Schedule

A word from AQIA President Anny Lainesse

Trends and Challenges in Food Safety Regulations: Strategies for Compliance - online. Timothy Jackson, Senior Scientific Advisor for Food Safety, Office of Microbiological Food Safety, Human Foods Program, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, IAFP Representative. In 2022, Tim joined the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition as a Senior Science Advisor for Food Safety, supporting outbreak investigation, root cause analysis and prevention strategies, and coordinating cross-cutting scientific and policy matters for the Office of Microbiological Food Safety. Prior to FDA, Tim has served in various food safety roles, including Vice President of Food Safety, Regulatory and Social Compliance for Driscoll’s and various positions at Nestlé, including Director of Food Safety for Nestlé US and Nestlé Canada, with responsibility for thermal processing and food safety programs in hygiene, microbiology, allergens and chemical contaminants. Tim received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Abilene Christian University and his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Food Microbiology from Texas A&M University. While at the University, he led the university administered training program for USDA-FSIS inspectors at the Agency’s newly established training center.

Enjeux d'autonomie, de salubrité alimentaire et de durabilité
Issues of autonomy, food safety and sustainability

A portrait of greenhouse production in Quebec ! French-language conference. Claude Vallée is a continuing education advisor at the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec (ITAQ). Claude Vallée is an agronomist with a master's degree in plant biology. With over 35 years' experience in horticulture, he has specialized in greenhouse cultivation, plant propagation and fruit production. His career path has led him to work in research, technical consulting, innovation and teaching. Recognized for his leadership, collaborative approach and passion for plant production, he is currently a continuing education advisor at ITAQ, where he is developing a certification program for greenhouse crop managers. Claude is recognized for his leadership expertise, innovative and collaborative spirit, and passion for all things plant production.

Enjeux d'autonomie, de salubrité alimentaire et de durabilité
Issues of autonomy, food safety and sustainability

Quebec food processing issues in the world of fisheries. Title and bio to come. French-language conference. Mr Jean-Philippe Luna is Quality Manager at Gaspé Shore.

Enjeux de production
Production challenges

Student poster session and company booths

Affiches étudiantes et réseautage
Student posters and networking break

3-minute flash presentations by students. French-language presentations.

Présentations étudiantes FLASH
Flash-presentation

Food safety: from craft to mass production in an unstable context. French-language conference. Catherine Langevin is co-founder and project director of BeWist. Catherine Langevin is a consultant and trainer in the agri-food sector. She has nearly 25 years' experience in research and development, applied research, quality assurance and food safety. She has worked in all food sectors and with all certifications and regulations. Before launching her own company in 2013, Catherine worked for various companies such as Saputo, Nellson and Cintech agroalimentaire, giving her solid experience and the ability to offer a wide range of services. One of Catherine's strengths is communication, a crucial quality in the consulting field, complemented by attention to detail, analytical skills and exceptional customer service.

Enjeux de transformation
Food-processing challenges

Major Food Safety Challenges in Large-Scale Operations French-language conference. Dr. Fournaise is Vice President of Food Safety, Quality Management, and R&D at Olymel, where he has been working since April 1, 1998. He holds a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, which he obtained in 1985 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Université de Montréal in Saint-Hyacinthe, as well as a Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Université Laval. For over 27 years at Olymel, he has led the development and implementation of corporate programs such as quality and food safety management, animal welfare, crisis management and business continuity, product traceability, facility biosecurity, SQF certification, and more. He has nearly 40 years of experience in food processing, including 12 years at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. At Olymel, he leads a team responsible for quality assurance and food safety programs across all facilities, including pork and poultry slaughter and processing, veterinary services and animal welfare, food processing regulations, labeling, exports, biosecurity, and traceability. He is also responsible for liaising with regulatory authorities at various levels of government. Additionally, he oversees Olymel’s Research and Development department. Mr. Fournaise is also actively involved in several committees of various associations, including serving as Vice Chair of the Canadian Meat Council, Vice Chair of the Quebec Swine Health Team (EQSP), Chair of the Partners Council of the Cité de l’innovation in Saint-Hyacinthe, among others.

Enjeux de transformation
Food-processing challenges

Affiches étudiantes et réseautage
Student posters and networking break

MAPAQ: an ally in food risk management in Quebec. French-language conference. Karine Berger is a food safety risk assessment advisor with the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec. Karine Berger holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition, a master's degree in food science and technology, and a certificate in vocational and technical education. She has over 20 years' experience in industrial research and college training, mainly in the aquatic products sector. Over the course of her career, Ms. Berger has developed expertise in food product development, food labeling, shelf-life analysis and sensory and nutritional evaluation. Her know-how has enabled her to establish a link between scientific innovation and the concrete needs of the food industry, by participating in numerous projects with companies and college or university research centers. Since 2023, she has been putting her skills to work for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, where she holds the position of Food Safety Risk Assessment Advisor in the Food Safety Branch. A proud Gaspesian, avid traveller and cycling enthusiast, Ms. Berger is also a fervent advocate of healthy eating and local sourcing.

Évaluation des risques
Risk assessment

VITALE Chair: Safety at the Core of Eco-Circular Valorization of Agri-Food Industrial By-Products. French-language conference. Dr. Laurent Bazinet is a Professor in the Department of Food Science at Université Laval, where he teaches food process engineering and INAF member. He holds the Industrial Research Chair in Integrated Valorization of By-Products through Eco-Efficient Food Technologies within a Circular Economy (VITALE Chair), and serves as Director of the International Associated Laboratory on the Bioproduction of Natural Antimicrobials. His research focuses on the study of electrodialytic phenomena and their effects on bio-food compounds and associated health benefits. He is internationally recognized as the leading expert in electrodialysis with filtration membranes and is ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide.

Stratégies innovantes pour assurer l'innocuité alimentaire
Innovative strategies to ensure food safety

The agri-food recruitment crisis: why is food science struggling to attract new recruits in Quebec? The agri-food sector in Quebec is going through a real recruitment crisis, with food science programs struggling to attract new students. Why this lack of interest? What are the barriers holding back young people's interest in this key field? This presentation examines these issues from both academic and industrial perspectives, and proposes concrete ways to revitalize food science training and meet the urgent needs of industry. A must-attend event for all those who want to understand and act on this major challenge. Julie Jean is a full professor and researcher in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Université Laval, and Director M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Food Science and holds the “VIROCONTROL” partnership research chair in Food Virology and INAF member. The research activities of Dr. Julie Jean's team focus on food safety in general, and food virology in particular. She is interested in the development of molecular methods for the detection of food-borne pathogenic microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, parasites). Studies are carried out on the persistence, attachment and transmission of viruses on surfaces and in food. Work is also being carried out on strategies for the inactivation and control of pathogenic microorganisms in food.

Stratégies innovantes pour assurer l'innocuité alimentaire
Innovative strategies to ensure food safety

Food retailing under pressure: safety and trade in the age of new barriers Sylvain Charlebois is Full-Professor of Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University, Halifax. He is also Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytical Sciences Laboratory, also located at Dalhousie University. His area of research and expertise focuses on food distribution, safety and security. He is one of the world's most highly cited researchers in food supply chain management, agri-food value chains and traceability, with over 775 peer-reviewed scientific articles to his credit. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science and Technology magazine. He is co-host of The Food Professor podcast, which addresses issues in the food, restaurant, grocery and foodservice industries. This is Canada's most listened-to management podcast. Since 2012, he has published the eagerly-awaited Canadian Food Price Report every year, offering insight into food price trends for the year ahead. Dr Charlebois's research has been widely reported in the media, both in Canada and internationally. He has also appeared as an expert witness on numerous occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy issues. He has also acted as agrifood policy advisor in several Canadian provinces and abroad. Finally, in the spring of 2025, he was awarded the Coronation Medal of King Charles III by the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, in recognition of his significant contribution to the agri-food industry.

Stratégies innovantes pour assurer l'innocuité alimentaire
Innovative strategies to ensure food safety