What: International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruit and Vegetables. The goal of the conference is to exchange information between the agricultural, nutrition and health sciences, and to advance the science related to foods for health.

When: Media Day is Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. During this time, journalists may arrange interviews with the experts on key topics, listed below. The full conference – Oct. 10-13 – is open to journalists. The daily agendas are at http://favhealth2007.tamu.edu/program.htm

Who: About 300 scientists, medical professionals, industry representatives, commodity groups, legislators and students from 38 countries will gather to hear and discuss the latest advances in science relating to the health-maintaining properties of fruits and vegetables. The conference is hosted by the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center of the Texas A&M Agriculture.

Where: Omni Hotel Houston, Four Riverway, Houston. The media room is the Westbury Room on the second floor.

How: To arrange interviews (at the conference or by phone) or for other media assistance, call Kathleen Phillips, 979-324-4302. Note to television stations: some b-roll of fruit/vegetable research is available. Please call prior to Oct. 11 to request.

Suggested topics and experts:

* Global challenges/opportunities of fruits and vegetables for health – Dr. Bhimu Patil, conference chair and director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center at Texas A&M.

* Obesity prevention – Dr. Peter Murano, Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation, Texas A&M.

* Broccoli, cabbage, turnips and mustard greens. A dose a day keeps most cancers away. – Dr. Steven Safe of College Station, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station cancer researcher.

* Tropical fruits and vegetables that prevent cancer – Dr. Nancy Turner of College Station, Experiment Station food and nutrition professor and cancer researcher .

* Wine and health – Dr. Michael McBurney, Texas A&M Department of Nutrition and Food Science head.

* How food interacts with medications – Dr. Bhimu Patil, conference chair and director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center at Texas A&M.

* Pecans aren’t just for holidays any more (they’re packed with antioxidants and just enough of the right kind of fat) – Dr. Leonardo Lombardini of College Station, Experiment Station horticulturist.

* Peaches and the inhibition of breast cancer cells – Dr. David Byrne and Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, both of College Station, Experiment Station horticulturists.

* Squeezing the most from lemons and limes: inhibiting colon cancer and relieving arthritis – Dr. Bhimu Patil, conference chair and director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center at Texas A&M.

* Attention Shoppers! Selling fruit and vegetable science – Ray Prewett of Mission, Texas Citrus Mutual and Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center board member. This session on Friday includes representatives from Sunkist, Campbell Soup Co., Sloan Trends and Solutions, and the Produce for Better Health Foundation.

* Food handling at the farm level: impacts on health – Dr. Leonard Pike of College Station, horticulturist and Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center founder; Dr. Daniel Leskovar of Uvalde, Experiment Station horticulturist.

Also:

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples will speak during a Round Table in Colonnade A&B, Oct. 11 at 3:15 p.m.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs will speak at the banquet in Grand Salon, Oct.11 at 7 p.m.

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