RESTON, Va., and OAKLAND, Calif. – The newly formed North American Meat Association (NAMA) is partnering with 11 other meat industry organizations, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Beef Industry Food Safety Council (BIFSCo) to host the NAMA Conference on Prevention of Shiga-Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) for Beef Further Processors Oct. 2-3 in Chicago.

The opening session on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, focuses on the challenges and achievements the beef industry has faced with E. coli O157:H7 and the 6 additional STEC strains. The program also includes an update on test methods and ongoing research, and information on the implementation of the FSIS STEC testing program.

Tuesday evening offers a networking reception with table top exhibits by leading food safety companies showcasing their technologies and services.

Wednesday’s agenda opens with special sessions for attendees from Canada, to learn specifically about Canadian policies and issues.

NAMA partner organizations include American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF), American Meat Science Association (AMSA), Canadian Meat Council (CMC), Chicago Mid-West Meat Association (CMMA), Eastern Meat Packers Association (EMPA), International HACCP Alliance (IHA), Meat Import Council of America (MICA), Southeastern Meat Association (SEMA), Southwest Meat Association (SMA), and the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

For more information on the conference, contact NAMA at www.meatassociation.com, or call NAMA at (800)368-3043, Ext. 101.