Henderson, Colo. – Birko, a leader in providing food safety solutions for the produce, protein, further processing and brewing industries, announces it will exhibit at this year’s Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit (booth number 4123) in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center, October 14-16.
As new FSMA regulation deadlines approach and Listeria outbreaks become more common, more produce companies than ever can benefit from partnering with a leading food safety provider that will serve as a trusted resource.
Elis Owens, Ph.D., Birko director of technical services, will be available at the exhibition to answer questions regarding food safety, new FSMA regulations, Listeria prevention and how Birko can be an asset to produce companies. Dr. Owens will also be available on an appointment-basis to further speak with visitors.
As part of the company’s research and development team, Owens is an active member in the development of Birko’s antimicrobial product line and leads the team responsible for technical service provided to customers.
Owens is a member of the International Association for Food Protection, Master Brewers Association of the Americas, American Oil Chemists’ Society, American Society of Brewing Chemists, and is a representative of the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo). He is on the Technical Committee for the Center for Produce Safety, the United Fresh Food Safety and Technology Council, and the PMA’s Science and Technology Committee. He is also a Preventive Control Qualified Individual (PCQI), and was a contributor to the United Fresh Produce Association’s Guidance on Environmental Monitoring and Control of Listeria for the Fresh Produce Industry.
In addition, Owens has been requested as a guest speaker by various associations and events, including the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, the Northwest Food Processors Association, the California Fresh Fruit Association and the PMA Tech Knowledge Symposium.
“The PMA Fresh Summit is the perfect opportunity to explore the requirements of FSMA with produce companies and start the conversation about Listeria prevention and best food safety practices,” Owens said. “Food safety is complex; it’s not just about which products are used, it’s about how they are used, the process and the effective training of employees, which is where Birko can help.”
For more than 60 years, Birko has supplied environmentally safe cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection formulas, together with state-of-the-industry antimicrobial process aids and dispensing equipment, that provide integrated solutions for produce partners.
“A strong sanitation partner can help with employee safety training, process improvement and yield maximization, as well as benefit your food safety program overall,” Owens said. “Your food safety partner should do more than just supply chemicals, they should be a trusted source of information and advice.”
The PMA is a trade organization representing companies from all segments of the global fresh produce market that aims to connect, inform and deliver industry solutions. Its Fresh Summit serves to connect experts and industry leaders and hosts more than 20,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors from more than 60 countries.
