2009 IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo
As published on www.ift.org
Food Science and Culinology: Merging Perspectives
by Kelly Frederick
This year’s IFT/RCA Culinology presentation took place on Sunday, June 7, and centered on the topic of “Connecting Art & Soul to Science through Culinology.” The three panelists each shared their different perspectives on the food product development process from different segments of the industry including consulting, food manufacturing, and food service. The first speaker, Judy Lindsey (Product Dynamics) shared the viewpoint of a food scientist in the product development process. <read more...>
Chicago Section IFT Election Results
2009-2010 Officers
Chair: Diane Dawson, Dawson Sales, dianedawson@dawsonsales.com
Chair-Elect: Pamela Vaillancourt, RQA, Inc., p.vaillancourt@RQA-INC.com
Treasurer: Uwe Nienaber, Kraft Foods, Uwe.Nienaber@kraft.com
Secretary: Jennifer Padilla, Aerotek, jpadilla@aerotek.com
New Executive Committee Members
Vijay Arora, Kraft Foods, varora@kraft.com
Krista Ruhnke, Consultant, kcruhnke@aol.com
John Schuette, Quaker Foods, john_schuette@quakeroats.com
Dayna Syperek, ACH Food, dsyperek@achfood.com
Steve Wilson, Chemidex LLC, swilson@chemidex.com
Peanut Corporation of America Expands Nationwide Recall of Peanut Products
PCA Announces the Voluntary Recall of All Peanuts and Peanut Products Shipped from Georgia Plant
As published on www.FDA.gov
Contact:
Peanut Corporation of America
1-877-564-7080
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lynchburg, Va. (January 28, 2009) – Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is voluntarily recalling all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility since Jan. 1, 2007. Previously, PCA announced a recall of peanut butter and peanut paste. PCA sells its products to institutional and industrial users for service in large institutions or for sale and further processing by other companies. PCA does not sell peanuts or peanut products directly to consumers in stores.
PCA is not aware of any complaints or reports of illness involving the additional peanuts and peanut products subject to this expanded recall. PCA is acting out of an abundance of caution and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s help to recall all products manufactured in its Georgia facility. PCA is voluntarily taking this larger recall action following almost two weeks of inspection and review at the Georgia facility.
The expanded recall includes all peanuts (dry and oil roasted), granulated peanuts, peanut meal, peanut butter and peanut paste. All of the recalled peanuts and peanut products were made only at the company’s Blakely, Georgia facility; the lot numbers and a description of the products being recalled are listed at the end of this release. The Blakely, Georgia facility has stopped producing all peanut products.
The voluntary recall comes amid an FDA investigation into a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people nationwide beginning in September, with the largest number of illnesses reported in November. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Because some of our peanut products have been used by manufacturers of pet food, we are also alerting the public that Salmonella is an organism that can potentially be transferred to people handling pet treats exposed to Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Well animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The potential for contamination was noted after samples from peanut butter containers and environmental samples from the Blakely, Georgia facility tested positive for Salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation is “very active and dynamic,” and PCA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as they continue their investigation into the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella.
PCA is notifying customers who received recalled products by phone and/or in writing. Customers should segregate and hold the product and call PCA at 1-877-564-7080 for further instructions. Consumers should contact the FDA and visit the agency web site at www.fda.gov for a complete list of all products affected.
“We have been devastated by this, and we have been working around the clock with the FDA to ensure any potentially unsafe products are removed from the market immediately,” said Stewart Parnell, President of Peanut Corporation of America. “Additionally, we are working alongside state and federal food safety experts in every way we can to help them protect consumers, both now and in the future.
“We want our customers and consumers to know that PCA is taking extraordinary measures, out of an abundance of caution, to identify and recall all products that have been identified as potential risks.”
The recalled peanuts and peanut products were distributed nationwide to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies as well as and in Canada, Haiti, Korea and Trinidad.
All lots that are affected begin with the lot number 7, 8 or 9. The following is the description of the products being recalled:
Description:
Peanut Butter All Styles All Sizes All Lots beginning with 7, 8, or 9
Peanut Paste All Styles All Sizes All Lots beginning with 7,8, or 9
Peanut Meal All Styles All Sizes All lots beginning with 7, 8, or 9
Peanut Granules All Styles All Sizes All lots beginning with 7, 8 or 9
Peanuts All Styles All Sizes All lots beginning with 7, 8 or 9
 SOCAP STAR Award for Edie Zon
Edie was awarded a SOCAP STAR Award for her tireless efforts in organizing and working with the SOCAP Canada Chapter over the years. SOCAP awards STAR awards to a member of each chapter that displays commitment and dedication to the Chapter.
“Intertek and RQA Form Strategic Partnership to Expand Certification Services and Provide Bundled Food Auditing Services Worldwide”
Posted August 29, 2008
Chicago, IL (USA) (August 29, 2008) – Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, has formed a strategic partnership with RQA, Inc., a global leader in strategic product development, quality assurance, crisis management and recall services for consumer products. This exclusive partnership was formed in order to provide manufacturing audit services to clients in various markets across the globe under the name Intertek/RQA and, most importantly, to enable the bundling of food auditing services – adding increased value to each client’s process, product, and system.
RQA’s skilled auditors have been extensively trained and certified by Intertek’s prestigious and worldwide recognized Certification Bodies. Intertek/RQA will perform British Retail Consortium (BRC) audits and ISO 22000 certifications under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). GFSI audits are required and benchmarked by several major global retailers and manufacturers for the North American market. ISO 22000 certification, with its worldwide acceptance, is also required by several, major multinational producers. What’s more, the audit portfolio will also include Social Responsibility, Health and Environmental audits for all.
Lawrence Platt, President of RQA, Inc. said, “We are excited to embark in this strategic alliance with one of the world’s leading service providers to dramatically expand global auditing coverage using recognized GFSI standards.” Dr. Jochen Zoller, President of Food Services for Intertek, added, “The unique fusion of both Intertek and RQA’s robust industrial understanding and expanded worldwide networks will greatly enhance our service capabilities and provide a complete, one-stop-shop global auditing solutions for clients everywhere.”
Contacts
For further information, please contact
Julie Naujokas - Communications Manager, Intertek Consumer Goods
Tel: +1.630.481.3114 - julie.naujokas@intertek.com
Lawrence Platt – President, RQA, Inc
Tel: +1. 630512-0011 – l.platt@rqa-inc.com
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