The past year's top news stories have included an unusually high number about food safety, from the melamine milk contamination in China to tainted peanut butter in the U.S. Food safety issues like these will be among the hot topics addressed by researchers during the Executive and Technical Series of the 2009 World Tea Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 2-4.

Launched at last year's Expo, the Executive and Technical Series (or ETS) is a high-level conference with content for top executives, research scientists, ingredient managers and product formulators of large companies. It runs concurrently with the Expo but features exclusive sessions, meals and networking for ETS attendees only. Responding to requests by last year's participants for more time with their colleagues, this year's ETS has been expanded to three days.

In keeping with current events, this year's ETS offers attendees opportunities to learn the latest research and policy developments related to food safety issues and functional ingredients.

Sessions on the most talked-about issues facing beverage scientists and executives will be given, including the return of last year's popular market reports by leading national and international data providers.

Each year, World Tea Expo attracts thousands of retailers, tea room owners, spa managers, specialty grocery store owners and other business professionals to view more than 300 specialty tea wholesale suppliers and related vendors exhibiting new products and innovations. The Expo has increased in size and scope for the last six years consecutively, earning it and its organizers multiple awards for growth and vision.

For more information about the 2009 World Tea Expo or Executive and Technical Series, visit www.worldteaexpo.com. To register, go to the website or call 702-253-1893.

From the March 30, 2009, Prepared foods E-dition