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Industry Keynotes
Topic: " International Food Safety
Issues & CODEX International Food Standards"
Speaker: Thomas Billy, Former Chair, Codex
Alimentarius Commission and President,
International Food Safety Consultants LLC
Abstract
Two models will be presented and used to explore
the respective roles and approaches of national
governments and the Codex Alimentarius
Commission in food safety. Contemporary examples
of effective approaches to address food safety
problems and new challenges will be discussed
and used to identify strategies for improving
and assuring food safety and reducing trade
issues internationally.
Biography
Thomas J. Billy is the president of
International Food Safety Consulting, LLC., a
single member consulting company formed after
his retirement from the federal government in
December 2003 after 39 years of service. Mr.
Billy provides food safety and policy advice to
industry, government, and organizations
worldwide.
Mr. Billy previously served
as Special Advisor for Codex and International
Food Safety Issues in the Office of the
Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), from October 2001 until his retirement
in December 2003. In this position, Mr. Billy
focused on his role as elected Chairman of the
Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the
United Nations’ international food safety and
standard setting organization. He also provided
advice and counsel to the Secretary regarding
issues involving international public health and
food safety. During this period, Mr. Billy made
several trips to Japan to advise senior
government officials, industry, and consumer
representatives on improvements to Japan’s food
safety laws and programs, including
establishment of Japan’s new food safety
commission.
Mr. Billy began his federal
career in fisheries research involving new
harvesting, processing, and storage technologies
and contaminant monitoring. He has received
numerous awards, including the 1997 Presidential
Rank Award for distinguished federal executives
and two FDA Commissioner’s Special Citations. A
native of Saginaw, Michigan, he holds a B.S. in
Chemical Engineering from the University of
Michigan.<back>
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