Food Protection Trends - March 2012 - (Page 133)

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FOOD SAFETY 3-A SSI Opens Nominations for 2012 Volunteer Service Awards -A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) announces the opening of nominations for its 2012 Volunteer Service Awards program to recognize the extraordinary dedication and commitment of individuals who contribute to the development of voluntary standards and the mission of 3-A SSI. The three annual awards constitute a highly visible and significant form of recognition for the outstanding service of individuals to the advancement of 3-A SSI. The 3-A SSI awards include the following: • The Leadership Service Award is presented to an individual or group who demonstrates a record of significant contribution to 3-A SSI voluntary standards development and who has demonstrated outstanding service in enabling 3-A SSI to attain its objectives. Accomplishments may include leading a major new activity, reducing the cycle time of development, revitalizing a ‘dormant’ activity or other outstanding service. • The 3-A SSI Advancement Award honors outstanding accomplishments performed by any individual or group on behalf of 3-A SSI, such as advancing the use or industry recognition of 3-A Sanitary Standards or 3-A Accepted Practices. • The Next Generation Award honors an individual who has been engaged in 3 3-A SSI standards development activities for less than five years and has demonstrated leadership, dedication and significant contributions to the development of 3-A Sanitary Standards or 3-A Accepted Practices. According to 3-A SSI Executive Director Tim Rugh, “3-A SSI relies on a network of engaged and committed volunteers to forge consensus on the voluntary standards and practices and we should all recognize the immense contribution they make to this organization and to the goal of advancing public health.” Names of previous award winners are maintained on the 3-A SSI Web site under ‘About 3-A, Honors and Awards’ at http://www.3-a.org/ about/honors_awards.html. More details on the new program and a nomination form are available on the 3-A SSI Web site at www.3-a.org The deadline for 2012 nominations is April 6, 2012. Awards will be presented at the 3-A SSI Annual Meeting on May 16, 2012 in Milwaukee, WI. . USDA Says Secretary Vilsack Comments Don’t Signal Shift on Antibiotics he Department of Agriculture said the agency has not changed its position on the use of antibiotics after public health advocates latched onto comments from Secretary Tom Vilsack as signaling a tougher stance. “Secretary Vilsack’s comments do not reflect a change in policy for the Department,” said USDA Spokeswoman Courtney Rowe. “Working with the farm community, I think it’s clear we T would like to see those antibiotics used in the context of disease control and disease response as opposed to any other reason or purpose for using them. And we’re working with state veterinarians and veteranians’ associations and landgrant universities to ensure that there’s a better understanding of the importance of using antibiotics judiciously,” Secretary Vilsack said. Public health advocates quickly jumped on the comments as evidence that the agency that regulates meat and poultry is changing its stance because Vilsack made no mention of disease prevention, which includes fortifying healthy animals raised in unsanitary conditions. Critics of the practice, including some Democrats in Congress, say the abundant use of antibiotics in animal agriculture is putting people at risk by creating disease-resistant superbugs. Secretary Vilsack’s choice of terms, public health advocates said, refer to situations when antibiotics are used to treat animals that are already sick. “We agree with Secretary Vilsack that industrial farms should use antibiotics only for disease treatment and control, that is, when animals or herds are sick, and not for growth promotion and routine addition to feed to compensate for overcrowded or unsanitary conditions,” said Erik Olson, director of food programs for the Pew Health Group. E. coli Transport in Groundwater esearch using hundreds of different Escherichia coli strains from poultry, swine and cattle manure, and from a polluted creek in rural Kentucky, shows a high degree of diversity in the R MARCH 2012 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS 133 http://www.3-a.org/about/honors_awards.html http://www.3-a.org/about/honors_awards.html http://www.3-a.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - March 2012

Food Protection Trends - March 2012
Contents
Sustaining Members
Food for Thought from Your President
Commentary from the Executive Director
Teaching Children to Wash Their Hands – Wash Your Paws, Georgia! Handwashing Education Initiative
Motivation for Unpasteurized Milk Consumption in Michigan, 2011
IAFP 2012–2013 Secretary Election
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
General Information
Registration Information
Special Contributors and Sponsors
Coming Events
Advertising Index
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Booklet Order Form
Membership Application

Food Protection Trends - March 2012