GFSS 2021 Symposium Back to the Buffet: Food Safety in a Post-COVID World

Welcome to the 18th annual (and 2nd virtual) Guelph Food Safety Seminars (GFSS) Symposium.

While a post-COVID world may still seem like a distant dream, this year’s Symposium will build on last year’s theme by delving further into challenges and opportunities stemming from the pandemic. Food processors, retailers, and other services have at times struggled with supply chain disruptions that may have fueled increased food fraud. Consumers accustomed to frequently dining out may have modified their interaction with food. At-home food preparation, home-grown produce, and even foraging has become new habits, increasing the need for reliable and accurate food safety information from trusted sources.

Composed of a series of seminars, this year’s Symposium will examine lessons learned during the pandemic that may help in the evolution of more effective food safety systems. A panel of experts will address consumer questions in the fourth seminar.

The Guelph Food Safety Seminars (GFSS) series and annual symposium began in 2004 to provide a forum in which to share timely and pertinent food safety topics. GFSS is a partnership which includes the University of Guelph (Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety/Department of Food Science), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - Ontario Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, NSF International, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Objective: To bring together people from the Guelph Food Safety Network and others who are interested in the risk management approach to food quality and safety to learn, educate, illuminate, and discuss issues of common interest and broaden networks.