Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Bed Bug Problem is Growing! 8/31/2010



Joint Statement on Bed Bug Control in the United States from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Introduction and Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this document to highlight emerging public health issues associated with bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) in communities throughout the United States.

http://bit.ly/d0Etwd

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Teaching the Certified Professional Food Manager Course in Spanish - 8/25/2010



Instructing the CPFM course to a Spanish speaking class is easier than ever! The NEHA course book to help chefs, food managers and store owners prepare for the ANSI accredited exam that is required in most US jurisdictions is available in Spanish or English. The teacher's PowerPoint presentation for the instructor-led course is also available now in Spanish. Bi-lingual and Spanish speaking instructors now have a NEHA developed program just for you.

Check it out in our Food Safety training materials section of the NEHA bookstore

FDA releases guidance on federal menu labeling requirements

FDA releases guidance on federal menu labeling requirements

Thursday, August 19, 2010

NEW! Certified Professional Food Handler - Spanish edition 8/19/2010


We've translated the book most needed by line staff and entry level employees. Many jurisdictions require food handler training to improve retail food safety. This book, now in English and Spanish explains the important principles of food safety from personal hygiene to cooking temperatures - all based on the FDA Food Code.

Gives food handlers access to essential knowledge and understanding of fundamental food safety practices needed to carry out their work safely. Concise, brightly-illustrated, and written at the eighth-grade level, this student textbook has proven to be an effective tool in the workplace. With each text purchased, there is a free online assessment of the employees' knowledge with results sent via e-mail back to the student or directly to the manager!

$7.50 / 48 pages / paperback

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Popularity Grows for Online HACCP Training - 8/18/2010


Online training for all NEHA courses continues to grow with HACCP leading the pack!
Here's the scoop on what to expect from the course:

HACCP: Managing Food Safety Hazards at the Retail Level

This course provides you with the necessary steps for writing and voluntarily implementing a food safety management system based on hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles. By voluntarily developing and implementing a food safety management system like the one suggested, you can take a proactive role in ensuring that the food served or sold in your establishment is safe. Rather than responding to a foodborne illness when it occurs, you can prevent it by taking active steps to eliminate, prevent, or reduce to an acceptable level food safety hazards that cause someone to be sick or injured.
If you already have an existing food safety management system, you may use the concepts in this course to upgrade the system you have in place. Whether you are developing a new food safety management system or merely upgrading the one you currently have, this book encourages operators and regulators of retail and food service to partner together to make the greatest impact on food safety.
This 6-8 hour course is self-paced course is divided into easily digestible modules. Once purchased, you may access the course for 6 months.

2009 / online course / $139 course only
To purchase this course and for detailed course outline, click here
http://www.nehahaccp.org/

Friday, August 13, 2010

CP-FS Study Guide 2010 edition is Finally Here! 8/13/2010


CP-FS Study Guide 2010 Edition

This new study guide based on the 2009 Food Code is designed not only to assist students in preparing for the NEHA Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS) credential exam, but also as a valuable reference tool for public health departments, Quality Assurance professionals, inspectors and anyone else needing a solid tool which covers the requirements and expectations of the US FDA Food Code. It may be purchased individual or as part of the CP-FS Study Guide Package and/or the CP-FS Online Review course.
2010 / 213 pages / spiral bound with waterproof vinyl cover
$89/members / $109 non-members
For ordering or more information, contact send me an email at rbaker@neha.org

Detailed information

NEHA – A Preparation Guide for the Certified Professional of Food Safety (CP-FS) Examination

National Environmental Health Association Education and Training – 2010

Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Causes and Preventions of Foodborne Illness
Chapter 2 – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Chapter 3 – Cleaning and Sanitizing
Chapter 4 – Facility and Plan Review
Chapter 5 – Pest Control
Chapter 6 – Inspections
Chapter 7 – Food Sampling
Chapter 8 – Legal Aspects of Food Safety
Appendix A – Food pH Values
Appendix B – Symptoms of Foodborne Illness
Appendix C – Food Facility Design Checklist
Appendix D – Factors Influencing Microbial Growth
Appendix E – Microbial Hazards Relating to TCS Foods
Glossary

Senate "hopeful" to Move on Food Safety Legislation -8/13/2010

STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN TOM HARKIN (D-IA) ON THE FOOD SAFETY MANAGER’S PACKAGE
Thursday, August 12, 2010Kate Cyrul/Bergen Kenny 202-224-3254


STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN TOM HARKIN (D-IA) ON THE FOOD SAFETY MANAGER’S PACKAGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today issued the following statement on the manager’s package for The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Harkin has been working on a bipartisan basis with HELP Committee Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY), authors of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) and lead cosponsors Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Burr (R-NC) on the proposal.

The full manager’s package is available here (http://help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/WHI10337.pdf).

“For far too long, the headlines have told the story of why this measure is so urgently needed: foodborne illness outbreaks, product recalls and Americans sickened over the food they eat. This 100-year-old plus food safety structure needed to be modernized,” said Harkin.

“I am pleased that after a great deal of time and effort from members on both sides of the aisle, we have a strong, bipartisan proposal that will overhaul our current food safety system – a system that right now fails far too many American consumers. I am confident that the remaining details will be worked out and am hopeful that the measure will come to the Senate floor as soon as possible.”

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act passed the HELP Committee without a single dissenting vote on November 18, 2009. The bill is supported by dozens of industry and consumer organizations including the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Consumer Federation of America, the Grocery Manufacturers of America, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the National Restaurant Association and the Trust for America’s Health.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Comprehensive list of FDA guidance documents - 8/11/2010

http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Default.htm

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing a
comprehensive list of all guidance documents currently in use at the
agency. This list is being published under FDA's Good Guidance
Practices (GGPs). It is intended to inform the public of the existence
and availability of all of our current guidance documents. It also
provides information on guidance documents that have been added or
withdrawn in the past 5 years.

DATES: The FDA welcomes general comments on this list and on agency guidance documents at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov.
Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-
305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852.
For information on a specific guidance or to obtain a paper copy,
please refer to each Center's section of this document.