Keynote Speech
Topic: " Globalization and Food Safety Trends: Perspective from a Leading Food Safety Solutions Company"
Speaker: Robert Parrish, Vice President, Global Food, Consumer Testing Service, SGS

Abstract
In todays age of the globalization and increasing consumer awareness, there are ever increasing initiatives surrounding food quality & safety.

Organizations are being forced to take even more ownership for food safety and consumers too are increasing their demand for companies to prove that appropriate controls are in place to ensure that food is safe. Tighter controls are being established to safeguard the food supply chain, however problems remain and food safety and security concerns continue to increase globally.

The food industry is being called on to ensure; balanced value, confidence, transparency, consistency, sustainability and while ensuring regulatory compliance and the ability to control product recall and traceability.

In this keynote address we will review various trends and initiatives underway by industry to provide the level of confidence being sought by consumers worldwide.

Biography
As Vice President Global Food within the Consumer Testing Sector of the SGS Group, Rob is responsible for the Global operations of the Consumer Food Inspection, Testing and Assessment Services to 2nd party requirements and certification to retailer standards. In addition he is the Managing Director for the SGS operations in Indonesia.

During his 20 year career with the SGS Group he has held several management positions in various countries including Vietnam and Australia and has held several management positions within the Consumer Testing Sector of the SGS Group.

Rob was responsible for the development of the Food Business in Vietnam and the “On Farm” Code of Practice / Quality Assurance program that was implemented in the Seafood Sector in Vietnam. This program is now being adopted by the seafood sector in Indonesia. Prior to joining SGS in Vietnam, Rob was responsible for the domestic meat inspection program for the South Australian government as one of his responsibilities in South Australia.<back>