Having earlier this year postponed the organization’s annual conference, officials with the International Association for Food Protection report they hope to soon announce new dates, likely in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.

The association (IAFP) officials released a statement Monday regarding this year’s conference and meeting, indicating the event would remain in Cleveland, OH, as originally scheduled. The IAFP board anticipates making a decision about the specific dates for the annual event no later than June 10.

Thousands of food safety professionals from more than 100 countries attend the event. Attendees include representatives from academia, government and industry. Research results are presented at the conference and emerging areas of food safety concerns are covered in dozens of lectures and panel discussions.

“Developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) including statements and guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are being continually monitored,” according to the IAFP statement.

“If the meeting is held as a person-to-person meeting, attendees of IAFP 2020 will be expected to follow all recommended precautions to prevent transmission of infectious diseases.”

The annual meeting, conference and trade show were originally scheduled for August, but organization officials postponed it indefinitely earlier this year when shelter in place orders were beginning to be enacted. 

The event is still set for the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Local officials are working with the IAFP executive staff on potential arrangements.

“IAFP will continually follow updates from public health authorities throughout this worldwide crisis. You may continue to monitor the IAFP 2020 website for updates,” according to the statement.

For further questions or concerns, contact the IAFP office at 515-276-3344 or info@foodprotection.org.

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