2026 Agenda

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Day 1 — July 1, 2026

FOUNDATIONS OF FOOD ALLERGEN RISK MANAGEMENT

1 OPENING PLENARY
Welcome Remarks
09:00
Geoffry SMITH,
President, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) SEA Region;
Representative, Asian Life Sciences Institutes Network (ALSIN)
09:05
Motohiro EBISAWA,
Director, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology,
National Hospital Organization Sagamihara National Hospital;
FAA 2026 Conference Chair
2 JAPAN'S 2026 REGULATORY TRANSITION
Moderator:
Geoffry SMITH,
President, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) SEA Region;
Representative, Asian Life Sciences Institutes Network (ALSIN)
09:10
Food Allergen Labeling in Japan:
Historical Development, Unique Features, and 2026 Mandatory Transition
Motohiro EBISAWA,
Director, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology,
National Hospital Organization Sagamihara National Hospital;
FAA 2026 Conference Chair
09:30
Allergen Labeling: Operational Guidance for the 2026 Update
Tsuyoshi TADA,
Deputy Director, Food Labeling Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of Japan
09:50
Q&A
3 GLOBAL CONTEXT: FAO/WHO PERSPECTIVES ON FOOD ALLERGEN RISK
Moderator:
Geoffry SMITH,
President, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) SEA Region;
Representative, Asian Life Sciences Institutes Network (ALSIN)
10:00
International Perspective:
Science-Based Approaches for Managing Food Allergen Risks
Kang ZHOU,
Food Safety Officer,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
10:20
Food Allergy in Asia— Public Health Perspective
Gyanendra GONGAL,
Senior Public Health Officer, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia; Adjunct Professor, City University of Hong Kong
10:40
Q&A
10:50
☕ MORNING REFRESHMENT BREAK
4 INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP IN FOOD ALLERGEN RISK MANAGEMENT
Moderator:
Kang ZHOU,
Food Safety Officer,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
11:00
Global Rules, Local Realities:
Harmonizing Allergen Strategy with Japan’s Requirements
Jantra DAOLERT,
Food Safety & Quality Expert, Nestle Japan Ltd.
11:30
More Than Testing: Your Dedicated Partner in Environmental Allergen Management
Johnny QUECK,
ASPAC Business Development & GKA Director, Mérieux NutriSciences
11:40
Practical Approach to Allergen Detection, Risk Assessment, and Preventive Controls
Linda NADEEM,
Associate Director Food Safety Lead AMEA, Mars Snacking
12:00
Q&A
5 CLINICAL SCIENCE
Moderator:
Motohiro EBISAWA,
Director, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology,
National Hospital Organization Sagamihara National Hospital; FAA 2026 Conference Chair
12:10
Determining Eliciting Doses and Their Clinical Application:
Evidence from Japanese Population Studies
Kyohei TAKAHASHI,
Chief, Division of Epidemiological Statistics,
Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, NHO Sagamihara National Hospital
12:30
Gluten Safety in Coeliac Disease: Thresholds, Reference Doses, and Risk
Jason TYE-DIN,
Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI)
12:50
Q&A
13:00
🍱 NETWORKING LUNCH
6 RISK SCIENCE & THRESHOLDS – GLOBAL BENCHMARKS AND IMPLEMENTATION
Moderator:
Clare MILLS,
Professor, Food and Molecular Immunology,
School of Bioscience, The University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
14:10
Harmonization of Global Food Allergen Risk Assessment:
The Practical Application of Reference Doses
Benjamin REMINGTON,
Managing Director, Remington Consulting Group B.V.
14:30
Quantitative Exposure Assessment of Allergenic Proteins:
Implications for Allergen Labeling in Japan
Hiroshi AKIYAMA,
Director of Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science Course; Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Hoshi University
14:50
From Science to Policy:
Implementing Thresholds for Harmonized Operations and Enforcement
Simon BROOKE-TAYLOR,
Director / Principal Consultant, Brooke-Taylor & Co Pty Ltd.
15:10
Q&A
15:20
☕ AFTERNOON REFRESHMENT BREAK
7 IMPLEMENTATION IN PRACTICE: LABELING & COMMUNICATION
Moderator:
Simon BROOKE-TAYLOR,
Director / Principal Consultant, Brooke-Taylor & Co Pty Ltd.
15:30
When Law Meets Science: Lessons from Japan’s 10 ppm Regulation & Risk Assessment
Tatsuki FUKUIE,
Director of Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan
15:50
Communicating Residual Allergen Risks: Gaining Consumer Trust
Paul TURNER,
Professor of Anaphylaxis, Paediatric Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London
16:10
Q&A
8 APPLYING ALLERGEN TESTING –
MONITORING, DOCUMENTATION & DATA MANAGEMENT
Moderator:
Joseph BAUMERT,
Professor, Food Allergy Research & Resource Program, University of Nebraska
16:20
Data Management for Allergen Testing & Documentation
Annette J. SAUER,
Market Development & Product Manager, Food & Feed Analysis, R-Biopharm AG
16:40
Reliable Detection, Reliable Safety:
The Morinaga Advantage in ELISA and Rapid Testing for Allergen Control
Masayoshi TOMIKI,
Senior Manager, PhD, Morinaga BioScience, Inc.
16:50
The Role of Allergen Analysis Across the Supply Chain:
From Production to Consumption
Jasmine LACIS-LEE,
Director Food Science Centre, Merieux NutriSciences AQ;
President and Board Chair, Allergen Bureau
Video Recording
17:10
Q&A
9 ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES IN ALLERGEN TESTING METHODS & VALIDATION
Moderator:
Melanie DOWNS,
Associate Professor, Food Allergy Research and Resource Program,
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
17:20
Pilot Study on Inter-Laboratory Proficiency Testing Using
the Official Japanese ELISA Method with incurred Food Samples
Hiroshi AKIYAMA,
Director of Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science Course;
Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Hoshi University
17:40
A Universal Immunoassay Platform for Proteomics-Driven Biomarkers:
Combining Anti-Peptide Monoclonal Antibodies and Structural Linearization for Food Allergen Analysis
Masahiro SHOJI,
Consultant, Bio-Innova Co. Ltd.
18:00
Validation Results of the Japanese Official Allergen Testing Methods
Norimasa TAMEHIRO,
Section Chief, National Institute of Health Sciences
18:20
Q&A
18:30
CONCLUSION OF DAY 1

Day 2 — July 2, 2026

THE NEXT FRONTIER OF FOOD ALLERGEN SAFETY

10 ADVANCING ALLERGEN SAFETY OF NOVEL AND ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS
Moderator:
Clare MILLS,
Professor, Food and Molecular Immunology, School of Bioscience, The University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
09:00
Allergencity Assessment of Novel Food Proteins: Processing Considerations
Joseph BAUMERT,
Professor, Food Allergy Research & Resource Program, University of Nebraska
09:20
Bioinformatic Assessment of Allergen Risk from Alternative Proteins in Foods
Philip JOHNSON,
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
09:40
Allergenicity Analysis in a Risk Assessment Context
Clare MILLS,
Professor, Food and Molecular Immunology, School of Bioscience,
The University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
10:00
Edible Insects as Emerging Food Allergens in Asia
Sirinrat SRIKULNATH,
Scientist, Professional Level,
Institute of Food Research and Product Development, Kasetsart University
10:20
Q&A
10:30
☕ MORNING REFRESHMENT BREAK
11 ADVANCED ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR ALLERGEN DETECTION:
MATRICES, STANDARDS & PROTEOMICS
Moderator:
Jason TYE-DIN,
Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI)
10:40
Advanced Analytical Perspective on Food Allergens in Complex Matrices:
Implications for VITAL Risk Management
CHEN Hongbing,
Professor, Sino-German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, China
Video Recording
11:00
The Necessity of Standard Samples and Validation of Analytical Methods
Hiroshi AKIYAMA,
Director of Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science Course; Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Hoshi University
11:20
Case Studies in Allergen Analysis Using Proteomics
Michelle COLGRAVE,
Professor of Food and Agricultural Proteomics, Edith Cowan University
11:40
Q&A + Discussion
11:50
🍱NETWORKING LUNCH
12 SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE:
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL & RISK ASSESSMENT APPROACHES
Moderator:
Kang ZHOU, Food Safety Officer, Food Safety and Quality Unit, FAO
13:00
State-of-the-art Validation of Test Kits for Allergen and Gluten Determination
Markus LACORN,
Director of R&D, Validation and Deputy Head of R&D, Food & Feed,
R-Biopharm AG
13:20
Diagnosing Food Allergy - Utility of Allergen Components
Eva SÖDERGREN,
Nutritionist, Senior Manager Allergy, Global Medical & Scientific Affairs,
ImmunoDiagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Phadia AB
13:40
From Matrix to Protein:
The Evolving Approach to Allergen Quantification in Food
Yong Wee LIAU,
Managing Director, Romer Labs Asia Pacific
13:55
From MS Data to Risk Assessment:
Interpreting Allergen Quantification for Safety Decisions
Melanie DOWNS,
Associate Professor, Food Allergy Research and Resource Program,
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
14:15
Q&A
13 ALLERGEN MANAGEMENT IN FOODSERVICE / RESTAURANTS
Moderator:
Simon BROOKE-TAYLOR,
Director / Principal Consultant, Brooke-Taylor & Co Pty Ltd.
14:25
Key Learnings from Codex Allergen Management
Maiko NAKASHIMA,
General Manager, Food Safety Platform Construction Department, Group Food Safety Standards Division, Zensho Holdings Co., Ltd.
14:40
Applying VITAL® Principles in QSR Settings & Communications
Lisa CLARK,
Manager, Allergen Bureau
PANEL DISCUSSION
14:55
Panel: How Can AU/NZ QSR Guidance Be Applied in Japan?
Moderator:
Simon BROOKE-TAYLOR,
Director / Principal Consultant, Brooke-Taylor & Co Pty Ltd.
Panelists:
Lisa CLARK,
Manager, Allergen Bureau
Tsutomu KOITABASHI,
Head of Food Safety, Zensho Holdings Co., Ltd.
Kumi MIZUTANI,
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital
15:25
☕ AFTERNOON REFRESHMENT BREAK
14 PANEL DISCUSSION – FRONTIERS IN ALLERGEN RISK COMMUNICATION
Moderator:
Takeshi YAMASAKI,
President, NPO, Science of Food Safety and Security, Tokyo (SFSS)
15:35
Introduction by Moderator
Takeshi YAMASAKI,
President, NPO, Science of Food Safety and Security, Tokyo (SFSS)
15:45
Food Allergy Labeling System from The Consumer's Perspective
Maki MORITA,
Representative, Food Communication Compass (FOOCOM)
15:55
Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union's Initiatives Regarding Food Allergens
Hitoshi INOUE,
Operating Officer (Quality Assurance), Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union
16:05
Allergen Management in Japan’s Food Service Industry:
Efforts and Future Challenges
Yasunobu YAMASHITA,
Representative Director, Food Sanitation 78 Co., Ltd.
16:15
Q&A + Discussions
15 PANEL – PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO ALLERGEN RISK MANAGEMENT
Moderator:
Hiroshi AKIYAMA,
Director of Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science Course; Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Hoshi University
16:35
Welcome & Introduction by Moderator
Hiroshi AKIYAMA,
Director of Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science Course; Professor, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Hoshi University
16:40
Single-Laboratory Validation Results of a Qualitative Immunochromatographic Test for Egg Allergen in Foods
Mina ITO,
Manager, Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.
16:45
Practical Examples of Allergen Risk Management at Manufacturing Sites
Yukie SUNAGA,
Manager, Kewpie Corporation
16:50
Initiatives for "Minimum Necessary Allergen Avoidance" and
"Early Allergen Introduction" at Home: The Case of House Foods Group
Chiaki MEGUMI,
Group Manager, House Foods Group Inc.　
16:55
Risk Management System for Food Allergens in Meiji
Hikari ITO,
Research Division, Meiji Co., Ltd.
17:00
Q&A / Moderated Discussion
16 LIVE ALLERGEN CRISIS SIMULATION WORKSHOP
17:20
Workshop Leader:
Benjamin REMINGTON, Managing Director, Remington Consulting Group B.V.
Contributors:
Joseph BAUMERT, Professor, Food Allergy Research & Resource Program, University of Nebraska
17 CLOSING REMARKS
18:20
Wrap Up
Geoffry SMITH,
President, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) SEA Region;
Representative, Asian Life Sciences Institutes Network (ALSIN)
18:30
CONCLUSION OF FAA 2026