2010 AFDO Conference Program and Registration Form Now Available

The 2010 AFDO Annual Educational Conference Program is now available on the AFDO website!  This year's conference will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia on June 19-23, 2010.  The registration form can be found on page 6 of the program. 

Please contact the AFDO office at 717-757-2888 with any questions.  We look forward to seeing you in Norfolk! (Posted 2/2/10)  [View PDF Program] [2010 Conference Information]

Schauer Calls on Administration to Support Food Protection Training Efforts in 2011 Budget to Keep America's Food Safe

Long-term federal investment in food training programs like IFPTI could solidify Battle Creek as national leader in food safety

January 25, 2010, Battle Creek - Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) called on White House Budget Director Peter Orszag to invest in food protection training programs as part of the 2011 federal budget to modernize America’s food safety system and save lives. Following a briefing with officials from the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) this morning, Schauer renewed his commitment to securing long-term federal support for the Institute’s important training efforts. (Posted 1/25/10) [View Release]

AFDO/IFPTI Professional Sensory Training Program

Attention State Food Safety Program Manager:

We seek your interest and advice as we consider confirming plans for a special "Professional Sensory Training" program concerning methods to detect and judge the acceptance and shelf-life of seafood products based on established criteria for product decomposition. Several slots for state/local regulatory officials will be available to participate in this training, and travel expenses will be reimbursed through the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI).  This training program will be unique from many routine seafood sensory training programs.

For complete details [click here].

IFPTI & AFDO Food Protection Training Survey

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) and AFDO would like to get your input regarding ongoing food protection training, and we invite you to participate in a short survey. We’d also like to request that you distribute the survey link (below) to your co-workers and staff so that we can get a broad range of feedback.  This survey is intended for inspectors and regulatory officials. 
 
The survey, which should take no more than 5 minutes, can be accessed by clicking the link below.  We’re looking to have all the survey’s completed by Friday, January 15, 2010.  Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W9DPPGJ

50 State Training Work Group Call for Information

The 50 State Training Work Group is looking to collect information from food and feed regulatory agencies about training curricula, courses, job descriptions, and subject matter experts to assist in completing their charges of conducting a job task analysis and compiling a comprehensive food and feed training course catalog. The attachments include a cover letter highlighting the specific information requested and the forms to use to identify the detailed information submitted with the form for each of the areas identified in the cover letter.

The deadline for submission is February 15, 2010.  Questions and completed forms should be directed to Dave Read, Co-Chair 50 State Training Work Group, at Dread5668@gmail.com.   (Posted 1/8/10) [View Cover Letter] [Job Descriptions Form] [Subject Matter Experts Form] [Curricula Form] [Training Courses Form]

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) Announces 2010 Course Schedule

The IFPTI released its initial training course schedule for 2010.Registration information including dates and locations can be found at www.ifpti.org. The schedule represents the Institute’s initial course offerings and IFPTI will be adding new courses throughout the year. Additions to the 2010 schedule will be posted on the Institute’s website. All costs associated with training and travel will be reimbursed by IFPTI to help state and local food protection professionals overcome the limited funding and travel budgets that often have prevented them from attending training. (Posted 1/6/10) [View Release & Schedule]

AFDO Announces Availability of Directory of State & Local Officials

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) is pleased to announce the completion and availability of the “Directory of State& Local Officials”.  Copies of this publication are available on the AFDO and FDA web sites www.afdo.org and www.fda.gov . AFDO’s website also features an interactive map which allows users to view information by state and territory.  This directory provides vital contact information for food protection professionals. 

The “Directory of State & Local Officials” was updated as part of a cooperative agreement between AFDO and the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Division of Federal-State Relations (DFSR).  AFDO has reviewed the nature, type and extent of the information in the original directory and updated the information as appropriate.  

To view the Directory [click here].  

To read the complete press release [click here].

 IFPTI Accepting Applications to Attend NCBRT Food Emergencies Course

This is a DHS-certified course developed by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education at Louisiana State University.  The course is being sponsored by the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) and the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO).

This is a great opportunity to provide responders with training on all-hazards food emergency response procedures with an emphasis on enhancing communication to facilitate the response effort.  This training is available to food regulatory, environmental health, laboratory and epidemiology program specialists/managers/directors from around the country.

For applicants selected to participate in this course, travel-related expenses will be reimbursed according to AFDO’s policies.  Applications must be received by the AFDO office no later Wednesday, December 30, 2009. (Posted 12/11/09) [More Information]