Monday, July 19, 2010
Television Viewing Among Small Children - 7/19/2010
According to an article put out by the CDC this week. Studies indicate excessive TV and video viewing (more than 2 hours a day) by children aged 2 years is associated with impaired childhood development and childhood obesity. Article can be found here
Thursday, July 15, 2010
NEHA releases position paper on Offshore Oil Drilling - 7/15/2010
NEHA Announces Position on Offshore Oil Drilling
NEHA’s board of directors just released a position paper on offshore oil drilling. Some of the board’s recommendations include the following:
Support legislation to require an accurate, comprehensive, and reviewed contingency plan for worst-case scenario prior to the issuance of any new drilling permit.
Support legislation that improves and increases a disaster relief fund such as the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). For this and future disasters, the fund should have government oversight but be funded by the oil companies and managed by a neutral third party. Any and all fines levied on offshore drilling rigs should be put into this fund.
Support legislation to reorganize the Minerals Management Service, and move it from the Department of the Interior to U.S. EPA. This will separate the inspection and regulatory staff from revenue collection and development staff and place them in a separate federal agency.
NEHA’s board of directors just released a position paper on offshore oil drilling. Some of the board’s recommendations include the following:
Support legislation to require an accurate, comprehensive, and reviewed contingency plan for worst-case scenario prior to the issuance of any new drilling permit.
Support legislation that improves and increases a disaster relief fund such as the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). For this and future disasters, the fund should have government oversight but be funded by the oil companies and managed by a neutral third party. Any and all fines levied on offshore drilling rigs should be put into this fund.
Support legislation to reorganize the Minerals Management Service, and move it from the Department of the Interior to U.S. EPA. This will separate the inspection and regulatory staff from revenue collection and development staff and place them in a separate federal agency.
EPA Strategic Plan for 2011 to 2015. Long term vision includes strong sustainability initiatives - 7/15/2010
EPA Strategic Plan - EPA Policies and Programs - The National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT), an EPA Advisory Committee, has scheduled a public teleconference for July 22, 2010 in Washington, DC to discuss comments it is developing on the draft EPA FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan. -
To view or download the plan, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-16328.htm
To view or download the plan, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-16328.htm
FDA looks at recordkeeping for HACCP. Is electronic the way to go? - 7/15/2010
Juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Procedures (HACCP) - FDA is seeking public comments on the paperwork and regulatory burdens associated with the "...recordkeeping requirements for applying hazard analysis and critical control point (HAACP) procedures for safe and sanitary processing for processors of fruit and vegetable juice..." - FDA notes that "... Information development and recordkeeping are essential parts of any HACCP system. The information collection requirements are narrowly tailored to focus on the development of appropriate controls and document those aspects of processing that are critical to food safety..."
Web site: The July 14, 2010 FDA Federal Register Notice is posted at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-17150.htm
Web site: The July 14, 2010 FDA Federal Register Notice is posted at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-17150.htm
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
HACCP for Processors Course - 7/14/2010
Following the continued growth and use of the HACCP for Retail Food Operations online course http://www.nehahaccp.org/ that compliments the NEHA hard copy training material, NEHA is getting ready to launch a new course on HACCP for Processors and Manufacturers. Keep an eye on this page and we'll make sure to give you "breaking news" as it launches!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Focus of Food Safety - 5/21/2010
The Annual Education Conference and Exhibit (AEC) for the National Environmental Health Association, this year, runs from Saturday, June 5 to Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Albuquerque, NM. Besides everything going on - and there is a LOT - the Focus on Food Safety Panel will be discussing two very important topics:
1. The ineffectiveness of Food Handler Training - how do we get a greater retention of knowledge from a course which is often seen as a 2 hour punishment for an entry level position.
2. Food Safety Legislation - Who should be overseeing the Food Safety Regulations of the country? The bills in Congress say they should. What is the impact on regulators and on industry?
HACCP online at http://www.nehahaccp.org/
Visit our home site at http://www.neha.org/
1. The ineffectiveness of Food Handler Training - how do we get a greater retention of knowledge from a course which is often seen as a 2 hour punishment for an entry level position.
2. Food Safety Legislation - Who should be overseeing the Food Safety Regulations of the country? The bills in Congress say they should. What is the impact on regulators and on industry?
HACCP online at http://www.nehahaccp.org/
Visit our home site at http://www.neha.org/
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
REHS/RS, CP-FS, and HACCP upcoming courses - 5/11/2010
I have had a number of requests lately for the availability of training classes. Here is a schedule for some upcoming classes.
HACCP Manager Certification Course/ Saturday, June 5, 2010, and Sunday, June 6, 2010
Still seats available
Managing food safety risks in a food service setting has never been more important. With foodborne illness outbreaks occurring weekly in the United States, retail operations need to protect their liability and livelihood by implementing food safety management plans using the preventative principles of HACCP for Retail Food Operations. The HACCP Manager Certification Course is designed for NEHA trainers, students and foodservice professionals working in retail food operations. It is also an excellent body of knowledge for any Food Safety professional and should be seen as an important supplement to your existing training.
This course will provide participants with the information necessary to implement an effective and dynamic food safety management system in a retail foodservice operation. The course will teach students how to identify, assess and reduce or eliminate food safety risks by utilizing the Process Approach to HACCP. Students will take a nationally recognized HACCP Manager Certification Exam at the end of the course. Cost is $249 for members and $299 for non-members. Pre-requisite: minimum of CPFM certification recommended. Limit 50 people.
Certified Professional of Food Safety (CP-FS) Review Course: Wednesday, June 9 2010 and Thursday, June 10
course is filling upStill seats available
This two day course is designed to enhance your preparation for the CP-FS exam. The course will cover exam content areas. Participants are expected to have some level of preparation prior to the review course. You will be able to question the instructor who has many years of experience in the food safety and protection field. Cost is $299 for members and $399 for non-members, which includes the CP-FS Study Package (NEHA CP-FS Study Guide, NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) course book and 2010 NEHA reference CD.
Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Register Sanitarian (REHS/RS) Review Course: Friday & Saturday, June 4 & 5 2010, and Sunday, June 6 2010
Course is filling upStill seats available
This comprehensive refresher course is designed to enhance your preparation for the REHS/RS exam. The course will cover exam content areas. Participants are expected to have a solid level of preparation prior to the review course. You will be able to question the instructor who has extensive experience in environmental health teaching. Cost is $429 for members and $529 for nonmembers. Included in cost is instructor workbook, a $179 value. Limit 50 people.
Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) –
The NEHA developed CPFM course contains the solid knowledge required for operating or managing a food service operation in today’s environmental. This comprehensive course follows the principles established by the nation’s government organizations including USDA, FDA, and the CDC and it based on the latest Food Code. At the completion of the course, the student may elect to take the ANSI-CFP accredited exam offered by Prometric to receive the CPFM certification. Cost is $179 for members and $199 for nonmembers and includes the course book and exam.
Also, remember we now have HACCP online. http://www.nehahaccp.org
HACCP Manager Certification Course/ Saturday, June 5, 2010, and Sunday, June 6, 2010
Still seats available
Managing food safety risks in a food service setting has never been more important. With foodborne illness outbreaks occurring weekly in the United States, retail operations need to protect their liability and livelihood by implementing food safety management plans using the preventative principles of HACCP for Retail Food Operations. The HACCP Manager Certification Course is designed for NEHA trainers, students and foodservice professionals working in retail food operations. It is also an excellent body of knowledge for any Food Safety professional and should be seen as an important supplement to your existing training.
This course will provide participants with the information necessary to implement an effective and dynamic food safety management system in a retail foodservice operation. The course will teach students how to identify, assess and reduce or eliminate food safety risks by utilizing the Process Approach to HACCP. Students will take a nationally recognized HACCP Manager Certification Exam at the end of the course. Cost is $249 for members and $299 for non-members. Pre-requisite: minimum of CPFM certification recommended. Limit 50 people.
Certified Professional of Food Safety (CP-FS) Review Course: Wednesday, June 9 2010 and Thursday, June 10
course is filling upStill seats available
This two day course is designed to enhance your preparation for the CP-FS exam. The course will cover exam content areas. Participants are expected to have some level of preparation prior to the review course. You will be able to question the instructor who has many years of experience in the food safety and protection field. Cost is $299 for members and $399 for non-members, which includes the CP-FS Study Package (NEHA CP-FS Study Guide, NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) course book and 2010 NEHA reference CD.
Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Register Sanitarian (REHS/RS) Review Course: Friday & Saturday, June 4 & 5 2010, and Sunday, June 6 2010
Course is filling upStill seats available
This comprehensive refresher course is designed to enhance your preparation for the REHS/RS exam. The course will cover exam content areas. Participants are expected to have a solid level of preparation prior to the review course. You will be able to question the instructor who has extensive experience in environmental health teaching. Cost is $429 for members and $529 for nonmembers. Included in cost is instructor workbook, a $179 value. Limit 50 people.
Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) –
The NEHA developed CPFM course contains the solid knowledge required for operating or managing a food service operation in today’s environmental. This comprehensive course follows the principles established by the nation’s government organizations including USDA, FDA, and the CDC and it based on the latest Food Code. At the completion of the course, the student may elect to take the ANSI-CFP accredited exam offered by Prometric to receive the CPFM certification. Cost is $179 for members and $199 for nonmembers and includes the course book and exam.
Also, remember we now have HACCP online. http://www.nehahaccp.org
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