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News Release

June 19, 2006

U of G Participates in Functional Foods Conference

Five University of Guelph faculty and several U of G-affiliated researchers will speak on topics ranging from fatty acids to enhancing omega-3 levels in grain-fed cattle at the “Functional Foods: Emerging Markets for Livestock” conference June 27 and 28 at Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ont. U of G is also a sponsor of the event.

Functional foods – foods enriched with a natural ingredient to enhance the food’s health benefits – have the potential to reduce disease risk, promote health and reduce health-care costs. The two-day conference aims to develop awareness of functional foods as an emerging niche market for the livestock agri-food sector.

The conference will feature animal science, consumer studies and human nutrition experts, as well as workshops led by agricultural scientists developing livestock-based functional food technologies.

On June 27, human health and nutritional sciences professor Bill Bettger will speak on “Canadian Perspectives on Labelling and Regulations for Functional Foods.” Bruce Holub, a University professor emeritus in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, will discuss “Fatty Acid Modification for Better Health.” Animal and poultry science professor Steve Leeson will present “Livestock Research and Functional Foods.”

On June 28, animal and poultry science professor Ira Mandell will lead a workshop on “Enhancing Omega-3 Levels in Grain-Fed Cattle.” Prof. Kees de Lange, also of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, will discuss “A Global View of Research on Functional Pork Products.”

Many researchers with an affiliation to U of G will also speak at the conference, including John Kelly, executive director of MaRS Landing; Larry Milligan, former U of G vice-president (research), and Gord Surgeoner, president of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies.

The conference is jointly organized by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Agricultural Adaptation Council, the George Morris Centre, U of G, the Ontario Agri Business Association, and many livestock commodity organizations.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit the conference website or call 1-877-424-1300.