Early Bird Discounts End March 31
2023 AFDO AEC Registration Now Open 

This year's AFDO Annual Educational Conference will be co-hosted by the Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials, June 11-14, 2023, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, Virginia.

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.

In addition, several training opportunities will be offered the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the conference. The three-day Self-Assessment and Verification Audit Workshop will be offered Friday, June 9, Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11. Saturday, June 10, offers one-day workshops:

• Retail Active Managerial Controls — Train-the-Trainer
• The Science and Art of Storytelling

Prior to the Opening Session and the Welcome Reception, Sunday, June 11, will include:

• IFPTI Fellowship Presentations
• SAFHER Update
• FDA Office of Partnership Updates
• Live Podcast Recording of Food Safety Talk
• First-Time Attendee Orientation

Early Bird registration is open until March 31, 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 TODAY for your MEMBERS ONLY discount code.

Posted 2/6/2023

Limited AEC Conference Grant Program Scholarships Available

FDA Human Foods Proposal Released; AFDO Reacts

On Tuesday, January 31, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf announced a new vision for the FDA Human Foods Program and the Office of Regulatory Affairs to support the FDA organization as a whole. Califf says the proposed structures for both groups will have clear priorities that are focused on protecting and promoting a safe, nutritious U.S. food supply that more quickly adapts to an ever-changing and evolving environment. In Califf's announcement, he said he believes the proposed approach addresses the recommendations outlined in both reports and takes into consideration feedback from stakeholders, as well as the voices of employees working in the Human Foods Program who had an opportunity to share input through numerous interactive and listening sessions over the past month. Creating a Human Foods Program under a single leader who reports directly to the Commissioner unifies and elevates the program while removing redundancies, enabling the agency to oversee human food in a more effective and efficient way.

Read the FDA announcement here. 

AFDO Issues Initial Response

Shortly after Commissioner Califf's announcement, Executive Director Steven Mandernach released a statement on behalf of AFDO and its stakeholders. 
  
"We see many positive aspects to the proposal released today by FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., outlining a new vision for the FDA Human Foods Program and the Office of Regulatory Affairs to support the FDA organization as a whole.
 
In particular, we appreciate that his proposal elevates state and local programs who do much of the food safety work, creates a deputy commissioner with streamlined authority, and focuses the agency’s nutrition mission in a Center of Excellence for Nutrition. 
 
We see additional opportunities to streamline the authority between the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods and the Office of Regulatory Affairs and will continue to engage with the Commissioner on this issue.
 
Overall, this proposal is a positive step toward improving the ability of the FDA’s human food program to respond to a rapidly changing environment.
 
We look forward to collaborating with the Commissioner and others as details are developed to ensure the greatest opportunity for success."

Prior to Tuesday's announcement, AFDO joined a diverse coalition of food policy stakeholders representing consumers, industry, and state and local regulators and reiterated its call for significant structural reform of FDA’s foods program ahead of the agency’s anticipated January 31 announcement on how it intends to implement recommendations from a report by the Reagan-Udall Foundation.

The coalition commended the report when it was released in December of last year, noting that the expert panel accurately captured problems related to the structure, leadership, culture, transparency, and accountability within FDA’s foods program. Importantly, the report reinforces the coalition’s call for an expert, empowered deputy commissioner for food who could unify the program and elevate its stature within FDA.

The coalition reiterated the need for bold reforms. Read the details here. 

Posted 2/6/2023

Mandernach Shares FDA Reaction in Podcast

AFDO Web Page Provides Timely State Legislation Info

February 21 at 2:00 P.M. EST: Norovirus
Food Safety Magazine Offers Webinar Series

Funding Opportunities Support Integrated Food Safety Systems

Two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) through the Office of Regulatory Affairs are now active: 

RFA-FD-23-027 - Flexible Funding Model-Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs   The intended outcome of this funding opportunity is to advance efforts for a nationally integrated food safety system (IFSS) by supporting Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) programs, Dietary Supplement (DS) programs, and special projects. 

RFA-FD-23-019- Development and Maintenance of Human and Animal Food Rapid Response Teams (U2F)   The purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop and maintain Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to facilitate long-term improvements and innovation to the national integrated food safety system by unifying and coordinating federal/state/local human and animal food (HAF) emergency response efforts. 

The application due date for both FOAs described above is April 14, 2023. If there are any questions, please direct them to the Grants Management Specialist, Janelle Fundersburg (janelle.fundersburg@fda.hhs.gov).  

Posted 2/6/2023

Now Available in Six Languages
Food Traceability Final Rule Establishes Record-Keeping Requirements

• Español (Spanish) 
• Bahasa Indonesia 
• 中文 (Chinese, Simplified) 
• แบบไทย (Thai) 
• Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

FDA: Existing Regulatory Frameworks for Foods Are Inappropriate for Cannabidiol

WAFDO Selects 2023 Board 

• Ken Boyer, President
• Sarah Robbin, Treasurer
• Luisa Castro, Secretary
• Rustin Rock, Member at Large
• Peter Oshiro, Member at Large
• Laurel Arrigona, Associate Member
• Kimberly Stryker, Liaison to AFDO & Webmaster
• Mike Oravetz, Past President

Discover FoodSHIELD  
Custom Portal Option Fine-Tunes Workspace

AFDO eNews is showcasing FoodSHIELD and its secure online collaboration tools that are available to regulatory professionals at no cost. The platform’s capabilities, or tools, are all designed with food safety and public health collaboration in mind.

Customize Your Collaboration 

Workgroups have long been known as the workhorses of the FoodSHIELD collaborative platform. They allow you to invite whoever you like, offer the full suite of FoodSHIELD tools that people have come to know and love (SecureSend, embedded ZoomGov meetings, etc.), and provide a secure and easily accessible repository for documents and other resources. 
 
However, have you ever been in your workgroup and thought, it would be really neat if we could customize this further to include our own web address so people can access our content directly from their web browser? Maybe you thought it would be neat to further customize your FoodSHIELD page to include your own logo, tool menu, and maybe even some custom tools. If so, the FoodSHIELD custom portal option may be for you. The portals are built on the same foundation as FoodSHIELD, which gives you the same security and familiarity you’ve come to know and trust. They simply provide a more customized user experience that can be tailored to your group and collaborative needs. 
 
Want to learn more? Go to www.afdo.org\foodshield or contact AFDO’s Randy Treadwell (rtreadwell@afdo.org) to request a demo or one-on-one discussion. We’re here to support you in your multi-organization collaboration efforts to protect public health!
 

Posted 1/30/2023

Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET 
FDA Plans Webinar on Lead Action Levels for Food Intended for Babies and Young Children

Deadline Is April 1
Salute Someone in the Regulatory World With the Corby Award

If you're aware of someone who’s gone above and beyond in their regulatory position this year, nominate them now for the Joseph Corby Achievement Award. The application is easy to fill out, and the deadline is April 1, 2023.

The Joseph Corby Achievement Award is for one or more specific achievements or for a documented sustained high level of performance. The scope of what counts as an achievement is very wide. A few examples are developing evidence in a difficult case that results in an indictment, conviction, or administrative action; bringing about a measurable improvement in general conditions, e.g., raising test scores on dairy farms or average scores in a group of food establishments; teaching courses that result in more food manager certifications; removing dangerous consumer products from the marketplace; or developing new techniques such as more effective use of computers.

To be eligible for the award, a person must be in their first 10 years of service as a sanitarian, inspector, investigator, milk specialist, food specialist, radiological health inspector, consumer product safety inspector, laboratory analyst, or a similar regulatory position. They must be a field person who goes out of the office or works virtually to make inspections during 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 that has at least one employee as a member of AFDO.

The winner will be presented with a framed certificate of achievement and have a choice of receiving a check for $500 or a future full conference funding. Conference attendance is not mandatory for receiving the award.

Turn in applications by April 1, 2023.

Updated 1/23/2022

Conference is February 21-22
MCAFDO AEC Hosts Environmental Sampling Workshops

The 2023 Mid-Continental Association of Food and Drug Officials (MCAFDO) Annual Educational Conference (AEC) is February 21-22, 2023. In addition, MCAFDO is partnering with AFDO to provide two individual workshops related to environmental sampling. The Environmental Sampling workshops will be the day before and the day after the Annual Educational Conference. The first workshop is Monday, February 20, 2023, and the second is Thursday, February 23, 2023. Workshops, which are limited to 30 attendees per session, will last from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registrations for the Environmental Sampling workshops must be made in advance; walk-in registrations will only be accepted on a space-available basis. Register and view conference and environmental sampling workshop agendas by clicking the button below.

Updated 1/23/2023

Who Do You Know?
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. Juniors with a 3.0 grade point average or higher during the first two years of undergraduate study are eligible. They should also have 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. 
 

Apply or Encourage Someone to Apply

A 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. 

Find more application info.

Posted 12/19/2022

Apply for the 2023 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection

Applications are open for the 2023 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for Excellence in Food Protection. The Crumbine Award is given annually to local environmental health jurisdictions that demonstrate unsurpassed achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to their communities. The award highlights innovative programs and methods that reduce or eliminate the occurrence of foodborne illnesses, recognize the importance of food protection at the local level, and stimulate public interest in food service sanitation.

The Crumbine Award was named for one of America’s most renowned health officers and health educators, Samuel J. Crumbine, MD (1862–1954), and was first awarded in 2001.

The deadline to submit entries for the 2023 award is March 15. To apply, please visit crumbineaward.com.

Posted 1/17/2023

These Just In
New Position Opening Additions

• Food Processing Inspector, North Central Region. Inspection of food processing and storage facilities under state and/or federal authority, produce safety inspections on the farm under federal authority, food protection education/training and compliance assistance before and during inspections, foodborne illness investigations with facilities to determine causes and prevent further illnesses, collects and prepares samples of water and foods, conducts recall confirmations of food and drug products, investigates natural disasters, and more.
• Food Safety Inspector Retail positions inspect food establishments under the Kansas Food Code and identify risk factors associated with foodborne illness, provide training for industry leaders on food safety principles, investigate potential foodborne illnesses associated with establishments along with natural disaster and transportation accidents affecting regulated facilities and products, conduct recall confirmation for food and OTC drugs. All positions are home-based within the assigned territories. Currently, there are three new openings: Finney County Region  |  Johnson County (Metro Region)  |  Riley County

MARYLAND

Maryland Dept. of Health’s Cecil County Health Department located in Elkton seeks an Environmental Health Aide II. This position is entry level work in the field of environmental health conducting environmental health surveys and investigations to determine compliance with applicable health and environmental laws and regulations. Learn more and apply by 02/09.


MINNESOTA

Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is currently hiring for a Manufactured Food Program Manager - Agricultural Program Supervisor, based out of a home office. The incumbent directs and supervises all components of the manufactured foods regulatory inspection program and program evaluations, staff work assignments and performance evaluations, field enforcement approaches, and inter-agency coordination to support the Integrated Food Safety System. This position provides direction and technical assistance to unit supervisors to assist them in executing their responsibilities. The program manager is also responsible for maintenance of program conformance to the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards and assists with related multi-year grant project planning and deliverables. Learn more and apply by 02/21.

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services has reposted an opening for an Agriculture Compliance Specialist for Wake County. The position will primarily be responsible for evaluating inspection reports from Specialists, identifying any violations of current laws and regulations, reviewing food product labels for compliance, recommending to the supervisor an appropriate regulatory response, drafting correspondence to industry detailing inspection violations, responding to phone inquiries regarding proposed business operations and consumer complaints; responding to general inquiries from public, media, and regulated industry regarding food safety, programs and regulations, as well as inquiries from local, state, and federal agencies regarding programs and inspection jurisdiction, and more. Learn more and apply by 02/13.
 
NCDACS has also reposted a position for a Laboratory Specialist in Wake County. The incumbent’s primary job functions include executing, maintaining, and expanding procedures and policies to support the QMS and ISO 17025 accreditation; administering QMS training; auditing laboratory compliance with ISO 17025 and QMS requirements; serving as a system administrator for Qualtrax; reviewing verifications and validations of new technical methods, and maintaining and verifying QA-managed equipment. Learn more and apply by 02/13.
 

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is seeking a State Dairy Laboratory Manager within the Livestock Services program, located in Brookings. Incumbent is critical for ensuring laboratory functions are implemented according to the FDA Laboratory Performance and Testing Protocol and that FDA accreditation is maintained to ensure uninterrupted interstate shipment of milk and milk products produced in the state. The position functions as the state Certified Laboratory Evaluation Officer (LEO) by evaluating and certifying dairy industry laboratories and analysts to ensure they function in compliance with FDA laboratory procedures. The position ensures the safety and quality of milk and milk products produced and sold in South Dakota by directing the operations of the State Dairy Laboratory to provide official analyses on milk, milk products, and water in compliance with applicable FDA and American Public Health guidelines; performing evaluations of dairy industry laboratories; and providing expertise in certification of laboratories, analysts, and laboratory practices to facilitate statewide compliance with federal and state regulations. Learn more and apply by 02/07/23.


VERMONT

The Vermont Department of Health has an exciting opportunity to be on the front lines of protecting public health as its Public Health Inspection Manager. The successful candidate will provide leadership and management for the field team conducting a variety of public health inspections of food safety systems, general sanitation practices, and environmental conditions in the Division of Environmental Health's Food & Lodging Program. The ideal candidate is a motivated self-starter with great communication and supervisory skills, ability to lead a technical team, who enjoys problem solving in complex situations and navigating situations involving conflict or differences of opinion. This position works closely with regulated facilities to ensure compliance with Vermont's food and lodging establishment regulations for the protection of public health. Familiarization with FDA Food Code and Good Manufacturing Practices for food processors is a plus. Overnight and out-of-state training may be required for certain training opportunities. Learn more and apply by 02/09/23.

WASHINGTON

Washington Dept. of Agriculture seeks a Produce Safety Field Inspector to perform field inspections; conduct thorough review of required sanitation and other required records; document and present inspection and investigation findings; maintain a fully trained status; organize and participate in training events (e.g., PSA Grower Training, advanced workshops) with farms, firms, local health agencies, and other entities, in-person and online; support program-organized training events such as On-Farm Readiness Reviews; and provide technical assistance to farms and aids in relevant document/electronic resource creation for achievement of program education and outreach objectives. Learn more and apply by 02/14.


WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia Office of Environmental Health seeks a Sanitarian 2 to serve as the Foodborne Illness Rapid Response Team (RRT) Coordinator. This will include managing the expenses of any grant dollars associated with the RRT; attending the regional and national Face-to-Face meetings; planning training for local health departments and members of the Rapid Response Team; holding bi-annual meetings of the WV RRT team; coordinating any responses to foodborne/feed borne illness outbreaks; serving as an OEHS member for the Center for Threat Preparedness response and completing all the training necessary for emergency response, when necessary; and, attending the weekly Division of Epidemiology Outbreak meetings. Other duties of the position include all training for and inspection of manufactured food establishments throughout the state, as assigned, as well as assisting with coordination of Food Training for other sanitarians throughout the State. Must be registered as a Sanitarian-in-Training with the West Virginia State Board of Sanitarians. Learn more and apply by 02/08. 

West Virginia Office of Environmental Health seeks a Chief Sanitarian to perform complex work at the advanced level directing environmental and public health sanitation programs. Located in the Public Health Sanitation Division of the Office of Environmental Health Services, this position is responsible for reviewing food manufacturing and bottled water permit applications, issuing invoices, permits and notices, reviewing laboratory results; performing facility inspections; assisting with teaching new sanitarians; coordinating the Food Safety Task Force meetings; providing a grant report to the Food Program Manager related to the Food Safety Task Force; assisting the Food Program Manager to draft and review legislative rules, program guidance, and procedures and being prepared to present to policy makers and citizens on topics of interest; conducting inspections and audits for retail food establishments permitted by the State and upon request by local health departments; and, assisting with coordination of Food Training for Sanitarians throughout the State. Learn more and apply by 02/08.

• Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCHF)
• Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Assessment (IAVA)
• Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)

• FDA courses (general, basic, and advanced)
• Food Safety Regulatory (open to Industry)
• Listeria Control
• Enteric Viruses
• Medical Products
• GFSI & HACCP
• Food Safety Basics for Ice Cream
• SPANISH TRAINING AVAILABLE

The Food Safety Doctor LLC 

    ONLINE Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCQI) Courses

• January 10-12, 2023

               Click here to access the schedule of PCQI courses

   ONLINE Foreign Supplier Verification Courses (FSVP-QI) Courses

• January 17-18, 2023

                Click here to access the schedule of FSVP-QI courses

Online Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Qualified Individuals (IAVA-QI) Courses

• January 24, 2023

                   Click here to access the schedule of IAVA-QI courses

Federal Register Update

A collection of current food, drug, device, and consumer product regulatory issues and news