Expert Selected to Present at Joint FAO/IAEA Training Program

Phenomenex Inc. (USA), a global specialist in the research and manufacture of advanced technologies for the separation sciences, has announced that Serena Lazzaro, the company's global marketing manager for food safety and quality, was selected as a trainer for a recent workshop conducted jointly by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The two-week workshop, "Integrated Analytical Techniques to Control Contaminants in Food," took place in March at the Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory (FEPL) in Seibersdorf, Austria. The training was created for the Latin America and Caribbean network RALACA (Red de Laboratorios de análisis America Latina y el Caribe).  Participants in the workshop represented government and non-government labs as well as representatives from universities involved in controlling and monitoring food supply in developing countries.

Lazzaro presented an overview of sample preparation and HPLC solutions to analyse contaminants in foods as well as evolving food legislation, international standards and method performance requirements. She also reviewed the differences between screening and confirmatory methods.

"Lazzaro has extensive experience and knowledge in the food quality and safety industry," commented Terrell Mathews, marketing director for Phenomenex. "We were delighted that she was asked to present in this important training program, which is part of the United Nations' overall effort to raise the level of nutrition, food safety and quality worldwide."

Prior to joining Phenomenex, Lazzaro was with Federalimentare, the Italian Food and Drink Industry Federation, as food policy advisor in Brussels (Belgium). She has also worked in several government laboratories involved in food safety control, product certification services, support and technical assistance to food business operators. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in organic chemistry from the University of Catania (Italy) and is an expert in quality, safety and certification of agricultural products.

Phenomenex offers screening and confirmatory methods for a variety of food hazards including mycotoxins, environmental and process contaminants, contact materials, pesticides and veterinary product residues, and allergens. With a comprehensive product portfolio of sample preparation products, UHPLC, HPLC and GC columns along with application support and method development services, Phenomenex is also well versed in evolving international food safety guidelines.