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ANNOUNCEMENTS
JIFSAN Food Safety Risk Analysis courses recognized by the Society of Risk Analysis (SRA)
In July 2009, the Society of Risk Analysis (SRA), one of the most prestigious societies in risk analysis, recognized JIFSAN Food Safety Risk Analysis courses. Links to our courses are available on the SRA website.
Dr. Jianghong Meng visited FDA China Office and China General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ)
In July, 2009. Dr. Meng discussed opportunities for food safety trainings in China and JIFSAN's interest in establishing collaborations with the FDA China Office. He introduced JIFSAN programs to Mr. Christopher J. Hickey, FDA Country Director, and his colleague describing past training activities in China and training programs for Chinese participants, including Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) training, food safety risk analysis courses and WTO/SPS leadership development training. Also discussed was JIFSAN's interested in offering newly developed training programs in China, including Good Aquacultural Practices (GAqPs) and Commercially Sterile Packaged Food (CSPF) trainings.
Discussions were held with Drs. Bi Kexin and Feng Zhang, and Ms. Zhang Ron at AQSIQ regarding JIFSAN's international food safety training programs and potential collaborations with China in activities sponsored by Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
Review of the Methodology Proposed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for Follow-Up Surveillance of In-Commerce Businesses
A committee of eight members has been appointed by the Chairman of the National Research Council to undertake this study. Among the experts of the committee is Dr. Juliana M. Ruzante from JIFSAN. The committee met from July 6 to 8th in Washington, DC to provide feedback to FSIS on the scientific validity and logic for the various elements of the proposed system. This ad hoc committee supports the work of a standing committee and is reviewing data and methods used by FSIS to improve the agency's programs.
TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS
One more successful Summer Integrated Food Safety Risk Analysis Program completed in 2009
From June 8-26, thirty professionals from several governmental agencies across the US, industry, academia and non-profit organizations came to learn and improve their skills in food safety risk analysis.
Participants from Brazil and Italy joined the training program that offered six courses on food safety risk analysis and two new intermediate courses in Quantitative Risk Assessment Methods.
Upcoming online Food Safety Risk Assessment courses
Two online courses on Food Safety Risk Assessment are being offered by JIFSAN. Food Safety Risk Assessment begins on August 26, 2009 and the new Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Food Safety Risk Assessment will begin October 20, 2009. Registration is now open!
http://jifsan.umd.edu/prodev/registration/
Special Risk Analysis training course for Dauphin Island CFSAN/FDA
JIFSAN organized a one week training course for 20 professionals at the CFSAN/FDA in Dauphin Island, AL. Dr. Charles Yoe taught JIFSAN Risk Management and Risk Assessment classes.
RESEARCH
JIFSAN/CFS3 announced request for proposals to support its Intramural Research Program
CFS3 and JIFSAN to support up to three research projects. Selected projects will be funded up to $150,000 total plus indirect costs. These funds can be used for a period of up to two years. The purpose of this research support was to provide researchers from University of Maryland with an opportunity to conduct preliminary research that will allow them to develop and submit multi-disciplinary research proposals to external funding sources (e.g., NIH, USDA/AFRI, NSF, private foundations, venture capital/SBIR funding). The call for proposals closed on July 24, 2009. A panel from CFS3 and JIFSAN are evaluating the proposals and awards will be made on September 1, 2009.
Observational study of food handling practices in retail deli departments
JIFSAN researcher Meryl B. Lubran, a graduate student from the University of Maryland, is conducting an observational study of food handling practices in retail deli departments. This study will provide a set of data regarding practices in deli departments for use within an interagency (FDA/FSIS) retail Listeria monocytogenes quantitative risk assessment currently in progress. Food employees (n=45) in deli departments at nine retail facilities were observed using a notational analysis method as they prepared food for sale. The notational analysis method allowed for the recording of the frequency and sequence of (1) contact between objects and the deli products before sale; (2) hand washing and glove changing during preparation; and (3) equipment, utensil and surface cleaning and sanitizing. The preliminary results will be presented at the Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD at the end of this year.
COLLABORATIONS
APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum and Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN)
JIFSAN participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) meeting hosted by co-chairs Australia and China, in Singapore on July 30, 2009, and the first APEC Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) Workshop Examination of Hot Issues in Risk Analysis, August 1-2, 2009.
The APEC PTIN was established in 2008 to leverage expertise and resources from the private sector and academia to fulfill food safety capacity building priorities. PTIN Steering Group was also formed to provide guidance to PTIN operations, which includes diverse, knowledgeable and energetic experts.
As the US academia representative, Dr. Jianghong Meng serves on the Steering Group and attended its first face-to-face meeting in Singapore on July 29, 2009. At the Workshop Examination of Hot Issues in Risk Analysis, Dr. Juliana Ruzante gave an overview on food safety risk analysis, and she and Dr. Jianghong Meng also introduced the participants to JIFSAN's Food Risk Analysis program.
http://jifsan.umd.edu/news/news_record.php?id=16
FoodRisk.org
USDA/FSIS support to FoodRisk.org
JIFSAN would like to thank the Risk Assessment Division within the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture for supporting the sharing of risk assessments and related data on FoodRisk.org. FSIS support for FoodRisk.org will enable JIFSAN to further modify this website and include additional information and data regarding FSIS risk assessments (under the "Research tools" portion of this website). This increased participation in sharing of information and data related to food safety risks was recently recognized as a priority by the White House Food Safety Work Group. JIFSAN hopes this FSIS/OPHS initiative will be a starting point for continued collaboration between JIFSAN and FSIS.
New links and references at FoodRisk.org
Check out the new additions to FoodRisk.org. Several scientific articles and relevant reports were added to the database including the New Zealand Food Safety Authority webpage on risk ranking methodologies; the FDA Draft Guidance, "Guidance for Industry: Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Pistachio-Derived Product As An Ingredient"; and the EFSA risk assessment on domoic acid in shellfish.
© 2009 Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. All rights reserved.
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