Nominations Sought for Freezing Research Award

McLean, Vir.–Nominations are being accepted for the Frozen Food Foundation Freezing Research Award, presented in conjunction with the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). The award honors an individual, group or organization for preeminence in and outstanding contributions to research impacting food safety through freezing. This is the first such award presented by the Frozen Food Foundation. 

Previous research has demonstrated that freezing can promote food safety by killing or significantly reducing potentially harmful microbes in foods. But additional opportunities exist for increased use of freezing technologies as a barrier to the spread of food-borne pathogens.

“Food safety is the highest priority for the members of the frozen food industry, and this award is an opportunity to encourage additional innovation in food safety technology through freezing,” said Frozen Food Foundation Chairman Reid Wagstaff.

“IAFP has a longstanding tradition of rewarding excellence in the area of food safety, but this is the first award we have given specifically relating to the benefits offered by the freezing process and other freezing technologies,” said IAFP Executive Director David W. Tharp.  “More advanced research in this area has great promise for enhancing the protection of the global food supply.”

The award winner will be announced at the 2010 IAFP Annual Meeting in August in Anaheim, Calif.  The recipient will receive a plaque and a $2,000 honorarium sponsored by the Frozen Food Foundation. Nominations will be accepted through February 16, 2010. Forms and instruction are available at IAFP or Frozen Food Foundation.