Ingredient Safety Symposium: Research, Risk and Regulation

At a time when geopolitics, global trade, and shifting consumer expectations are driving intense debate on everything from synthetic dyes to vitamins and other ingredients, this symposium will bring together leading thinkers to explore how research, risk, and regulation intersect in shaping the future of our food.

Hosted at the Chifley Business and Events Centre in Sydney, with online participation available, this half-day event will feature keynote addresses, fresh consumer insights, expert perspectives and an interactive panel discussion designed to spark dialogue and challenge assumptions.

Hear from Dr Carrie H. McMahon, who spent more than two decades at the U.S. FDA, and Dr Sandra Cuthbert, CEO of FSANZ, as they share first-hand insights on the changing regulatory landscape, the global forces reshaping ingredient approvals, and how to build public trust in an era of rapid innovation. Paul Labagnara, Director at The Lab, will unveil new polling and research on consumer trust, shifting sentiment, and where people are turning to find the “facts” about food and ingredients.

Program highlights:

• Presentations on risk vs hazard analysis, regulatory frameworks, and the evolving science of ingredient safety
• Insights from FSANZ on global-to-local regulatory dynamics
• Exclusive consumer polling and insights into trust and sentiment around food ingredients
• Panel Q&A with leading experts in research and regulation, and consumer behaviour
• Networking lunch to connect with peers across industry, government, and academia

Speakers and agenda are subject to change without notice

Who should attend: Professionals from the food and beverage sector, peak industry bodies, government regulators, academics, and public health organisations with an interest in advancing dialogue on ingredient safety.

Info: As innovation accelerates, so too do the questions about ingredient safety and regulatory oversight. This session will explore emerging risks in the global food system, including the challenges of assessing novel ingredients, managing public trust, and navigating evolving regulatory approaches. Drawing on her extensive experience with the U.S. FDA, Dr Carrie H. McMahon will examine how regulators worldwide are responding to scientific advances such as GMOs and genome editing, and what these developments mean for industry and consumers.

Info: At a time when geopolitics, global trade, and shifting consumer expectations are driving intense debate on everything from synthetic dyes to genome-edited foods, regulators are under growing pressure to balance science, safety and trust. In this keynote, Dr Sandra Cuthbert will explore how FSANZ evaluates and approves additives, manages risk, and communicates standards to the public. She will also examine how international regulatory trends influence Australia, New Zealand, and the wider APAC region, highlighting FSANZ’s role in global collaboration through Codex, FDA, EFSA, and the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum. In this session, Dr Sandra Cuthbert, CEO of FSANZ, will share her perspective on how FSANZ navigates this changing landscape. She will explore the challenges and opportunities in evaluating new ingredients, the importance of clear and credible risk communication, and how international collaboration is shaping the future of food standards.

Info: Consumer expectations are evolving fast, with trust in institutions, brands, and even science itself under pressure. In this session, Paul Labagnara, Director at The Lab, will unpack how people are thinking and feeling about food and beverage ingredients today, where they go to get their “facts,” how sentiment is shifting, and what this means for industry, regulators and communicators. Drawing on fresh qualitative insights and polling, the presentation will shed light on the opportunities and risks of engaging consumers in an era of scepticism and information overload.

Host or Publisher Australian Beverages Council