(GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 14 January 2014) – SGS will host an exclusive breakfast session on food allergen management at the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Global Conference on 28 February 2014 in Anaheim, California, USA.

SGS, leading global solution provider in food safety, quality and sustainability is one of the main sponsors of the GFSI Global Conference this year. This international event will take place on 26-28 February 2014 in Anaheim, California, USA. Over a thousand diverse representatives from the food and agriculture industry, such as manufacturers and retailers are expected to attend the conference. The chosen theme is ‘One World, One Safe Food Supply’.

SGS Breakfast Session on Allergen Control & Management

The SGS breakfast session ‘Allergen Management: an Integral part of a Safe Food Supply Chain’ will take place on 28 February 2014 at 08:00 to 09:00 AM.

In this session, attendees will hear perspectives and practices from experts representing Wal-Mart, Cargill and the University of Nebraska who will speak about how allergen management, one of the fastest growing consumer trends and concerns, is implemented in their organizations as an integral part of food safety practices. The speakers will discuss topics such as:

• Practical challenges and the best control practices
• Allergen risk management and the role of allergen thresholds
• The importance of effective supplier assurance schemes in allergen management
• The latest regulations and challenges of implementation
• Current advances in allergen testing and detection
• Food allergen management through GFSI-approved standards

SGS Global Allergen Management Survey: Allergen Management Practices Need to Advance

SGS conducted a survey to understand current industry practices and challenges in the control and management of allergens. Conducted from September to November 2013, nearly 30% of respondents claim that their organizations do not have corporate allergen control or management systems in place. This means that organizations like these need to set up the systems or mechanism to meet the requirements of the US Food Safety Modernization Act (rule 103, 106) and the upcoming European Commission law on food information to consumers (EU Regulation 1169/2011). The SGS global survey attracted 230 responses from organizations in 46 countries. SGS will share other highlights and the conclusions of the research for the first time on February 28 in the breakfast session.

Attendance at the GFSI Global Conference is required for admittance to the breakfast session. Please sign up on the Global Food Safety Conference website. The registered delegates will further be invited to confirm their attendance at the breakfast session.

Experts from the SGS Global Food team look forward to meeting you at stand B6 during the GFSI Global Food Safety Conference.

To learn more, please visit SGS Food Safety.

For more details, please contact:

Outi Helena Armstrong
SGS SA
1 Place des Alpes
CH-1211 Geneva
Switzerland
t: +41 22 739 9161

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 75,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,500 offices and laboratories around the world.