The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council recognized chicken and turkey companies that exemplified outstanding safety performance through the implementation of innovative and effective safety and health programs. The first annual safety awards were presented during the 2010 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry. "The poultry industry has been diligent in reducing recordable injuries […]
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) chief science and technology officer Dr. Bob Whitaker has been appointed by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to the National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF), which provides advice to federal agencies on the microbiological safety of the U.S. food supply. His selection reflects the leadership Whitaker has brought […]
The world of produce safety is still under the microscope since four years after an E. Coli outbreak that was linked to spinach claimed three lives and sickened 200 others. It served as a wake-up call for the entire produce supply chain, and improvements are ever expanding. The produce industry has asked for federal produce […]
With Congress set to tackle financial reform, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, an attempt to overhaul the nation’s food-safety system after recent outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens, has once again been pushed down the legislative agenda. In amending the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, the Modernization Act […]
FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael Taylor will speak in Las Vegas, before the General Session of United Fresh 2010, the annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association. Taylor also addressed restaurant executives at the National Restaurant Association's Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., today, stressing the importance of food safety and […]
The Conference for Food Protection (CFP) will hold its biennial meeting April 9–14 in Providence, Rhode Island. One of the issues scheduled to be voted on during the conference is the revision of Standard 5.3, which deals with food safety certification examinations. The proposed changes eliminate the ability of an instructor/educator/trainer to administer or proctor […]
Convotherm by Cleveland, manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio, is now equipping its standard line of combi-oven/steamers with an antibacterial door handle. This new door handle is made of plastic with embedded silver ions. The antibacterial effect will never change and is medically and ecologically safe. Convotherm by Cleveland will offer the new door handle as a […]
Researchers announced at a workshop during the 2010 Global Food Safety Conference in Washington, D.C., that biological risks will be the No. 1 food safety issue in 2020. The workshop, titled “Emerging Issues in Food Safety—Where will we be in 2020?,” announced the results of a study sponsored by food safety and hygiene solutions provider […]
The United Fresh Produce Association will feature a showcase of the latest in food safety technology and practices this spring at United Fresh 2010, April 20-23 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. The new Food Safety and Research Demo Center will join last year’s successful Traceability Demo Center (expanded this year […]
The National Restaurant Association announced that it has entered into a sole distributor partnership with Ecolab Inc., which has been granted the exclusive rights to offer the Association’s ServSafe Food Safety Program to the restaurant and hospitality industries outside North America. ServSafe is a food safety training and certification program recognized by more federal, state, […]
The Food and Drug Administration announced the publication of the new FDA Food Code, a model code and reference document that provides a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and foodservice segment of the food industry. The 2009 FDA Food Code is a key component of President Obama’s overall public health–focused […]
NSF International announced the first call for nominations for the 2010 Food Safety Leadership Awards (FSLA) Program. Celebrating its seventh year, the FSLA program recognizes individuals and companies that have demonstrated excellence in the foodservice industry. Winners are recognized in one of eight awards categories: education, training, equipment design, packaging innovation, product development, research advances, […]
United Fresh Produce Association president and CEO Tom Stenzel reiterated the produce industry’s support for strong commodity-specific food safety standards during testimony before the U.S. Senate this morning. This marks the 12th time United Fresh has testified before Congress on food safety since its board of directors adopted a series of policy principles for federal […]
The U.S. Senate is focused on healthcare reform, but if legislators want to save 5,000 lives and prevent 325,000 unnecessary and expensive hospitalizations each year, they should fix food safety too, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. Chances that the Senate will act this year on legislation that would reform […]
In response to the release of a list of the "Top 10 Riskiest Foods" by the Center for Science in the Public Interest this week, United Fresh and the Produce Marketing Association issued a joint statement urging CSPI to clarify multiple inaccuracies contained in the report. The letter to the CSPI states: "As you know […]
In the wake of President Obama’s $250 million budget increase for the FDA, Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has big plans for the administration’s role in maintaining the safety of the nation’s food. Hamburg, addressing a group of food industry leaders today at the United Fresh Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., said the FDA would look […]
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg will address produce industry leaders attending the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Public Policy Conference on Friday morning, September 11. “Given the importance of discussions about food safety legislation in Congress, Dr. Hamburg’s contributions to the White House Food Safety Working Group and the FDA’s recent issuance […]
Multiple organizations spoke out in support of the passing of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) by the House of Representatives. "This reform means that common-sense updates will be put in place to reform our food safety system, which has remained largely unchanged for a century," said Jeffrey Levi, executive director of […]
National Restaurant Association president and CEO Dawn Sweeney made the following statement regarding the vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009: "The National Restaurant Association applauds Chairman Emeritus John Dingell (D-Mich.), Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), and Ranking Members Joe Barton (R-Texas) for their leadership […]
The National Restaurant Association issued a statement from executive vice president of public affairs Beth Johnson following the Obama Administration’s recommendations to strengthen the nation’s food safety programs. “The safety of the food supply continues to be the restaurant industry’s number one priority, and we applaud the Obama Administration’s leadership in this area,” Johnson said […]
The Obama Administration’s food safety recommendations included several produce industry objectives that were pushed by the United Fresh Produce Association. The White House action was based on recommendations from the Food Safety Working Group and comes after several months of input from United Fresh and other organizations to improve the nation’s food safety practices. “Today’s […]
The National Restaurant Association is encouraging restaurant and foodservice operators to begin planning for the 15th annual National Food Safety Education Month. This month-long campaign is held every September and focuses on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and foodservice industry, while raising the awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety. […]
As news of the spreading swine flu makes its way across the country today, restaurant operators are no doubt crossing their fingers that this doesn’t turn into the mess they just survived with peanuts and pistachios. Good news is that according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “swine influenza viruses are not […]
The 11th Annual Food Safety Summit, the industry's top gathering for food processing, retail, foodservice, academic, military and government professionals, will be held April 27-29, 2009 in Washington, DC. Pre-registration for the Expo Hall only is free and the early bird rates for the conference packages will end on Friday, April 10th. Industry leaders will […]
NSF International today announced the 2009 recipients of the sixth annual Food Safety Leadership Awards. NSF International is a not-for-profit public health and safety organization. WHAT: NSF International's Food Safety Leadership Awards (FSLA) Program recognizes influential individuals that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the food industry. WHEN/WHERE: The 2009 recipients of NSF International’s FSLA Program […]
On the heels of the largest product recall in U.S. history, an American Society for Quality (ASQ) survey reveals that although the majority of the food industry may be following safe production procedures, the majority of the public doesn’t feel it does enough. Food safety is still igniting widespread concern according to the survey of […]
Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association, will testify today before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health as part of a hearing to address reforms in our nation’s food safety laws. The hearing, entitled “How Do We Fix Our Ailing Food Safety System?” is also slated to […]
A bipartisan group of four senators announced yesterday they’re taking on one of today’s most pressing issues. No, not that pesky bank bailout—the efficiency of the FDA. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), and Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) want to dramatically improve the way the FDA protects the safety […]
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