Member Matters

AFGC at the AIFST Annual Convention

19 August 2025

The AFGC recently attended the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Convention in Melbourne this month. Dr Duncan Craig, AFGC’s Director of Nutrition and Regulation, participated on a food policy and regulation panel which explored the essential challenge of balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in our fast-paced food system, all while keeping the consumer’s interests central. Also on the panel were representatives from Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Coles, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and KHQ Lawyers.

A core message from the discussion was the necessity of engagement and transparency. To build trust, we must counter misinformation with sound science and ensure new technologies offer clear, widespread benefits. This transparency is also crucial for an efficient international trade environment.

The panel also highlighted that safety must be a foundational element, embedded in both policy and practice. As innovation often outpaces regulation, a proactive approach to safety is non-negotiable. This is particularly relevant when navigating the complexities of novel foods, where we face challenges in classification, substantiating health claims, and establishing a robust, risk-proportionate pre-market safety system.

The conversation wrapped up with a look at some exciting emerging areas, including cell-grown foods, precision nutrition, AI and digitalisation, and edible and compostable packaging.

It was also fantastic to connect with representatives from many AFGC member companies who attended the event.