View this email in your browser

SKIP TO:
/Job Opportunities/SFP Blog/Trainings/ Laws&Regs

AFDO Joins Coalition in Call for FDA Food Program Reforms

Today, 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 1/30/23

Deputy Commissioner Yiannas Resigns From FDA

After four years of service with the FDA, Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas submitted his resignation letter to Commissioner Robert Califf on January 25, 2023. His last day is Friday, February 24.

Among other accomplishments, Yiannas cites successful progress during his tenure with “two of the most critical, complicated, and outstanding FSMA rulemakings by issuing a Final Food Traceability Rule and a new, proposed Agricultural Water Standard.” In the conclusion, he advises Califf that “ ... the agency would operate more effectively and be better able to protect the American public from foodborne illness, with the creation of a more integrated operating structure and a fully empowered and experienced Deputy Commissioner for Foods, with direct oversight of those centers and offices responsible for human and animal foods.”

In a note to friends and colleagues, Yiannas reminds them: “Whether you’re in the private or public sector, we’re all working for the same boss – the American consumer (as well as consumers worldwide).”

Posted 1/30/2023

Food Traceability Final Rule Establishes Record-Keeping Requirements

The FDA has translated the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 Final Rule into five languages. This is critical in today's global supply chains to enable international trading partners.

At its core is a requirement that persons subject to the rule who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List maintain records containing Key Data Elements (KDEs) associated with specific Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) and provide information to the FDA within 24 hours or within some reasonable time to which the FDA has agreed.

Read more about the FSMA Final Rule.

Posted 1/30/2023

FDA: Existing Regulatory Frameworks for Foods Are Inappropriate for Cannabidiol

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, the FDA announced it has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed, one that will balance individuals’ desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks.

A new regulatory pathway would benefit consumers by providing safeguards and oversight to manage and minimize risks related to CBD products, says the agency. Some risk management tools could include clear labels, prevention of contaminants, CBD content limits, and measures, such as minimum purchase age, to mitigate the risk of ingestion by children.

Read the full FDA statement here.

Posted 1/30/2023

Estimate: 24% to 27% Reduction

FDA Calls for Lowest Lead Levels Possible in Processed Baby Foods

On January 24, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued for public comment “Action Levels for Lead in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children: Draft Guidance for Industry.” As the agency outlined in Closer to Zero, expectations are for this guidance, together with other activities, to result in industry progressively reducing levels of lead in foods to as low as possible. The draft guidance supports the FDA’s goal of reducing dietary exposure to lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, and the associated health effects, while maintaining access to nutritious foods.

For more information: FDA Issues Guidance for Industry on Action Levels for Lead in Baby Foods | FDA

Posted 1/30/2023

SAFHER Team Expands with Fleig Addition

Jacob Fleig has joined AFDO as a SAFHER Implementation Manager. He will help drive adoption and implementation of the System for Agriculture, Food, Health, E-Inspections, and Registration, or SAFHER. Most recently, he was the Program Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Feed and Seed. Fleig managed the Seed Control Laboratory and oversaw the implementation of the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards and FDA contract work for the feed inspection program. Prior to serving the State of Missouri, he spent more than 20 years in the food and beverage industry managing restaurants, commercial kitchens, and a winery, vineyard, and bistro. An active-duty member of the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1987 to 1991, Fleig deployed during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Posted 1/30/2023

Walmart Wins FMI Food Safety Innovation Award

Presented in conjunction with the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI), this year’s Food Safety Innovation Award goes to Walmart for its commitment to advancing food protection through performance, practice, creation, sustainability, and leadership. The company, says FMI, embodies those ideals through its creative and effective use of machine learning and artificial intelligence, transforming its approach to food safety.

Over the past two years, Walmart has built a predictive analytics and monitoring tool it calls the Pressure Dial System, which is designed to monitor the strain that may exist on the company’s food safety program within its facilities. The system alerts the company when pressure on its food safety system crosses certain thresholds.

The winner was announced at FMI’s 2023 Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Posted 1/30/2023

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

The Food Safety Set: 16 People Who Have Shaped the Last 30 Years of Food Safety

In the 30 years since the Jack in the Box outbreak, food safety has come a long way. In this month's Quality Assurance (QA) Magazine, the editor selected 16 people they view as most influential over the last 30 years of food safety. AFDO Executive Director Steven Mandernach authored the introduction to this list, pointing out that many of them have persevered where their message was often unpopular and expensive, yet they managed to truly impact our world.

Read the cover story of the QA January/February issue here. If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up for a free subscription to gain access.

Posted 1/23/23

PFP Reviews 28 Competency Areas
Your Survey Participation Requested

The Partnership for Food Protection is conducting a review of the Basic Level (Gen Ed) competencies that are part of the FDA National Curriculum Standard (NCS). The NCS sets forth the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) needed by Basic Level regulators of human and animal food.

Basic Level regulators are food protection professionals who are newly hired in a local, state, or federal agency.

The Basic Level of the NCS comprises 28 content areas. Each survey should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Posted 1/23/2023

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

Fact Sheet Available for Growers
Enforcement Discretion Period for Agricultural Water Ends This Month

The intended enforcement discretion period for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water provisions for covered produce (other than sprouts) in the Produce Safety Rule ends on January 26, 2023, for all businesses other than small and very small businesses. To help prepare growers, the FDA has released a fact sheet with questions and answers on the requirements.

Stakeholders who have questions about these requirements should contact their local Produce Safety Network representative or submit an inquiry to the FSMA Technical Assistance Network.

Additional Information

Posted 1/17/2023

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

Registration Closes This Week
Don’t Miss Advanced Boot Camp

AFDO has added two virtual Advanced Boot Camp training days: Wednesday, February 8, and Wednesday, February 15, 2023. If you attended boot camp in 2022 or have more than two years of experience, these sessions are for you. Each day will include a four-hour training session; the afternoon (West Coast edition, 1:00 to 5 p.m. EST) session still has a little room left.

The Advanced Boot Camp will cover information for both retail and manufactured food-focused inspectors. During this training, inspectors will:

Understand how to identify special processes and review food safety plans
Recognize and shape Food Safety Culture using proven behavior science principles
Identify what makes a foodborne illness investigation different from our routine work
Feel empowered to be a lifelong learner and understand the benefits of this mindset

Advanced Boot Camp Registration Here

Updated 01/30/2023

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

Central Florida in February, Anyone?
Advanced PSA Train-the-Trainer Session

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), in collaboration with the FSMA Southern Center for Training, Outreach, and Technical Assistance, is hosting an advanced trainer workshop February 7-9, 2023, for PSA trainers and lead trainers. The workshop will be held at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. This workshop is intended to help participants enrich their training skills and further their understanding of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. The workshop will include a blend of lectures, hands-on activities, and breakout groups.

Click on the link below for workshop details and to register!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psa-advanced-training-lake-alfred-registration-479534108427

Posted 1/2/2023

Job Opportunities

AFDO has launched a career platform, foodsafetycareers.org, to highlight regulatory food safety job postings for state and federal agencies (and LHDs if submitted). The site offers state-by-state general hiring specifications and a heat map of regulatory food jobs. State agencies are able to sign up for job manager accounts for direct adding/editing of agency job postings and to also search resumes for potential candidates. Please email any current local, state, or federal government job postings directly to careercenter@afdo.org. Include the following information: (1) a link to the job post, (2) a few sentences to describe the position(s), and (3) the closing deadline date. For questions or support on job postings, please contact Jessica Badour, jbadour@afdo.org.

These Just In
New Position Opening Additions

CALIFORNIA

California Dept. of Public Health is hiring for Food Safety Inspectors at the entry level. The Environmental Scientist (ES) receives training in program components, inspection methods and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, documentation of facts, and collection of samples. Once trained, the ES performs a variety of technical inspections, collects samples, documents non-compliance, and evaluates/verifies corrective actions. Positions listed close on 02/26: Food Inspector, Orange County | Food Safety Inspector, Fresno County

California Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) seeks an Environmental Scientist (Milk/Dairy Program) in Fresno County. The incumbent will conduct environmental health inspections on dairy farms and at milk processing and PRMP plants, gather scientific data, research and investigate food safety hazards, test pasteurization equipment for proper operation and food safety controls, and provide analytical expertise and reports on specific food safety parameters on dairy farms, milk processing plants, bulk milk haulers and other dairy food and PRMP facilities, including those associated with possible illegal sales of substandard dairy products to California consumers. Open until filled, learn more and apply.

CDFA is additionally hiring a Senior Environmental Scientist in Orange County within the Center for Analytical Chemistry, part of the FERN Lab Network. Under general direction of the Environmental Program Manager, the incumbent supervises professional and technical staff; consolidates analytical data and prepares monthly reports and other technical documents; evaluates data reports for potential violation of established tolerance to alert regulatory agencies; and researches for new methods used by the section, reviews and performs statistical analysis of data results to ensure integrity of methods. Open until filled, learn more and apply.

KANSAS

Kansas Dept. of Agriculture seeks applicants for several open positions across the state in retail and manufactured food. All positions remain open until filled.

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

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Dept. of Health seeks an Environmental Health Supervisor for the programs and staff of the Food, Pools, and Lodging Services (FPLS), Partnership and Workforce Development Unit (PWDU). This unit includes section communications, program evaluation of delegated agencies as well as MDH, training of internal and external staff, grant submittal and oversight, section and Division quality improvement efforts and special projects. The PWDU Supervisor will also provide technical assistance and consultation services for the regulated industry, other agencies and the general public. Learn more and apply by 01/31.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Dept. of Health seeks an Office of Local Public Health Program Supervisor (Program Specialist 4) to direct and supervise the Licensing and Compliance (L&C) Unit. L&C provides oversight, guidance, and enforcement for local public health operations and includes the Public Health Examinations and Licensure, and Local Public Health Audit & Compliance Programs. The incumbent leads in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidance for areas such as the local public health infrastructure, public health licensing and continuing education credits for public health professionals, local health department (LHD) capacity audits and quality improvement, and local health department complaints and investigations. Learn more and apply by 02/03/23.

New Jersey Public Health & Food Protection Program is hiring a Registered Environmental Health Inspector 3. The position will plan, assign, and conduct inspections, investigations and evaluations of Department of Correction facilities, Juvenile Justice Commission facilities, Human Services facilities, Youth Camps, Shellfish, Dairy, Tanning, Body Art, Wholesale and Retail food establishments, and Bedding/mattress regulations; additionally they will plan, supervise, and organize technical field and office work of lower level Registered Environmental Health inspectors and trainees and develop effective work methods. Learn more and apply by 01/31.

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture is looking for an Inspector Intermediate to join their Standards and Consumer Services team in the Northwest New Mexico area. Incumbent will perform regulatory inspections and otherwise enforce consumer and producer protection laws and regulations for egg grading, UPC inspections, packaging, chile advertising, and more. Learn more and apply by 01/31.

New Mexico. Dept. of Environment seeks multiple applicants for Environmental Scientist & Specialist – Operational positions across the state. Incumbents protect the public health and groundwater of New Mexico by ensuring that proper inspections of facilities are completed and in compliance with applicable NMED regulations; ensuring inspection of 100% of assigned permanent facilities inspected at or before due date as provided by the Food Database; ensuring inspection of assigned temporary food facilities; assigned temporary facilities inspected at scheduled opening of temporary facility; ensure assigned public swimming pools and public baths are inspected once a year for seasonal and year-round facilities; respond to Food Program, Liquid Waste Program and Swimming Pool Program complaints, and additional duties as assigned.

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.

TEXAS

The city of Austin, Texas, seeks a Public Health Program Manager II. Position is responsible for supervising and managing the daily activities, operations, and personnel of the field operations for the Environmental Health Services Division. General managerial functions will include oversight of division budget, performance management, and program evaluation. Will also provide technical and managerial support to the division’s Office of the Division Chief. Learn more and apply by 01/30.

Harris County Public Health Dept. located in Houston is looking for a Food Safety Manager who will be responsible for the overall management of the Food Safety Program. Major duties include monitoring and oversight of retail food permits and inspections, program strategy and analytics, policy and planning, and staff training; will also serve as subject matter expert related to food safety laws, rules, and regulations. This person must be able to exercise strategic leadership over the food safety program and work within the guidelines established by department policy, applicable laws, and sound environmental health practice while exercising balanced judgement in evaluation of programs and recommending program direction. Learn more and apply by 02/03/23.

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.

FEDERAL

USDA FSIS seeks candidates for the position of Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer/Public Health Veterinarian (SVMO/SPHV); currently 131 positions across the United States are listed. Candidates selected will plan, organize, coordinate and adapt the full range of meat and poultry inspection operations in slaughter and/or processing establishments; ensure establishments meet requirements of the Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations; oversee consumer protection, non-food safety concerns such as proper labeling and packaging; serve as team leader who works with and supervises other public health professionals to ensure establishments under our jurisdiction comply with sanitation standards and properly implement systems that control hazards from entering the food supply; enforce federal meat and poultry inspection procedures prior to slaughter and throughout the entire process, including humane handling; conduct ante-mortem inspection, post-mortem inspection, processing, dispositions, transportation and distribution of meat, poultry, and egg products to markets and retail stores; and more. Learn more and apply by 02/02/23.

Other Training Opportunities

Food and Alcohol consulting and training for every sector
of the food and alcohol industries

Cenza, Inc. has a Learning Resource Portal (LRP). You can schedule live
in-person and virtual training through the LRP by visiting https://cenza.yourlrp.org. The library includes, but is not limited to:

FMSA classes (live and virtual instructor led)