The Association of Food and Drug Official’s (AFDO) Video Podcasts

Smarter Food Safety with FDA's Frank Yiannas

During the 2019 AFDO Educational Conference, we sat down with Frank Yiannas, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response at the FDA. He shared more about the March 2019 reorganization that resulted in the formation of the new office he leads. Yiannas said the new office’s focus would continue to be on FSMA and its implementation; collaborating with stakeholders on food safety response; and a new era of “smarter food safety.”  Yiannas outlined plans for harnessing technology to support the accelerated change in the food system and the consumer’s demand for those changes.

New Repacking Guidance Document

As more volunteers hope to lend a hand in fighting food insecurity in the U.S., the need
for a guide for food repacking events has been met through a collaboration of some of the
organizations most impacted. Published by the Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO), the Bulk Repacking of Non-Ready-to-Eat Dry Product for Charitable Distribution guide is now
available to provide a simplified set of standard operating practices designed to provide safe
packing conditions. This will ensure that non-ready-to-eat dry products may continue to be
packaged by volunteers and non-profit organizations for distribution within the U.S. This guide is available at www.afdo.org/publications and through the AFDO smartphone app, which is free
through Apple and Google Play app stores.

2019-20 Priorities for Your AFDO with President Ernie Julian

AFDO President Ernest Julian shares his vision and priorities for the year with food borne illness topping the list.

Making a Case for Attending the AFDO Education Conference

Take a few minutes as AFDO Executive Director Steve Mandernach and Board member Pam Miles share selling points for why attending the annual education conference is a must for professionals.

Got recognition? Give some with AFDO Awards opportunities due April 1.

Krystal Reed, AFDO Association Manager, explains the ease and value of recognizing people through a series of awards given out at the upcoming AFDO annual education conference. Nominations are due April 1.

AFDO Conference Preview -- Don't miss out on this program.

Pam Miles and Steve Mandernach discuss the terrific program that has been put together for this years AFDO Annual Conference -- early bird registrations ends February 28th, 2019.

AFDO Annual Conference -- What is in it for YOU!

Steve Mandernach and Pam Miles discuss attendance at the annual conference and its boost to your professional development and networking. 

Conversation with Dawn Beck, Associate Director for Public Health, Olmsted County MN regarding risk-based approach to food inspections.

Dawn Beck, Associate Director for Public Health, Olmsted County, Rochester, MN shares their success with risk-based approach to food inspections. The method called PTV, uses policy, training and verification as the benchmarks for holding food operators accountable for keeping food safe.

Conversion with Katie Lott, Program Manager, Tacoma County, Washington on the expansion of risk factor assessments

Conversations with AFDO  

Katie Lott, Program Manager for Food and Community Safety for the Tacoma, Washington County Health Department, discusses how the expansion of their reach for risk factor assessment has been successful. They have used technology to augment the use of translated materials and visual communication when dealing with language barriers as well as reaching areas of their primarily rural state with information.

Conversation with Marla Phillips from Xavier Health Discussing Artificial Intelligence

Marla Phillips the Director of Xavier Health discusses the work Xavier has been coordinating on artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical products arena, both drugs and devices.  Marla brings her tremendous industry experience forward to health bring industry and regulatory patterns together to collaborate in new areas such as AI.

 

Xavier Health sponsors several conferences and seminars annually in the medical products area.  For more information go to:  https://www.xavierhealth.org.

 

Come to AFDO 2019 Educational Conference where Marla will be coordinating a new quality initiative being spearheaded by Xavier Health.