Carbon footprinting focus of food industry convention

Discussions at the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology convention will include a focus on carbon footprinting for food manufacturers, marketers, suppliers and retailers. The convention will be held from 10-12 July 2011 in Sydney.

At the convention, Tim Grant (RMIT University, Melbourne Vic) will discuss how to calculate the carbon footprint by doing a life cycle analysis on food and give an understanding of both processes.

Anthony Peyton from Greenchip (Carlton North, Vic) will present the case study on the first food product to be carbon footprinted in Australia, which was olive oil, requested by the retailer Aldi.

A panel discussion, followed by audience questions, looks at what carbon footprinting means to the consumer, industry, retailers and the government. Learned panellists include Sean O’Malley (Planet Ark), Neil van Buuren (Dairy Innovation Australia), Janet Wheeler (Department of climate Change & Energy Efficiency) and Brad Ridoutt (CSIRO).

How to communicate this important message to consumers will be another discussion point during this session that is expected to generate lively debate.

The AIFST Convention is co-located with FoodPro at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

It opens on Sunday 10 July and concludes Tuesday 12 July, with additional workshops Wednesday 13 July 2011.

For registration details, visit www.aifst.com.au/annualconvention. Bookings made before 3 June attract an early bird rate.