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/

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.

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.

Reportable Food Registry - First 6 months - 7/28/2010

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2010
Media Inquiries: Ira Allen, 301-796-5349, Ira.Allen@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
New Early Detection System Helps FDA Identify More than 100 Food Safety Problems in First Seven Months
Electronic portal speeds identification and investigation of potential health hazards in human food, animal feed, pet food industries
More than 100 food safety reports were submitted by industry to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s new electronic portal in its first months of operation, the agency said today.
Mandated by Congress, the Reportable Food Registry (the Registry) is a new system that requires manufacturers, processors, packers and distributors to immediately report to the government safety problems with food and animal feed, including pet food, that are likely to result in serious health consequences.
“The FDA’s new reporting system has already proven itself an invaluable tool to help prevent contaminated food from reaching the public,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael R. Taylor.
A report summarizing the Registry’s first seven months of operation (September 2009 -March 2010) finds that it logged 125 primary reports – initial reports about a safety concern with a food or animal feed (including food ingredients) – and 1,638 subsequent reports from suppliers or recipients of a food or feed for which a primary report had been submitted, from both domestic and foreign sources. These reports help FDA and the food industry locate hazardous foods in the supply chain and prevent them from reaching consumers.
Two notable reports first identified through the Registry prompted the following:
• A February 2010 recall of hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), without any report of illness. More than 1,000 industry reports specifically for products containing HVP resulted in the removal of 177 products from commerce.
• A November 2009 recall of products containing sulfites but not labeled as such. More than 100 reports regarding the inadvertent use of an ingredient containing sulfites in two nationally distributed prepared side dishes that were not labeled as containing sulfites resulted in their removal without any reports of illness.

Among the 125 primary reports, Salmonella accounted for 37 percent of hazards, undeclared allergens or intolerances accounted for 35 percent, and Listeria monocytogenes accounted for 13 percent. Among the 11 different commodity categories involved were: 14 animal feed or pet food, 12 seafood, 11 spices and seasonings, and 10 dairy products. Because the Registry has been operational for only a short period, it is too early to draw inferences concerning patterns of food and feed adulteration.
“Industry is increasingly detecting contamination incidents through its own testing, and FDA access to this information permits us to better target our inspection resources and verify that appropriate corrective measures have been taken,” Taylor said. “Ensuring that the American food supply is safe is a top priority of the FDA, and the Reportable Food Registry strengthens our ability to help prevent foodborne illness.”
Under legislation enacted in 2007 that created the Registry, industry must report foods or feeds that present a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals to the FDA within 24 hours. The law does not apply to infant formula or dietary supplements, which are covered by other mandatory reporting systems. The Registry does not receive reports about drugs or other medical products, reports about products under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or reports from consumers.
If information indicates that a food or feed product may have been intentionally adulterated, the FDA immediately notifies the Department of Homeland Security.
For more information:
The Reportable Food Registry Report
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodSafetyPrograms/RFR/ucm200958.htmThe Reportable Food Registry – At A Glance
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/FoodSafetyPrograms/RFR/UCM181885.pdf

Two new e-learning courses available at NEHA - 7/27/2010

NEHA and the CDC have just launched two new courses in the insect and rodent control (IRC) sector. Bedbugs are becoming a national problem and public health officials need these new resources to help control the problem. Here is the synopsises of the two courses. http://www.neha.org/elearning/index.html

CDC1001: Biology and Control of Vectors and Public Health Pests: The Importance of Integrated Pest ManagementThis is a 2 ½ day workshop recorded in New Orleans, LA in January of 2010. The course includes lecture, discussion and visual training on integrated pest management (IPM) to control insects and rodents with a specific emphasis on the biology and control of rodents and bed bugs. This course is a modified and updated version of CDC0702, Biology and Control of Insects and Rodents but does not include all previous modules such as tick control and bioterrorism. In addition to detailed training in rodent and bed bug control, this course also includes a new module on the effect of global climate change on pests and disease vectors.

CDC0702: Biology and Control of Insects and Rodents
This program is a 2-day pre-conference workshop recorded at the 2007 and 2008 AECs. The courses includes lecture and discussion on integrated pest management (IPM), vector-borne diseases, biology and control of insect and rodent vectors and public health pests, effective pest control methods, and vector-borne diseases as possible bioterror agents.

Establishment of new "National Ocean Council" 7/23/2010

Read the entire executive order at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-18169.htm

Executive Order 13547--Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the
Great Lakes
Executive Order 13547 of July 19, 2010


Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the
Great Lakes

By the authority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Purpose. The ocean, our coasts, and the
Great Lakes provide jobs, food, energy resources,
ecological services, recreation, and tourism
opportunities, and play critical roles in our Nation's
transportation, economy, and trade, as well as the
global mobility of our Armed Forces and the maintenance
of international peace and security. The Deepwater
Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and resulting
environmental crisis is a stark reminder of how
vulnerable our marine environments are, and how much
communities and the Nation rely on healthy and
resilient ocean and coastal ecosystems. America's
stewardship of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great
Lakes is intrinsically linked to environmental
sustainability, human health and well-being, national
prosperity, adaptation to climate and other
environmental changes, social justice, international
diplomacy, and national and homeland security.

This order adopts the recommendations of the
Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, except where
otherwise provided in this order, and directs executive
agencies to implement those recommendations under the
guidance of a National Ocean Council. Based on those
recommendations, this order establishes a national
policy to ensure the protection, maintenance, and
restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great
Lakes ecosystems and resources, enhance the
sustainability of ocean and coastal economies, preserve
our maritime heritage, support sustainable uses and
access, provide for adaptive management to enhance our
understanding of and capacity to respond to climate
change and ocean acidification, and coordinate with our
national security and foreign policy interests.

This order also provides for the development of coastal
and marine spatial plans that build upon and improve
existing Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional
decisionmaking and planning processes. These regional
plans will enable a more integrated, comprehensive,
ecosystem-based, flexible, and proactive approach to
planning and managing sustainable multiple uses across
sectors and improve the conservation of the ocean, our
coasts, and the Great Lakes.