The BC Food Protection Association would like to present:
2025 FALL HYBRID SPEAKER’S EVENING
The BC Food Protection Association is thrilled to host another hybrid event for our members and general public! For those who wish to participate virtually, we are broadcasting (live streaming) our seminar through Zoom.
THEME
Microbial Risks in Low Water Activity Foods & PFAS in Food Systems
SPEAKERS
Sandeep Tamber
Research Scientist, Head of Salmonella Research Laboratory, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada
Mathew Coady
Environmental Scientist and Risk Assessor, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd
DETAILS
Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
Time: 5:00 - 8:30 pm PT
In-person Location: Langara Clubhouse (this is the Langara Golf Course - 6706 Alberta St, Vancouver, BC)*
*Parking is free for guests
Virtual Option: via Zoom - registrants will be sent a Zoom link 1-2 days before the actual event
Click here to view our event poster!
REGISTRATION & DINNER
Register here: https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/event-6392658
Early bird deadline is October 28! Register today to take advantage of our early bird rate!
Dinner will be provided for in-person attendees. If you have food allergies or preferences, please let us know under the comment section when you register online, or email us before October 28, as we will be placing an order for the catered food (dinner) that day.
SCHEDULE
5:00-5:25 PM PT Registration and Light Networking
5:25-5:30 PM PT Welcome Remarks
5:30-6:30 PM PT Speaker 1 - Sandeep Tamber
6:30-7:15 PM PT Dinner Intermission and Networking
7:15-8:15 PM PT Speaker 2 - Mathew Coady
8:15-8:30 PM PT Closing Remarks and Door Prizes
EVENT RATES
Virtual Rates
$25 for Members, $20 for Students/Retired, $45 for Non-Members
In-Person Rates*
BCFPA Members – $60 for Early Bird, $70 for Regular
BCFPA Student/Retired – $45 for Early Bird, $55 for Regular
Non-Member – $90 for Early Bird, $100 for Regular
Early bird rate period lasts from now to Oct 28
Regular rate period lasts from Oct 29 to the day of event
*In-person rates include the cost of a dinner meal
SPEAKER AND TOPIC DETAILS
Low Moisture, High Risk: Understanding and Controlling Salmonella in Low Water Activity Food Products
Sandeep Tamber, Research Scientist, Head of Salmonella Research Laboratory, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada
Bio: Sandeep Tamber leads the Salmonella Research Laboratory at the Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada. Her research focuses on understanding the physiological and molecular adaptations that enable Salmonella to persist in foods and food production environments, with the goal of improving detection and reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
Summary: In this seminar, Dr. Tamber will explore the unique challenges posed by Salmonella in low-moisture foods such as seeds and spices. Drawing on several Canadian outbreaks, she will illustrate how these events have shaped our understanding of Salmonella in foods with low water activity. Dr. Tamber will present her latest research on improving the detection of Salmonella, characterizing its behavior in low-moisture matrices, and identifying mitigation strategies that can be applied during food preparation. The seminar will highlight both scientific insights and practical approaches to reducing the risk of foodborne illness.
PFAS in Food Systems: A Canadian Overview
Mathew Coady
Environmental Scientist and Risk Assessor, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd
Bio: Mathew Coady is an environmental scientist with over 14 years of experience leading contaminated site investigations, human health and ecological risk assessments, and remediation programs across Western and Northern Canada. He has extensive expertise in evaluating conventional and emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil, water, sediment, and biota/food items, and in developing risk-based strategies to mitigate risks to people and wildlife.
Summary: The presentation will be focused on PFAS in food systems, and will include a high-level overview of PFAS, a summary of PFAS sources (Canadian focus), human health considerations from PFAS exposure, Canadian and Provincial regulations as they relate to the sale and use of materials containing PFAS and management of PFAS in the environment, and a summary of PFAS accumulation in different foods, supported by SLR tissue sampling studies.
EVENT SPONSORSHIP
Sustaining Member Display Tables are FREE and are available on first-come, first-serve basis. Contact us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca to reserve a table!
Is your company interested in sponsoring our events? We have
corporate sponsorship packages available, click here to find out more information!
https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/Sponsorship
INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP & SPONSOR-A-STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
We have recently created 2 new sponsorship categories for our members who wish to support our students and association:
1. Those who wish to sponsor-a-student to attend our upcoming event, and
2. Individual member sponsors who wish to contribute a small donation as an Individual Sponsor for our event - e.g. $10
You can read more about our newly added sponsorship categories here: https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/Sponsorship
For our individual and sponsor-a-student sponsors: recognition can be public (your first and last name will be listed on our event announcements) or you may be anonymous (if you choose to hide your name). Please list your preference if you choose to sponsor our event.
You can reach us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca if you have any questions about our upcoming event or are interested in sponsoring our event and students!
Kind Regards,
BC Food Protection Association Executive Board
