Webinar: 2025 Food Trends Unpacked

Join us for an insightful Webinar with 4 leading experts in their fields who will be discussing the food trends of 2025.

Kim Berry -Food and Drink Business

The calls are growing for a national food plan and transitioning our food system to one that is more sustainable, equitable, nutritious, and profitable. Food manufacturing has record low levels of investment, while around the world the future of food is driving new products, companies and industries. Kim Berry looks at the big picture and tells you what's next.     

Kim Berry is the editor of Food & Drink Business, Australia’s leading media platform for the food and beverage manufacturing sector. She is regarded as Australia’s pre-eminent journalist on the industry, reporting on the business, innovation, leadership, and challenges in what is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector. Her passion is to showcase the people and companies pushing boundaries and being bold, whether they are scrappy start-ups or global players. Food & Drink Business delivers six print magazines a year, including its flagship annual Top 100 Food & Drink Companies report, a daily digital newsletter, weekly video news bulletin, and regular podcast.

Alison Baldwin

Director of Regulatory Affairs & Consumer Science

Arnotts

Kathy La Macchia

General Manager

Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council

Deon Mahoney

AIFST

Further details coming soon!

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.

Webinar: Infant Formula Products - Changes in Regulation

Join us for an insightful Webinar led by Lorna Munro Senior Nutritionist, Public Health and Nutrition Standards at FSANZ.

Regulatory requirements for infant formula products in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code have been reviewed for the first time in 20 years and came into effect on 13 September 2024. The revised regulations are subject to a five year transitional arrangement, meaning by September 2029 they will be fully in force. The review aimed to ensure infant formula products remain safe and suitable, while accounting for the latest scientific evidence, market developments, changes in the international regulatory context, and updated Australian and New Zealand policy guidance.

Lorna Munro works as a Senior Nutritionist at Food Standards Australia New Zealand, where she recently led the review of infant formula product regulations. Lorna is a Registered Public Health Nutritionist with a Bachelor of Human Nutrition, Master of Nutrition and Dietetics and specialised experience in the regulation of special purpose foods.

AIFST VIC Branch Barefoot Bowls - Social Event

We are excited to come together to start the 2025 year! After working hard all week, start your weekend with a social sunset game of Barefoot Bowls at Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club.

Join the AIFST VIC Branch for Barefoot Bowls. An opportunity for Victorian members to get together and reconnect at the start of the new year.  Come along and take part in the popular Australian seasonal activity of ‘Barefoot Bowling’.  The location is easily accessible on public transport and on road parking is free after 4pm. To keep costs down for this activity we will not be providing a substantial meal, so we recommend grabbing a bite to eat on your way to the venue. There will be a bar open to purchase drinks and there will be an appetizer platter available for a nibble between bowls. Here’s to a night of fun!

AIFST SA Branch Summit Laboratory Tour

The AIFST SA Branch are inviting you to join with them for a tour of the Summit Laboratories.

The tour will include:

• Introduction and company overview
  
• Site Tour
  
• Q & A Session
  

NOTE - Summit Laboratory appreciates your understanding that this event is not open to staff from competitor organisations.

This is a free tour has limited places available

Dress regulations will apply.

Webinar: International Women and Girls in Science

Join our speakers Francis Warnock, Jayashree Arcott, and Michelle Colgrave as they give us an insightful look into their roles from a humanitarian view.

Francis Warnock

Topic: Empowering women and girls in developing economies to be agents of change through producing safe and nutritious foods for better health

Frances Warnock has worked in the international development field as a technical consultant and project manager for 20 years, focusing on food safety and nutrition capacity building in low-middle income countries of Asia Pacific. Her greatest strength comes from lived experience working on the ground in challenging environments for UN agencies FAO, WHO and WFP. She has completed field assignments in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vietnam and (remotely) Sri Lanka since 2005. Frances was appointed Adjunct Fellow UNSW School of Chemical Engineering with Food and Health Group in February 2024.   

• AIFST Virtual Workshop: Navigating the Food Regulation Maze

• 
  

• Food regulation can be confusing! 

  Do you ever ask yourself "How do I know if the ingredients I want to use in my new product are approved and safe?"

  Or what about... "How do I know what I can or can’t say about my product?"

  This workshop is designed to help your business collect and manage the information needed to assist with regulatory compliance.

  The workshop will cover:

• Overview of the food regulation system in Australia and New Zealand
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
• Mandatory labelling requirements under the ANZ Food Standards Code
• Uniform Trade Measurement Legislation
• The Food-Medicine interface - Complementary medicines
• Practical exercise looking at assessing a label

Whether you are entering the food industry or just trialing new products, learn more about the regulations that can protect your products and your consumers.

Please note - This workshop will NOT be recorded due to it its interactive nature and long length so you will need to be able to attend in person on the day.

Presenters:

Fiona Fleming - AIFST

Fiona is CEO of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). She is an experienced Corporate and Regulatory Affairs professional who has been involved in leading and facilitating change and developing management strategies across a portfolio of food policy and regulation matters in global FMCG and NGO environments.

Mr Jim Moshovelis

Jim has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries with a strong background in regulatory and government affairs, stakeholder engagement, product development and quality assurance. He advises and assists companies wishing to register or list their products with the TGA.

Charles Fisher - KHQ Lawyers

Charles is a principle solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Registration Cost:

AIFST Members: $110.00

Non-Members: $195.00

Student/Graduate Members: $60.00

Student/Graduate Non - Members: $80.00

NZIFST Members: $110.00 with code

Not a member? Join online today!

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 QLD FOOD SCIENCE MASTERCLASS for Food & Nutrition Teachers

Join us for an exclusive full day face-to-face Masterclass designed to enhance your teaching and inspire your students! This is an exciting opportunity to enrich classroom content with cutting-edge insights.

• Explore the latest trends in food science
• Understand sensory evaluation
• Uncover Nutrition Information Panels (NIPs)
• New product development (NPD) innovation
• Discover career pathways in the food industry
• Tour state of the art food science labs

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.

For International Women's Day and beyond, let's all #AccelerateAction.

Join AIFST to celebrate International Women's Day and hear from some inspiring women about their story and plenty of time for Q&A and discussion. We have a wonderful line up of speakers so bring your lunch along and join us.

Dr. Emma Beckett - Food & Nutrition Scientist, FOODiQ Global

Kathy La Macchia - General Manager at Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council

Dr Anna Barlow - Partner, StartUpBootCamp

AIFST online workshop: How to confidently make voluntary marketing claims food

How does the Australian Consumer Law go beyond the Food Standards Code?

Most of the marketing of food products is not prescribed by regulation in Australia. So how can we confidently assess whether our products are “natural”, “vegan”, “good for you”, “sustainable” or “fresh”? The key is being able to assess your risk of breaching the Australian Consumer Law. This half day workshop will enable participants to:

• Identify who their “reasonable consumer” is.
• Assess what their expectations may be; and
• Know how much evidence we need to hold to substantiate our marketing claims.

We will look at recent regulatory actions on emphasising key ingredients, origin claims, sustainability, and packaging claims, and more.

This workshop is suitable for people working in regulatory, marketing, QA, R&D, NPD and legal at food companies, especially those responsible for either substantiating or approving key marketing claims.

Presented by Charles Fisher, KHQ Lawyers – Principal Solicitor in Food & Beverage 

Charles is a principal solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Not a member? Join online today!

Marketing the health benefits of food products

The opportunities of Standard 1.2.7 and the risks of the food-medicine interface

No matter the category of food product, consumers now expect it to be healthier and better for them. But marketing the health benefits of food products – whether they are true or not – can open up a can of regulatory worms. This half-day workshop will cover the following:

• The risks of a claim re-classifying a product from food to medicine.
• How format can impact on health marketing (i.e. can my food be sold in a pill, tablet, or capsule)?.
• How has the regulation of sports supplements changed?
• Distinguishing between high-level health claims, general level health claims and nutrition content claims.
• Knowing whether the Food Standards Code needs to be amended or not.
• How much scientific information is necessary to self-substantiate a health claim.
• Assessing whether your product is eligible to make health claims (i.e. do I need to meet the NPSC and what on Earth is the NPSC?); and
• Identifying pathways to market the health benefits of a product without making health claims.

This workshop is suitable for people working in regulatory, marketing, QA, R&D, NPD and legal at food companies, especially those responsible for approving key marketing claims.

Presented by CharlesFisher,  KHQ Lawyers – Principal Solicitor in Food & Beverage 

Charles is a principle solicitor (Food and Beverage) at KHQ lawyers. Charles is one of the leading consultants and trainers on food marketing, compliance, labelling, classification, licensing, safety and food crisis management. He has spent more than a decade staring at Australian and New Zealand FMCG regulations. He has facilitated thousands of innovative food, beverage, cosmetic and health products in reaching the AUNZ market, and have negotiated favourable outcomes with many industry regulators, including but not limited to FSANZ, DAFF, TGA, NSWFA and more.

Not a member? Join online today!

FoodTech Qld

19-20 June 2025

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

FoodTech Queensland brings together the most innovative food manufacturing and technology solutions into one destination event on the beautiful Gold Coast.

Held every three years, FoodTech Qld unites major food operators with influential industry figures and explores the critical challenges faced by food manufacturers. As Queensland’s leading event for food processing and production, it’s the industry’s meeting place for driving business growth, discovering advanced solutions and reconnecting with peers.

To register, visit the FoodTech Qld website HERE