IAFP is proud to have participated in the 2008 China International Food Safety & Quality Conference + Expo (CIFSQ)
held September 24–25 in Beijing. This timely and important food safety
event, which attracted more than 600 attendees, featured over 70
authoritative industry speakers from IAFP and other prominent
organizations from around the world. Meeting highlights will soon be
available on the CIFSQ Web site at www.chinafoodsafety.com.
The IAFP 2008 Annual Meeting Abstract Supplement and International Food
Safety Icons are among the numerous food safety resources available for
purchase through IAFP. Find our complete list of "Other Publications"
by clicking on the Publications tab on our home page.
IAFP Updates
Lisbon: Best Rates for Early Registration
Those planning to join us in November for our Fourth European Symposium
on Food Safety will want to take advantage of the early registration
discount, which is effective through October 21.
Be sure to visit our Web site to review the exceptional program and
opportunities for sponsorship in legendary Lisbon, Portugal.
[Link to symposium]
Featured Abstract from Journal of Food Protection
"Source Tracking of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella
Contamination in the Lairage Environment at Commercial US Beef
Processing Plants and Identification of an Effective Intervention" was
the most widely-read article in the September issue. Read the abstract
here.
[Link to abstract]
October Food Protection Trends: Abstracts and Monthly Columns by IAFP President and Executive Director
A study of how
college-age foodservice employees are motivated to practice food safety
leads to the development of a model focused on supervisory influence; a
review of the history and efficacy of current and alternative knife
disinfection practices in abattoirs; Stan Bailey thanks the dedicated
people of IAFP 2008, comments on the meeting's accomplishments and
highlights, and encourages an Association-wide Membership drive; David
Tharp discusses the year's five international events and the forces
behind these activities, and praises the opportunities and growth of
the Association's worldwide Affiliate organizations.
[Link to FPT]
Food Safety News
Melamine in the News: Questions and Answers
As part of its Epidemic
and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) efforts regarding the alarming
consequences of melamine use in food in China, the World Health
Organization (WHO) has issued an informational page addressing basic
questions and answers about this notoriously misused substance.
[Link to WHO]
Senate Bill Aims for Improvements in Food Safety
Introduced on July 29, the "Improving Foodborne Illness Surveillance
and Response Act of 2008 (S.3358) is a bill that seeks to strengthen
and expand foodborne illness surveillance in the US. Details and
progress of the bill are available through the Library of Congress
THOMAS Web site.
[Link to bill]
EFSA Committee to Better Assess Pesticide Risks
Effective in October,
the new Pesticide Steering Committee of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) will plan and monitor the overall safety review
process of active substances used in pesticides throughout the European
Union.
[Link to EFSA]
Computer Tools to Track Foodborne Illnesses
The Consequences
Management System and the Food and Agriculture Sector Criticality
Assessment Tool are two computer resources being developed by
researchers at the US Department of Homeland Security's National Center
for Food Protection and Defense. The tools are intended to track and
evaluate foodborne illnesses.
[Link to article]
Regulatory Updates
FDA Draft Guidance for GE Animals
On September 18, the US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a 25-page draft guidance on
"Regulation of Genetically Engineered Animals Containing Heritable rDNA
Constructs." The link below summarizes the guidance and provides access
to the complete draft. Comments are being accepted through
November 18.
[Link to FDA]
Label Requirements for Rejected Imported Foods
Through the use of official labels, the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) seeks to hinder the practice of "port shopping" by importers
whose foods have been rejected at other US ports.
[Link to FDA]
Research & Reports
CDC Issues Report on Salmonella Saintpaul
This report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzes the recent outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul from contaminated produce, which infected over 1,400 individuals in the US between May and August.
[Link to CDC]
EFSA Issues Opinion on Flavorings
In a follow-up to an assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee
on 16 Food Additives (the JECFA) in 2000, a panel of the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its opinion concerning the same 16
nitrogen-containing substances used to flavor foods.
[Link to EFSA]
Items of Interest
New Video Series by AMI
"Ask the Meat Science
Guy," a 9-part educational video series developed by the American Meat
Institute (AMI), answers consumers' questions about the safety of meat.
Also available are resources for broadcast media.
[Link to AMI]
FSANZ Invites Comments on Food Code Changes
Food Standards Australia
New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering a change to the Australia New
Zealand Food Standards Code regarding the use of erythrosine, a
cherry-pink food dye. Public comments are invited through October 27.
[Link to FSANZ]
EFSA Calls for Data on Se and Cr
Through November 30, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is
collecting data on the Selenium (Se) and Chromium (Cr) content in food
and beverages. The data will serve to refine a 2006 exposure
assessment.
[Link to EFSA]
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
Logos: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Photos: Science Photo Library (pesticide molecule, by Dr. Tim Evans; Salmonella culture, by Tim Vernon, LTH NSH Trust; assorted meats, by David Munns )
For employers. For job seekers. Find who's right for You.
|