Food Protection Trends - November 2010 - 736

berries, melons, tomatoes, and sprouts associated with illness; cucumbers and lettuce were suspect vehicles in two outbreaks. So far in 2010, there are 7 reported outbreaks with produce either implicated or suspect including an E. coli O145 outbreak associated with eating shredded romaine lettuce. Jack Guzewich discussed FDA recent efforts to conduct more intensive environmental assessments for certain outbreak such as the E. coli O145 outbreak. He mentioned that FDA will be providing the findings of that environmental investigation. regulatory Update: Michelle Smith, Ph.D, and Jim Gorny, Ph.D, provided the FDA regulatory update. Michelle Smith informed the group on FDA’s plan to focus efforts on produce safety regulation though there are many other efforts underway. She mentioned that the White House Food Safety Working Group identified two items relating to produce safety as priorities. One was to issue commodity specific guidance and the second was obtaining input for improving produce safety and preventive controls. Commodity specific guidance was issued in the Federal Register on August 2, 2010. This guidance is largely based on efforts by other groups including Dave Gombas of United Fresh Produce Association. For the second item, FDA is in the deliberative process for regulation development for growing and packing of produce preventive controls. A docket was opened for public comment and closed recently with over 700 submissions. Some key considerations mentioned by Michelle Smith include the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and FDA has held listening sessions and visited growers and others in 13 states. A few themes FDA has heard include holding imports to the same standard as domestic produce, provide access to tools to assist firms to comply with any regulation, and FDA to leverage with existing resources and collaborate with other groups that have an on-farm presence. After the draft Rule is published, possibly 2011, there will be another opportunity for comment. Jim Gorny provided an overview of FDA’s approach including if Congress doesn’t pass a bill with new authorities, FDA intends to move forward with the regulation using existing authorities to improve produce safety. E-Extension Initiative: Amy Simone discussed the E-Extension Initiative and is soliciting expertise to contribute to the effort. The effort includes gathering food safety materials and putting them in one online place for easy access. She disseminated information and materials to the PDG and asked that those interested contact her or the individuals identified on the materials. IafP symposia: Jack Guzewich mentioned that the PDG has until October 18 to submit symposia suggestions. He also mentioned the new proposed Pre-harvest Food Safety PDG and the importance to coordinate with them and that they had a few ideas on symposia. Sid Thakur from that PDG gave an overview of the PDG planning meeting. § Jack Guzewich mentioned that Trevor Suslow submitted a Symposia idea. § Jim Gorny will work on On-Farm Preventive Control Symposia with Dave Gombas, Bridgette Tinsley, and a USDA representative. § Keith Warner will spearhead Effective Interventions and New Concepts/Technology and had several volunteers to assist in developing the Symposia. § Environmental Sampling will be developed for Symposia by Thomas Taylor working with Dairy PDG. Ideas discussed include statistical sampling strategy, interpretation of results for low numbers of positives, costs, and using results to inform policy. other: Bob Gravani mentioned Cornell University is offering a GAP training course on August 17 and 31, 2010.

recommendations to the Executive board: 1. 2. Dave Gombas is recommended by the PDG as Vice-Chair. The PDG discussed IAFP’s idea for charging a fee of $25 for Webinars. There were differing opinions on the cost and a suggestion that instead of holding a Webinar with a fee use a conference call and E-mail out the PowerPoint presentation in advance. The majority support the idea of a Webinar and $25 fee. Many thought it was a means of IAFP membership building and the Webinar should reach out to industry. The PDG recommends to the Board that presentations from the Annual Meeting be posted on the IAFP Web page, or sent after the meeting on a thumb drive, to persons who paid registration for the meeting. IAFP would have to consider having authors sign a release form to share their presentations.

Next Meeting Date: The PDG will consider holding conference calls and or Webinars during the year on topics such as FDA’s development of new produce regulations or produce outbreaks of significance. Meeting adjourned: 2:45 p.m. Chairperson: Jack Guzewich.

International food Protection Issues PDG
Members Present: Jeffrey M. Farber, Leon G. M. Gorris, Isabel Walls, Peter K. Ben Embarek, DeAnn L. Benesh, Andrew P. Benson, Barbara Blakistone, Robert E. Brackett, Rebecca Buckner, Sarah M. Cahill, Alessandra O. Chiareli, Patricia M. Desmarchelier, Alejandro Echeverry, Judy D. Greig, Jack J. Guzewich, Ian Jenson, Linda L. Leake, Deon B. Mahoney, Jenny Scott, Peter J. Slade, Cindy M. Stewart, Ewen Todd and Pamela A. Wilger. New Members: Jason Wan, Harold Ewell, Roger Cook, John Allan, Randall Phebus, Jairo Romero, Rupesh Doshi, Xianming Shi, Mariza Landgraf, Maria Teresa Destro, Christine M. Aleski, Emilio Esteban, Bobby Krishna, Mohammad I. Quamas, Anna Lammerding and Ali Al Sakkaf. Visitors/Guests: Karen Hulebak, Alejandro Rojas, Yuhua Chang, Jared Strong and Tejas Bhatt. Meeting Called to order: 2:35 p.m., Saturday, July 31, 2010. Chairperson: Jeffrey Farber. recording secretary of Minutes: Leon Gorris. Welcome by IAFP Board Liaison Isabel Walls. To support the Executive Board’s long range strategic planning, Isabel asked for feedback on successful use of educational Webinars and associated subscription costs. Feedback was provided on importance of easy subscription and possibly bulk subscription at annual membership registration. Further feedback was requested on IAFP using social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), raising IAFP’s brand visibility and compiling a top-100 food safety tips list for next year’s 100 year anniversary meeting. Feedback to David Tharp and/ or Isabel Walls. old business: Minutes 2009 PDG Meeting. The meeting adopted the minutes as written.

736 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | NOVEMBER 2010

Food Protection Trends - November 2010

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