Food Protection Trends - December 2012 - (Page 732)

“From Your president” lanning is an important process that can have a significant impact on the success of an event, activity, process or project. As food safety professionals, we are very familiar with the concept of developing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan to help ensure food safety during production or preparation of food. Successful HACCP plans are well thought out and start with describing what you want to achieve and how you are going to do it. Input from relevant people is used for identification of hazards, steps in the process that can help to control the hazard and defining critical parameters to facilitate effective implementation of controls to manage hazards. It has been said that a successful HACCP plan is not a manual that sits on a shelf. It is a living document that is embraced by the organization to ensure success. Planning is useful in other life situations. For example, whether it is a trip, a child’s birthday, or the IAFP Annual Meeting, having a plan to guide the process is very useful. In all of these situations, the plan may require adjustments along the way to address unforeseen circumstances, but having a plan can help to ensure success. The same is true for IAFP’s strategic plan. The plan was developed to help guide and strengthen the organization. We are making great progress on many elements of the plan – some may not be apparent unless you are directly involved, so I’d like to report on a few examples: 1. Increase membership and encourage PDG activities – Many members recognize that microbiological food safety is a main focus area for IAFP, while chemical food safety issues have had less visibility at IAFP events or in our publications. To address this, we have created a task force, led by Ravi Ramadhar, the vice chair of the Food Chemical Hazards and Food Allergens PDG, to identify what it will take to attract food toxicologists to IAFP. The P By KATIE SWANSON PRESIDENT “The IAFP Board is committed to implementing our strategic plan” 2. intended outcome is to provide more comprehensive programs for all individuals interested in food safety management. Maintain international outreach – The global food supply demands recognition that food safety is not just a local issue. We enjoy a vast variety of foods from all over the globe. Some developing countries are growing their economies through food export. Some countries require food imports to feed their populations. All nations deserve a safe and secure food supply to nourish their citizens. IAFP is working with organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF), the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) and others to collaborate on projects to disseminate food safety information around the globe. The intent is to maximize the impact of food safety information sharing in a collaborative manner to benefit us all. 3. Determine the future direction of Food Protection Trends – FPT is available to all IAFP members in electronic format. Next month, you will see a revitalized format for FPT, including a more modern look, reconfigured layout and more articles in each issue. The January 2013 issue will be sent to all members so they can experience the updated version and determine if they should add a paid subscription for the paper issue onto their dues.To reduce our printing and mailing costs, we are moving to publication ever y two months.This is a win-win for our members – more content with each issue, continued affordability for those who like paper and no change in access to the online version. FPT is also tied to our international strategy. For example, executive summaries from select FAO reports will be published in FPT to inform our members and expand dissemination of FAO’s important work. The IAFP Board is committed to implementing our strategic plan to further IAFP activities in a manner that makes a difference. As 2012 comes to an end, we have made great progress on the plan and look forward to continuing our efforts. Thank you for your contributions to these efforts and for Advancing Food Safety Worldwide. 732 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | DECEMBER 2012

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

Food Protection Trends - December 2012
Contents
Sustaining Members
From Your President
Commentary from the Executive Director
Exploration of Past Experiences, Attitudes and Preventive Behaviors of Consumers with Food Allergies about Dining Out: A Focus Group Study
Bacterial Contamination of Shopping Carts and Approaches to Control
General Interest Paper – Rethinking Hand Hygiene in the Retail and Foodservice Industries: Are Recommended Procedures Based on the Best Science and Practical under Real-world Conditions?
IAFP Committee, PDG, and Affiliate Council Mission Statements
Call for Award Nominations
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
Coming Events
Advertising Index
Index to Volume 32
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Booklet Order Form
Membership Application

Food Protection Trends - December 2012