commentary
AMSA
American Meat Science Association
Announces Details for the 78th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference
This year’s event in ColumbUs, Ohio, is co-hosted by JBT-Marel and The Ohio State University.
AMSA
By DEIDREA MABRY
The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) is proud to unveil the agenda for its 78th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC), taking place June 23–25, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. As the premier gathering of meat science professionals, the RMC offers a rich platform for scientific exchange, professional development, and collaborative innovation. This years program features subject matter tracks including Meat Nutrition Research and Dietary Role of Protein; Impact of Environmental Stress on Meat; Food Safety Deep Dive into Listeria; Innovations in Cured Meat Processing; Meat Quality & Carcass Evaluation; Research Developments in Muscle Biology and Proteomics.
This year’s conference, co-hosted by JBT-Marel and The Ohio State University, features a robust program of keynote addresses, technical sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops focused on the latest research and challenges facing the meat industry.
Keynote highlights
The opening keynote on Monday, June 23, will be delivered by Dr. Frédéric Leroy, Professor of Food Science and Technology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Dr. Leroy will challenge oversimplified nutritional paradigms and offer a nuanced perspective on dietary transitions and food systems theory.
On Tuesday, June 24, Dr. Keith Belk of Colorado State University will address the shifting societal role of meat and livestock, focusing on how global food policy is increasingly shaped by ideology rather than scientific evidence. He will highlight the consequences of sidelining science and how these decisions affect industry, research, and consumers.
The Wednesday morning keynote panel, “Meat Science Branding and Consumer Engagement,” will include industry leaders Dr. John Stika, Dr. David Newman, Kelly Coughlin, Shawn Spencer, and Craig Pearce, who will discuss how branding strategies tie back to core meat science values.
The American Meat Science Association is a professional society that fosters community, research, and education in the field of meat science.
Technical and concurrent sessions
The AMSA 78th RMC features six dynamic concurrent technical sessions, including:
- Meat & Human Health: Exploring nutrition research, consumer communication, and dietary fats.
- Combating Heat Stress in Livestock: Addressing physiological impacts of climate change on animal health.
- Food Safety Retrospective: A look back at food safety evolution and persistent challenges, including Listeria control.
- Nitrite in Processed Meats: Updates on curing chemistry, global regulations, and detection methodologies.
- Yield Grade Optimization: Innovative research and technology shaping carcass measurement and production efficiency.
- Proteomics in Meat Science: Cutting-edge protein analysis techniques to improve meat quality and research outcomes.
Wednesday workshops
On the final day, RMC will offer targeted workshops including:
- Effective Outreach and Extension Programming: Strategies for supporting processors and producers.
The Meat Equipment and Technology Workshop will offer an in-depth look into the critical role of equipment design and innovation in shaping the future of meat processing.
- Hot Topics Discussion: Covering emerging concerns like Listeria outbreaks, regulatory changes, and animal disease updates.
The conference will conclude with a preview of the 2026 RMC and a final general session celebrating this year’s insights and collaborations.
About AMSA
The American Meat Science Association is a professional society that fosters community, research, and education in the field of meat science. The RMC is its annual event, drawing professionals, academics, and students from across the globe to share the latest advancements and shape the future of the industry.
For more information or to register, please visit www.meatscience.org/rmc.
All image credits: AMSA
