Drug and Medical Products Trends Shared at Free AFDO Conference
AFDO will sponsor the 2022 Drug and Medical Products Educational Conference virtually this year. The conference will be the premier place to get updates from key regulatory leaders from the FDA, Health Canada, and industry. The conference will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26 and 27 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT daily.
Topics include:
- In-person Inspections and Remote Regulatory Assessments
- Working Collaboratively with the Industry to Deal with Supply Chain Issues for Medical Products
- Where We Are and Where We May Be Going in the Area of Product Quality 2022 and Beyond
- Breakthrough Device Designation and Reimbursement
- Canadian Regulation of Drugs and Medical Products
- Building a Quality Workforce – Panel discussion
Registration is required to attend.
Posted 3/21/22
|
|
FDA Releases Report on Processed Avocado and Guacamole Sampling
Last Wednesday, March 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released findings from a sampling assignment that collected and tested processed avocado and guacamole from November 2017 to September 2019. The assignment sought to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in processed avocado and guacamole as part of the FDA’s ongoing effort to proactively ensure food safety and prevent contaminated food from reaching consumers.
In addition to affirming that Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes may be present in processed avocado and/or guacamole, the assignment data show that the estimated prevalence of these pathogens in the non-HPP-treated samples was higher than in the HPP-treated samples. These findings appear to align with research that indicates HPP is an effective kill step.
The findings of this assignment also underscore the need for processors of processed avocado and guacamole and others in the supply chain to comply with the agency’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, as applicable. The FDA will continue to sample processed avocado and guacamole for pathogens as warranted to protect consumers.
The summary and report are available here.
Posted 3/21/22
|
|
FDA Continues Co-sponsorship of MedCon Conference with AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue its long-standing co-sponsorship of the MedCon Conference. With a focus on fostering open discussions of the most pressing issues facing the medical device industry, the AFDO/RAPS Healthcare Products Collaborative recently announced that their new partnership will carry on Xavier Heath’s 12-year legacy of delivering the MedCon Conference.
The MedCon 2022 Conference will be held virtually May 4 – 6, 2022. The event will bring together medical device regulators and industry experts from around the world for content-rich conference sessions that include uncommon collaboration, deep dialogue, and networking as close as your computer.
“The annual MedCon conference helps fulfill the Department of Health and Human Services' and FDA's important mission to protect public health,” says Gina Brackett, Director, Compliance Branch at FDA ORA Office of Medical Device and Radiological Health. “MedCon has historically provided outreach and engagement with our colleagues in the medical products industry to discuss trends, innovations, and challenges in an educational setting. We are pleased that this new partnership between AFDO and RAPS intends to continue that focus. We feel it is important to be a key facilitator of the discussion.”
FDA has made education of the device manufacturing community a high priority to help ensure the quality of FDA-regulated medical products.
MedCon 2022 registration is now open. For more information and to view the virtual program details, visit www.healthcareproducts.org/MedCon. Information about the Collaborative and announcements for future events can be found at www.healthcareproducts.org.
|
|
Funding Opportunity Extended to April 6
State Manufactured Food Student Internship Program Grant
A time extension has been announced for the State Manufactured Food Student Internship Program funding opportunity for Summer 2022. The goal of this program is to facilitate the development of college interns while cultivating their interest in food safety regulatory career opportunities. AFDO has funding for up to one year to support a summer college internship project this summer. Only state food programs with a manufactured food regulatory component are eligible to apply. The extended deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 6, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Under this project, college interns will work primarily within an agency’s regulatory manufactured food safety program, along with support to supplemental food program components, during the Summer of 2022. Through this experience, college interns can:
- Gain a better understanding of the state’s regulatory roles and responsibilities
- Complete some initial training and food safety general education online courses
- Shadow inspectors in the field
- Participate in key meetings with leaders and program managers
- Be better prepared to join the regulatory food protection workforce upon graduation
To review the full Funding Opportunity Announcement and download an (easy & short) application template to help you apply, please visit https://www.afdo.org/student-internship-grant/. For any questions, please contact jbadour@afdo.org.
Posted 3/21/22
|
|
Awards, Awards, Awards - Due SOON
NOW is the Time to Make Your AFDO Award Nominations
Do you know of someone that deserves recognition? AFDO's awards are presented annually at the Annual Educational Conference during the Wiley Award banquet. The awards are administered by the Awards Committee Chair, with subcommittees for the Wiley and Associate Member that are chaired by the immediate past recipients.
Elliot O. Grosvenor Food Safety Award due April 1.
Established in 2010, the Grosvenor Food Safety Award is given to recognize outstanding achievements made by food safety programs within State Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resource Agencies, Public Health Departments or Environmental Conservation Departments in the United States or Canada. The award will go to the program that best showcases improvement, innovation, or sustained high performance within a food safety program. \
Jacob Joseph Corby Achievement Award due April 1.
The Jacob Joseph Corby Achievement Award is awarded for one or more specific achievements, or for a documented sustained high level of performance. To be eligible for the award, one must be in their first ten years of service as a sanitarian, inspector, investigator, milk specialist, food specialist, radiological health inspector, consumer product safety inspector, laboratory analyst or similar regulatory position. They must be a field person; that is, one who goes out of the office or works virtually to make inspections a significant portion of his or her working time. The winner may not be a supervisor unless the work for which they were nominated was done as a field person and it played a role in the promotion to supervisor. The winner must be employed by a federal, state, county, or municipal regulatory agency, which has at least one employee as a member of AFDO.
Harvey W. Wiley Award due March 28.
The Harvey W. Wiley Award is AFDO’s most prestigious award, presented to a regular or honorary member for exceptional service to the state or nation in the performance of duties and responsibilities in the administration and enforcement of food and drug Law and/or consumer protection laws and demonstrated promotion of the objectives of the Association. Nominations must be accompanied by a resume of the nominee, accomplishments and a biography, not to exceed three (3) pages.
Industry Associate Member Award due April 3.
The Industry Associate Member Award is to be awarded to an Industry Associate Member. Qualification for this award is based upon long-term active membership in the Association, active involvement in committee work, development of model codes and demonstrated promotion of the objectives of the Association.
|
|
|
|
Apply Before April 15
FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program Scholarships Available
The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) has received a scientific conference grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The award will provide scholarships to state and local food & drug regulatory personnel to attend the 2022 AFDO Annual Educational Conference (AEC). A limited number of representatives to the conference will be funded.
To submit a scholarship application, click here. All applications must be submitted no later than 6 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 15, 2022.
The Scholarship Review Committee will consider all applications and may only be able to assist with partial funding. but we will attempt to pay for a minimum of fifty percent of the cost of conference attendance to those selected recipients. Applicants should not make travel arrangements until they have received confirmation of selection. Selected recipients will be notified by Friday, April 22, 2022.
Criteria for receiving funding will be based upon a number of factors:
- whether or not your agency has funded participation in the past
- the number of participants previously and currently funded by your agency
- how active you have been in AFDO
- any other sources of funding available to you, including agency reimbursement and/or regional affiliate assistance
Preference will also be given to states which have active food, drug, and medical device regulatory programs and who have not been able to fund a representative due to the lack of out-of-state travel funds. Grant funds are extremely limited and cannot be utilized for food or registration fees. Please apply for funding only if you have no other option for attending the conference. Contact Patricia Fitzgerald at pfitzgerald@afdo.org with any questions.
Posted 3/21/22
|
|
Deadline April 11
Applications for the IFPTI Fellowship in Food Protection Now Open
|
|
The IFPTI Fellowship in Food Protection: Leadership Development for an Integrated Food Safety System program is for food protection professionals who want to make a positive impact through leadership, advocacy and networking.
This unique year-long program has a multi-faceted approach incorporating three weeklong sessions, periodic webinars, and a mentor-guided research project. The program is facilitated by recognized leaders in food protection and focuses on the areas of:
- Professional Communication
- Program Management
- Applied Leadership
As part of the research project, Fellows will design, conduct, report, write an article, and present primary research on a food safety issue of their choosing. Each Fellow has the opportunity to have their research published in the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) journal and present their findings at the AFDO Annual Education Conference through a PowerPoint presentation and a scientific poster. There is no cost to the Fellow for participation, but employer support is required in order to ensure the time needed to attend sessions and conduct research. If you are interested in becoming an IFPTI Fellow, or if you have a colleague who would be a great candidate, please visit the IFPTI Fellowship website for additional information and to apply. |
|
|
Apply Now for College Tuition Reimbursement Award
In 2017, AFDO established a non-traditional continuing education tuition reimbursement fund to be awarded annually to worthy officials who are currently employed at a state, local, tribal, or territorial government agency who are continuing their college education to benefit the food and/or drug safety arena. Each award amount is not to exceed $1500 and is not renewable.
2022 applications are due May 1 to be considered for the current year’s award. To learn more or apply, visit the Tuition Reimbursement Award webpage.
Posted 3/14/22
|
|
Early Bird Extended -- Ends April 15
2022 AFDO AEC Registration Now Open
This year's AFDO Annual Educational Conference will be co-hosted by the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials in Phoenix, AZ from Saturday through Wednesday, June 11 – 15, 2022.
Get ready for five days of educational sessions focused on five content tracks. Make new connections with peers and find out how they are managing common challenges. And don't miss the Sunday night welcome reception for the conference!
Early Bird registration is open until April 15, so register ASAP to get the discounted rate! And if you are an AFDO member, your membership includes an additional discount for the annual conference. Watch your email for your additional special discount code.
Posted 2/22/22
|
|
Come Early. Stay Late. Best Deal in Training.
Experience More Learning at AFDO AEC
They fill up fast so now is the time to book your participation in pre-conference training opportunities and tours. For an additional $75 each fee beyond the conference registration, Visit the AFDO Conference Event Page to register for the conference and get your seat in these great opportunities listed below. Learn more by clicking here.
- Saturday, June 11 Mutual Reliance in Action - Utilization of State Regulatory Sampling and Lab Analytical Packages
- Saturday, June 11 The Science and Art of Storytelling
- Saturday, June 11 Retail Active Managerial Controls - Train-the-Trainer
- Saturday, June 11 Retail HACCP Validation and Verification
- Wednesday, June 15 AFDO Cannabis Offsite Tour is a unique opportunity to increase your awareness and education by touring a cannabis facility but is limited to 50 people so register now.
To take advantage of these great opportunities, go to the AFDO AEC page now and reserve your space and invest in your professional growth with these economical training opportunities.
Posted 2/22/22
|
|
Be a Sponsor or Exhibitor at the AFDO AEC
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship offers visibility to both the regulatory and industry communities, and positions your organization as a supporter of AFDO. We offer several levels of sponsorship, and your company name and logo will appear on signage displayed during your sponsored event. A list of sponsors will also be posted on the AFDO website conference pages, with links to their organizations’ websites. Please visit the AFDO Conference website to learn how to become a sponsor.
Become an Exhibitor
The Conference will give you the opportunity to network and market your products/services to approximately 300+ top-level decision-makers, representing Federal and State health and agriculture departments, as well as industry members representing the food and drug markets. A list of exhibitors will be posted on the AFDO website conference pages, with links to their organizations' websites. Exhibitors will also be recognized during the Conference program. Learn more about how to become an exhibitor on the AFDO Conference Website
Posted 2/28/22
|
|
PFP National Workshop Supports Food Safety Roadmap
The 2022 Partnership for Food Protection (PFP) National Meeting was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania March 8 through 11. Since the PFP was established in 2008, the FDA has supported the national workshops for food and feed safety officials from all 50 states, including five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The PFP utilizes a workgroup structure to help identify strategies to implement the foundational elements to achieve a nationally integrated food safety system.
More than 230 attendees from local, state, federal and territorial regulatory agencies and associations participated in the meeting both virtually and in-person. Participants received updates from various FDA program leaders including an updated perspective on advancing integration from Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, as well as updates from the PFP workgroups on various projects.
Participants spent several hours in breakout sessions discussing strategies for advancing foundational concepts and the reported-out recommendations to the broader group.
To learn more about the PFP and the workgroups, which are currently accepting new members, please visit www.pfp-ifss.org, and follow on Twitter @pfp_ifss.
Posted 3/14/22
|
|
Deadline Extended
AFDO Encourages Students Through
Scholarships
 Do you know a college student who is considering a career in food or medical products safety?
The Association of Food and Drug officials offers three $2,500 undergraduate scholarships each spring. To be eligible, students should be a junior with a 3.0 grade average during the first two years of undergraduate study with demonstrated leadership capabilities and a desire to serve in a career of research, regulatory work, quality control, or teaching in an area related to some aspect of foods, drugs, or consumer product safety.
To apply or to encourage someone to apply, in addition to completing an application, an official and complete college transcript must be submitted along with letters of recommendation from two faculty members. Scholarship applications must be submitted by March 31, 2022 to be considered for the current year’s award.
Application info may be found at: www.afdo.org/grants/afdo-scholarship
Posted 2/14/22
|
|
Rapid Response Team Coordinator - Washington
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page. For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), visit us at www.agr.wa.gov .
Apply Early! The first review date of applications will be on 03/14/2022.
Post 3/7/22
|
|
Other Training Opportunities
|
|
|
Paster Training, Inc.
Paster Training, Inc – Food and Alcohol training and consulting for Retailers and Manufacturers.
The education you need by experienced trainers and consultants.
FSMA Training - VIRTUAL and CLASSROOM AVAILABLE! Dates and Times available on our 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 our 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 us at 610.970.1776 to inquire about both public or private classes or consulting services.
|
|
EAS Consulting Group Training
USDA Labeling Compliance Virtual Seminar
April 5-6, 2022 12pm-3pm eastern each day
Food and Dietary Supplement Labeling Compliance Virtual Seminar
April 25, 27 & 29, 2022 • 11am – 5pm • Virtual Event
The 12-Steps of Operational Efficiency
March 22, 2022 at 1pm eastern
Dietary Supplement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Compliance Seminar
May 3, 5, 10, and 12, 2022 • Virtual Event
11am-4pm Eastern each day
Internal Audits: Keys to Success
May 17, 2022 at 12-3pm eastern
FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Foods, Part 2 of Blended Course
June 13 - 14, 2022 at 1:00PM - 5:00PM ET
|
|
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
Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Qualified Individuals (IAVA-QI) Course
March 23, 2022
Click here to access the schedule of IAVA-QI courses
|
|
Laws and Regulations Committee Update
A collection of current food, drug, device, and consumer product regulatory issues and news
March 14 - 15, 2022
March 16 - 18, 2022
|
|
Laws and Regulations Committee Updates
|
|
|
|
|
