

Food Safety and Relevance to Asia

Dr Alistair Boxall, Central Science Laboratory, UK

1130 - 1210 Risk Analysis Framework for Integrated Food Safety System in Meeting Current

Global Challenges

Dr Abikusno Nugroho, World Health Organization (WHO), Southeast Asia Regional Offi ce

and Dr Jorgen Schlundt, WHO

1210 - 1330 Lunch, Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Plenary 2A Safe Food Supply Chain, Farm-to-Table – Food Safety Standards, Risk Assessment

and Regulatory Framework

Chair: Dr Dedi Fardiaz, National Agency for Drug and Food Control, Indonesia

1330 - 1400 International Food Safety Regulations and Standards – The Role of Codex

Dr Alicia Lustre, National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines

1400 - 1430 Major Food-borne Hazards in Asia – Contaminants

Dr Junshi Chen, Chinese Center for Disease Control (CCDC), China


1430 - 1500 Ensuring Safety of Products through Traceability and Risk Assessment of

Ingredients and Contaminants – Industry Perspectives on Recent Melamine

Containminations in Protein Source

Dr Robert Baker, Mars Incorporated, Thailand

1500 - 1530 Afternoon Break , Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Plenary 2B Safe Food Supply Chain, Farm-to-Table – Food Control Systems, Quality

Standards and Consumer Perspectives

Chair: Mr Philippe Gallardo, Nestlé Quality Assurance Centre for Asia-Pacifi c (NQAC), Nestlé R&D,

Singapore

1530 - 1600 Establishing Quality, Safety Control and Meeting International Standards –

Challenges from an Asian Food Processor

Mr Errol Angeles, Agriculture and Industrial Cluster, San Miguel Foods Inc, Philippines

1600 - 1630 Food Safety Systems in Asia – Lessons Learnt in Training and Strengthening

Food Safety Systems within Asia

Mr Peter Hoejskov, FAO Regional Offi ce for Asia and the Pacifi c, Thailand

1630 - 1700 Meeting Quality Standards and Local Needs – Retail and Food Service Industry

Perspectives

Ms Andi Nuraida Angriyani, PT Carrefour Indonesia, Indonesia

1700 - 1730 Consumer Knowledge and Perception on Food Safety and Impact on

Regulations

Dr George Fuller, Asian Food Information Center, Singapore

1730 - 1745 Q & A

1745 – 1830 Dedicated Posters and Exhibits Session

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Plenary 3 Evolving Food Microbial Challenges, Responses and Management

Chair: Dr Mario Capanzana, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and

Technology (FNRI-DOST), Philippines

0830 - 0900 Role of Microbial Criteria and Value of Sampling

Dr Anna Lammerding, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada

0900 - 0930 Risk Assessment and Exposure Information – Perspectives for the Industry

Dr Mathew Lau, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore

0930 - 1000 Responses to Emerging Microbial Risk – The US Experience

Dr David Lineback, Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition – Food & Drug

Administration (JIFSAN-FDA), University of Maryland, USA


1000 - 1030 Eff ective Strategies for Risk Management and Communication to the Public

– The Japanese Experience

Mr Hitoshi Kodaira, Food Safety Commission Secretariat, Cabinet Offi ce, Japan

1030 - 1045 Q & A

1045 - 1130 Morning Break, Dedicated Posters and Exhibits Session

Plenary 4 Safe Water Supply

Chair: Dr Elias Escueta, The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Philippines

1130 - 1155 Water and Packaging Safety – An Industry Perspective

Mr Philippe Gallardo, NQAC, Nestlé R&D, Singapore

1155 - 1220 Standard for Drinking Water and Updates on Bottled Drinking Water Standard

Mrs Maria Theresa Correa–Cerbolles, Bureau of Food and Drugs, Department of Health,

Philippines

1220 - 1245 Safe Water Supply – A Community Approach in Vietnam with Project SWAN

Ms Kumiko Takanashi, ILSI Center for Health Promotion, Japan

1245 - 1300 Q & A

1300 – 1400 Lunch, Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Plenary 5 Nutrients and Ingredients Safety

Chair: Mr Geoff ry Smith, ILSI SEA Region

1400 - 1430 Nutrients Risk Assessment - International Regulatory Development

Ms Bonnie Field, Food Standards Australia New Zealand

1430 - 1500 Nutrients and Bioactives: Claims and Regulatory Development in Asia

Dr Tee E Siong, TES NutriHealth Strategic Consultancy, Malaysia

1500 - 1530 Novel Foods – Approach to Risk Assessment in Europe

Dr Paul Hepburn, Unilever UK Limited, UK

1530 - 1545 Q & A

1545 - 1615 Afternoon Break, Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Concurrent Symposia

1615 – 1830 Symposium A – Food Analysis, Methodology, Testing and Standards

Chair: Dr Alicia Lustre, NFA, DA, Philippines

Symposium B – Risk Assessment and Responses to Hazards and Contaminants

in the Food Chain

Chair: Dr Junshi Chen, CCDC, China

1900 Conference Reception


Friday, November 7, 2008

Plenary 6 Food Packaging – Safety and Sustainability

Chair: Dr Hyun Jin Park, Korea University, Korea

0830 - 0900 Food Contact Materials and Articles – Safety Considerations from the European

Union Perspective

Dr Emma Bradley, Central Science Laboratory, UK

0900 - 0930 Packaging – Safety and Environmental Impact of Practices in Asia

Dr Vanee Chonhenchob, Kasetsart University, Thailand

0930 - 1000 Challenges for the Food Industry in Managing Packaging Safety, Innovation

and Compliance Needs

Dr Thomas Gude, Swiss Quality Testing Service, Migros, Switzerland

1000 - 1030 Morning Break, Posters and Exhibits Viewing

Closing Plenary Harnessing New Technologies for Health, Safety and Future Food Challenges

Chair: Dr Corazon Barba, University of Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

1030 - 1100 Science and Technology – Risks vs Benefi ts

Dr David Lineback, JIFSAN-FDA, University of Maryland, USA

1100 - 1130 New Technology and Health – Meeting Asia’s Nutrition and Food Safety Challenges

Dr Mario Capanzana, FNRI-DOST, Philippines

1130 - 1200 Developing New Foods to Meet Health, Safety and Environmental Needs –

Opportunities and Challenges for the Industry

Mr John Ruff , ILSI

1200 - 1230 Synthesis and Closing Remarks

Dr Maria Antonia Tuazon and Mrs Boon Yee Yeong, ILSI SEA Region

1230 - 1345 Lunch

1345 - 1630 Optional Technical Field Tour

General Milling Corporation

All registered participants are eligible to sign up for the Technical Field Tour

Concurrent Workshops

1345 - 1730 Workshop 1

Regional Collaboration of Food Consumption Surveys in Southeast Asia for

Dietary and Exposure Assessment

Workshop 2

Microbial and Chemical Risk Assessment – Case Examples

Participation in the Workshops is by invitation only

Dedicated Posters & Exhibits Sessions

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 1745 - 1830

Thursday, November 6, 2008 1045 - 1130


Executive Summary

About the Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety

The series of Asian Conferences on Food and Nutrition Safety aims to highlight challenges faced by governments

particularly in Asia in ensuring the safety of food and water supply for their populations. To contribute to the

scientifi c understanding of these challenges and the strategies to confront them, the International Life Sciences

Institute Southeast Asia Region (ILSI SEA Region), in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-

Department of Science and Technology, Philippines, organized the fi fth of the series, following those held in

Malaysia (1991), Thailand (1995), China (1999), and Indonesia (1994). The objective of the conference was to

update delegates on scientifi c and technological advances in this area that will further science-based decisions

and regulatory systems, and promote harmonized approaches within the region. The 5th ACFNS, with its

theme, “Science-based Solutions – Sustainable Actions”, highlighted the emerging food and nutrition safety

challenges especially in Asia, and the modern technologies to meet these challenges. The conference was held

in Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu, Philippines, from November 5 to 7, 2008, attended by more that 250

participants from ASEAN countries and other countries of Asia, as well as from the USA, Canada and Europe. The

conference featured eight plenary sessions, two concurrent symposia and two workshops, as well as posters

and exhibits.

The 5th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety

With the expansion of international trade brought about by the advent of globalization, together with rapid

urbanization, changing diets, and technological advances in the food industry, governments all over the world

are faced with numerous challenges in ensuring the safety of food and water supply for their populations.

To contribute to the scientifi c understanding of these challenges and the strategies to confront them, the

International Life Sciences Institute Southeast Asia Region (ILSI SEA Region) and the Food and Nutrition Research

Institute-Department of Science and Technology, Philippines, organized the 5th Asian Conference on Food and

Nutrition Safety (5th ACFNS) in Cebu, Philippines, from November 5 to 7, 2008. The 5th ACFNS, with its theme,

“Science-based Solutions – Sustainable Actions”, highlighted the emerging food and nutrition safety challenges

particularly in Asia, and the modern technologies to meet these challenges.

The Conference featured an opening plenary session followed by fi ve other plenary sessions dealing with food

safety issues in the whole food supply chain, challenges posed by microbial and chemical hazards, and water,

nutrients and ingredients safety. The closing plenary session looked at how the food industry faces future food

safety challenges.

The opening plenary session gave an overview of emerging food safety hazards with particular reference

to challenges facing Asia, and the broad strategies to control them. Implementation of the framework of

“biosecurity” was proposed, together with strengthening of international cooperation in assessing food security

risks. The potential impact of climate change was discussed. It was learned that overall, climate change will likely

increase the risk to human exposure to agricultural contaminants.

The next two plenary sessions discussed the issues on food safety in the entire food supply chain, from farm

to table. Discussion of Codex and other international food safety regulations brought out the constraints that

developing countries face in participating eff ectively in the formulation of standards. Using some illustrative

work in China with food additives and the melamine scare as a case study, the importance of exposure

assessment and raw material risk analysis was emphasized. It was recommended that developing countries

should conduct their own exposure assessment on chemical hazards, in order to identify priorities and develop


control measures based on the proper protection level. It was observed that food safety issues in Asia are

governed by fragmented legislation, unclear food management systems, inadequate human and fi nancial

resources, insuffi cient analytical capabilities, and weak consumer awareness in food safety. It was suggested

that risk-based approach should be followed, and policies, institutions and support services on food safety

should be fi rmly established, supported by strong partnership among government, industry, and consumers.

The next session dealt with evolving microbial challenges in the face of the global distribution system greatly

lengthening the food chain. The role of microbial criteria (MC) and value of sampling as components of an

over-all risk-based control system were emphasized. The various constraints to hazard identifi cation and risk

characterization particularly in Asia, were pointed out. The collection and sharing of data among Asian countries

was strongly proposed to mitigate the paucity of data in the region. Two case studies of microbial outbreaks in

the US showed the need for a highly eff ective traceback system, together with increased vigilance and rapid

preventive action. Experience in Japan pointed to the importance of eff ective risk communication.

The next plenary session discussed the issue of safe water supply. Two examples illustrated eff ective strategies

in ensuring safe water supply, one in industry, the Water Management and Operations system in Nestlé, and

the other in the community, the SWAN project in Vietnam. Standards for drinking water and bottled water were

described, with particular reference to the Philippines.

Nutrients and ingredients safety was the subject of the next plenary session. It was emphasized that nutritional

risk assessment should consider both inadequate intake and excessive intake, particularly pointing to the

growing importance of fortifi ed and supplemented food. To confi rm that the actual intakes of a novel food are

within the expected range of intakes, a Post-Launch Monitoring was proposed to show that unexpected eff ects

are unlikely to occur when a large population is exposed for a potentially long period of time. Workshops and

surveys of regulatory agencies in the region showed that there are considerable diff erences in the permitted

nutrition and health claims and in the countries’ regulatory framework for approval of claims. However, these

workshops and discussions provide avenues for harmonizing the development of these activities among

countries in the region.

The next plenary session dealt with the quality and safety issues related to the reaction of food ingredients

with packaging materials. Under normal conditions of storage, the issues of concern include transfer of odor

from packaging material, the transfer of food fl avor to inside and outside of packaging, the transfer of printing

solvent, and the formation of off -odor from adhesive and resin. Migration is dependent on the nature of food

contact material and nature of the foodstuff , type of contact, temperature, and time. In the case of plastics,

migration testing may use food simulants such as water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, olive oil or 50% ethanol.

More rigid testing may use migration modeling and analytical screening.

In the closing plenary session, eff orts of the Asian food industry in trying to cope with the many challenges

posed by the proliferation of food hazards were summarized. These consist of eff orts to update and harmonize

food safety regulations and standards, participation in regional and international food safety eff orts, drafting of

new legislations to improve implementation of food safety programs, adoption of international accreditation

for food safety programs, and information exchange between and among countries. The closing plenary also

pointed out that the issue of risk vs benefi ts is now assuming greater importance. The challenge, however, is

how we measure and compare risks vs benefi ts. It was concluded that the fi nal decision should always result

in benefi ts exceeding risks. However, keeping pace with rapid changes in consumer demand along with

confl icting information on health and wellness, have presented complex challenges to the food industry. Today

competitive advantage often comes from levering the discovery of others. It was concluded that partnerships

and alliances are essential for success. Successful organizations have to learn how to juggle confl icting issues

and to resort to open innovation, aside from gaining the trust and confi dence of their customers and consumers.


Concurrent Symposia

In the afternoon of the second day of the Conference, two Concurrent Symposia were held. One symposium

dealt with food analysis, methodology, testing and standards. The usefulness and system of Profi ciency

Testing (PT) which could help detect and cure any unacceptable large inaccuracies in the expected results

was discussed. Breakthrough innovations such as the Liquid Chromatograph (LC)/Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)

platforms, amplifi cation techniques of nucleic acid sequences, and DNA Testing technology for microbiological

testing of foods and feeds, were described.

The other symposium dealt with risk assessment and responses to hazards and contaminants. It was pointed

out that understanding interactions between food-borne pathogens and interfaces is essential for developing

methods for control. A multi-disciplinary approach is required, not only using basic microbiology, but also

molecular and “omic” studies, in addition to advanced surface chemistry techniques. Emerging and future

contaminants arising from degradation products of environmental wastes were discussed, while new analytical

methods were described that allow the identifi cation of a wide range of environmental contaminants. A system

for automated identifi cation and quantifi cation at very low levels of a large number of target compounds in a

single round was described. Finally, the Philippine experience in responding to recent microbial outbreaks in

contaminated rice cake and egg sandwich was presented.

Concurrent Workshops

In the afternoon of the third day of the conference, two concurrent workshops were held. The participants

in one workshop discussed their countries’ challenges and diffi culties in diet and exposure assessment.

The participants recommended to pursue harmonization and other ways of collaboration including the

establishment of reference laboratories; the development of a survey framework to meet both the need for

nutrition and exposure assessment; the collaboration of industry in sharing their data and in supporting food

consumption surveys; development/adoption of standardized methods for collection of data; collection of

biological samples for exposure assessment while conducting population surveys; and coming out with a food

contaminant database for the country as well as for the region.

The other workshop dealt with issues on chemical risk assessment taking the melamine scare as a case

example. Among the lessons learned from the melamine scare include the failure of inspection to detect the

melamine contamination; the strategic failure of communication to consumers; the diffi culty in diff erentiating

adulteration from background contamination, and the use of surrogate metabolites. It was suggested to

broaden the thinking to include economic adulteration, exercise greater rigor for specifi c food groups such as

infant foods, implement stringent monitoring, strengthen strategic network of response teams, and promote

international transparency. Finally, the participants recommended addressing the issue of raising analytical

capability through collaboration between public and private laboratories, setting up laboratory networks and

reference laboratories, and training of personnel and risk managers.

5th asian conference on food and nutrition...

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