Western Region PAFP and Make Up Meeting
Reach out to Eric Grabman at 330-770-3332 for more details regarding the full meeting agenda.
PSU - Penn Ag Poultry Biosecurity Workshop
Biosecurity plans are required for flocks of any size to obtain a movement permit if poultry or poultry products are moving related to a control area in place around a flock infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. Biosecurity plans must be evaluated every 2 years to remain valid. Plans which were previously approved can also be evaluated for their 2-year renewal at this workshop.
Please RSVP to Ms. Jenn Monroe at 814-863-3663 to confirm their place in the workshop.
Eastern Milk Seminar
The Eastern Milk Seminar is a required educational training, relating to Grade ‘A’ dairy products, for State regulatory officials that are federally certified State Rating Officers and Laboratory Evaluation Officers. The seminar is also open to any regulatory and industry personnel interested in attending.
The Eastern Milk Seminar committee is a group responsible for planning and executing the Eastern Milk Seminar biennially. The committee is made up of three representatives from each of the former FDA regions (Northeast, Southeast, and Central regions) for a total of 9 members. The committee also includes members from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Some of the committee’s responsibilities include: determining the location, date/time of the seminar, and as making local arrangements; developing an agenda for the seminar and contacting potential speakers; and setting the registrations fees and paying all bills regarding the seminar.
Times listed for this event are an estimate as of 10/1/22 when posted.
For More Information and updates please check the EMS website HERE.
IDF World Dairy Summit
Information pulled from the IDF website:
In 2023, the IDF group will putting together the World Dairy Summit to be held in Chicago Illinois from October 16th to 23rd.
According to the website, “We are putting together an immersive program that will feature global and industry leaders, dairy experts, scientists, technical specialists, farmers and more, bringing you the latest on the most significant issues facing the global dairy sector today and tomorrow. With the beautiful city of Chicago playing host, the best of American food, arts, music, and culture will be on full display while allowing easy access to some of America’s famed dairy regions.
Please join us for this important knowledge exchange and bring your perspective to the global discussion on how the sector can deliver now and into the future, reflecting the theme of the 2023 IDF World Dairy Summit—the boundless potential and endless possibilities dairy has to offer the world.”
For more information, click here.
3M Petrifilm & Environmental Monitoring Workshops
Nelson Jameson and 3M are joining together for multiple workshops across the United States to educate the industry and have a FREE hands on workshop and a discussion on Petrifilm, environmental monitoring, and practical answers for food safety concerns.
Come join a small group of peers, plus Neogen and Nelson-Jameson personnel for a
Included with workshop: Door prize drawing, giveaways, course materials, and certificate.
The estimated schedule for this workshop is the following:
9:00 am - 10:00 am Registration & Product Exhibits
10:00 am - 10:15 am Introductions
10:15 am - 11:30 am PetrifilmTM Certification Training
11:30 am - 12:00 pm PetrifilmTM Plate Reader Advanced
Demonstration and Q&A
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch (Provided) & Product Exhibits
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Environmental Monitoring Presentation
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Closing Remarks
For more information and registration please contact Lauran Raasch at l.raasch@nelsonjameson.com. But don’t wait, space is limited and will fill up quickly!
Culture Dairy Products Short Course
In September, the PSU College of Ag Science is putting together a short course on Cultured Dairy Products. The course will be put led by Dr. Kerry Kaylegian over 3 days and will cover a broad range of topics.
“Gain knowledge of the materials and processes used to make cultured dairy products. This 3-day course begins with an overview of cultured product processing, dairy ingredients, and starter cultures. These principles are applied in lectures on the manufacture of cream cheese, buttermilk, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, Greek-style yogurt, cultured milk drinks, and novel products.
This course emphasizes interactive learning through the integration of classroom discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on laboratories. Breaks, lunches, and a reception encourage further networking discussions with Penn State and industry speakers, and other participants.”
For more information, please visit the summary page here.
PSU Extension Workshop - Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls Workshop for Small-Scale Dairy Processors
On August 30, the Penn State Extension Group is putting together a one-day workshop provides resources and hands-on experience in preparing documents for a food safety plan.
Information from the registration site:
This course reviews the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements from the perspective of small-scale dairy foods processors. The course reviews dairy hazards, preventive controls, and how to conduct a hazard analysis, determine preventive controls and write a recall plan. The course includes a practical session for participants to work on their documentation while receiving feedback from the instructor.
This is not a certification course. If you are looking for the standardized FDA course for Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), please see the Preventive Controls for Human Food Dairy Food Processing course.
Who is this for?
Small-scale dairy food processors that are exempt from having a full food safety plan prepared by a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and do not need a certification course.
Participation in this course is limited to processors that have their GMPs in place and employees have basic food safety training.
If your facility does not meet these requirements, you should register for the Dairy Basics: Fundamentals of Quality and Safety/
You will be able to register for Hazard Analysis and Preventive Controls for Small-scale Dairy Processors when you register for Dairy Basics: Fundamentals of Quality and Safety and will receive a discount when registering for both courses.
For more information and registration, please click here.
PSU Extension Workshop - Dairy Basics: Fundamentals of Quality & Safety
On August 29th, the PSU Extension group is putting together a 1 day workshop for small-scale food processors and others in the industry with a need for training in basic dairy food handling and safety principles.
Course Description: “Participants in this workshop will gain knowledge of milk properties and factors important to producing quality dairy products. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and principles of cleaning and sanitizing are key to manufacturing safe food. This course covers writing of procedures and record keeping, and has an optional practical session where participants can work on their own documents while getting feedback and having questions answered by the instructor.”
For more information and registration, click here.
PAFP Planning Committee Meeting
The August planning meeting will be held virtually on the 21st to begin reviewing topics and speaker options for the 2024 conference.
If you are interested in helping to plan for the 2024 conference please visit the Planning Committee Page and reach out! We’d love to have you, or even just to let us know of any ideas that you’d like to see at next year’s conference.
3M Petrifilm & Environmental Monitoring Workshops
Nelson Jameson and 3M are joining together for multiple workshops across the United States to educate the industry and have a FREE hands on workshop and a discussion on Petrifilm, environmental monitoring, and practical answers for food safety concerns.
Come join a small group of peers, plus Neogen and Nelson-Jameson personnel for a
Included with workshop: Door prize drawing, giveaways, course materials, and certificate.
The estimated schedule for this workshop is the following:
9:00 am - 10:00 am Registration & Product Exhibits
10:00 am - 10:15 am Introductions
10:15 am - 11:30 am PetrifilmTM Certification Training
11:30 am - 12:00 pm PetrifilmTM Plate Reader Advanced
Demonstration and Q&A
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch (Provided) & Product Exhibits
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Environmental Monitoring Presentation
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Closing Remarks
For more information and registration please contact Lauran Raasch at l.raasch@nelsonjameson.com. But don’t wait, space is limited and will fill up quickly!
National Ice Cream Day
According to the National Today website, National Ice Cream Day began on July 16, 1984 as a way to glorify the dairy industry by highlighting a dessert that the majority of the US population enjoyed. it was also declared that July is National Ice Cream Month.
So celebrate with us and enjoy a scoop from your local dairy! We recommend some of the classics whether it be Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or any of the other greats. Just enjoy it!
2023 National Association of Dairy Regulator Officials Meeting
The NADRO group are those protecting health and promoting regulatory uniformity and efficiency in the dairy industry. NADRO works diligently to address the concerns of the dairy industry and to make recommendations to relevant federal agencies and national organizations.
Times listed on this event are an estimate as of 10/1/22 when posted.
For more information and updates please visit the conference website HERE
PSU Short Course - Fundamentals of Food Science
This course covers the core concepts of Food Science and will be held at the Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building on the University Park Campus June 26 - 30th, 2023.
It is designed for technical personnel from other disciplines (chemistry, biology, engineering) and nontechnical personnel who have little or no experience in the food industry. You will learn vocabulary associated with food science and manufacturing, and learn the core principles of food chemistry, engineering, microbiology, nutrition, sensory science, and packaging taught in the context of real-world food examples.
Register before April 1, 2023 to receive the discounted rate of $1895; prices will increase after this date.
For more information and to register:
Click here for the event summary or call 877-778-2937 for assistance.
WEBINAR: What Does it Take to be a Food Safety Auditor
Food Safety Tech has put together a complimentary webinar to talk about the food safety auditing profession.
From the email notification:
“For many years industry has recognized a need to increase auditing capacity and competence in an efficient manner. Long reliant on a talent pool of retirees’ and their vast years of experience, it’s clear that developing a new source of recruits with fewer years’ experience would require more training and better learning tools to ensure their success in this critical role. The need for an effective accelerated learning curve was exacerbated by the prominent verification role allocated to auditors in the FSMA regulations covering supply chain management. Now more than ever, we needed a time sensitive system that provided auditors with the knowledge and skills to be effective in their role.
Attendees will be provided an in depth overview of the food safety auditing profession to gain a better understanding of its suitability for a career choice.
The overview is followed by a 3 part series of virtual presentations that culminates in an onsite day of review, case studies and role playing to reinforce the knowledge and skills covered by this course of study.
Trish Wester, President, of the Association for Food Safety Auditing Professionals, as she walks you thru this introductory webinar. Make sure to register for the Auditor Training taking place in Parsippany, NJ, Oct. 16, 2023. For more information, visit https://foodsafetyconsortium.org/”
For more information and registration, please click here.
IDFA Leadership Symposium
The next generation of industry leaders is already active and making a difference in the dairy community.
The IDFA Leadership Symposium, presented in partnership with Cornell University, provides a forum for these rising professionals to collaborate with fellow industry change-makers, build their leadership skills, and prepare for the next step in their leadership journey, while exploring trends shaping opportunities and challenges for the dairy sector. As our industry continues to grow, it is more important than ever to create a strong pool of dairy professionals who are prepared to fill senior-level management positions in their companies and in our member organizations.
During this interactive program, attendees will hear from thought provoking speakers and dairy industry experts. Attendees will develop high-level workplace skills that will enhance their leadership abilities and deliver tangible benefits to their organizations.
For more information and registration, click here.
World Food Safety Day!
The United Nations General Assembly established World Food Safety Day in 2018 to raise awareness of this important issue. WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and other stakeholders.
Join us in celebrating what we all do to make sure that food and goods around the world. Check back on the WHO website to see what the topic is for 2023 as the date gets closer.
If you’re able to we’d love to highlight those in PA who are working in food safety, so if you celebrate in some way today, let us know! If you submit any pictures or information to our email, pafp.exec@gmail.com, and we’ll highlight you later on!
World Milk Day!
In 2001, World Milk Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food, and to celebrate the dairy sector. Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.
On June 1st celebrate with us by using #WorldMilkDay and #EnjoyDairy. If you have a dairy farm or a dairy related business we’d love to highlight it here on out website. Send us some information about you or your business and any pictures that you may have to go along with it. You can submit those to our email at pafp.exec@gmail.com
PSU - Food Microbiology Short Course
The Food Microbiology Short Course provides valuable insight into the most recent developments of food-borne pathogens, toxins, and contaminants that may occur in a food plant environment. Instruction is delivered in classroom and laboratory environments and includes a mixture of theory, demonstrations, and practical sessions.
Individuals involved in food microbiology, as well as those in quality control and assurance, sanitation, and food production, will expand their knowledge and skills in basic and applied food microbiology and food safety.
For more information and to register please visit the course website: Click here for the event summary or call toll-free: 877.778.2937
WEBINAR: How Chlorine Dioxide Effectively Supports Your Facility's Food Safety Program
The Food Safety Magazine is putting on a webinar, sponsored by IFC, to over the use of chlorine dioxide in your food safety program.
“You know that an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is vital to the health and safety of your products and facility. Unfortunately, food processing facilities offer the perfect environment to harbor microorganisms that have little intention of being discovered until it's too late. Before these unseen invaders cause big problems, join the Food Safety Magazine for this webinar to learn more about how chlorine dioxide treatments can support your food safety program.
In this webinar, they will cover:
Risks associated with food safety
Utilization of chlorine dioxide for effective elimination
Identify microorganism risk zones
Stop the spread of microbial life forms”
For more information and registration click here.
WEBINAR - FDA & Stop Foodborne Illness: Food Safety Culture Webinar
Another installment of the FDA and Stop Foodborne Illness Alliance webinars to review with the industry updated on food safety culture.
Dairy Tech Conference
Where Dairy + Tech Connect
DairyTech will bring together leaders from around the world to form new connections and showcase innovative solutions that will transform the dairy industry.
This two-day conference will present a mix of keynotes, panel discussions, networking sessions, and evening receptions for senior executives and experts in technology, innovation, data, and cybersecurity.
WEBINAR: FDA and STOP Food Safety Culture Webinar #7
For the 7th installment of webinars, the FDA and the STOP Foodborne Illness group will be putting on a webinar, live from the Food Safety Summit Conference.
This webinar is titled: Measure What You Treasure.
Speakers will include:
Brain Perry
Karleigh Bacon
Philip Bronstein
Conrad Choiniere
Donald Prate
Lone Jespersen
For more information and registration please click here.
Dairy Industry Crisis Drill Training
Are you comfortable with your level of readiness to respond to a food safety crisis when you least expect it?
Want to practice what’s it like to have your product implicated, and cause, a food safety concern in a retail dairy product?
Here’s a chance to learn more about who to contact in case of a food safety emergency, how to prepare for the media, consumer, and FDA responses, and then go through a mock drill to see how you would react to the unknown. This drill is appropriate for anyone in the dairy industry responsible for getting milk from the animal to the finished product and into the hands of consumers.
Please join us for this unique skill building opportunity as the American Dairy Association North East and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy bring their dairy industry readiness training and mock food safety drill to Penn State Extension on May 11 & 12, immediately following the Pennsylvania Association for Food Protection (PAFP, formerly PAMFES) meeting at the Penn Stater in State College.
For more information & registration check the PSU Extension Website!
PSU - Preventive Controls for Human Foods Certification
Penn State is offering a certification class for the FSMA requirements of the 2016 Act.
As described on their website:
“The two and a half day course provides instruction into the development of a Food Safety Plan as required by FDA as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Participants will learn the key elements of a food safety plan, how to conduct a hazard analysis for biological, chemical, and physical hazards, how to develop and implement risk-based preventive controls (process, sanitation, allergen, and supplier) along with the appropriate verification and validation procedures, and understand the requirements of a recall plan.
This training was developed by FSPCA (Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance) and is delivered by Penn State instructors.”
For more information and registration please visit their website directly at the link HERE.
Food Safety Summit
The Food Safety Summit is a solution-based conference and expo designed to meet the educational and informational needs of the entire food industry. The Summit provides a 3-day comprehensive educational program to learn from subject matter experts, trainers, exchange ideas and find solutions to your current job challenges. The Summit has an expansive Exhibit Hall packed with progressive solution providers and exclusive networking events to help you make meaningful industry connections.
For more information please visit their website.