NEHA Food Handler Training Certificate Program
is accredited by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
10/4/2011
CONTACT:
Rance Baker
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
303-756-9090 x 306 (Mountain Standard Time)
FAX 303-691-9490
rbaker@neha.org
www.neha.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Receives Accreditation from ANSI for Food Handler Training Certificate Program.
Denver, CO, - The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) announced today it has received accreditation from American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the NEHA Food Handler Training Certificate Program. NEHA sees this opportunity as a means to ensure that their food handler training is standardized, peer reviewed, policy and regulatory compliant, meets quality standards, and is updated on a regular basis.
This ANSI accreditation ensures that the NEHA Certificate Program meets the California Food Handler Card Law, SB 303, which requires training providers to be accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The accreditation will also ensure that NEHA’s Certificate Program will continue to be in compliance with the new CA law, SB 602, starting January 1, 2012.
About the National Environmental Health Association
Located in Denver, Colorado, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) stands as a strong professional society with over 4,500 members in the public and private sectors as well as in universities and uniformed services. NEHA's mission, "to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all" is represented in the products and services offered by NEHA to advance the environmental health professional through training, education, networking, professional development, and policy involvement opportunities. The basis for the association’s activities is the belief that the professional who is trained, educated, and motivated is the professional who will make the greatest contribution to the healthful environmental goals, which we all seek. Learn more about NEHA at www.neha.org or by emailing support@neha.org
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
NEHA Receives FDA Grant - 9/28/2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Rance Baker National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
303-756-9090 x 306 (Mountain Standard Time)
FAX 303-691-9490
rbaker@neha.org
www.neha.org
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Receives Grant from FDA to Develop Regulatory Food Safety Training
Denver, CO, - The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) announced today it has received multi-year funding under a cooperative agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop a National Food Safety Curriculum for the regulatory food safety workforce at all levels to help ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply. NEHA, in conjunction with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), sees this opportunity as a means to pursue a strategy to ensure that all food protection training is standardized, peer reviewed, policy and regulatory compliant, meets quality standards, and is updated on a regular basis.
Funding through the “Integrated Food Safety System’s National Food/Feed Training Program” will be used to develop a national food safety training system that provides knowledge and skills to regulators and environmental and public health partners at all levels of the government in a timely and efficient manner as well as implement a national certification system to help assure both comparable and competent performance of staff at all levels of government.
Funding through the cooperative agreement will support NEHA’s and FDA’s goals to establish the quality standards that must be met for both individual training courses and instructors. The funding will also support NEHA’s current actions in training food safety professionals to identify core competencies and tasks that are not covered by existing training. As a national association of environmental health and protection professionals, NEHA is uniquely positioned to deliver these programs.
About the National Environmental Health Association
Located in Denver, Colorado, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) stands as a strong professional society with over 4,500 members in the public and private sectors as well as in universities and uniformed services. NEHA's mission, "to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all" is represented in the products and services offered by NEHA to advance the environmental health professional through training, education, networking, professional development, and policy involvement opportunities. The basis for the association’s activities is the belief that the professional who is trained, educated, and motivated is the professional who will make the greatest contribution to the healthful environmental goals, which we all seek. Learn more about NEHA at www.neha.org.
About Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. UL has tested products for public safety and written Standards for Safety for over a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems annually with 21 billion UL Marks appearing on 71,000 manufacturers’ products each year. Since the founding in 1894, UL has held the undisputed reputation as the leader in U.S. product safety and certification and is becoming one of the most recognized, reputable conformity assessment providers in the world. UL services extend to helping companies achieve global acceptance for their products, whether it is an electrical device, a programmable system, or a company’s quality process. Learn more about UL at www.ul.com.
###
CONTACT:
Rance Baker National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
303-756-9090 x 306 (Mountain Standard Time)
FAX 303-691-9490
rbaker@neha.org
www.neha.org
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Receives Grant from FDA to Develop Regulatory Food Safety Training
Denver, CO, - The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) announced today it has received multi-year funding under a cooperative agreement with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop a National Food Safety Curriculum for the regulatory food safety workforce at all levels to help ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply. NEHA, in conjunction with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), sees this opportunity as a means to pursue a strategy to ensure that all food protection training is standardized, peer reviewed, policy and regulatory compliant, meets quality standards, and is updated on a regular basis.
Funding through the “Integrated Food Safety System’s National Food/Feed Training Program” will be used to develop a national food safety training system that provides knowledge and skills to regulators and environmental and public health partners at all levels of the government in a timely and efficient manner as well as implement a national certification system to help assure both comparable and competent performance of staff at all levels of government.
Funding through the cooperative agreement will support NEHA’s and FDA’s goals to establish the quality standards that must be met for both individual training courses and instructors. The funding will also support NEHA’s current actions in training food safety professionals to identify core competencies and tasks that are not covered by existing training. As a national association of environmental health and protection professionals, NEHA is uniquely positioned to deliver these programs.
About the National Environmental Health Association
Located in Denver, Colorado, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) stands as a strong professional society with over 4,500 members in the public and private sectors as well as in universities and uniformed services. NEHA's mission, "to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all" is represented in the products and services offered by NEHA to advance the environmental health professional through training, education, networking, professional development, and policy involvement opportunities. The basis for the association’s activities is the belief that the professional who is trained, educated, and motivated is the professional who will make the greatest contribution to the healthful environmental goals, which we all seek. Learn more about NEHA at www.neha.org.
About Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. UL has tested products for public safety and written Standards for Safety for over a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems annually with 21 billion UL Marks appearing on 71,000 manufacturers’ products each year. Since the founding in 1894, UL has held the undisputed reputation as the leader in U.S. product safety and certification and is becoming one of the most recognized, reputable conformity assessment providers in the world. UL services extend to helping companies achieve global acceptance for their products, whether it is an electrical device, a programmable system, or a company’s quality process. Learn more about UL at www.ul.com.
###
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Health Experts Examine New Food Safety Law
“Health Experts Examine New Food Safety Law” was originally published at Food Safety News on June 21, 2011. Republished with permission from Food Safety News. © Marler Clark and Claire Mitchell. All rights reserved.
BY CLAIRE MITCHELL | JUN 21, 2011This past weekend, environmental health professionals, local, state and federal health department officials, industry representatives, teachers and students, convened in Columbus, Ohio for the 75th National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Annual Educational Conference (AEC). However, as organizers of the event described, it is so much more than just a conference. NEHA representatives explained that the event provides attendees with opportunities for training, education, networking, development and inspiration. Specifically, the conference offers lectures and panel discussions on a wide range of topics including food protection and defense, international environmental health, healthy homes, and safe drinking water, just to name a few.
NEHA was originally created as a national professional society for environmental health practitioners with the intention of establishing a standard of excellence for the profession. That standard is today known as the Registered Environmental Health Specialist or Registered Sanitarian credential. Founded in 1937, NEHA currently boasts a membership of 4,500 diverse individuals nationwide who continuously strive to uphold the organization's mission "to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all."
One well-attended session was a panel discussion held on Saturday, June 18, about the recently enacted Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Timothy Weigner, Branch Director for Development and Integration at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), facilitated the presentations and provided a concise overview of the new law.
Weigner opened the session by addressing the numerous reasons why the new food safety legislation is so crucial. For instance, he suggested that the growth of globalization, the significant amount of food being produced overseas, and the presence of new hazards and pathogens demonstrate not only that food production and distribution have undergone major changes in the past several decades, but that our food safety regime must be updated to encompass those changes.
With 50 new rules contained in FSMA to be implemented by FDA, Weigner explained that this will require the creation of a new food safety system. According to Weigner, it will be a system that, among other things, imposes new import requirements, mandates broad prevention and accountability mechanisms, emphasizes the need for FDA to establish partnerships with other agencies, examines the farm to table continuum, and recognizes that everyone has a role to play.
The FSMA has been touted by many as being the most groundbreaking food safety legislation in over half a century. In agreement, Weigner remarked that "it is a huge step from where we've been." However, the question that has lingered in the minds of government authorities, health officials, and industry representatives is how to put the law into action. During the discussion, Weigner introduced 8 panelists, each with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge, who attempted to answer this question. There were certain common themes seen throughout the presentations: the formation of partnerships, the development of proper training programs, and sufficient sources of funding.
Partnerships
Specifically, in his introductory remarks, Weigner expressed the effectiveness of securing partnerships or creating "coalitions" between public health agencies at the local, state and federal levels, laboratories, and universities. Panelist Robert Blake, Branch Chief of Environmental Health Services at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agreed with the importance of partnerships between FDA and other agencies in order to accomplish full implementation of FSMA, and he added that the CDC is prepared to forge that partnership. "The CDC recognizes that the FDA carries most of the burden of implementing the law, however CDC's work in tracing a foodborne illness back to the source is a vital link," he said. Blake explained that the CDC has embraced FSMA and plans to work with FDA as well as other public health agencies to enhance disease surveillance systems and study trends in foodborne illness outbreaks.
Brian Collins, Director of Environmental Health for the City of Plano Health Department in Texas, agreed that partnerships are vital to the successful implementation of FSMA. Looking at FSMA from a local agency perspective, Collins speculated that FDA will likely need to form and maintain critical partnerships with state and local agencies. In doing so, Collins said that these partnerships would make it easier for FDA to call upon local health authorities to assist in the inspection of food production facilities. However, Collins mentioned that partnerships could also have the added benefit of providing state and local agencies with certain new opportunities for grants and certification.
In further support of the creation of partnerships, William Dardick, statistician and psychometrician with FDA, stated, "No one can do the job themselves." Instead, he believes that collaboration amongst agencies is the key to accomplishing the primary goal of FSMA, creating a safer food system. "As partners we can move forward," he said. Partnerships, Dardick explained, allow agencies to rely on one another for help and guidance.
Yet, panelist David McSwane, Professor and Interim Associate Dean within the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, went even further to suggest that implementation of FSMA will require "responsibilities to now be shared, not only between agencies, but between sectors." From his academic perspective, universities can serve as valuable partners in improving the nation's food safety system by being a source of the underlying science used to formulate new programs and policies under FSMA.
Training
Importantly, Dardick pointed out that the creation of partnerships overlaps significantly with another vital aspect of implementing FSMA, which is proper training. By investigating how health officials and food safety specialists in partner agencies do their job, developers of training programs will have the "blueprints," as Dardick said, necessary to identify the gaps and to enhance current training programs.
McSwane also highlighted that training will be a key element in achieving an integrated food safety system as laid out in FSMA. "Training provides the knowledge and skills required to implement FSMA," he said. Due to the growing complexity of our food production and distribution system, it will not only be necessary for individuals to be trained with greater specialization, but it will also require new approaches to training that may cross traditional and even jurisdictional boundaries. In addition, McSwane predicts that training programs will now be crafted to provide a career-spanning curriculum that will include foundational courses as well as areas of specialization. Under FSMA, individuals will now be expected to make a commitment to progress and expansion of knowledge throughout their career.
However, creating these training programs will be a challenge. As Dardick expressed, "it takes time to build a quality training course. The work is not going to happen overnight." McSwane explained that it may be difficult to establish a network of instructors to administer the training courses. The main issue, though, as McSwane addressed, is whether agencies will have the resources to make training available and accessible.
Funding
In his talk, attorney and panelist Bill Marler, focused on the funding of FSMA. A food safety advocate (and sponsor of Food Safety News), Marler worked with legislators to see FSMA signed by President Barack Obama in January 2011. As Marler described, "FSMA was a rare piece of legislation that was bipartisan." It was a moment in history where consumer advocacy groups and industry groups walked hand in hand, Marler stated. However, many fear that with agency-wide budget cuts anticipated for the 2012 fiscal year, FDA will not receive the requisite resources to sufficiently fund the provisions of FSMA.
Marler recited the statistic that approximately 48 million people (1 in 6 Americans) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from preventable foodborne diseases. He made a provocative analogy between the 3,000 foodborne illness related deaths that occur each year and the 3,000 lives lost on the September 11, 2001. "We've spent billions of dollars on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and on making airports safer, and yet we can't seem to scrape together the $1.5 billion over 5 years necessary to fully implement FSMA," argued Marler. He concluded his lecture by urging the NEHA AEC audience to petition their state senators to not cut funding for FDA so that FSMA may be implemented to its greatest potential
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Quick Link to 2011 AEC Registration Form
Here is a quick link to the Registration Form for NEHA's Annual Educational Conference (AEC) being held in Columbus, Ohio June 18-20, 2011. Use this form to sign up for the conference and to sign up for the pre-conference courses and workshops, including
Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS/RS) Review Course
Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS) Review Course
HAACP Manager Certification Course
Certified Professional Food Manager Certification Course
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
HACCP Textbooks from NEHA - Special Sale! 4/19/2011
Special Offer! Buy Processor, get Retail Food for only $10!
The core principles of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) are the same regardless of whether you produce or manufacture food, ship it, deliver it, store it or serve it. It is a risk-based analysis designed to prevent foodborne problems from happening to begin with. How you enact a HACCP plan and how it works on day to day basis varies greatly depending on the dynamic nature of your business.
NEHA has developed HACCP textbooks for both manufacturers and processors, where production of large volumes of similar products is the day to day norm, and also HACCP for retail food operations, where menus can change on a daily basis and recipes can have complex steps possibly requiring individual parts of the recipe to be made at different times and then combined.
For a complete picture of this complex, but important subject, understanding all of the ways HACCP works can be important.
For a limited time, purchase our HACCP for Processors: A Step-By-Step Guide and receive the ´process approach’ based HACCP: Managing Food Safety Hazards at the Retail Level for only $10—a savings of over 50% off the book's regular price! Click here for access to the NEHA bookstore
HACCP for Processors: A Step-By-Step Guide: 2011 / 172 pages / spiral-bound paperback
HACCP: Managing Food Safety Hazards at the Retail Level: 2009 / 128 pages / paperback
Special Pricing: $94
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Credential and Certificate Courses at the NEHA Annual Educational Conference (AEC) in Columbus, OH June 2011
Advance your expertise and career potential by obtaining a NEHA credential at the AEC. Only qualified applicants will be able to take an exam. Separate applications for the NEHA credentials are required and due to NEHA no later than May 6, 2011. For credential applications and information on eligibility, visit neha.org/credential. Separate application and examination fees due apply.
Seating is limited
Certified Professional of Food Safety (CP-FS)
Review Course: Thursday, June 16, 8:00am – 5:00pm & Friday, June 17, 8:00am – 12:00noon
Exam: Friday, June 17, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
This one and a half day refresher course is designed to enhance your preparation for the NEHA CP-FS credential exam. Participants are expected to have prior food safety knowledge and training equal to the eligibility requirements to sit for the CP-FS exam. The course will cover exam content areas as described in the job task analysis. (Please see the CP-FS Candidate Information Brochure at www.neha.org/credential for more information.) The instructor will be available during and after the course for questions.
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Cost is $299 for members and $399 for nonmembers, which includes the CP-FS Study Package (CP-FS Study Guide 2010 Edition, NEHA's Certified Professional Food Manager course book, 2005 and 2009 Food Code on CDs, a $145 value. Limit 50 people.
Registered Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS)
Review Course: Thursday & Friday, June 16 & 17, 8:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday, June 18, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Exam: Sunday, June 19, 8:00am – 12:00noon
This refresher course is designed to enhance your preparation for the NEHA REHS/RS credential exam. Participants are expected to have a solid foundation of environmental health knowledge and training equal to the eligibility requirements to sit for the REHS/RS exam. This course alone is not enough to pass the REHS/RS credential examination. The course will cover exam content areas as described in the job task analysis. (Please see the REHS/RS Candidate Information Brochure at www.neha.org/credential for more information.) The instructor will be available during and after the course for questions.
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Cost is $459 for members and $559 for nonmembers, which includes the REHS/RS Study Guide, a $179 value. Limit 50 people.
HACCP Manager Certification Course
Review Course: Friday, June 17, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Exam: Saturday, June 18, 8:00 – 10:00am
Managing food safety risks in a food production setting has never been more important. With foodborne illness outbreaks occurring weekly in the United States, all food operations need to protect their liability and livelihood by implementing food safety management plans to reduce the risk in becoming involved in a foodborne illness outbreak. The NEHA HACCP Course will provide participants with the information necessary to implement an effective and dynamic HACCP program. The course will teach students how to identify, assess, and reduce or eliminate potential food hazards by utilizing HACCP. This course is an excellent core competency course for anyone looking to understand HACCP from an industry or regulatory side. Previous training with a minimum of Certified Professional Food Manager is highly recommended.
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Cost is $249 for members and $299 for nonmembers, which includes the NEHA textbook, HACCP: Managing Food Safety. Limit 50 people..
Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)
Review Course: Thursday, June 16, 8:00am – 3:00pm
Exam: Thursday, June 16, 3:00 – 5:00pm
As foodborne illnesses continue to make the news and alarm the public, retail operations need to protect their liability and livelihood by implementing food safety management plans to reduce their chances of becoming involved in a foodborne illness outbreak. Retail managers not only need to know and understand the most up-to-date and effective food safety practices, but they need to be able to successfully share that information with food handlers within their establishments to create a true safe food culture. This course will bring managers up-to-date with changes in the 2009 FDA Food Code and give them proven techniques to implement the new procedures in the retail environment. Participants are expected to have prior food safety knowledge in a retail environment.
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Cost is $169, which includes the NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager textbook, as well as the nationally recognized ANSI-CFP accredited examination from Prometric for Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) certification. Limit 50 people.
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Friday, April 8, 2011
CP-FS review course Columbus, Ohio this June 2011. Attend the AEC!
(CP-FS)Review Course: Thursday, June 16, 8:00am – 5:00pm & Friday, June 17, 8:00am – 12:00pm This one and a half day refresher course is designed to enhance your preparation for the NEHA CP-FS credential exam. Participants are expected to have prior food safety knowledge and training equal to the eligibility requirements to sit for the CP-FS exam. The course will cover exam content areas as described in the job task analysis. (Please see the CP-FS Candidate Information Brochure at www.neha.org/credential for more information.) The instructor will be available during and after the course for questions. Cost is $299 for members and $399 for nonmembers, which includes the CP-FS Study Package (CP-FS Study Guide [2010 Edition], NEHA's Certified Professional Food Manager [CPFM] course book, 2005 Food Code on CD, and 2009 Food Code on CD) a$145 value. Limit 50 people. Exam: Friday, June 17, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. For more information or to register, go to www.neha.org or call 303-756-9090.
Friday, April 1, 2011
FDA proposes draft menu and vending machine labeling requirements - 04/01/2011
FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 1, 2011
Media Inquiries: Michael Herndon, 301-796-4673, michael.herndon@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA proposes draft menu and vending machine labeling requirements, invites public to comment on proposals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued two proposed regulations regarding calorie labeling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines. The FDA invites input on the proposed regulations by visiting http://www.regulations.gov1.
“These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier.”
The menu labeling rule proposed today applies to chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments. Specifically, consumers would see calories listed in restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items. Examples of these establishments include fast food establishments, bakeries, coffee shops and certain grocery and convenience stores. Movie theaters, airplanes, bowling alleys, and other establishments whose primary purpose is not to sell food would not be subject to this proposed regulation. Additionally, the proposal invites the public to comment on whether additional types of food establishments should or should not be covered by the new rule. A companion rule proposes calorie posting for food sold in vending machines. The FDA is accepting comments on both proposed rules.
“Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside the home,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “While consumers can find calorie and other nutrition information on most packaged foods, it's not generally available in restaurants or similar retail establishments. This proposal is aimed at giving consumers consistent and easy-to-understand nutrition information.”
The Affordable Care Act requires the disclosure of calorie and other nutrition information in certain food establishments and for certain foods sold in vending machines. Additionally, on menus and menu boards, statements would be posted concerning suggested daily calorie intake and indicating that additional nutrition information is available on request. Under the proposal, this information would be displayed clearly and prominently on menus and menu boards, including menu boards in drive-through locations; and for individual foods on display. Consistent with the law, the agency is proposing that the following statement on daily caloric intake be on menus and menu boards to help consumers understand the significance of the calorie information in the context of a total daily diet:
“A 2,000 calorie diet is used as the basis for general nutrition advice;
however, individual calorie needs may vary.”
Under the proposed rules, operators who own or operate 20 or more vending machines would post calorie information for food sold in a vending machine, unless certain nutrition information is already visible on individual packages of food inside the machine.
State and local governments could not impose any different nutrition labeling requirements for food sold in restaurants, similar retail food establishments, and vending machines covered by the Federal requirements. Restaurants, similar retail food establishments, and vending machine operators that are not covered by the Federal requirements could voluntarily register to be covered under the Federal nutrition labeling regulations.
The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for menu labeling for 60 days (until 06-06-2011). Comments on the proposed rule on vending machines may be submitted for 90 days (until 07-05-2011). The FDA plans to issue final rules before the end of 2011.
To submit your comments to the docket by mail, use the following address:
The Division of Dockets Management
HFA-305
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Be sure to include the appropriate docket number on each page of your written comments.
For more information:
http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx3
For Immediate Release: April 1, 2011
Media Inquiries: Michael Herndon, 301-796-4673, michael.herndon@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA proposes draft menu and vending machine labeling requirements, invites public to comment on proposals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued two proposed regulations regarding calorie labeling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines. The FDA invites input on the proposed regulations by visiting http://www.regulations.gov1.
“These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier.”
The menu labeling rule proposed today applies to chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments. Specifically, consumers would see calories listed in restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items. Examples of these establishments include fast food establishments, bakeries, coffee shops and certain grocery and convenience stores. Movie theaters, airplanes, bowling alleys, and other establishments whose primary purpose is not to sell food would not be subject to this proposed regulation. Additionally, the proposal invites the public to comment on whether additional types of food establishments should or should not be covered by the new rule. A companion rule proposes calorie posting for food sold in vending machines. The FDA is accepting comments on both proposed rules.
“Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside the home,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “While consumers can find calorie and other nutrition information on most packaged foods, it's not generally available in restaurants or similar retail establishments. This proposal is aimed at giving consumers consistent and easy-to-understand nutrition information.”
The Affordable Care Act requires the disclosure of calorie and other nutrition information in certain food establishments and for certain foods sold in vending machines. Additionally, on menus and menu boards, statements would be posted concerning suggested daily calorie intake and indicating that additional nutrition information is available on request. Under the proposal, this information would be displayed clearly and prominently on menus and menu boards, including menu boards in drive-through locations; and for individual foods on display. Consistent with the law, the agency is proposing that the following statement on daily caloric intake be on menus and menu boards to help consumers understand the significance of the calorie information in the context of a total daily diet:
“A 2,000 calorie diet is used as the basis for general nutrition advice;
however, individual calorie needs may vary.”
Under the proposed rules, operators who own or operate 20 or more vending machines would post calorie information for food sold in a vending machine, unless certain nutrition information is already visible on individual packages of food inside the machine.
State and local governments could not impose any different nutrition labeling requirements for food sold in restaurants, similar retail food establishments, and vending machines covered by the Federal requirements. Restaurants, similar retail food establishments, and vending machine operators that are not covered by the Federal requirements could voluntarily register to be covered under the Federal nutrition labeling regulations.
The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for menu labeling for 60 days (until 06-06-2011). Comments on the proposed rule on vending machines may be submitted for 90 days (until 07-05-2011). The FDA plans to issue final rules before the end of 2011.
To submit your comments to the docket by mail, use the following address:
The Division of Dockets Management
HFA-305
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
Be sure to include the appropriate docket number on each page of your written comments.
For more information:
http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx3
JOINT EPA/FDA STATEMENT: Update on Ongoing Monitoring - 04/01/2011
FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
EPA Press Office: press@epa.gov
In response to the ongoing situation in Japan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to increase the level of nationwide monitoring of milk, precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes.
EPA conducts radiological monitoring of milk under its RADNET program, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has jurisdiction over the safety, labeling and identity of milk and milk products in interstate commerce. States have jurisdiction over those facilities located within their territory.
Results from a screening sample taken March 25 from Spokane, WA detected 0.8 pCi/L of iodine-131, which is more than 5,000 times lower than the Derived Intervention Level set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These types of findings are to be expected in the coming days and are far below levels of public health concern, including for infants and children. Iodine-131 has a very short half-life of approximately eight days, and the level detected in milk and milk products is therefore expected to drop relatively quickly.
“Radiation is all around us in our daily lives, and these findings are a miniscule amount compared to what people experience every day. For example, a person would be exposed to low levels of radiation on a round trip cross country flight, watching television, and even from construction materials,” said Patricia Hansen, an FDA senior scientist.
EPA’s recommendation to state and local governments is to continue to coordinate closely with EPA, FDA and CDC – EPA will continue to communicate our nationwide sampling results as they come in.
For more information:
EPA: www.epa.gov/japan2011FDA: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm247403.htm
#
For Immediate Release:
Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
EPA Press Office: press@epa.gov
In response to the ongoing situation in Japan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to increase the level of nationwide monitoring of milk, precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes.
EPA conducts radiological monitoring of milk under its RADNET program, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has jurisdiction over the safety, labeling and identity of milk and milk products in interstate commerce. States have jurisdiction over those facilities located within their territory.
Results from a screening sample taken March 25 from Spokane, WA detected 0.8 pCi/L of iodine-131, which is more than 5,000 times lower than the Derived Intervention Level set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These types of findings are to be expected in the coming days and are far below levels of public health concern, including for infants and children. Iodine-131 has a very short half-life of approximately eight days, and the level detected in milk and milk products is therefore expected to drop relatively quickly.
“Radiation is all around us in our daily lives, and these findings are a miniscule amount compared to what people experience every day. For example, a person would be exposed to low levels of radiation on a round trip cross country flight, watching television, and even from construction materials,” said Patricia Hansen, an FDA senior scientist.
EPA’s recommendation to state and local governments is to continue to coordinate closely with EPA, FDA and CDC – EPA will continue to communicate our nationwide sampling results as they come in.
For more information:
EPA: www.epa.gov/japan2011FDA: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm247403.htm
#
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Environmental Health Regulatory Food Safety Program Capacity Assessment - 03/24/2011
Environmental Health Regulatory Food Safety Program Capacity Assessment
NEHA, along with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Association of Food and Drug Officials, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s participation is still pending), have been asked to conduct an environmental health (EH) regulatory food safety program capacity assessment by the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR).
CIFOR members are interested in knowing what impacts budget cuts may be having on the capacity of local and state regulatory food safety programs—and specifically on those programs that conduct environmental investigations during foodborne disease outbreaks. This assessment is intended for EH and regulatory food safety managers and directors who oversee programs within local, tribal, and state government agencies that conduct environmental investigations during foodborne disease outbreaks.
Your participation in this important assessment is essential and appreciated. The assessment consists of 11 questions that should take about 15-25 minutes to complete. NEHA will be happy to share a summary of the results to those who complete the assessment. The assessment will close Friday, April 8, 2011. To access the assessment, please click here
NEHA, along with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Association of Food and Drug Officials, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s participation is still pending), have been asked to conduct an environmental health (EH) regulatory food safety program capacity assessment by the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR).
CIFOR members are interested in knowing what impacts budget cuts may be having on the capacity of local and state regulatory food safety programs—and specifically on those programs that conduct environmental investigations during foodborne disease outbreaks. This assessment is intended for EH and regulatory food safety managers and directors who oversee programs within local, tribal, and state government agencies that conduct environmental investigations during foodborne disease outbreaks.
Your participation in this important assessment is essential and appreciated. The assessment consists of 11 questions that should take about 15-25 minutes to complete. NEHA will be happy to share a summary of the results to those who complete the assessment. The assessment will close Friday, April 8, 2011. To access the assessment, please click here
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
FEHA offers HACCP training - posted 03/15/2011
The Florida Environmental Health Association (FEHA) will be offering hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) training March 29-30, 2011 to regulators and others interested in understanding more about the principles of HACCP and its applications.
For more information, go the website for FEHA and follow the links
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Just Arrived! New HACCP textbook from NEHA - 03/02/2011
The Newest Food Safety Book from NEHA!
HACCP Basics for Manufacturers and Processors provides you with the necessary knowledge for understanding, writing and implementing a food safety management system based on HACCP principles. This risk based and proactive food safety management system was originally developed for NASA to ensure safe food for our astronauts. It is now an international standard for controlling foodborne risks.
This comprehensive textbook is designed teach the principles of HACCP and also to be a valuable reference book for your food safety library. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with our online HACCP course.
For more information on this book, or to purchase it, visit our bookstore, or call 303-756-9090.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Support NEHA in Opposing Budget Cuts to Environmental Health - 2/28/2011
Please Support NEHA’s Strong Opposition to Proposed Budget Cuts that Impact Environmental Health
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is deeply concerned about the Continuing Resolution and FY 2011 budget recommendations that have been proposed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, NEHA is strongly opposing the FY 2012 CDC budget recommendations as presented in both the president’s budget and the majority report released by the House Appropriations Committee. The scope and magnitude of the proposed cuts will adversely affect the ability of environmental health programs at the federal, state, and local levels to provide basic and essential services. In addition, much of the proposed cutting threatens to reverse the gains that have been made to safeguard our environment and protect human health. Many proposed cuts also take aim at the very programs where future environmental health needs are likely to be the greatest.
NEHA joins a growing number of environmental, scientific, and public health professionals in objecting to this significant cutback on the programs needed to protect the health and safety of the American people. In response, NEHA has sent three letters to 48 Senators and Congressional Representatives who serve on the appropriation subcommittees and have jurisdiction over CDC and EPA; two were sent in opposition to the CDC and EPA proposed budget cuts, respectively, and one was sent in strong support of the funding recommendations contained in the President’s budget for both FY 2011 and FY 2012 concerning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (The president has recommended expanded funding for food safety work within the FDA.)
We urge you at this time to enhance the strength of the positions taken by NEHA by contributing your voice to this policy debate. In other words, we would appreciate it if you would also contact your Congressional delegation to express the same kinds of concerns that NEHA has. (To view the three positions taken by NEHA, please click here. )
You can write to your U.S. Senator and Representative today by visiting www.house.gov and entering your zip code, and www.senate.gov and selecting your state. Contact information and guidance on how to communicate with these individuals can be found on their websites. Each of these websites also contains information about the membership of the relevant sub-committees of the appropriation committee in the senate and house.* If one of your Representatives or Senators sits on one of these appropriations subcommittees, it becomes even more important that you contact them as they are directly involved in these crucial budget decisions.
Additionally, telephone calls can be a powerful tool in communicating with members of Congress. To contact the U.S. Capitol directly, call 202-224-3121.
Please join NEHA in standing up for our profession!
• *For EPA: House and Senate- Appropriation Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and related agencies
• *For FDA AND CDC: House and Senate- Appropriation Subcommittee on Health, Labor Education
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is deeply concerned about the Continuing Resolution and FY 2011 budget recommendations that have been proposed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, NEHA is strongly opposing the FY 2012 CDC budget recommendations as presented in both the president’s budget and the majority report released by the House Appropriations Committee. The scope and magnitude of the proposed cuts will adversely affect the ability of environmental health programs at the federal, state, and local levels to provide basic and essential services. In addition, much of the proposed cutting threatens to reverse the gains that have been made to safeguard our environment and protect human health. Many proposed cuts also take aim at the very programs where future environmental health needs are likely to be the greatest.
NEHA joins a growing number of environmental, scientific, and public health professionals in objecting to this significant cutback on the programs needed to protect the health and safety of the American people. In response, NEHA has sent three letters to 48 Senators and Congressional Representatives who serve on the appropriation subcommittees and have jurisdiction over CDC and EPA; two were sent in opposition to the CDC and EPA proposed budget cuts, respectively, and one was sent in strong support of the funding recommendations contained in the President’s budget for both FY 2011 and FY 2012 concerning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (The president has recommended expanded funding for food safety work within the FDA.)
We urge you at this time to enhance the strength of the positions taken by NEHA by contributing your voice to this policy debate. In other words, we would appreciate it if you would also contact your Congressional delegation to express the same kinds of concerns that NEHA has. (To view the three positions taken by NEHA, please click here. )
You can write to your U.S. Senator and Representative today by visiting www.house.gov and entering your zip code, and www.senate.gov and selecting your state. Contact information and guidance on how to communicate with these individuals can be found on their websites. Each of these websites also contains information about the membership of the relevant sub-committees of the appropriation committee in the senate and house.* If one of your Representatives or Senators sits on one of these appropriations subcommittees, it becomes even more important that you contact them as they are directly involved in these crucial budget decisions.
Additionally, telephone calls can be a powerful tool in communicating with members of Congress. To contact the U.S. Capitol directly, call 202-224-3121.
Please join NEHA in standing up for our profession!
• *For EPA: House and Senate- Appropriation Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and related agencies
• *For FDA AND CDC: House and Senate- Appropriation Subcommittee on Health, Labor Education
New Tools in Fighting Norovirus - 2/28/2011
FDA permits marketing of first test for most common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks
Test can aid in identifying and containing norovirus outbreaks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first test for the preliminary identification of norovirus.
The Ridascreen Norovirus 3rd Generation EIA assay is for use when a number of people have simultaneously contracted gastroenteritis and there is a clear avenue for virus transmission, such as a shared location or food.
Norovirus is a leading cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States.
Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Norovirus contamination usually occurs in settings where there is close group contact, such as cruise ships, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools or child-care centers. It is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.
“This test provides an avenue for early identification of norovirus,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Early intervention can halt the spread of an outbreak.”
The test is not sensitive enough for use when only a single person has symptoms and should not be used for diagnosing individual patients.
The manufacturer demonstrated the performance of the Ridascreen test by comparing results of it to the results of a norovirus reference standard for 609 fecal samples. When the fecal samples were tested with Ridascreen, overall results on average were less sensitive than those of standard reference tests, detecting norovirus across samples about 2/3 of the time it was present.
The FDA reviewed data for Ridascreen via the de novo pathway, an alternative path to market for devices that are lower risk and may not require premarket approval (PMA), but are of a new type, and therefore may not be able to be cleared in a '510(k)' premarket notification.
In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be updating management and disease prevention guidelines for norovirus outbreaks. These guidelines will likely reflect substantial advances made in norovirus epidemiology, immunology, diagnostic methods and infection control.
Ridascreen is made by R-Biopharm AG, located in Darmstadt, Germany.
For more information:
FDA: Medical Devices1
CDC: Norovirus2
HHS: Norovirus3
Media Inquiries: Erica Jefferson, 301-796-4988, erica.jefferson@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
Test can aid in identifying and containing norovirus outbreaks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first test for the preliminary identification of norovirus.
The Ridascreen Norovirus 3rd Generation EIA assay is for use when a number of people have simultaneously contracted gastroenteritis and there is a clear avenue for virus transmission, such as a shared location or food.
Norovirus is a leading cause of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States.
Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Norovirus contamination usually occurs in settings where there is close group contact, such as cruise ships, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools or child-care centers. It is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces.
“This test provides an avenue for early identification of norovirus,” said Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Early intervention can halt the spread of an outbreak.”
The test is not sensitive enough for use when only a single person has symptoms and should not be used for diagnosing individual patients.
The manufacturer demonstrated the performance of the Ridascreen test by comparing results of it to the results of a norovirus reference standard for 609 fecal samples. When the fecal samples were tested with Ridascreen, overall results on average were less sensitive than those of standard reference tests, detecting norovirus across samples about 2/3 of the time it was present.
The FDA reviewed data for Ridascreen via the de novo pathway, an alternative path to market for devices that are lower risk and may not require premarket approval (PMA), but are of a new type, and therefore may not be able to be cleared in a '510(k)' premarket notification.
In March, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be updating management and disease prevention guidelines for norovirus outbreaks. These guidelines will likely reflect substantial advances made in norovirus epidemiology, immunology, diagnostic methods and infection control.
Ridascreen is made by R-Biopharm AG, located in Darmstadt, Germany.
For more information:
FDA: Medical Devices1
CDC: Norovirus2
HHS: Norovirus3
Media Inquiries: Erica Jefferson, 301-796-4988, erica.jefferson@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Excerpt from President Obama's 2012 Budget -$2.7B for FDA - 2/15/2011
Bolsters the Safety of the Nation’s Food
and Medicines. The Budget includes $2.7 billion
in budget authority and $4.4 billion in total
program resources for the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). The Budget enables FDA to
further the core principles recommended by the
President’s Food Safety Working Group and implement
key elements of the Food Safety Modernization
Act. The Administration will work with
the Congress to enact additional food safety fees
to support the full implementation of the FDA
Food Safety Modernization Act and the Budget
reflects the collection of these fees in 2013 and beyond.
In 2012, FDA will advance efforts to implement
the ACA provisions to establish a pathway
to approve biosimilar products and to improve
nutrition labeling. To better protect health in response
to natural or intentional threats, the Administration also invests in FDA’s efforts to advance regulatory science and support the review
of new medical countermeasures for chemical, radiological,
biomedical, and nuclear threats.
and Medicines. The Budget includes $2.7 billion
in budget authority and $4.4 billion in total
program resources for the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). The Budget enables FDA to
further the core principles recommended by the
President’s Food Safety Working Group and implement
key elements of the Food Safety Modernization
Act. The Administration will work with
the Congress to enact additional food safety fees
to support the full implementation of the FDA
Food Safety Modernization Act and the Budget
reflects the collection of these fees in 2013 and beyond.
In 2012, FDA will advance efforts to implement
the ACA provisions to establish a pathway
to approve biosimilar products and to improve
nutrition labeling. To better protect health in response
to natural or intentional threats, the Administration also invests in FDA’s efforts to advance regulatory science and support the review
of new medical countermeasures for chemical, radiological,
biomedical, and nuclear threats.
Monday, February 14, 2011
“If You See Something, Say Something™”
To improve suspicious activity awareness and reporting within the Food and Agriculture Sector, this one-page document was developed by Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to highlight indicators of suspicious activities and recommended protective measures by food service and retail food establishments. This document is intended to be posted in work areas to make employees aware of what they should be looking for each day and what actions they should take if they observe something suspicious.
http://www.neha.org/pdf/food_safety/Food_and_Agriculture_See_Something.pdf
http://www.neha.org/pdf/food_safety/Food_and_Agriculture_See_Something.pdf
Thursday, February 10, 2011
New FDA Materials on Sanitation Concerns with Commercial Deli Slicers - 2/09/2011
As part of an initiative to improve food safety practices in retail and foodservice establishments, FDA has developed a poster and flyer designed to raise awareness of sanitation concerns with commercial deli slicers commonly used to slice meats, cheeses and produce in food stores, delis, restaurants and other foodservice establishments:
The poster, targeted to operators of food establishments and their front line food employees, is suitable for posting near deli slicers, and explains the importance of proper slicer maintenance and highlights examples of hard-to-clean problem areas on deli slicers.
The flyer, targeted to food safety professionals, offers tips to ensure deli slicers are being properly cleaned and maintained and when slicers should be removed from service until repaired or replaced
If deli slicers are not properly cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, food soils and disease-causing microorganisms can accumulate on slicer surfaces and result in food contamination. These machines have a long life in retail and foodservice establishments, and over time they may become difficult or impossible to properly clean and sanitize. Routine professional maintenance of all deli slicers is critical to preventing these machines from becoming a significant food safety hazard.
Outbreaks of foodborne illness resulting in serious illnesses and hospitalizations have been linked to food that has become contaminated during contact with deli slicers. FDA continues to work closely with state and local governments and operators of restaurants, grocery stores and other food establishments to prevent illness from contaminated food. FDA is working with stakeholders to develop enhanced minimum standards for the design and construction of new deli slicers and to ensure that proper cleaning and maintenance instructions are provided with each machine.
FDA encourages consumers to ask store and restaurant management about the procedures they follow to ensure their deli slicers are properly cleaned and maintained.
The new poster and flyer are available in both English and Spanish at no charge and can be ordered at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/UCM222258.pdf1
For orders greater than 500, contact Shirley Turpin at shirley.turpin@fda.hhs.gov.
The documents can also be downloaded from the web at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/IndustryandRegulatory
AssistanceandTrainingResources/ucm240554.htm2
The poster, targeted to operators of food establishments and their front line food employees, is suitable for posting near deli slicers, and explains the importance of proper slicer maintenance and highlights examples of hard-to-clean problem areas on deli slicers.
The flyer, targeted to food safety professionals, offers tips to ensure deli slicers are being properly cleaned and maintained and when slicers should be removed from service until repaired or replaced
If deli slicers are not properly cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, food soils and disease-causing microorganisms can accumulate on slicer surfaces and result in food contamination. These machines have a long life in retail and foodservice establishments, and over time they may become difficult or impossible to properly clean and sanitize. Routine professional maintenance of all deli slicers is critical to preventing these machines from becoming a significant food safety hazard.
Outbreaks of foodborne illness resulting in serious illnesses and hospitalizations have been linked to food that has become contaminated during contact with deli slicers. FDA continues to work closely with state and local governments and operators of restaurants, grocery stores and other food establishments to prevent illness from contaminated food. FDA is working with stakeholders to develop enhanced minimum standards for the design and construction of new deli slicers and to ensure that proper cleaning and maintenance instructions are provided with each machine.
FDA encourages consumers to ask store and restaurant management about the procedures they follow to ensure their deli slicers are properly cleaned and maintained.
The new poster and flyer are available in both English and Spanish at no charge and can be ordered at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/UCM222258.pdf1
For orders greater than 500, contact Shirley Turpin at shirley.turpin@fda.hhs.gov.
The documents can also be downloaded from the web at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/IndustryandRegulatory
AssistanceandTrainingResources/ucm240554.htm2
Thursday, January 27, 2011
REHS Online Review Exam - NEHA's newest tool to prepare you for the exam - 01-26-2011
REHS Online Exam Review
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) online exam review is designed to help you prepare for the REHS/RS credential. With over 1000 questions based on 15 disciplines of the environmental health profession covered with the exam, this assessment will help you understand the depth of knowledge expected and the nature of the exam questions. Once the course is purchased, you may revisit the quizzes and continue preparing for up to six months. The exam will randomly select questions in each category. Incorrect answers will be scored as such, but you will be shown what the correct response should have been. Click here to go to the course
The exam review is priced at $179 for members, $249 for non-members.
Sections covered are
• Administration
• Air Pollution and Noise Control
• Control of Communicable and Noninfectious Diseases
• Environmental Engineering, Planning, and Impact Analysis
• Food Protection
• Hazardous Waste Management
• Radiation Uses and Protection
• Recreation Areas and Temporary Residences
• Solid Waste Management
• The Residential and Institutional Environment
• Vector and Weed Control and Pesticide Use
• Wastewater Treatment and Disposal
• Water Supply
For more information email rbaker@neha.org, or call 303-756-9090 ext.306
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Relationship between Obesity, Access to Food Markets and Fast Food Restaurants, Income and Poverty levels and numerous other Factors -1/24/2011
USDA Announces New Updates to the "U.S. Food Environment Atlas"
Popular Web Mapping Tool Outlines Access to Affordable, Healthy Food
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted updates to an online mapping tool that compares U.S. counties in terms of their "food environment" – the set of factors that help determine and reflect a community's access to affordable, healthy food. The "U.S. Food Environment Atlas," developed by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), was introduced last year as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation. Vilsack discussed the tool today as he spoke to the United States Conference of Mayors and laid out steps that they could take to improve health and nutrition in their communities.
"This Food Atlas is an important tool to help guide policy makers and researchers in addressing the links between diet, food access, and public health, and the new upgrades shed additional light on food environments across the United States and provides an even broader overview of a community's ability to access healthy foods," said Vilsack.
The updated Atlas assembles 168 indicators of the food environment, up from the original 90, measuring factors such as availability of food stores and restaurants, food prices, socioeconomic characteristics, and health outcomes. Since its release in February 2010, the Atlas website has received over 120,000 visits, making it one of USDA's most popular data products.
With the Atlas, users can visualize and geographically compare a wide range of demographic, health, and food-access characteristics (e.g., household income, adult diabetes rates, and proximity to grocery stores). The update includes 40 indicators for which updated data are available and adds a number of new indicators, including 34 that measure change over time and four that reflect food access. The new indicators provide information on the number and percentage of households in a county that are either low-income or do not own a car, and that also live more than ten miles from a grocery store. For rural areas, these numbers provide a better measure of food access than the original Atlas, which provided information only for households located one mile from a grocery store.
The Atlas allows users to select an indicator - for example, the prevalence of pre-school obesity - and to create a map showing how obesity levels vary across the United States or across a state. Atlas users can identify counties with a combination of indicators - for example, those with persistent child poverty as well as high numbers of residents with poor access to full-service grocery stores. The Atlas also allows users to obtain data on any and all of the indicators for a particular county.
In addition to USDA's Economic Research Service, numerous institutions contributed to the data in the Atlas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the statistics on obesity and diabetes; the National Cancer Institute provided indicators on physical activity and recreation centers; USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provided indicators on farmers' markets; USDA's Food and Nutrition Service provided information on State-level food and nutrition assistance program participation; and the National Farm-to-School Network provided statistics on farm-to-school programs.
The U.S. Food Environment Atlas is available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas/.
Popular Web Mapping Tool Outlines Access to Affordable, Healthy Food
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted updates to an online mapping tool that compares U.S. counties in terms of their "food environment" – the set of factors that help determine and reflect a community's access to affordable, healthy food. The "U.S. Food Environment Atlas," developed by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), was introduced last year as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation. Vilsack discussed the tool today as he spoke to the United States Conference of Mayors and laid out steps that they could take to improve health and nutrition in their communities.
"This Food Atlas is an important tool to help guide policy makers and researchers in addressing the links between diet, food access, and public health, and the new upgrades shed additional light on food environments across the United States and provides an even broader overview of a community's ability to access healthy foods," said Vilsack.
The updated Atlas assembles 168 indicators of the food environment, up from the original 90, measuring factors such as availability of food stores and restaurants, food prices, socioeconomic characteristics, and health outcomes. Since its release in February 2010, the Atlas website has received over 120,000 visits, making it one of USDA's most popular data products.
With the Atlas, users can visualize and geographically compare a wide range of demographic, health, and food-access characteristics (e.g., household income, adult diabetes rates, and proximity to grocery stores). The update includes 40 indicators for which updated data are available and adds a number of new indicators, including 34 that measure change over time and four that reflect food access. The new indicators provide information on the number and percentage of households in a county that are either low-income or do not own a car, and that also live more than ten miles from a grocery store. For rural areas, these numbers provide a better measure of food access than the original Atlas, which provided information only for households located one mile from a grocery store.
The Atlas allows users to select an indicator - for example, the prevalence of pre-school obesity - and to create a map showing how obesity levels vary across the United States or across a state. Atlas users can identify counties with a combination of indicators - for example, those with persistent child poverty as well as high numbers of residents with poor access to full-service grocery stores. The Atlas also allows users to obtain data on any and all of the indicators for a particular county.
In addition to USDA's Economic Research Service, numerous institutions contributed to the data in the Atlas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the statistics on obesity and diabetes; the National Cancer Institute provided indicators on physical activity and recreation centers; USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service provided indicators on farmers' markets; USDA's Food and Nutrition Service provided information on State-level food and nutrition assistance program participation; and the National Farm-to-School Network provided statistics on farm-to-school programs.
The U.S. Food Environment Atlas is available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas/.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Healthy and Safe Homes Book Now in Bookstore - 1/21/2011
Healthy and Safe Homes: Research, Practice, and PolicyNew! This book marks an exciting advance in the effort to ensure that people across all socioeconomic levels have access to healthy and affordable housing. It provides practical tools and information to make the connection between health and housing conditions relatable to everyone. The book brings together perspectives from noted scientists, public health experts, housing advocates, and policy leaders to fully explain the problem of sub-standard housing that plagues our nation and offers holistic, strategic, and long-term solutions to fix it. Study reference for NEHA's HHS exam.
2011 / 225 pages / paperback
Member: $52 / Nonmember: $55
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Household Food Security in the US in 2009 - 01/05/2011
Eighty-five percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2009, meaning that they had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (14.7 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year, including 5.7 percent with very low food security. In households with very low food security, the food intake of one or more household members was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. Prevalence rates of food insecurity and very low food security were essentially unchanged from 14.6 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, in 2008, and remained at the highest recorded levels since 1995, when the first national food security survey was conducted. The typical food-secure household spent 33 percent more on food than the typical food-insecure household of the same size and household composition. Fifty-seven percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest Federal food and nutrition assistance programs during the month prior to the 2009 survey.
The full report can be downloaded here.
The full report can be downloaded here.
Food Safety Bill is law - 1/5/2011
The Food Safety Modernization Act, HR 2751, was signed into law on January 4, 2011 by President Obama. The complete bill can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2751:
Many parts of the bill are still unfunded. As noted in an earlier blog posting. NEHA and NACCHO have composed and delivered a letter to the White House budget office that strongly recommends putting funds into the system to keep this important legislation from including unfunded mandates.
Many parts of the bill are still unfunded. As noted in an earlier blog posting. NEHA and NACCHO have composed and delivered a letter to the White House budget office that strongly recommends putting funds into the system to keep this important legislation from including unfunded mandates.
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