Introduction to IOFI: Advancing Global Flavor Collaboration
Monday, October 20th | 10:45AM – 12:00PM
Curious to learn more about the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI) and its role in the global flavor landscape? Join us for an engaging session led by Sven Ballschmiede, Executive Director of IOFI, as he shares insights into the organization’s mission to promote the safe use, responsible development, and global trade of flavorings.
Through this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of IOFI’s structure, its key committees, and the resources it provides to support industry alignment and regulatory engagement worldwide. Learn how IOFI works on behalf of its members—including FEMA and other national and regional associations—to harmonize scientific and regulatory approaches, advocate for sound science, and support the sustainable production of flavorings. Sean Taylor, IOFI’s Scientific Director, will describe IOFI’s scientific program and its global impact.
Whether you're new to IOFI or seeking to better understand how its global work supports FEMA’s objectives, this is a unique opportunity to hear directly from IOFI leadership and strengthen your knowledge of and connection to the international flavor community. And just as importantly, you’ll learn more about the tools that IOFI provides to help you in your day-to-day work.
Session Speakers
Sven Ballschmiede
Executive Director, International Organization of the Flavor Industry
Sven Ballschmiede is Executive Director of the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI). Before joining IOFI, Sven served as the Executive Director for the European Flavor Association (EFFA), while simultaneously serving as Executive Director for the German Flavor Association (DVAI) and the German Fragrance Association (DVRH). A native of Saarbrücken (Germany), Sven is a lawyer by training who studied in both Germany and Switzerland. Prior to his career in the world of associations, Sven worked at the International Law Firm Gide Loyrette Nouel in Brussels specializing in International Trade Law and WTO Dispute Settlement. He assisted multinational companies in the context of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures and advised different national governments in dispute settlement procedures at the WTO in Geneva.
Sean Taylor
Scientific Director, International Organization of the Flavor Industry
Sean V. Taylor, PhD, is the Scientific Director of the International Organization of the Flavor Industry and the Scientific Secretary to the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association. Dr. Taylor received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Penn State University in 1992, a Master’s degree from Cornell University in 1995, and a PhD in Chemistry from Cornell in 1998. From 1998-2002, he carried out postdoctoral research in protein engineering, directed evolution, and natural product biosynthetic pathways at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Switzerland. Dr. Taylor was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at The Ohio State University from 2002 to 2005 before beginning his work with the flavor industry, initially as the Assistant Scientific Director for the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association. In 2012 he was named the Scientific Director for FEMA, as well as the Scientific Secretary to the FEMA Expert Panel. In 2013, he assumed the role of Scientific Director for the International Organization of the Flavor Industry while continuing his role as Scientific Secretary to the FEMA Expert Panel.