Dr Rob Lake’s long career in food safety has seen him awarded the 2023 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award, sponsored by New Zealand Food Safety, at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) Awards last night.
"New Zealand Food Safety is pleased to present the Significant Contribution to Food Safety Award to Dr Rob Lake. He has contributed immensely to food safety in New Zealand over his career," said New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop.
"His leadership of countless food safety, foodborne illness, and food hygiene projects have impacted New Zealand’s food safety system and understanding of foodborne illness.
Bishop continued that New Zealand had a robust food safety system, made stronger by studies and research conducted by Lake, with his ongoing work helping New Zealanders to be confident that their food is safe and suitable.
Dr Rob Lake
Lake has made many contributions to food safety across his 35-year career in New Zealand and internationally.
As a highly respected scientist whose research, particularly in estimating the burden of various foodborne illnesses, has helped New Zealand Food Safety effectively prioritise its resources.
He led the 2006 and 2007 acute gastrointestinal illness study, which has become an essential public health tool.
He has also led the national study on campylobacteriosis, the outcome of which has been vital in developing risk-management activities that are expected to reduce significantly the impact of campylobacteriosis on New Zealand’s health system and vulnerable people.
Because of his extensive experience, the World Health Organization invited Lake to work with them on studies on campylobacteriosis and the worldwide burden of foodborne illness.
Previous award winners include Plant and Food’s Food Safety and Preservation team, who won in 2022 for their work in identifying microbiological food safety risks in kiwifruit and apple agencies, and risks from Vibrio organisms in shellfish.
In 2021, the award was won by Denver McGregor from New Zealand King Salmon for his work in maintaining a strong food safety culture within the company and his contributions to the management of Listeria monocytogenes in the field.
"Lake and the other nominees and winners from this and previous years show the innovation and work that goes into maintaining our world-class food safety system in New Zealand.”
New Zealand Food Safety was proud it could help to recognise and celebrate the vital work being done in the field of food safety by so many New Zealanders.
