American Council for Food Safety & Quality

Sept. 2009 Edition

President's Message
By Gary Ford
As the summer quickly turns into fall, we are reminded that life is ever-changing. This is one of the great joys and challenges to life. As many of you know, one large change to the association has been the appointment of a new CEO. While I know most of you, please allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Gary Ford and I was appointed CEO/President of the American Council of Food Safety and Quality (ACFSQ) and the Specialty Crop Trade Council (SCTC) on June 29, 2009. Although my time with the association has been short, my experience in the industry is quite the opposite. <read more>

A Mycotoxin by Any Other Name
By Mike Hurley
My Mom always said not to eat moldy food, and she was right. Mycotoxins are serious concerns for our members, but not too many people actually know what a mycotoxin is and why are people so concerned about such low levels. Mycotoxins are toxins produced by molds that can grow in various foods and feeds. They are some of the most carcinogenic compounds known to man. This is the reason the administrative guidelines and tolerances are so small. Mycotoxins aren’t found very often, which drive statisticians crazy. The most popular and most common is Aflatoxin. <read more>

Agriculture’s Take from the Stimulus Package
By Jeff Emslie
Ever wonder where the stimulus money agriculture receives from the Economic Stimulus Package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) goes? Although the Agriculture Department received approximately the same share of the Stimulus Package in 2009 as USDA’s share of the U.S. budget, there is very little direct aid to agriculture. Roughly three quarters of a total $27 billion agricultural stimulus goes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the food stamp program). <read more>

Member Spotlight: Chico Nut Company
At the close of each fiscal year, plant employees who are directly responsible for sanitation and management of member companies and who achieve the ACFSQ / DFA Food Safety/GMP score of 1,800 points or better on at least one inspection, are invited to attend the 1800 Club Awards Dinner. It is here that the who’s who are recognized for their food safety and quality programs. In recognition of maintaining continuous sanitary conditions, certificates and plaques are given to all qualified plants. <read more>

Prune Industry Update
By Pat Ferreira
With the 2009 California prune harvest well underway, growers and handlers in Sacramento, Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties are all anxious to see if they will reach the estimate of 170,000 tons. If the estimate proves to be true, this would be a 131% increase from last year’s 129,000 tons. <read more>

1800 Club Awards 2008-2009
By Randy Brooks
Our ACFSQ/ DFA members and staff had a fun filled day at the 1800 Club celebration on July 16 at Stevinson Ranch. I would like to acknowledge those dedicated golfers who endured the sweltering heat and helped make the day special. Being a part of the 1800 Club is a noteworthy achievement that signifies the member facility has obtained a rating of excellent (90% or better), in at least one period during the fiscal year. <read more>

Staff Spotlight: Patrick Ferreira
Serving as the Vice President of ACFSQ/DFA and Commodity Program Director for the Northern District, Patrick J. Ferreira has been a valued employee since 1975, and is the center of this staff spotlight. Mr. Ferreira manages the overall operations of the Prune Program and plays a key role in promoting a better understanding between growers, processors and purchasers of dried fruit and tree nuts, as well as encouraging sound trade practices which benefits the producer, the processor, the distributor and the consumer. Patrick is a certified GMA-SAFE Auditor and a certified BRC Third Party Food Safety Auditor. <read more>

a-nom-a-ly
By Gail Santana
The 2008 walnut crop was referred to as an anomaly. But what is an anomaly? According to Webster, an anomaly is an irregularity, or something that deviates from the norm or from expectations. Without hesitation, I’m sure the growers and handlers of the 2008 crop would tell you the crop was certainly out of the norm. <read more>

The Roaring Twenties 1920-1929
By Richard Cherrix
The Roaring Twenties were a time of discovery and progress. Dr. Frederick Banting discovered Insulin; the Tomb of King Tut was unearthed. Women were granted the right to vote in the United States, the League of Nations was established, Reader’s Digest was published, and talking movies were invented. <read more>

World-Class Food Safety Experts are California Bound
By Thomas Jones
I was fortunate to attend the recent annual meeting of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) in Grapevine, Texas. This conference is the pre-eminent meeting of world class experts in food microbiology, sanitation and food safety auditing and it is coming to California next year. <read more>