Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
New Zealand Food Safety congratulates Professor Phil Bremer for scooping this year’s Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award at New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology’s Food Industry Awards last night (25 June 2025).
In addition to his roles as Professor of Food Science at University of Otago and Chief Scientist New Zealand Food Safety and Scientific Research Centre (NFSSRC), Professor Phil Bremer is also an active member on several industry steering groups.
“We are delighted to present Professor Bremer with the award,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“With more than 40 years of contributions to the food safety sector, Professor Bremer has made a significant contribution to food safety science, publishing more than 200 academic papers.
“His work has helped build effective food safety culture, industry best practice, equipment and processing technology, product and packaging development, and science and research.”
Among his many achievements are leading the development of a guide to prevent contamination of infant formula with Cronobacter, a lethal bacterium for infants under 6 months of age.
“New Zealand dairy companies now benefit from this resource, which helps to ensure the safety of infant formula for the youngest consumers, at home and abroad,” says Mr Arbuckle.
“Professor Bremer has made an immense contribution to the quality and breadth of food safety science in New Zealand, and to the strength of the wider food safety sector, with a number of leadership roles in New Zealand food safety associations and societies across his 40-year career. He also passes on his knowledge undertaking significant post-graduate supervision.”
Mr Arbuckle says New Zealand Food Safety’s ongoing support of the award is an important opportunity to celebrate champions of food safety culture, research and applications in food production.
“We applaud Professor Bremer, all 2025 award nominees and past winners whose contributions and commitment support New Zealand’s world-class food safety system,” says Mr Arbuckle.
Previous winners of the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award include Dr Pierre Venter (2024) and Dr Rob Lake (2023).
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