National Grocery Manufacturers and Surgeon General learn the latest from local

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Released: Friday, January 30, 2009

BATON ROUGE - Members of the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association and the U.S Surgeon General gathered yesterday and today to hear the latest findings in nutrition and health from scientists of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Center leaders and the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation welcomed the GMA to Baton Rouge for a two day scientific research symposium entitled, “Cultivating a Healthy Population: The Intersection of Food and Health.” (GMA) Senior Vice President and Chief Science and Regulatory Affairs Officer Dr. Robert E. Brackett, corporate scientific officers and nutritionists from national and international food and beverage companies joined Center researchers to collaborate on food, nutrition and health issues facing our nation and our communities.

According to Dr. Brackett, “Each day the news media reports on our nation’s growing public health concerns – from childhood obesity to the debilitating effects of aging. As the makers of the world’s most prominent food and consumer products, GMA member companies have the opportunity to help some solve some of these public health challenges by learning about Pennington’s exciting biomedical research portfolio.”

Special guest and Keynote Speaker of the symposium dinner was the Acting U.S. Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D. M.P.H., who outlined current federal policy as it relates to health, nutrition, and science innovation.

Leaders of the Center said they were pleased to have this opportunity to discuss health challenges with the U.S. Surgeon General and the GMA members. PBRC is actively working to find preventive solutions to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer and dementia.

Photo available at URL: http://www.pbrc.edu/photos/GMA-Bouchard-Brackett.jpg

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The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. It is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes approximately 80 faculty and more than 25 post-doctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories supported by lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and support personnel, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical's more than 500 employees perform research activities in state-of-the-art facilities on the 222-acre campus located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.