Global Midwest Alliance
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Driving Innovation and Growth
Food Industry
Upcoming Events
2015 Global Food Industry Keynote Presentation
Creating Opportunities & Overcoming Challenges: How Abbott Nutrition’s Science Drives Growth Across the Globe, Dr. Hakim Bouzamondo, M.D., MSc, MBA, Divisional Vice President, Global Research & Development, Abbott Nutrition
2014 Global Food Industry Interviews:
2013 Global Food Outlook Interviews:
A video introduction to the technological advances being created and developed at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois presented by Freeborn & Peters.
The Alliance is providing a Food Industry Forum for meaningful interactions between key executives engaged in food processing and distribution and scientists engaged in scientific research with a view to creating new products and novel, effective solutions to improve food safety.
Alliance and partner activities include:
- A Food Industry Program series addressing the important issues raised by the FSMA
- Establishment of a formal or informal advisory groups for one of more of the laboratories
- Establishment of visit programs with various labs
If you would like more information about partnering with us on upcoming programs and sponsorships available with the Alliance's Food Industry sector, contact us at [email protected].
In January, 2011 President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This law represents a sea change for food safety in America.
- Processors of all types of food will now be required to evaluate the hazards in their operations, implement and monitor effective measures to prevent contamination, and have a plan in place to take any corrective actions that are necessary.
- Science-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables will be established by the FDA to minimize the risk of serious illnesses or death.
- Similarly, the FDA will set standards for the safe transportation of food.
Food safety is a major international health and economic issue. The economic impact of foodborne illness in the United States alone is estimated to be $152 billion annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 76 million new cases of food-related illness, resulting in 5,000 deaths and 325,000 hospitalizations, occur in the United States each year.
Under the new law:
- Importers will be required to verify the food they bring to the U.S. is in compliance with food safety standards. While some importers may have the internal capabilities to verify compliance without a third-party auditor, other importers may rely on third-party auditors to assist them.
FSMA lays the foundation for a prevention-based, 21st century food safety system that makes everyone in the global food chain responsible for safety. Food processors and distributors have already been mandating independent safety certification from all vendors. This is likely to expand and ever stricter requirements are likely.
Technology solutions can aid in this effort by helping companies better manage their internal processes and, where possible, implement solutions to prevent future outbreaks. Industry observers believe that with these new regulations in place, more companies will likely invest in technology solutions to complement their processes to ensure quality and prevent the expenses associated with food recalls.
As the leading city in the middle of one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, Chicago has long been a center for the conversion of raw farm products into edible goods. Best known for its dominance in meatpacking, Chicago has also been home to leading firms in other areas of the food processing industry, including cereals, baked goods, and candy, for more than 100 years. It is estimated that nearly 4,000 Chicago companies, including some of the largest companies in the area, are engaged in food processing and distribution. These companies employ an estimated 50,000 people.
Throughout the Midwest, there are important academic and government laboratories engaged in very important research concerning food technology and food safety. In light of the importance of food and agricultural products to the Midwest, the Global Midwest Alliance seeks to encourage collaboration between these companies and these leading laboratories and thereby improve the economic condition of the region.
Alliance Partners in the Food Industry Sector
Food Industry Program Sponsors
Video Highlights
Global Midwest Alliance regularly hosts an Innovation, Growth and Globalization Food Industry Event. Highlights from a recent program can be viewed in this brief video clip.
Midwest Food Matters Gala
The inaugural Midwest Food Matters Leadership Award gala brings together leaders, suppliers and service providers from the many faces of the food industry for an evening of networking and to celebrate the impact, accomplishments and bright promise of the future for the food industry in the Midwest.
Food Industry Videos & Presentations
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News
September 25, 2023
Global Food Security Challenged as Industry Innovation Tries to Keep Pace by Michael Costa, ProFood World
September 19, 2022
April 5, 2022
September 7, 2021
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May 30, 2024
Chicago, IL
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9th Corporate Venturing Program
November 7, 2024
Schaumburg, IL
