RFA Technical Webcasts

 

The RFA hosts quarterly Technical Webcasts on timely food safety and regulatory topics affecting
the prepared foods industry. The Webcasts are live, interactive events that you can join from your office!

See below for details on the latest Technical Webcast.

RFA Members can access slide presentations from past Technical Webcasts at anytime in the Member Center.


June 4, 2025 RFA Technical Webcast:

 
" Rapid Pathogen Testing in Food Safety Management"

 

REGISTER HERE for this live, interactive Event that you can join from your office!

Non-member registration form

Date and Time:

* Wednesday, June 4, from 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
(1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Central, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Mountain, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pacific) 

Overview:

This webinar will review the methods commercially available for rapid detection of Salmonella, Listeria species and L. monocytogenes. When selecting a method, considerations include the underpinning technology, speed, sensitivity, robustness, and validation status. These will be discussed, as will practical considerations regarding application of rapid methods within a food safety program.


Presenters:

David Legan, Director of Science, Eurofins Microbiology

Dr. David Legan is Director of Science for Eurofins Microbiology. Formally affiliated with the lab in Madison, WI, he works across the US network of labs on all aspects of method selection, development, validation, and verification. In previous roles he spent time within Kraft Foods and Nabisco working on preservation systems, food safety and pathogen modeling. He began his career at Campden BRI in the UK working on all aspects of bakery microbiology. He holds a PhD from the University of Reading in the UK.

 Erica Miller, Associate Research Scientist & Analytical Services Manager, Eurofins Microbiology

Erica Miller has worked with Eurofins Microbiology for seven years. Her educational background includes microbiology and epidemiology with a focus on infectious diseases. She started at Eurofins as a laboratory technician and advanced through various roles, covering all parts of the lab. Her current role involves serving as research and technical support to the laboratory network. Her primary research objectives include method validation, method verification, method development, and investigating new technologies that could assist the laboratory network.

How does the Webcast work?

It's easy and convenient! A virtual seminar is one that you can "attend" and participate in right from your offices. There is no travel time, and now provided at NO COST to RFA members!

The RFA Webcast will include live audio along with a slide presentation on the Web. You just need a phone connection for the audio and an Internet connection.

In addition, the webcast will allow you to comment and ask questions at specified times during the event using your phone.

You can invite staff members to listen and participate too! To get the most out of a webcast, it is recommended that you have no more than five people at any one computer connection. If you have multiple locations, please register each location separately.

Credits

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Research Chefs Association (RCA) have confirmed that continuing education credits are available for numerous RFA technical functions. Depending on the specific educational criteria of these two organizations, credits will be accepted for attendance at 1) RFA Webinars, 2) the RFA Fall Symposium and 3) the RFA Annual Conference.

Contact the RFA office for more information or for proof of participation.

 

Registration Information:

The cost for this event is as follows:

  • RFA Members: NO CHARGE - Now Included as a Member Benefit!

  • Non-Members: $310 per computer/audio connection

To attend the meeting, you can either:

  • Just send an email to [email protected] to register. There is no cost for members.  Nonmembers: checks must be made payable to the Refrigerated Foods Association. Payment should be received no later than June 2, 2025.

Once you have registered for the meeting, you will receive an email message inviting you to attend the web conference with instructions on how to attend. This message will provide the information that you need to join the meeting.



If you have questions about the RFA Technical Webcasts, please e-mail the RFA office at [email protected]
.