IAFP and NEHA Wrap-Up

Whew!!

It’s been a busy few weeks… and unlike my typical Friday posts; you get me TODAY!

As many of you know, especially the newer followers, TFSG has been a bit of a road warrior of late. Two of the biggest reasons are NEHA and IAFP. I attend many meetings over the course of the year, each with its own flavor and audience... but these are two of the more important ones.​

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The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) was held in Nashville this year. NEHA is the conference for anyone working in public health. Many of its constituents are regulators from federal, state, local and tribal levels.

I was re-elected to the NEHA Business and Industry Affiliate (NEHA BIA) Executive Board. The BIA provides a vital service to the overall organization as we act as a bridge and a resource for our regulatory partners. By building relationships within the organization, we are trusted partners and liaisons that our regulators can (and often do) reach out to when they come across issues in the field. I tell you, when they rely on you, your issues often become easier to deal with. It is always better to be able to work together before you have a problem than trying to make nice when they are holding a swab-a-thon at your facilities.

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This conference has a very serious “training” vibe. Attendees are here to learn and eager to ask questions. They are very knowledgeable about the rules and regulations. Most of the outside conversation often revolves around training or special situations and how to inspect or regulate them.

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As usual the AEC had some excellent training. This is not just for food safety. In fact, I attended some very interesting sessions on body piercings and tattoo environmental and public safety policy and standards presented by the Association of Professional Piercers and the Florida Environmental Health Association. There was, of course 2 tracks dedicated to food. These were great as well. I want to thank Derek DeLand from NSF for allowing me to participate in his session’s Q&A on “How Refrigeration Units Are Tested and Certified and Why It Matters.”

The BIA had an excellent panel and our annual business meeting. Both were well attended and had very diverse attendees this year. Normally we are heavy with Food Safety folks but this year we had a nice mix of industries. We held elections and had several great ideas and discussions on ways that we can improve our group and NEHA as a whole. It is going to be an exciting year if we can keep that momentum. Our Traci Slowinski has thrown her hat in the ring for Regional Vice President for Region 5. TFSG fully endorses her and bids her the best of luck in her upcoming election. She will join Matt Reighter (Region 1) as our industry representatives on the NEHA Executive Board.

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The other conference was the International Association for Food Protection’s (IAFP) Annual Educational Conference. This year we were in Louisville, KY. I had an extended stay and a little more activity as the Affiliate Council Chair. There certainly are worse places to find yourself put to use.

The Affiliate Council has an important role at IAFP. This is where our state and foreign Affiliates meet to discuss what is going on back home in our regions. We discuss challenges and share successful practices. We collaborate on ways we can help our members back home get the most of their memberships. We also use this opportunity to find help to advance food protection in our part of the world. This year we welcomed our newest Affiliate from Japan. It has been an honor to serve this group. It’s all yours now Maria Ma! Affiliate Delegates seem to stay on the Council for a while. Often, even when we rotate off of as the Delegate for our organization, Past Delegates still attend the meeting. So, this is often where we start our “family reunion.”

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The IAFP has a very different feel than NEHA. It is primarily a scientific meeting with a plethora of different sessions, all relating to some aspect of the science of food safety and protection. In addition to the symposia, IAFP has several Professional Development Groups (PDGs) that allow for a more specialized experience. The attendees of this meeting ARE the experts in their fields, but it has more of the feel of a gathering of friends or extended family. The outside conversations are as important (and in some cases more so) as the sessions. We are discussing collaborations, giving each other ideas on our research and professional lives. We are catching up, discussing our hobbies, and reminiscing on other members that couldn’t make this year’s conference. The atmosphere is charged with ideas and enthusiasm for a field that rarely gets that kind of care. About 4000 people come to this meeting but it is small enough that you can and will have the chance to hold a conversation, break bread, or have a beverage with just about everyone. To me, this is the best part of attending.

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​Even the Executive Board members are welcoming, friendly, and approachable. I have learned so much from these folks. The most sage Mickey Parrish and I are now off of the board as the incredible Kali Kniel takes the reigns of the presidency. Great things are coming. See you in Cleveland!

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I’d like to shout out one more organization, The Conference for Food Protection (CFP). This organization meets every two years but is probably the most intense meeting I attend. The CFP handles Food Science, Policy and Regulation for the federal level. Changes to the Food Code and other Guidances often are directly affected by this group. This meeting is a must for anyone that works in food safety and has ever wondered how these regulations come into place. It is not for everyone, but it will definitely open your eyes. As Co-chair of the Sponsorship Committee, I would be remiss not invite you to check out our website and support this noble effort. ​

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And with that, friends.... 

Until Next week! 
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Sláinte
James

Science | Safety | Sustainability
http://www.ThatFoodSafetyGuy.com
Instagram▫️Facebook▫️Twitter @ThatFSGuy
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