The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) Seeks Authors and Peer Reviewers

The inaugural issue of JAFSCD is now online. The first issue of this international, peer-reviewed journal of applied research and policy analysis is available free to view at www.AgDevJournal.com. JAFSCD is for agencies, organizations, and academics interested in expanding local and regional food systems. 

MSU Student Wins FDLI Writing Award

Jason Murdey, an MSU College of Law Candidate for Juris Doctor May 2011, recently was honored with First Place Award in the short paper category of the Thomas H. Auden Memorial Writing Competition at the Institute for Food and Drug Law. His article,Preemption of the "Fraud on the FDA" Exception to Michigan's Tort Immunity Statute for Drug Manufacturers: Reconsidering Garcia and Desiano after Levine, will appear in the February 2011 issue of the Food & Drug Law Journal. The journal is the most widely read and referenced journal in the field. Most of the previous winners who have won in past years have been Harvard Law students. Jason's other activities include: Law Review Associate Editor; President, Student Animal Legal Defense Fund; Student Bar Association Liaison to the Ingham County Bar Association.

Interested in a Research Position?

Laboratory Assistant Position

A six months to one year position is currently available; ~10-20 hrs per week; $10 per hour

Qualifications and skills

Sound knowledge of biological science; enthusiasm and aptitude to participate as a team member in a US EPA funded project; previous hands-on experience required (preparing buffers, pH measurements, mouse work)

You will have opportunity to get training in Immunology; learn ELISA, Western, cell culture, non-invasive cardiovascular measurements etc.

Research Area: Food Allergy and Immunology

For more information

Please contact ASAP with your resume

Venu Gangur, DVM, MVS, PhD

Associate Professor,

302-B GM Trout Bldg, MSU

gangur@msu.edu

517-355-8474x134

Symposium: New Landscapes in Food and Agricultural Law and Policy

The University of Oregon School of Law will be presenting a symposium titled, Cultivating our Future:  New Landscapes in Food and Agricultural Law and Policy. The symposium is October 1, 2010, 8-5pm PST, in Eugene, Oregon. Neal Fortin, Director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations at Michigan State University will be presenting on the panel, “Food for Thought–Strategies for Advocacy.”  

Click here for more information. 

Click here to register.

Food Safety Accountability Act

Senators Patrick Leahy, Amy Klobuchar, and Al Franken have introduced the FOOD SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2010, (S. 3767). The bill would not amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Rather the bill creates a new penalty in Chapter 47 of title 18 of the United States Code. Title 18 contains crimes and criminal procedure, and chapter 47 contains the various crimes of fraud.  The new criminal penalty would be for knowing introduction of misbranded or adulterated food into interstate commerce. 

There already is an intentional crime penalty section in the FDCA. So it is interesting that the Senators choose the fraud chapter of criminal code rather than the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Perhaps they did this to move the bill through a more favorable committee. Senator Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Maybe this will prod the Senate to vote on the Food Safety Modernization Act, S. 510, which has languished in the Senate for 13 months.

Today- The Future of Food Safety

TODAY

The 22nd ANNUAL G. MALCOLM TROUT LECTURE

with

Caroline Smith DeWaal

Director, Food Safety Program

Center for Science in the Public Interest

 

"Food Safety: Learning from the Past to set Priorities and Make Improvements"

 

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

MAIN DINING ROOM, UNIVERSITY CLUB

3435 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48909

 

5:30 PM Reception

6:30 PM Program/Lecture 

********************************************

Tomorrow, September 14

TIME:  1:10 – 2:00 pm

LOCATION:  115 International Center

                        Michigan State University

The Future of Food Safety: A Roundtable Discussion

with

Caroline Smith DeWaal, Director, Food Safety Program

Center for Science in the Public Interest

 

Elliot Ryser, Professor, Food Science and Human Nutrition

Michigan State University

 

Neal Fortin, Director, Institute for Food Laws & Regulations 

Michigan State University

 

Craig Harris, Associate Professor, Sociology Social Science

Michigan State University

 

Ewen Todd, Professor, Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing

Michigan State University

 

Gerald Wojtala, Executive Director

International Food Protection Training Institute

Webinar: Superbugs, Super Problems: Agricultural Antibiotics and Emerging Infections

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) announced a September 16, 2010, webinar titled, "Superbugs, Super Problems: Agricultural Antibiotics and Emerging Infections." "The new scientific consensus is that routine, unnecessary use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry contributes significantly to a costly epidemic of antibiotic resistance." To register for the program, please click here.

FDA Public Hearing on the Labeling of Food Made from GE Salmon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) has scheduled a public hearing regarding the labeling of food made from AquAdvantage Salmon. AquAdvantage Salmon is a genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon. The hearing will be held on September 21, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20850, phone: (301) 468-1100.

The purpose of this hearing is for FDA to explain the relevant legal principles for food labeling and to solicit information and views from interested persons on the application of these principles to the labeling of food made from AquAdvantage Salmon. Additional details about the hearing are provided in a formal notice published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2010 and in a related Background Document: Public Hearing on the Labeling of Food Made from the AquAdvantage Salmon.

EFLA Congress on Private Food Law

The European Food Law Association (EFLA) Congress, which will take place in Amsterdam from September 15–17, 2010, is entitled "Non-regulatory dimensions of food law." Lawrence Busch, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University, will present the talk, "Quasi-States? The Unexpected Rise of Private Food Law."  He discusses how the retreat of the state led to the rise of a wide range of 'quasi-states' of firms, industry groups, and private voluntary organisations, pursuing their own aims and interests through private codes, laws, rules, and regulations. Whether they can achieve legitimacy and democratic modes of governance remains to be seen.

For more information, please visit www.efla-aeda.org. 

Webinar on Using a Food Label to Make Smart Food Choices August 10

FDA will host an online session, Using a Food Label to Make Smart Food Choices, and invites questions from the public on how to use the food label to make wise choices on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 

Michigan Food Processors Summit

Foreign Service Officer Positions

David Yanggen writes, "Now is probably the best time in 20 years to apply to USAID for career foreign service officer positions. There is the development leadership initiative underway to hire Junior Officers and some mid-career professionals and AID is attempting to double its foreign service officer staff from around 1,000 to roughly 2,000. They are about 40% toward that goal so there is still time to get in on it. Both program economists and and agricultural specialist positions (including agricultural economists) are being beefed up so someone with a Masters or PhD from MSU and ideally some overseas experience would have a good shot at getting in the Agency. Applicants must have US citizenship." Here is the website link http://www.usaid.gov/careers/fs.html.

MSU Reception Sunday, July 18, Hilton Chicago Hotel

Join Neal Fortin, IFLR Director, and Mary Anne Verleger, IFLR Course Manager, and other MSU faculty, staff, and students at the MSU Reception during the IFT Annual Meeting.  The MSU reception is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 18 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, Astoria Room. Tickets are $20.00 and must be purchased two days in advance through advanced registration for the IFT Meeting. 

The Institute for Food Laws & Regulations the Master of Science in Food Safety Program will be sharing Booth #6219 at the IFT Food Expo, July 17-21, 2010, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. 

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago.

Add IFLR's Custom Icon to Your iPhone

Do you think the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations (IFLR) is awesome? 

You can add the new, custom IFLR icon to your iPhone or iPod homepage. It's incredibly simply:  just browse to the IFLR web site (www.IFLR.msu.edu), hit the "plus" button at the bottom of your screen, tap "Add to Home Screen," and edit the name to something a bit shorter (i.e., "Law Blog").  Here are the step-by-step instructions:

   (1)  Launch your Safari browser and go to www.IFLR.msu.edu

   (2) Tap the plus (+) at the bottom of the screen.

   (3)  Select "Add to Home Screen."

   (4)  The name automatically defaults to Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, but I suggest editing to just "IFLR" or other shorter title (around 10 or fewer characters).  Then tap the blue "Add" in the top right corner.
   (5)  Now, sit back and enjoy your new web clip icon!

Hat tip to Dan Dickinson.  Check out Dan's blog for some guidance on creating a custom web clip for your own site.

Paid International Internships with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Are you looking for a career in foreign affairs? Do you have a yen for travel, a passion for agriculture, and enthusiasm for international trade? If so, theUSDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is looking for you!

The International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP) serves American agriculture around the world. The deadline is July 1, 2010 for the spring 2011 program.  For more information on all the FAS intern programs, visit here.

Free online digital signature service from Adobe

Adobe has introduced a free online digital signing service. This cross-platform, guided service can save lots of time and is easy enough for anyone to use. Find out more from Adobe here.  Rick Bornstein, discusses this new service on his excellent blog¸ "Acrobat for Legal Professionals.”

Reminder: Food Labeling Workshop at MSU July 28-29

Institute for Food Laws & Regulations
	» Hurry, registration is limited Food Labeling Workshop   July 28-29, 2010   ·   Lansing, Michigan This workshop presents the FDA requirements for US food labeling.  The workshop format and materials are designed to provide a user-friendly approach for those new to food labeling and also provide a thorough system and reference for those experienced with food label design and review.  The workshop format allows time for questions. The focus is practical, and students are encouraged to bring problem labels for hands-on review.     For more information, click here. Register Online or Download a Registration Form (PDF)    Free Bonus Workshop participants will receive the Guide to U.S. Food Labeling Law (Vol. I) by Peter Barton Hutt, Esq. The Guide provides practical guidance and expert advice on FDA, FTC, and USDA labeling requirements in plain English. The Guide is an invaluable resource for regulatory officials, industry personnel, and anyone reviewing food labels.  The Instructors Neal Fortin, is Professor and Director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, Michigan State University.  His law practice experience concentrated on food law, labeling, ingredient evaluation, advertising, legislation, and administrative law. Professor Fortin also has 20 years experience in food regulatory work with the state of Michigan, including being the primary drafter of Michigan Food Law of 2000.  He has trained more than 1,500 people on the labeling law.  Constance Henry, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  James E. Hoadley is a senior consultant with EAS Consultant Group. In Dr. Hoadley's 20-year FDA career he served ten years a Senior Regulatory Scientist in the Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements (ONPLDS) with primary responsibilities in food label claim regulations. Dr. Hoadley has been directly involved in the scientific review and drafting of authorizing regulation, or denials, of nearly all health claim petitions received by CFSAN over the last decade. Dr. Hoadley has received the CFSAN Distinguished Career Service Award.  John Spink is the Director of the Packaging for Food and Product Protection Initiative at Michigan State University (MSU) and a faculty at the MSU School of Packaging. John developed and teaches the graduate classes “Packaging for Food Safety” and “Food Protection & Defense – Packaging Module”, and the “Future of Sustainability.” IFLR Internet Courses International Food Laws and Regulations Food Regulation in the United States Food Regulation in the European Union Food Regulation in Latin America Food Regulation in Canada Codex Alimentarius (The Food Code) IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) Food Regulation in Asia New Summer Course Offering:  Animal Health, World Trade, and Food Safety (OIE)  Learn more about IFLR at: www.IFLR.msu.edu or call (517) 355-8295       Email: IFLR@msu.edu                       Telephone: (517) 355-8295 Fax: (517) 432-1492                        web: www.IFLR.msu.edu    Institute for Food Laws and Regulation Michigan State University, 140 G.M. Trout Building, East Lansing, MI 48824

 If you would like to be sure of receiving future IFLR announcements:
Subscribe to the IFLR mailing list

2010 IFT Scientific Program Presentation on Import Food Safety

Neal Fortin, Director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations (IFLR), will be speaking at the Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) upcoming Scientific Program on July 20, 2010.  His 10:30 am session is titled “Managing challenges of import food safety in a global market.” 

The Scientific Program is a food-science focused continuing education forum offering more than 115 education sessions and more than 1,900 technical presentations, each led by experts in their respective fields. This program will be held as part of the 2010 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo, July 17-20, in Chicago, Illinois. 

The IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo provides valuable opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the world, learn about the latest consumer trends and product innovations, and make new professional connections, all in one location. The Food Expo alone features more than 800 exhibiting companies and thousands of products. 

The Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, Online Master of Science in Food Safety Program, and Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University will be sharing Booth #6219 at the IFT Food Expo. If you’re interested in learning more about the overall event, click here.

We hope to see you in Chicago.

IFPTI Courses

International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) announced the following courses to be delivered in Battle Creek, Michigan, during July.  The application deadline for these courses is Friday, May 28, 2010.

FDA's Foodborne Illness Investigations, July 20-22, 2010
This course is being offered in collaboration with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), and Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Division of Human Resource Development (DHRD).  This course primarily focuses on the foodborne illness investigation team role with insight to the other team members such as laboratory, environmental and epidemiology departments.  For more information or to apply, please visit http://www.ifpti.org/training/foodborne_illness_investigations.cfm. 

NCBRT's A Coordinated Response to Food Emergencies: Practice and Execution, July 27-28, 2010

This course is being offered in collaboration with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), and National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT).  This course will provide responders with training on all-hazards food emergency response procedures with an emphasis on enhancing communication to facilitate the response effort. For more information or to apply, please visit http://www.ifpti.org/training/NCBRT_Coordinated_Response.cfm.

For a complete list of upcoming courses, please visit www.ifpti.org.

Michigan’s agricultural exports

"Michigan's agricultural exports generated more than $1.68 billion in economic activity and supported 19,691 jobs in 2008.  Exports are critical to the expansion of Michigan's $71.3 billion agricultural industry with the state's reliance on agricultural exports at 26%." Donald Kovisto, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture.

 

May is "World Trade Month," which is a good time to highlight the importance of agriculture exports to the Michigan economy. To learn more, visit the International Marketing Program website at www.michigan.gov/agexport.