Poster Symposium
Call for Poster Abstracts
The 16th annual Arkansas Association for Food Protection (AAFP) general meeting will be held September 24-26, 2024 at the Fayetteville Town Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The poster symposium will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24 prior to the welcome reception at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences. The Education Committee for the AAFP would like to invite all current and future members (must be an Arkansas Affiliate member at the time of abstract submission) to submit abstracts for scientific posters based on any food safety research/work they have done (current or past, published or unpublished). Students (undergraduate and graduate), post-docs, technical staff and professionals are encouraged to participate in the poster symposium. Posters can be submitted for one of the following categories:
1. Foodborne Pathogens and Contaminants in Animal-based Products
- Research on identifying, detecting, and controlling bacterial, viral, and chemical contaminants in meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood products.
- Studies on the prevalence, sources, and transmission of foodborne illnesses associated with animal-derived foods that may be considered pre-harvest or pre-processing.
2. Foodborne Pathogens and Contaminants in Plant-based Products
- Investigations into microbial and chemical contaminants (e.g., mycotoxins, pesticide residues) in fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed plant-based foods.
- Research on the identification and control of pathogens and contaminants in plant-based food products that may be considered pre-harvest or pre-processing.
3. Food Processing and Preservation Techniques for Animal-based Products
- Investigations into novel and improved methods for preserving the quality and safety of meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood products, such as thermal processing, curing, and smoking.
- Research on the effectiveness and safety of various processing methods for animal-derived foods that may be considered post-harvest.
4. Food Processing and Preservation Techniques for Plant-based Products
- Studies on techniques for preserving fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed plant-based foods, such as drying, canning, and fermentation.
- Evaluations of the impact of different processing methods on the safety and quality of plant-based food products that may be considered post-harvest.
5. Food Hygiene and Sanitation Practices for Foods
- Investigations into the impact of food handling practices, such as cross-contamination, temperature control, and sanitation, on the safety of meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood products.
- Studies on the effectiveness of training programs and interventions for improving food handler hygiene in handling animal-derived foods.
6. Consumer Behavior and Education for Safe Food Handling
- Research on consumer knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to safe food handling and consumption of both animal-based and plant-based products.
- Evaluations of educational campaigns and interventions aimed at promoting safe food handling behaviors among consumers.
Judges will visit each poster and the top three posters in each category will be awarded monetary prizes. As the competition date nears, some competition categories may have to be combined dependent upon the number of prize sponsors. The best poster from an undergraduate and staff/postdoctoral researcher will also be recognized with a monetary award, as determined by the judges.
Abstract Submission
Abstracts are due by Friday, September 13 at 5pm. Late abstracts may be accepted but will not be entered into the competition or listed in the abstract booklet.
Individuals submitting a poster must be a member in good standing with dues having been paid before the submission of the abstract. Proof of paid membership and meeting registration is due at the time of abstract submission.
Abstracts must be submitted via the form linked below and should include the following components:
Title
Authors
Body (not to exceed 300 words):
Introduction
Methods
Results
Significance
Keywords (not to exceed three)
Category for submission
Presentation of Posters
Poster competition will be held at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Atheimer Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72704
Final posters are limited in size to 3’ by 4’ (3 feet high, 4 feet wide).
Posters must be hung between 3:00 - 3:30 pm Tuesday, September 24th and should remain on display throughout the meeting.
Authors are required to be present with their posters from 4:00 - 5:00 pm Tuesday (judging will occur during this time frame). Specific timing can be adjusted slightly if class schedules interfere.
Posters will be moved to the Town Center after the competition (if desired) and must be removed within 60 minutes of the end of the meeting on Thursday, September 26th.
Any posters remaining after this time will be removed and destroyed.
Winners will be announced and prizes presented during the reception immediately following the competition.
If you have any questions or problems with abstract submission, please call Jerri Lynn Pickett at 479-290-7104 or e-mail at jerri.lynn.pickett@tyson.com.