2022 FDA Retail Food Protection Seminar Set for September
The annual Retail Food Protection Seminar provides an opportunity for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state, local, tribal, and territorial regulators to discuss current and emerging issues related to retail food safety. This year’s seminar will focus on norovirus, including assessing employee health, investigating norovirus-related foodborne illnesses, and implementing successful employee health intervention strategies. Attendance at the seminar is a maintenance requirement for all FDA Standardized Food Safety Inspection Officers, but representatives from the regulatory community, industry, academia, and consumer groups are encouraged to attend.
Risk Factor Study Workshop
A Risk Factor Study Workshop, planned for Thursday, September 22, 2022, will focus on how to design and conduct a Risk Factor Study and cover requirements for Standard 9 of the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. The aim of the workshop is to help participants understand different study designs, FDA’s data collection approach, and get an overview on how to conduct a data collection. There will also be a demonstration on the use of FDA’s Risk Factor Study Database.
This virtual seminar is free but requires registration. Additional details about speakers and breakout sessions will be posted as they become available.
Dates: Monday, September 19 – Thursday, September 22
Times:
- Monday & Wednesday - 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST, General Sessions
- Tuesday - varying times due to regional breakout sessions
- Thursday - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST, Risk Factor Study Workshop
For more information and to register, visit the seminar page.
Posted 8/15/22
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FDA Releases Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report
On Wednesday, August 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made available its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020), summarizing findings from the program’s monitoring of human and animal foods in FY 2020.
From October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, the FDA tested for approximately 750 different pesticides and selected industrial compounds on 2,078 human food samples (316 domestic and 1,762 import samples) in its regulatory monitoring program. Agency staff collected domestic human food samples from 35 states and imported human food samples from 79 countries/economies. The findings show that the levels of pesticide residues measured by the FDA in the U.S. food supply are generally in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) pesticide tolerances.
Through this program, the agency ensures that FDA-regulated foods within U.S. commerce comply with the pesticide tolerances, or maximum residue levels, set by EPA to protect public health. The EPA establishes pesticide tolerances on the amount of a pesticide residue a food can contain, and the FDA is responsible for enforcing those tolerances for domestic foods shipped in interstate commerce and foods imported into the United States.
In FY 2020, the FDA found that 96.8% of domestic and 88.4% of imported human foods were compliant with federal standards, that is, the pesticide tolerances set by EPA. No pesticide residues were found in 40.8% of the domestic samples and 48.4% of the import samples. In the human food commodity groups, the violation rate in each group was higher for imported samples. The higher violation rate affirms the validity of the sampling design in targeting imported commodities more likely to contain violative pesticide residues.
The FDA also analyzed 102 animal food samples (40 domestic and 62 import samples) for pesticides. The agency found that 100% of domestic and 96.8% of import animal food samples were compliant with federal standards. No pesticide residues were found in 30.0% of the domestic and 48.4% of the import animal food samples.
Check out the 2020 report and past reports at FDA Releases FY 2020 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report | FDA
Posted 8/15/2022
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AFDO Realigns Committee Work
During an AFDO Board Meeting held in June of this year, the board voted to sunset four of AFDO’s standing committees. The decision was based upon recommendations of the committee chairs and members of the Administration, Food, Laws and Regulations, and Retail Food Committees. At the time of their formation, these committees were the only way for AFDO members to voice concerns and work on issues. With the formation of additional workgroups and alliances, and an increased AFDO staff focused on these issues, the board agreed that the work being performed by these committees was often being handled in other areas. The desire is to use the time of the four committee chairpersons and members in other issue work or committees.
"This was not a decision taken lightly," says Steve Moris, AFDO Assistant Program Director charged with committee relations. "For over 100 years, AFDO has worked through a committee structure to formulate and develop guidance material, model codes, and to provide comments to federal agencies on public health matters. Our committees provide a vast network for communication of issues, policies, and best practices. Their work has been and will continue to be important in the future."
AFDO members are invited to participate in the research and deliberations of all committees. AFDO membership is not required to be a committee member. Committee membership offers many who don't have the resources the ability to be involved in AFDO areas of focus. Each committee receives annual charges and submits formal reports of its activities each year at the Annual Educational Conference.
There continues to be 14 standing committees and one ad hoc committee in operation. To learn more about AFDO committees or to join, visit the AFDO committees page.
Posted 8/15/2022
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FDA Outlines Steps to Avoid False Negatives with At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests
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 On Thursday, August 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued communication advising people to repeat testing following a negative result on any at-home COVID-19 antigen test. If repeat testing is not performed after a negative result, an infection may be missed and people may unknowingly spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others, especially if they are not experiencing symptoms. The FDA recommends repeat testing following a negative result whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms.
"The FDA's new recommendations for at-home COVID-19 antigen tests underscore the importance of repeat testing after a negative test result in order to increase the chances of detecting an infection," says Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "These recommendations are based on sound scientific evidence. We have continued to learn about COVID-19 and the impact of variants on the performance of diagnostic tests designed to detect the virus, and we are committed to keeping the public updated so they can make the most informed health care decisions."
In addition, FDA has extended the shelf life of some at-home tests. The shelf life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf life. In some cases, the expiration date for a test has been extended. An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. For more information about how the expiration date is determined and if your product was extended, see the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions. Read more here.
Posted 8/15/22
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Evaluation of Existing Retail Program Standards Networks Available
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) collaborated to identify state and local retail food regulatory programs participating in state- and region-wide networks. These networks focused on working together to increase conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (hereafter Retail Program Standards). The goal of this collaboration was to explore how participation in a network has helped jurisdictions achieve conformance with the Retail Program Standards and highlight promising practices that can be shared with others across the United States. Feedback from the focus groups indicated that network participation advanced jurisdictional conformance with the Retail Program Standards and promoted participation within other local jurisdictions who were not previously enrolled in the standards. Read the brief here.\
Posted 8/15/2022
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FDA Makes Available Domestic Mutual Reliance Video
FDA has released a brief overview of the agency's activities toward Domestic Mutual Reliance, which is envisioned as a seamless partnership that enables FDA and states with comparable regulatory public health systems, as trusted partners, to rely on, coordinate with, and leverage one another’s work, data, and actions to meet the public health goal of a safe national food supply. Watch the video here.
The FDA works with state partners to build and recognize high quality programs using nationally recognized regulatory program standards like Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). Such collaboration provides opportunities for the FDA and state partners to lay a quality foundation for sharing information and working together on regulatory services and food protection that industry and consumers can trust.
Posted 8/15/2022
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FDA Issues Guidance for Shell Egg Producers
On Wednesday, August 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued final guidance for shell egg producers on how to comply with certain provisions in the final rule titled, "Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation” (egg rule).
The final guidance, “Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation (Layers with Access to Areas Outside the Poultry House): Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule,” is the FDA’s fourth guidance document to help industry comply with the egg rule. This guidance provides recommendations on how egg producers who allow hens access to areas outside the poultry house can meet requirements to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) from contaminating shell eggs on the farm. A significant change from the draft guidance issued in July 2013 is that the FDA is designating a porch as an area outside the poultry house rather than part of the poultry house. The FDA made this change, in part, in response to comments submitted to the draft guidance.
The FDA believes that egg producers can provide laying hens with access to areas outside the poultry house, which includes porches, outdoor runs and pastures, and still comply with the egg rule. In order to be compliant, egg producers must take steps to ensure there is no introduction or transfer of SE into or among poultry houses. They can achieve this by taking practical steps to control SE in the areas outside the poultry house, to help ensure that SE will not be introduced into the poultry house. The guidance describes the most common types of egg production operations for laying hens with access to areas outside the poultry house and explains how egg producers can take SE prevention measures such as monitoring for rodents and flies in areas outside the poultry house to help prevent SE in shell eggs.
Read the guidance announcement here.
Posted 8/15/2022
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AFDO Participates in 2022 IAFP
AFDO staff members participated in the annual meeting of the International Association for Food Protection in Pittsburgh last week. AFDO’s Executive Director Steven Mandernach moderated stories from the front line with AFDO’s Randy Treadwell on the Recent State and Local Outbreak Investigations panel as they share case studies and key learnings. Professors, extension staff and grad students joined AFDO for an IAFP Academia Reception. Great discussion and ideas were shared about how to further engage college & university students to share the food safety regulatory career path. AFDO hosted this event for several IAFP academia representatives to encourage collaborative efforts for future internship & job opportunities.
Posted 8/8/2022
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AFDO has launched a career website, www.foodsafetycareers.org, to highlight regulatory food safety job postings for state & federal agencies (and LHDs if you send us your jobs). The site offers state-by-state general hiring specifications, a heat map of regulatory food jobs, and the ability for state agencies to sign up for job manager accounts so you can directly upload and edit your job postings, and search resumes shared by job seekers to find potential candidates. Here is a sample of what you’ll find listed new this week or visit the site to explore all jobs.
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Meat Inspector - North Dakota
North Dakota Department of Agriculture is looking for two successful meat inspectors to work out of their home (required to live in the central to north central part of the state) to allow for uniform regulation of meat processing plants located within that portion of the state. Read the full job description here. To apply, you will need to select “Apply Now” and on the redirect page, on the left sidebar select the Agency – “Department of Agriculture.” Apply through Aug. 11.
Posted 8/8/22
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Food Safety Regional Manager - Virginia Department of Ag
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a qualified individual to serve as Food Safety Regional Manager in the Office of Dairy and Foods, Division of Animal & Food Industry Services. Duties include: providing first line supervision to ten inspectors in the Food Safety Program; reviewing and classifying inspections, investigations and sample analysis reports from field inspectors; preparing regulatory and informational letters concerning law violations; conducting hearings and recommending additional regulatory action; responding to inquiries from the general public, the regulated industry and other regulatory agencies concerning all aspects of Virginia’s Food Safety Program; participating in work planning sessions with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration; and serving as part of the Program’s management team. Position requires that the incumbent be able to effectively respond to emergency situations and other assigned duties during both traditional and non-traditional work hours. Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities in accordance with the Commonwealth’s telework policy. Learn more or apply here by August 29 to be considered.
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Environmental Scientist – Food Safety Inspector - California
Under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (SES) (Supervisory) within the PSP, the Environmental Scientist will conduct on-farm environmental assessments and farm inspections to ensure compliance with FSMA and the PSR, upholding the FDA approach of “educate before and while we regulate” for FSMA implementation. The incumbent must be able to be commissioned and credentialed by FDA to perform work concerning present and future environmental issues relating to food safety and must work with industry to bring production/facility sites into compliance with FSMA requirements. The incumbent will be responsible for on-farm inspections to ensure that PSR standards are met and that effective on-farm training and communication are in place. The incumbent will use a prioritized inspectional approach to conduct specific statewide inspections and procedural activities for the PSP.
Central Valley – San Joaquin County, CA
Central Coast – Monterey County, CA
Central & Southern – Kern County, CA
Posted 8/8/22
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Food Safety Program Manager- State of Washington
The Food Safety Program Manager is part of the division's management team and is responsible for the operation and administration of the program. This position plays a critical role in interpreting and determining public health and food safety policy, implementation of regulatory enforcement actions, development and auditing of divisional policies and procedures. The position works with food and agricultural groups, as well as local, state, and federal officials to protect public health and meet stakeholder needs. This position is responsible for taking regulatory action against those that repeatedly violate Food Safety regulations. The position implements program changes, develops, and coordinates strategies, and communicates decisions. Apply before August 29 and read more here.
Pposted 8/15/22
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Meat Inspector - Ohio
Ohio Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat Inspector Trainee to gain training on the procedures while assisting with inspections of meat slaughtering and processing facilities. Read the full job description here. Apply through Aug. 12.
Posted 8/8/22
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State Environmental Health Coordinator - California
California Department of Public Health is seeking a State Environmental Health Coordinator to provide key expertise to the State Environmental Health Director (SEHD) and relevant partners in environmental health at multiple levels. This role serves as a subject matter expert for environmental public health; and collaborates on investigations, reviews and/or reports with them as needed. Read the full job description here. Apply through Aug. 18.
Posted 8/8/22
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Other Training Opportunities
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Paster Training, Inc. is now Cenza+
Cenza, Inc. -- Food and Alcohol consulting and training for every sector of the food and alcohol industries
The education you need from experienced consultants and trainers.
FSMA Training - VIRTUAL and CLASSROOM AVAILABLE! Dates and Times available on the Paster/Cenza+ 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 / Cenza+ website.
- Certified Protection Food Manager (CPFM)
- Food Handler/Food Employee
- HACCP Manager
- HACCP Employee
- Food Defense
- Seafood HACCP
- SPANISH TRAINING AVAILABLE!!!!!
Not seeing what you need, visit www.PasterTraining.com/www.CenzaSmart.com or call 610.970.1776 to inquire about consulting services or any public/private food safety class.
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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
August 8 - 10, 2022
August 11 - 12, 2022
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