The International Association for Food Protection Student Professional Development Group (IAFP-SPDG) hosted its inaugural Food Safety Flash: A Visual Science Communication Challenge in 2026. Under the theme “Debunking Food Safety Myths Through Science & Design,” students were challenged to transform scientific evidence into creative and accessible visual messages addressing common food safety misconceptions.

Selected finalists advanced to the live virtual competition on June 30, 2026, where they presented their work in three minutes before a panel of judges. The competition provided students with a unique opportunity to strengthen their visual science communication skills while making food safety information more understandable and accessible to broader audiences. Winners were recognized during the Student Luncheon at the IAFP 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2026 Food Safety Flash Competition Results

·         First Place: Adenike Onaola Adeyanju, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

·         Second Place: Akenio Patterson, University of Georgia.

·         Third Place: Swara Bhatt, Anjana Thankachan, and Arya Niraula, University of Connecticut.