AOAC Southeast Asia Section

22/08/2026

📢 ATTENTION ALL STUDENT RESEARCHERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA! 🚨

Great news! The deadline to submit your entries for the AOAC Southeast Asia Section Student Awards 2026 has been official EXTENDED to 30 AUGUST 2026!

If you can't make it on the original cutoff on 24 August 2026, there is still enough time for you to showcase your scientific research across the region and elevate your academic profile. 🌟

🎁 Why Should You Apply?

> Cash awards for selected winners presented at the conference, along with a potential opportunity to deliver an oral presentation;
> E-certificate issued by the AOAC SEA Section;
> Formal recognition featured on the AOAC SEA Section communication channels; and
> (Optional) Chance to volunteer with the Training of Young Scientists Working Group and grow as an emerging leader in the community.

🔬 Eligible Topics:

Submissions are open for research covering food safety, food quality, and analytical science, including:

>Adulteration
> Contamination
> Microbiology
> Ingredients
> Bioactive substances
> Genetic modification
> Alternative proteins

📅 Key Dates to Remember

Application Deadline: 24 August 2026
EXTENDED Application Deadline: 30 August 2026
Evaluation Period: Starts 24 August 2026
Winner Announcement: Week of 14 September 2026
AOAC SEA 5th Annual Conference: 20-21 October 2026

📥 Ready to Submit?

1. View Full Guidelines & Publicity Material:
📄 https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAStudentAwards2026

2. Submit Your Application:
📝 https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAStudentAwardsSubmission

Note: Applicants must be enrolled in a tertiary education institution in Southeast Asia and registered as a FREE Student Member of AOAC INTERNATIONAL.

📧 For inquiries, contact:
[email protected]

08/08/2026

🚀 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Join us for the 5th Annual AOAC Southeast Asia Section (SEA) Conference, happening on 20–21 October 2026 at the prestigious Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta, Indonesia!

This year’s conference centers on the critical theme:
💡 "Navigating the Future of Food Safety: Innovation, Resilience, and Harmonization"

It is organized in collaboration with our co-host, the Pusat Pengembangan Pengujian Obat dan Makanan (PPPOMN), Republic of Indonesia, and our association partner, the Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP).

Why Attend?

As the 2024 and 2026 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Section of the Year, the AOAC Southeast Asia Section connects 11 countries across government, industry, and academia. Building on the success of our previous annual gatherings, this year's conference expects over 200 delegates and offers you the chance to:

🔬 Gain Key Insights: Hear expert presentations on analytical science, food safety standards, and regional method harmonization.

🤝 Network & Collaborate: Connect with regulatory leaders, technical experts, and researchers across Southeast Asia and beyond.

🌐 Shape the Future: Participate in critical discussions aimed at ensuring food integrity and international trade compliance.

Registration Fee Rates

Early Bird Rate (Expires 01 Sep 2026)
Regular Participant - S$200
Student - S$50

Regular Rate (01 Sep – 19 Oct 2026)
Regular Participant - S$250
Student - S$100

Note: All fees are in Singapore Dollars (NET amount).

Payment is accepted via credit/debit card only. Please note that on-site registration will NOT be available.

How to Register

📲 Direct Payment Link: https://buy.stripe.com/7sY9AU5Ke9H89dG38Kao802

📷 QR Code: Scan the QR code on our official event poster!

🌐 Conference Details & Updates:
Visit the AOAC SEA Conference Website
https://www.aoac-sea.org/2026-annual-meeting/

Secure your place early to enjoy discounted rates before 01 September 2026!

04/08/2026

📢 CALL FOR ENTRIES: AOAC SEA Section Student Awards 2026! 🔬✨

Attention all young scientists and emerging researchers in Southeast Asia! Are you ready to present your research, gain regional recognition, and boost your professional network? 🌟

The AOAC Southeast Asia Section is excited to announce the launch of the 2026 Student Awards Competition!

This year’s conference theme focuses on "Navigating the Future of Food Safety: Innovation, Resilience, and Harmonization." We are inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam to submit their scientific work.

🎁 Why Should You Apply?

> Cash awards for selected winners presented at the conference, along with a potential opportunity to deliver an oral presentation;
> E-certificate issued by the AOAC SEA Section;
> Formal recognition featured on the AOAC SEA Section communication channels; and
> (Optional) Chance to volunteer with the Training of Young Scientists Working Group and grow as an emerging leader in the community.

🔬 Eligible Topics:

Submissions are open for research covering food safety, food quality, and analytical science, including:

>Adulteration
> Contamination
> Microbiology
> Ingredients
> Bioactive substances
> Genetic modification
> Alternative proteins

📅 Key Dates to Remember

Application Deadline: 24 August 2026
Evaluation Period: Starts 24 August 2026
Winner Announcement: Week of 14 September 2026
AOAC SEA 5th Annual Conference: 20-21 October 2026

📥 Ready to Submit?

1. View Full Guidelines & Publicity Material:
📄 https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAStudentAwards2026

2. Submit Your Application:
📝 https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAStudentAwardsSubmission

Note: Applicants must be enrolled in a tertiary education institution in Southeast Asia and registered as a FREE Student Member of AOAC INTERNATIONAL.

📧 For inquiries, contact:
[email protected]

18/07/2026

5th AOAC SEA Section Annual Conference
CONFERENCE VENUE ANNOUNCED

The 5th AOAC Southeast Asia (SEA) Section Annual Conference will be held at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia, on 20–21 October 2026, in collaboration with Pusat Pengembangan Pengujian Obat dan Makanan (PPPOMN) Republic of Indonesia as co-host and Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) as association partner.

The 2026 conference theme is “Navigating the Future of Food Safety: Innovation, Resilience, and Harmonization.”

Since our formation in 2021, AOAC SEA Section has grown into a vital hub encompassing 11 countries. We bring together a community of government regulators, industry experts, and academic leaders to establish strong analytical science and method enabling food safety and food integrity across Southeast Asia. AOAC SEA Section was honored as the AOAC International Section of the Year in 2024 and once again awarded this year 2026, a testament to our commitment to excellence and regional impact.

Building on the success of previous events, including the 2024 conference on Bringing Together Government, Industry, and Academia to Advance Analytical Excellence for Food Safety in Manila, Philippines, and the 2025 conference on Advancing Food Safety and Quality: Innovation, Standards, and Collaboration in Bangkok, Thailand, this year’s conference will continue to unite dedicated professionals from Southeast Asia and beyond.

We warmly invite you to join us at AOAC SEA Section 2026 annual conference. We are expecting to attract over 200 delegates, with a diverse mix of public and private sector representatives and academia. The program will feature insightful presentations, engaging discussions, meaningful connections, and valuable collaborations.

To learn more on how you may partner and be sponsor, please contact [email protected].

To access materials on AOAC SEA Section past annual conferences, please see Past Events – AOAC Southeast Asia (https://www.aoac-sea.org/).

Registration detail and full agenda will be announced soon through our website, Facebook, and Linkedin.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL

09/07/2026

📢 Your Expertise is Needed! Help Harmonize Global Halal Analytical Methods

The AOAC Joint Expert Core Team (Arab & Southeast Asia Sections) is actively conducting a survey aimed at "Strengthening scientific alignment and facilitating mutual recognition of Halal analytical practices globally."

If you are a stakeholder, scientist, or professional in the Halal food sector, your insights are crucial to creating a unified, scientifically sound framework.

⏳ Deadline: The survey closes on 22 July 2026.

👉 Take the survey today: https://bit.ly/aoachalalq

Have questions? Reach out to the core team at:

📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

Let’s advance scientific alignment together. Please share this within your technical networks!

AOAC INTERNATIONAL

08/07/2026

AOAC Southeast Asia (SEA) Section Named 2026 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Section of the Year!

We are proud to announce that the AOAC Southeast Asia Section has been selected as the 2026 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Section of the Year. This prestigious recognition was announced by AOAC INTERNATIONAL President Gary Swanson on 25 June 2026.

This award recognizes the dedication, leadership, and collective efforts of our members, volunteers, Executive Committee, scientific advisors, working groups, and industry partners who have contributed significantly to the growth and impact of the AOAC Southeast Asia Section over the years. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing analytical science, fostering regional collaboration, supporting professional development, and promoting AOAC’s mission throughout Southeast Asia.

The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Sections Committee highlighted several key contributions that led to this recognition, including the MOSH/MOAH workshops and the Pesticides in Spices and Herbs Initiative. The latter has since evolved into a global AOAC INTERNATIONAL project, while the former is expected to follow a similar path. These achievements demonstrate how AOAC sections can drive initiatives at the regional level that create significant impact internationally. They also showcase the value of collaboration between AOAC sections, local regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and external organizations in addressing emerging analytical challenges and advancing scientific solutions.

The award will be formally presented during the 2026 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, at the Awards Ceremony on 31 August 2026.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all members and supporters whose passion, dedication, and contributions have made this achievement possible. This recognition belongs to the entire AOAC Southeast Asia Section community, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to strengthen scientific excellence, foster meaningful partnerships, and advance collaboration across the region and beyond.

Congratulations to the AOAC Southeast Asia Section community on this outstanding achievement!

20/06/2026

Save the Date: 5th AOAC International Southeast Asia Section Annual Conference! 🗓️

We are thrilled to officially announce the dates and location for this year's landmark event. Mark your calendars as the regional analytical science community gathers in the vibrant city of Jakarta!

🔹 When: 20-21 October 2026
🔹 Where: Jakarta, Indonesia

As we prepare to bring together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals from across Southeast Asia and beyond, we promise an insightful program dedicated to advancing analytical excellence and food safety.

Full conference details, including registration, specific venue, and line up of speakers and topics, will be released soon.

🔗 Stay updated by visiting the official website: https://www.aoac-sea.org/


AOAC Southeast Asia Section
AOAC INTERNATIONAL

16/06/2026

Shaping the Future of Global Halal Testing Standards!

Are you a laboratory professional, researcher, or regulatory expert involved in Halal food testing? Your expertise is needed to help bridge global analytical gaps!

The AOAC Joint Expert Core Team on the Harmonization of Analytical Methods for Halal Food Certification (a collaboration between the AOAC Arab Section and AOAC Southeast Asia Section) has officially launched a global survey.

Our goal? To build a science-based roadmap that reduces technical barriers to trade and strengthens international confidence in Halal certification systems through harmonized testing benchmarks.

📊 How your insights will help:

1. Map existing regulatory frameworks and certification requirements;

2. Identify the current analytical methods and technical challenges in use;

3. Understand accreditation practices across jurisdictions; and

4. Capture key parameters for Halal verification (such as alcohol, porcine DNA, and animal origin)

🕒 Deadline: 22 JULY 2026
🔗 Participate here: https://bit.ly/aoachalalq

Let’s advance scientific alignment together. Please share this within your technical networks!

AOAC INTERNATIONAL

22/05/2026

Post-Event Wrap-Up: Mycotoxin Standardization Webinar Achieves Great Success

On 22 May 2026, the AOAC Southeast Asia Section Working Group on Harmonization of Methods successfully hosted its highly anticipated webinar titled: “Harmonizing the Future: Standardizing MYCOTOXIN Detection and Quantification Across Southeast Asia.”

The two-hour live event brought together food safety professionals, regulators, and researchers from across the region to discuss standardizing testing protocols to combat mycotoxin contamination in the food supply chain.

Key Highlights:

Expert Perspectives: Industry leaders Wee Siew Moi and Wai Chinn Chan from the Nestlé Quality Assurance Center (Singapore) provided dual perspectives on regional contaminant management and laboratory ex*****on.

Technical Deep-Dive: The presentations shed light on the complexities of mycotoxin analytical testing, highlighting emerging methodologies and the critical need for standard validation frameworks across Southeast Asian laboratories.

Active Q&A Forum: Attendees actively engaged with the panel, bringing up critical troubleshooting questions, such as the viability of ELISA methods when testing masked or conjugated mycotoxins. Questions about challenges in the harmonization initiatives were also raised.

A massive thank you to our expert speakers from the Nestlé Quality Assurance Center in Singapore for sharing their invaluable insights and practical expertise:

> Wee Siew Moi
Chemical Contaminants Expert for Nestlé’s Asia, Oceania & Africa Region

> Wai Chinn Chan
Laboratory Manager

Conclusion

The webinar underscored AOAC Southeast Asia Section’s ongoing commitment to building a unified, scientifically rigorous approach to food safety. By aligning regional testing standards, the working group aims to facilitate smoother trade and guarantee safer food for consumers across the ASEAN region.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in live, raised insightful questions, and contributed to the discussion. Together, we are raising the bar for food safety standards across ASEAN!

Missed it? Stay tuned to our social media channels under the hashtag for announcements regarding upcoming sessions and access to future event materials.

19/05/2026

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER!

Advancing Food Safety through Harmonization

The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Southeast Asia (SEA) Section, through its Working Group on Harmonization of Methods, is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar titled "Harmonizing the Future: Standardizing MYCOTOXIN Detection and Quantification Across Southeast Asia."

This session will delve into the critical efforts and methodologies required to unify mycotoxin testing standards within the region.

Event Details

Date: 22 May 2026 (Friday)

Time: 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM (UTC+8)

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAWebinarMycotoxins

Featured Speakers

We are honored to host two distinguished experts from the Nestlé Quality Assurance Center, Singapore:

Miss Wee Siew Moi
Chemical Contaminants Expert for Nestlé’s Asia, Oceania & Africa Region

Ms. Wai Chinn Chan
Laboratory Manager

Why Attend?

As food safety remains a top priority, the harmonization of detection and quantification methods is essential for ensuring consistency and accuracy across borders. Participants will gain professional insights into the current landscape of mycotoxin analysis and the collaborative efforts driving regional standardization.

Advancing Food Safety through Harmonization

The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Southeast Asia (SEA) Section, through its Working Group on Harmonization of Methods, is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar titled "Harmonizing the Future: Standardizing MYCOTOXIN Detection and Quantification Across Southeast Asia."

This session will delve into the critical efforts and methodologies required to unify mycotoxin testing standards within the region.

Event Details

Date: 22 May 2026 (Friday)

Time: 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM (UTC+8)

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/AOACSEAWebinarMycotoxins

Featured Speakers

We are honored to host two distinguished experts from the Nestlé Quality Assurance Center, Singapore:

Miss Wee Siew Moi
Chemical Contaminants Expert for Nestlé’s Asia, Oceania & Africa Region

Ms. Wai Chinn Chan
Laboratory Manager

Why Attend?

As food safety remains a top priority, the harmonization of detection and quantification methods is essential for ensuring consistency and accuracy across borders. Participants will gain professional insights into the current landscape of mycotoxin analysis and the collaborative efforts driving regional standardization.