producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu

July 9, 2019 Hello Produce Safety Alliance Members: In this issue of the PSA newsletter, we are excited to announce the availability of the PSA website in Spanish . We hope that making fundamental on-farm food safety resources and FSMA Produce Safety Rule information available in Spanish will enable a growing population of the Spanish-speaking workforce, in the United States and beyond, to better understand and implement practices to improve the safety of fruits and vegetables on farms and in packinghouses. In addition, check out the new educational resources, FDA updates, IAFP special session plans, and job opportunities below! Have a safe and happy summer, The PSA Team

Announcing the PSA Website – ¡ En español!

es.producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu The Produce Safety Alliance is very pleased to announce the availability of the PSA website and associated materials in Spanish! The new Spanish website is a repository for educational materials, FSMA Produce Safety Rule updates, PSA Trainer and Lead Trainer information, and contacts for the PSA team and collaborators. With a growing domestic Spanish-speaking population of the agricultural workforce and a large volume of produce imported annually from Latin American countries subject to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, this website will serve as a critical resource for produce growers, trainers, industry members, and regulatory officials around the world. Additional materials will be developed and/or translated into Spanish and added to the website in the future. A special thanks for Dr. Laura Acuña-Maldonado (Spanish Extension Associate) and Mr. Rob Way (Multi-media Developer & Database Manager) for their hard work in making this website come to fruition!

Sitio web de la Alianza-PSA – ¡En español!

es.producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu ¡ Produce Safety Alliance se complace en anunciar la disponibilidad de su sitio web y materiales asociados en español! El nuevo sitio web en español es un repositorio de materiales educativos, actualizaciones de la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, información sobre el instructor e instructor líder de la Alianza e datos de contacto del equipo de la Alianza y sus colaboradores. Con una creciente población doméstica de habla hispana de la fuerza laboral agrícola y un gran volumen de productos importados anualmente de países latinoamericanos sujetos a la Norma de inocuidad de los productos agrícolas frescos de FSMA, este sitio web servirá como un recurso crítico para los productores, instructores, miembros de la industria y funcionarios reguladores de todo el mundo. Se desarrollarán y/o traducirán al español más materiales que serán agregados al sitio web en el futuro. Un agradecimiento especial para la Dra. Laura Acuña-Maldonado (Asociada de extensión en español) y a el Sr. Rob Way (Desarrollador de productos multimedia y administrador de base de datos) por su arduo trabajo para hacer que este sitio web sea una realidad.

Educational Resources

Soil Summit Presentations & Resources In 2017 and 2018, the PSA hosted and helped to facilitate three Soil Summits in New York (2017), Texas (2017), and Georgia (2018). The Summits provided opportunities for growers and others in the produce industry to provide feedback to the FDA about their use of Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (BSAAO), including raw manure, and how they see their practices impacting the implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Presentations from each of the Summits along with other resources are available on the PSA website. Most recently, a questions and answers document from the Southeastern Soil Summit held in Atlanta, GA was posted online.

Produce Safety for Consumers Fact Sheet The Partnership for Food Safety Education recently published a one page fact sheet that provides consumers with safe handling tips for fruits and vegetables. It is important for consumers to do their part in keeping fruits and vegetables safe too!

FDA Updates

Draft Guidance for Industry: Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Seed for Sprouting In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidance to provide recommendations to those in the sprout seed industry to help reduce food safety hazards in the production of seed used for sprouting. This guidance, titled "Reducing Microbial Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Seed for Sprouting," is intended to provide food safety recommendations for those that grow, condition, pack, hold, or distribute seed for sprouting.   You are encouraged to submit comments on this guidance before August 26, 2019 to ensure that your feedback is considered while FDA works on the final version of this guidance. Comments can be submitted electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. Comments can also be mailed to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number FDA-2018-D-4534.

FDA & CDC Develop Robust Strategy to Prevent Illnesses Caused by Cyclospora The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating to protect consumers from Cyclospora cayetanensis , a parasite that has caused multistate outbreaks of foodborne illness in recent years. When people eat food contaminated with Cyclospora - mostly fresh produce - or drink contaminated water, they can get an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. Read more on the FDA’s website about how FDA and CDC are joining forces during Cyclospora season to prepare for the potential need to rapidly address intestinal illnesses and prevent a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

PSA to Host Special Session at IAFP – Louisville, KY

Join us at the annual International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Meeting in Louisville, KY on July 22 from 5:30-7:00 PM for a special session hosted by the Produce Safety Alliance ! The session will provide an update on the PSA’s training progress, review key FSMA PSR updates for trainers, present FDA’s current FSMA Produce Safety Rule implementation and outreach activities, and discuss challenges faced by State Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement Programs in working towards produce safety education and implementation. The special session will conclude with PSA plans for the future. There will be special PSA swag given away to the first 50 attendees of the session. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Train-the-Trainer Courses

Check our website frequently for additional course availability. Baton Rouge, LA, USA: 9/11/2019 - 9/12/2019 Location: 5825 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, USA Contact Information: Kristin Woods, Phone: 251-753-1164 Cost: $208; Course #: LA-190911-TR Registration Information Training Language: English Apopka, FL, USA: 12/11/2019 - 12/12/2019 Location: 2725 S Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32703, USA Contact Information: Kristin Woods, Phone: 251-753-1164 Cost: $250; Course #: FL-191211-TR Registration Information Training Language: English

Job Opportunities

University of Missouri - Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist in Food Processing The University of Missouri seeks a talented full-time Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist in Food Processing. This position is funded through the University of Missouri Extension and the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, and will be academically housed in the Food Science Program of the Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering. The position is offered as a twelve-month, tenure-track at the Assistant Professor rank with a split appointment between extension (70%) and research (30%). The candidate will be responsible for coordinating and conducting food processing and safety extension activities for the state that would enhance the value of Missouri agricultural commodities. He/she is expected to work closely with other Extension colleagues in Missouri and neighboring states, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri growers, farmers and other stakeholders to advance and support food processing efforts and activities particularly for value-added food products. Screening will begin immediately. Applications are accepted through July 31, 2019. Applicants should submit: a letter of interest, current curriculum vita, statement on extension activities and programmatic approaches, research statement and future plans, names and contact information of three professional references, and educational transcripts via: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic . Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the search committee co-chairs, Profs. Azlin Mustapha (mustaphaa@missouri.edu) and Mengshi Lin ( linme@missouri.edu ).

California Polytechnic State University -Assistant/Associate Professor of Postharvest Microbiology The Horticulture & Crop Science Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor of Postharvest Microbiology - Full-time academic year. The successful applicant will teach courses that prepare students for a broad range of careers in food microbiology and postharvest technology as they relate to both fresh and lightly-processed fruits and vegetables. Ph.D. in food microbiology, plant science or related field with expertise in food microbiology and experience with the postharvest technology and handling of fresh fruits and vegetables is required, as is a strong and preferably demonstrable interest in undergraduate and graduate teaching. Knowledge of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) as well as a willingness to become a FSMA Trainer is desired. Particular attention will be afforded to candidates who have experience with commercial leafy greens and vegetable production. Review date for applications will begin on August 19, 2019. More information available at: http://jobs.calpoly.edu/sl/en-us/job/493226/assistantassociate-professor-of-postharvest-microbiology

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