President's Message
By Sam Keiper
While most food companies have been dedicated for years to maintaining a safe food environment, the past year has seen a renewed interest by companies across multiple commodities to take their food safety plans to a higher level. Without a doubt, the increased number of food recalls has brought awareness to many commodities that once believed they were somewhat isolated from food borne illness concerns. <read more>

Stepping-up Your Food Safety Programs is as Easy as 1-2-3
By Kathryn Heimann
It goes without saying that it’s important to provide a safe and secure environment in any food industry. HACCP, program enhancement, and auditing and certifying your food safety system are three steps to help ensure your food safety program. <read more>

FDA update: We Are in the Business of Protecting the Public Health
By Kasey Harper Ferreria
Sometimes it’s hard to know where an individual or an organization stands on an issue, which leads to a slurry of questions. Fortunately this is not the case with the FDA. Luis Solórzano, Director of Investigation with FDA’s San Francisco District made it apparent where the FDA stands and his message resonated loud and clear. The January 21st district dinner meeting was packed wall to wall, and everyone, including members and non-members, were all-ears listening to Mr. Solórzano’s update. <read more>

Prune Industry Update
By Patrick J. Ferreira 
As of March 25th the 2010 Prune Crop is in full bloom. The 2009 prune crop was estimated to be 160,000 natural condition tons by the California Plum Board at its June 25, 2009 meeting. Early in the season the estimate was thought to be closer to 157,000 tons. However, as of March 16, 2010 the California Plum Board’s last quarterly report indicates the present tonnage at 162,595. <read more>  

ACFSQ Staff Spotlight: Erika Tarr  
This quarter’s employee spotlight is shinning on Erika Tarr. Erika has spent the better part of the last decade engrossed in food safety. Her personal experience combined with her educational training makes her the perfect fit for ACFSQ/DFA and the SCTC. <read more>

Health Care Reform Tax Impact
In late March 2010, health care reform was passed into law with both the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These laws contain numerous tax provisions, and following is a brief summary of some of the key tax provisions... <read more>

Nut Safety Front and Center
By Tom Jones
The nut industry has been rocked in recent years by major product recalls due to Salmonella contamination. The 2008-2009 Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) incident left hundreds ill, caused nine deaths and led to the recall of more than 2,800 products! Almonds, pistachios, pecans and hazelnuts have also been targeted for recall. <read more>

Pesticides- It's Complicated
By Mike Hurley
It’s Monday morning and I arrive early to get a cup of coffee before starting the new week. I quickly stop at my desk and the phone rings. I hear a familiar question, “Good morning, I want to ship some prunes to Japan. What will it cost me for pesticide testing?” I sit down; my coffee will have to wait because this is going to take some time. This conversation is all too familiar and I know in the end, the member will not be completely satisfied. <read more>

The War Years 1940-1949
By Richard Cherrix
The nineteen forties are pretty well defined by World War II. U.S. isolationism was shattered by the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt guided the country on the home front, General Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the troops in Europe. General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz led them in the Pacific. At the same time these great men were leading our country, DFA had their own set of leaders. <read more>

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IN THIS ISSUE

The Red Seal - Home

President's Message

Stepping up Food Safety

FDA update: We Are in the Business of Protecting the Public Health

Prune Industry Update

ACFSQ Staff Spotlight

Health Care Reform Tax Impact

Nut Safety Front and Center

Pesticides- It's Complicated

The War Years