Seminar: Evaluation of a mouse model to predict allergenicity of food protein

Dr. Venu Gangur will present the seminar entitled “Evaluation of a mouse model to predict allergenicity of food protein” on Tuesday, Sept. 22nd at 12:40pm in room 206 Trout Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University. Refreshments at 12:20pm.

Hungry for Change

Neal Fortin is quoted in the September 2009 Issue of ABA Journal in the article, “Hungry for Change. You can read the article here. The article by Kristin Choo is subtitled, “The feds consider a steady diet of stronger regulation to help fix the U.S. food safety network.”

Educational experts' advice on how to get the most out of college classes

The Sunday New York Times Opinion section featured advice from several leading educators on how students can get the most from their college experience.  Although written for undergraduate students, there is  good advice here.

Michigan Eats Exhibit

Earlier this year, "Michigan Foodways" traveled with the Smithsonian's "Key Ingredients: America by Food." The Smithsonian's exhibition has left the state, and "Michigan Foodways" has returned to Michigan State University Museum. This transformed exhibit, renamed "Michigan Eats: Regional Culture through Food," is now at the Michigan State University Museum, Heritage Gallery, and will begin touring elsewhere in the state in the fall. For more information: email pr@museum.msu.edu or phone (517) 355-2370.

21st G. Malcolm Trout Annual Lecture-Dr. Keith West-Sept. 14

Please join the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition for the 21st G. Malcolm Trout Annual Lecture on Monday, September 14th.

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

21st ANNUAL

G. MALCOLM TROUT

LECTURE

Presents

Keith P. West, Jr, Dr.P.H., R.D.
George G. Graham Professor of Infant and Child Nutrition
Director, Program and Center for Human Nutrition
Department of International Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University

“Vitamin A Deficiency:
Evidence, Public Health, and Politics”

________________________________________

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

MAIN DINING ROOM, UNIVERSITY CLUB

3435 Forest Road, Lansing, MI 48909

6:00 PM RECEPTION

6:45 PM PROGRAM

Speaker bio is available at: http://fshn.msu.edu

Multitaskers Can Have, Uh, Cognitive Problems

From the Law Librarian Blog, “A series of tests show that people who multitask the most have a hard time concentrating and avoiding distractions compared to those multitasking the least. . . . Multitaskers consistently had performance problems when tested. I'd tell you more but I can't remember much about it having checked my three email accounts for the 30th time in the last five hours. Luckily I can remember where the citation is from. Read about it in Wired, here."

The original study is, “Cognitive control in media multitaskers.” By Eyal Ophira, Clifford Nass, and Anthony D. Wagner. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 106 No. 33, August 25, 2009.

Seminar presentation by Dr. Peter Kareiva of The Nature Conservancy

On Tuesday, 9  a.m., September 8, 2009, Dr. Peter Kareiva, Chief Scientist and Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy, will present, The Work of The Nature Conservancy and the role for University-TNC Partnerships” at the Kellogg Center Auditorium, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Dr. Peter Kareiva moved to TNC after 20 years as a university professor and three years working on salmon conservation for NOAA Fisheries. His past publications and research have concerned such diverse fields as mathematical biology, fisheries science, insect ecology, risk analysis, genetically engineered organisms, agricultural ecology, population viability analysis, behavioral ecology, landscape ecology, and global climate change. For publications and more details: http://www.nature.org/tncscience/scientists/misc/kareiva.html.

New Global Agricultural Trade System Database

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently launched an enhanced U.S. foreign agricultural trade searchable database called the Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).  The GATS database, which replaces the current U.S. trade data system, will provide users with U.S. agricultural data not previously available from FAS, including U.S. Customs District trade data, monthly and annual trade data going back to 1967, and U.S. state export data. Users will also be able to use GATS to produce charts and graphs. GATS may be accessed at http://www.fas.usda.gov/gats  and includes an on-line user help manual.

Emerging Issues in Food Litigation Webinar

On September 30, 2009, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) will present a three hour webinar that explores emerging issues in food litigation, with a special focus on issues related to outbreaks and recalls. Participants will learn about recent developments in:

 •            Food safety legislation and its impact on food litigation

•             Criminal implications when outbreaks and recalls occur

•             Crisis management during outbreaks and recalls  

More information is available here.

 

Making it in Michigan Conference

The MSU Product Center presents, the "Making it in Michigan Conference" on November 11, 2009, at the Lansing Center. The conference for food entrepreneurs and includes a great speciality food show. Visit www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu for more information.

Dr. P. Vincent Hegarty Lecture on International Food Law

A streaming video presentation from the Michigan State University's International Short Course on Food Safety, July 27, 2009. Dr. Hegarty is Professor and Director Emeritus, Institute of Food Laws and Regulations, College of Agriculture and Natural resources, Michigan State University.

Lecture: Harnessing Science and Technology for Africa’s Development

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD): Harnessing Science and Technology for Africa’s Development by Prof. Diran Makinde and Prof. Aggrey Ambali, NEPAD Office of Science and Technology.

Friday, August 21, 2009, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m., Room 201 International Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Hosted by MSU African Studies Center in Collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).

HACCP Development and Implementation Training at MSU Aug. 24-26

The Food Science HACCP team at MSU invites you to attend a 24 contact hr. HACCP certification August 24-26, 2009. The workshop will cover the basic considerations for developing HACCP plans. The class will be in room 1320 Anthony Hall on the MSU campus. Attached please find a Brochure with map and parking information. More information is available from Dr. Alden M. Booren, Professor & Extension Specialist, Departments of Food Science & Human, Nutrition, and Animal Science, Phone (517)355-8452/Ext. 205; e-mail: booren@msu.edu.

IFLR Mentioned in Food Productivity Today

http://tinyurl.com/qa47nt The IFLR online international food law courses start on either August 31 or Jan 11 and last 12 to 15 weeks.

Distinguished Faculty Award

Neal Fortin received the first Master of Science in Food Safety Program Distinguished Faculty Award. He is Professor and Director at the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations at Michigan State University.

Lead Instructor Opening for OIE Course

The Institute for Food Laws & Regulations (IFLR) at Michigan State University is seeking a lead instructor for a course on the OIE and world animal health. This is a three credit course is taught completely over the Internet and is designed for those interested in the global animal health and its relationship to international trade in animals and animal products.

For more information on the opening, visit here.

How Consumers View Food News, Labels, and Other Food Information

July 2009

Upcoming Events from the IFIC Foundation

Upcoming Educational Web Casts:

Confused and Conflicted: How Consumers View Food News, Labels, and Other Food Information The Second in 2009 Food & Health Survey Web Cast Series Wednesday, July 29 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT Join the International Food Information Council Foundation for the second of a series of Web casts based on the findings from the 2009 Food & Health Survey on Wednesday, July 29 at 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT. This edition focuses on consumers' views of the food label; news related to food and health; dietary guidance, including MyPyramid; and other food information resources. Get tips on how to better communicate with consumers about searching for and using food information. Visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/671256362 to register. Space is limited.

The Effectiveness of Online Education

Online students perform better than students receiving face-to-face instruction

A systematic search of research literature by the U.S. Department of Education identified more than a thousand empirical studies of online learning. Analysts screened the studies and then conducted a meta-analysis. One important finding of the study was that, “on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”

This report holds special interest because online learning is one of the fastest growing trends in educational uses of technology. Other conclusions of the study include the following:

• “The effectiveness of online learning approaches appears quite broad across different content and learner types.”
• “Inclusion of more media in an online application does not appear to enhance learning.”
• “Online learning can be enhanced by giving learners control of their interactions with media and prompting learner reflection. Studies indicate that manipulations that trigger learner activity or learner reflection and self-monitoring of understanding are effective when students pursue online learning as individuals”
• “Providing guidance for learning for groups of students appears less successful than does using such mechanisms with individual learners. When groups of students are learning together online, support mechanisms such as guiding questions generally influence the way students interact, but not the amount they learn.”

The entire U.S. Department of Education report, Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Leaning (2009) is available here.

Call for Proposals: Ag & Food Policies on Health and Diet in Latin America

The Pan America Health Organization (PAHO) is seeking proposals that aim to show how existing or potential agriculture and food policies or technological innovations (e.g., biotechnology) can make a contribution to population health and diet with focus on obesity and non-communicable disease in Latin America and the Caribbean. Proposals that incorporate issues of agriculture sustainability, preservation of culinary traditions or promote collaboration between agriculture and public health professionals are particularly encouraged.

The policies under scrutiny are expected to show potential or actual population impact on health/nutrition by way of modifying one or some of the following aspects: agriculture and trade policies, food security, food and nutrition policies and consumer behaviors (e.g. food-purchasing behavior and food consumption patterns).

The deadline for the submission of proposal is September 4, 2009. More information is available here.

Webinars: "Agriculture in Uncertain Times"

A series of webinars on “Agriculture in Uncertain Times” will be offered by the North Central Risk Management Education Center between June 9 and December 16 , 2009. Participation is free and open on a first come, first served basis to the first 500 participants in each session.  Sessions will also be recorded for later viewing.  Details.