The AFDO Audio Podcast

Produce Safety Begins On The Farm

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes.  At AFDO, we continue our series of discussions about food safety innovation with Valerie Gamble, Produce Safety Program Manager in the Food and Feed Safety Division at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Her team's work has built a  program that has given a voice to the produce producers in Minnesota while shaping a paradiagm where responsiveness is key.

 

Food Safety is Job One at McDonald's

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes.  At AFDO, we continue our series of discussions about food safety innovation with Dionne Crawford, Manager of U.S. Food Safety for McDonald's Corporation. Check out our AFDO food safety superheroes podcasts here. Learn more about McDonald's commitment to food safety.

Food Safety is a Team Job for Georgia Professional

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Many AFDO members are educating consumers to be their own food safety superheroes.  At AFDO, we will be talking with some of you who are doing exceptional and innovative work in food safety. This week's podcast guest is Natalie Adan, Food Safety Division Director for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

It's Hurricane Season -- Lessons for Regulators No Matter Where They Live Part Two

In October 2019, Hurricane Michael created more than the usual hurricane aftermath and food instability issues in Florida. At the 2019 AFDO annual conference, panelists looked at the human side of the devastation that resulted in a long-term recovery that continues today.

We sat down with Michael Roberson, Director of Corporate Quality Assurance with Publix Super Markets, to discuss the retail side of recovery months later.  He shares more about the human-side of this disaster as well as the lessons learned about relationships before you need them in the midst of a disaster in a podcast.

Hurricanes Have Lessons for Regulators No Matter Where They Live

In October 2018, Hurricane Michael created more than the usual hurricane aftermath and food instability issues in Florida. At this year's AFDO annual conference, panelists looked at the human side of the devastation that resulted in a long-term recovery that continues today.
We sat down with Tracy Johnstone, a Mcdonald's owner/operator who herself is on the road to recovery. She shares the human-side of this disaster in this podcast.

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.