New Report
Adoption of the FDA Food Code by Agencies Report Available
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) National Retail Food Team (NRFT) monitors adoption of the FDA Food Code by State and Territorial regulatory agencies in the United States responsible for the regulation of restaurants and/or retail food stores. Adoption of the Food Code represents a successful federal/state/ local partnership in improving food safety and signals commitment to the goal of preventing and reducing the incidence of foodborne illness in retail and foodservice establishments in the United States. FDA Retail Food Specialists (Specialists) assess the Food Code adoption activities within each State and territory for the 2021 calendar year. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) analyzes and compiles the information gathered by these Specialists into a report that includes the version of the FDA Food Code adopted by each State and Territorial regulatory agency.
The report covers the period ending December 31, 2021.
View the report here.
Posted 6/21/22
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2022 AFDO Annual Educational Conference Meets in Person
More than 460 people registered for this year’s AFDO Annual Educational Conference held last week in Phoenix. The 126th annual conference was the first in person meeting since 2019.
The conference featured workshops, federal regulatory updates, general informational sessions and track offerings for food, retail, cannabis, produce, and body art. Sprinkled throughout were networking and award events.
Saturday pre-conference workshops included Retail HACCP Validation and Verification, Retail Active Managerial Controls – Train-the-Trainer, and Mutual Reliance in Action – Utilization of State Regulatory Sampling and Lab Analytical Package.
On Sunday, nearly 140 attendees listened to ten International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) research projects. The presenters were fellows from Cohort X, representing local and state health departments, state agriculture departments and the U.S. Army, who all completed a year-long Fellowship in Food Protection with IFPTI from 2021-2022. Over the course of the conference, the 2022 cohort was recognized along with the 2019 and 2020 cohorts who were not able to attend an in-person AFDO conference during their cohort year.
More than 120 first-time attendees checked in for the AEC resulting in a full house for the first-time attendee and mentor event.
On Monday, FDA ORA’s senior leaders shared information about key programmatic initiatives and provided an update on significant operational changes. Thanks to moderator Barbara Cassens, Director, OP and the panel including
- Dr. Judith McMeekin, Associate Commissioner
- Dan Solis, Assistant Commissioner
- Michael Rogers, Assistant Commissioner
- Erik Mettler, Assistant Commissioner
- Glenda Barfell, Assistant Commissioner
- Paul Norris, Director, Office of Regulatory Science
During Tuesday's general session, the FDA, CDC and USDA participate in a Q and A. Thank you to Dr. Robert Tauxe, CDC, Donald Prater, FDA, and Paul Kiecker, FSIS/ USDA for entertaining questions on a wide range of topics.
From the Sunday opening session to the closing events on Wednesday, the conference had something for everyone. Next week we will review additional highlights right here in eNews.
Posted 6/21/22
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2022 AFDO Conference Names Award & Scholarship Winners
The AFDO Educational Conference included the presentation of multiple awards. The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Wiley Award during the Tuesday night banquet of the same name. AFDO’s Pat Kennelly was honored with this award for overall achievement in the food safety field. Courtney Bidney from General Mills was recognized for her service as a member of Industry with the 2022 Associates Award.
The Elliott Grosvenor Award was given to two organizations for 2022. Congratulations to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – Rapid Response Team, nominated by Brad Deacon and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services, nominated by Sheri Morris.
The Continuing Education Tuition Reimbursement Award for food safety professionals desiring to continue their education was awarded to Lauren Dinauer, Environmental Health Specialist I, Pima County Health Department, Consumer Health and Food Safety
The George M. Burditt/Betsy B. Woodward/Denise C. Rooney $2,500 Scholarships for students in their 3rd year of higher education study who are planning to pursue a career in food safety were awarded to:
- Reese Caldwell, Harvard University, Major: AB, Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
- Mary Glossop, University of Cincinnati, Major: Medical Laboratory Science Allied Health Baccalaureate
- Haley Ritchie, The University of Findlay, Major: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability
Posted 6/21/22
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States Encouraged to Share Produce Environmental Monitoring Survey
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) grant CONTACT was funded by USDA in 2020 for four years. This project was specifically developed to respond to a critical national problem that is dramatically affecting specialty crop producers and processors: food safety and implementation of new FSMA regulations.
The objective is to assess health, economic, and risk impacts of food safety systems in consultation with the produce industry, regulators, a national network of extension specialists, and world expert leaders in produce safety.
It is for states to share with produce packing operations in their respective jurisdictions.
- The purpose of this study is to identify standard practices for environmental monitoring in produce packing. We anticipate up to 4000 subjects will take part in the research.
- What will I be asked to do if I take part? The EMP survey will take about 10 minutes to complete.
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative has developed a survey to gather information on environmental monitoring programs used in produce operations. It is anonymous and requires less than 10 minutes. The results of this survey will drive our SCRI grant - CONTACT research and extension efforts on this topic.
Feel free to distribute to others ~ the more information we can gather, the more useful our outputs will be. Thank you again for all your support!
Share the survey in your jurisdiction by sharing this link: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e52Flgok6Aq2mkR
Posted 6/21/22
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AFDO Guidance for "Approved Source" for Retail Food Establishments and the Produce Safety Rule
With the passage of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the FDA has adopted 21 CFR 112 Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (referred to as the Produce Safety Rule). The Produce Safety Rule is complex and has led to many questions from the state and local regulatory food safety jurisdictions as to how it may impact the interpretation of the “approved” source at the retail level. This guidance document will help clarify the issues surrounding fresh produce, which are Raw Agricultural Commodities (RACs) that are locally grown, sourced, and sold in retail food establishments.
Read the full guidance here.
Posted 6/5/22
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Southeast Region’s Annual EH Conference
Registration is now open for the Interstate Environmental Health Association’s annual Environmental Health seminar, hosted this summer by the state of Maryland. The seminar will be July 20-22, 2022, at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City. EHS teams from the Southeast region are encouraged to attend. States included are AL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV, VA & MD. The agenda features localized topics, such as the response to Ellicott City floods and Maryland’s part in the infant formula investigation. There will be regional presentations covering everything from cottage foods to lead and COVID tracing in wastewater to illegal camping and food. Each day features networking opportunities and exhibits. The training is pending approval for 8.75 CEUs. Cost is $125 at https://www.ciclt.net/sn/events/e_signup.aspx?
View the flyer
Posted 6/5/22
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FDA Epidemiologist/HHS
This position is located in the Office of Food Policy and Response (OFPR), Office of the Commissioner (OC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The incumbent serves as senior Epidemiologist for Foodborne Outbreak and Response, providing executive leadership, direction, and coordination over policy initiatives involving food safety modernization activities and human food-safety programs.
USA Jobs announcement can be found at FDA-OFPR-MP-22-11494894DT- USAJOBS - Job Announcement
Posted 6/21/22
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Other Training Opportunities
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Paster Training, Inc.
Paster Training, Inc – Food and Alcohol training and consulting for Retailers and Manufacturers.
The education you need from experienced trainers and consultants.
FSMA Training - VIRTUAL and CLASSROOM AVAILABLE! Dates and Times available on the Paster website.
- Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF), Full and Part 2
- Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Assessment (IAVA)
- Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), Full and Part 2
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
Retail Training – VIRTUAL and CLASSROOM AVAILABLE! Dates and Times available on the Paster website.
- Certified Protection Food Manager (CPFM)
- Food Handler/Food Employee
- HACCP Manager
- HACCP Employee
- Food Defense
- SPANISH TRAINING AVAILABLE!!!!!
Not seeing what you need, visit www.pastertraining.com or call 610.970.1776 to inquire about both public or private classes or consulting services.
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The Food Safety Doctor LLC
Promoting Public Health and Food Safety through Training and FSMA Awareness
While sheltering in place, The Food Safety Doctor LLC is offering
FSMA Compliance Courses - Virtual Instructor Led Training (vILT)
Information Page
Click here to access the schedule of PCQI courses
Click here to access the schedule of FSVP-QI courses
Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Qualified Individuals (IAVA-QI) Courses
Click here to access the schedule of IAVA-QI courses
ONLINE Foreign Supplier Verification Courses (FSVP-QI) Courses
Click here to access the schedule of FSVP-QI courses
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Laws and Regulations Committee Updates
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Laws and Regulations Committee Update
A collection of current food, drug, device, and consumer product regulatory issues and news
June 6 - 9, 2022
June 10 - 14, 2022
June 15 - 17, 2022
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