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As an established leader in protecting the food supply worldwide, IAFP continuously embraces its role in the planning, supporting, and hosting of food safety events around the globe.
Each year, the Association's US-based Annual Meeting attracts some 2,000 North American and international professionals whose native regions benefit from the educational and networking experiences they take home and share. The resulting growth in IAFP Membership means, of course, a greater number of individuals dedicated to the goal of advancing global food safety—and a growing population of those we serve.
We invite you to help us increase food safety awareness in the world's diverse communities by participating in our remaining 2009 international events in Beijing, China, September 23–24; in Berlin, Germany, October 7–9; and in Seoul, Korea, November 11–13. Visit our Web site frequently for updates on these and other Association events.
IAFP Updates
Rapid Response Symposium to Address Salmonella in Peanut Butter
We invite you and your colleagues to join us for the second IAFP Rapid Response Symposium, to be held March 26 at the Doubletree Hotel Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. "Salmonella in Peanut Products—Understanding the Risk and Controlling the Process" is an intensive one-day conference featuring perspectives from the government, academic, and industry sectors of food safety. Visit our Web site for program and registration details.
[Link to IAFP]
Secretary Ballots Due March 17
There's still time to make your voice heard in the Association Secretary election! Visit the link below to review the candidates and cast your ballot by March 17 using the passcode you received by E-mail on January 28. Technical and other assistance is also available on the election page.
[Link to Vote]
Featured Abstract from Journal of Food Protection
"Evaluation of Treatments for Elimination of Foodborne Pathogens on the Surface of Leaves and Roots of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)" was the most widely-read article in the February issue. Read the abstract here.
[Link to abstract]
March Food Protection Trends: Abstracts and Monthly Columns by IAFP President and Executive Director
An evaluation of the microbiological safety of farmstead cheeses purchased online; using BHI and two food models, Chinese chives are examined for their antibacterial activity against Salmonella; Stan Bailey explains the objectives, success, and limitations of PulseNet technology in identifying outbreaks that were once elusive to epidemiologists; David Tharp discusses the world economy's impact on the Association's Membership, meeting attendance, and overall financial health.
[Link to FPT]
Food Safety News
New Research Aims to Expedite Salmonella Detection
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a genetic marker approach called Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), which helps detect the presence of Salmonella in produce in about two hours.
[Link to article]
The Push for "Country of Origin" on Food Labels
Despite past complaints to the World Trade Organization regarding labeling laws, the new US agriculture secretary is calling for stricter guidelines in the labeling of fresh meats and some fruits and vegetables.
[Link to article]
To Control MRSA, Some Groups Seek Restricted Use of Antimicrobials in Animals
With research showing a rise in the number of livestock infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), advocacy groups are working to eliminate or restrict the use of antibiotics in farm animals. While the bacteria is easily killed through cooking, it can spread easily among farm workers and humans vulnerable to infection.
[Link to article]
Regulatory Updates
Industry Guidance on Third-Party Certification Programs for Foods and Feeds
This guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalizes a July 2008 draft discussing the attributes of a voluntary third-party certification program for foods and animal feeds, which is a step toward gaining the agency's confidence in the quality of the program's audit.
[Link to FDA]
FDA Accepts Process Filed by NCFST
The National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) and collaborators announced in February that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the commercial use of pressure-assisted thermal sterilization (PATS) processes for application in the production of low-acid foods.
[Link to article]
Consultation on Food Contaminant Regulations
To accommodate Commission Regulation provisions implemented on March 2 that set maximum levels of contaminants in foodstuffs, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has extended its consultation period on the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2009 draft to April 10.
[Link to FSA]
Research & Reports
Reducing Salmonella Risk in Table Eggs
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued in January this opinion on the effects of egg cooling as a measure to reduce the risk of salmonellosis in consumers.
[Link to EFSA]
Examining the Public Response to Salmonella Saintpaul
The Food Policy Institute (FPI) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has issued a 17-page report assessing Americans' awareness of and responses to the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, which sickened 1,442 individuals in 2008.
[Link to report]
Items of Interest
Online Resource for Transition to New PTI
Launched by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), Produce Marketing Association (PMA), and United Fresh Produce Association, producetraceability.org was designed to assist produce companies in their transition to new traceability measures proposed by the joint Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI).
[Link to article]
Comments or suggestions for IAFP Report may be sent to report@foodprotection.org, or directly to the Contents Editor, Dr. Jeff Farber, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada. E-mail jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca
Thank You to Our Contributors
Photos: Virginia Department of Health (peanut butter jars); USDA/ERS (produce of USA label, by Barry Krissoff); US Army SCC (low-acid foods in case); Science Photo Library (raw eggs in a frying pan, by Martyn F. Chillmaid; produce section of a supermarket, by Spencer Grant)
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