AFDO Educational Conference presentations


Monday, June 12, 2023 

Norfolk, Virginia

Monday, June 12, 2023  

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

Announcements & Awards 

Speaker
  • Elisabeth Wirsing, Sr. Environmental Health Program Manager, Division of Environmental Health, Vermont Department of Health 

8:15 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.

Commissioner’s Update on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Program

MODERATOR
  • Elisabeth Wirsing, Sr. Environmental Health Program Manager, Division of Environmental Health, Vermont Department of Health
Speaker
  • Dr. Robert M. Califf, Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

8:50 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Food Safety Initiatives at U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service 

MODERATOR
  • Steven Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials
Speaker
  • Dr. José Emilio Esteban, Undersecretary for Food Safety, Office of Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

9:15 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

Foodborne Illness Initiatives: The CDC Perspective 

Speaker

9:40 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

U.S. Food and Drug Officials (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Joint Question and Answer

MODERATOR
  • Steven Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials
Speaker
  • Dr. José Emilio Esteban, Undersecretary for Food Safety, Office of Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Dr. Robert Tauxe, Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Dr. Robert M. Califf, Commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Food Safety: The Next Generation

Moderator
  • Laurie Farmer, Director, Office of State Cooperative Programs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
Speaker

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Tackling Innovation: Evaluating Tech-Enabled Equipment Under the NSF/ANSI Standards

Learn more about the NSF certification process and other similar processes and how they’re applied to food equipment technology solutions to ensure they meet food safety sanitation standards.

MODERATOR
  • Laurie Farmer, Director, Office of State Cooperative Programs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Speaker
  • Derek DeLand, Environmental Health Programs Manager, Regulatory Affairs, NSF

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

FSMA Implementation – Goals Fulfilled and Unfulfilled

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has established transformative change in how FDA and its regulatory partners perform their work. FDA’s new approach and operational strategy for the implementation of FSMA includes leveraging and collaboration with partner agencies, the food industry, academia, and consumers. This is to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of inspections domestically as envisioned in FSMA’s call for a nationally integrated food safety system. 

Panelists will discuss their thoughts on FSMA implementation and efforts to improve collaboration. 

Moderator
  • Ellen Buchanan, Audit Staff Director, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Panelists
  • Jennifer McEntire, Founder, Food Safety Strategy, LLC
  • Donald A. Prater, D.V.M., Acting Director, Office of Food Policy and Response, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy, Consumer Reports
  • Douglas Stearn, Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Roberta Wagner, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs: Consumer Brands Association (CBA)

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Explore Innovation, Technology, and New Products From Around the World

Have you ever walked into a food establishment and seen something you know you are supposed to be informed about, but you’re not? Then, it hits you – this overwhelming stress, and you quickly try to figure it out so you won’t be embarrassed. Or, have you ever found yourself looking at a food product, scratching your head, and saying, “What in the world is this?” If you’ve ever felt this way, this is the session for you!

This interactive experience explores innovation, technology, and new products from around the world! Adding to the excitement, we have a “pushing the limits” section! We are challenging you to think outside the box about how we CAN integrate new innovations and technologies into our food safety landscape while protecting public health.

MODERATOR
  • Steven Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials
SPEAKERS
  • Chris Rupert, Food Policy & Innovation Manager, Compass Group
  • Carlos Menes, Senior Director, Food Safety & PQA, Service Operations, Sodexo

Ecolab Prep N’ Print

  • Jordan Meaker, Corporate Account Manager – Food Safety Solutions, EcoLab

Bear Robotics

  • Doug McCaskill, Regional Sales Executive, Bear Robotics
  • Ben Mowrey, Robotics Field Engineer, Bear Robotics

Kiwibot

  • Mateo Mayor, Head of Government Relations & BI, Kiwibot

PizzaForno

  • Travis Edmondson, Chief Development Officer, PizzaForno

Stratix Labs

  • Mark Mulvahill, Chief Executive Officer, Stratix Labs

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Shifting From Outbreak Response to Outbreak Prevention: The Collaborative Approach to Designing and Implementing FDA Prevention Strategies 

It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But for foodborne illness outbreaks, moving from response to prevention has proven to be exceptionally difficult. To make this shift, the FDA has embarked on a collaborative effort with other federal agencies, state and local health departments, the food industry, and others to create and publish prevention strategies for certain FDA-regulated foods. This session brings together members of FDA and state regulatory programs to describe how these prevention strategies are created, how the process has evolved to incorporate more stakeholder input, and how the strategies can be put into practice to prevent foodborne illness. 

MODERATOR

Carrie Rigdon, Research Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials

Panelists

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Explore Innovation, Technology, and New Products From Around the World 

Have you ever walked into a food establishment and come across something you knew you were supposed to know, but didn’t? Then it hits you — this overwhelming stress, and you quickly try to figure it out so you won’t be embarrassed. Or, have you ever found yourself looking at a food product, scratching your head, and saying, “What in the world is this?” If you have ever felt this way, this is the session for you!  

This interactive experience explores innovation, technology, and new products from around the world! Adding to the excitement, we have a “pushing the limits” section! The challenge is to think how to best integrate new innovations and technologies into our food safety landscape while protecting public health. 

MODERATOR
  • Steven Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials
Speakers
  • Chris Rupert, Food Policy & Innovation Manager, Compass Group
  • Carlos Menes, Senior Director, Food Safety & PQA, Service Operations, Sodexo

Ecolab Prep N’ Print

  • Jordan Meaker, Corporate Account Manager – Food Safety Solutions, EcoLab

Bear Robotics

  • Doug McCaskill, Regional Sales Executive, Bear Robotics
  • Ben Mowrey, Robotics Field Engineer, Bear Robotics

Kiwibot

  • Mateo Mayor, Head of Government Relations & BI, Kiwibot

PizzaForno

  • Travis Edmondson, Chief Development Officer, PizzaForno

Stratix Labs

  • Mark Mulvahill, Chief Executive Officer, Stratix Labs

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Retail Program Standards Show and Tell  

Are you enrolled in the FDA’s Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, interested in enrolling, or just want to learn more about the Standards?  Then this session is for you!  Please join us as enrolled jurisdictions, regulatory, and industry partners share information about the innovative and unique work they have accomplished related to the Standards. We know you’ll leave this session with ideas, inspiration, and tools you can use to work on the Retail Program Standards within your own jurisdiction.  

Moderator
  • Valerie A. Potopsingh, MPA, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
Panelists
  • Tiara Smith, Program Analyst, National Association of County and City Health Officials 
  • Dan Anderson, Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards Administrator, Kentucky Department for Public Health, Food Safety Branch 
  • Katherine Del Mundo, RS/REHS, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
  • Deanna Copeland, Retail Food Safety Director, Association of Food & Drug Officials 
  • Melissa G. Ham, REHS, Environmental Senior Consultant – FDA Retail Program Standards Coordinator, Wake County Government, Environmental Services/Environmental Health and Safety 
  • Shawna Johnson, MPH, Environmental Health Specialist Food Program Lead, Boulder County Public Health (CO)
  • Katey Kennedy, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
  • Steven C. Nattrass, MPH, REHS, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
  • Lisa M. Potopsingh, Associate Public Health Sanitarian, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Bureau of Public Health Protection (NY) 
  • Christine Vazquez, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
  • Carolyn White, MPH, Retail Food Specialist, Office of State Cooperative Programs, United States Food and Drug Administration 
  • Laura M. Wildey, MS CP-FS, Senior Program Analyst, National Environmental Health Association 
  • Anna Yates, BS, RS, Director of Environmental Health, Jersey County Health Department (IL) 
  • Jennifer Costolo-Michael, MS, RS., Sanitarian Lead, Monongalia County Health Department

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Explore Innovation, Technology, and New Products From Around the World

Have you ever walked into a food establishment and come across something you knew you were supposed to know, but didn’t? Then it hits you — this overwhelming stress, and you quickly try to figure it out so you won’t be embarrassed. Or, have you ever found yourself looking at a food product, scratching your head, and saying, “What in the world is this?” If you have ever felt this way, this is the session for you!

This interactive experience explores innovation, technology, and new products from around the world! Adding to the excitement, we have a “pushing the limits” section! We are challenging you to think outside the box about how we CAN integrate new innovations and technologies into our food safety landscape while protecting public health.

MODERATOR
  • Steven Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials
SPEAKERS
  • Chris Rupert, Food Policy & Innovation Manager, Compass Group
  • Carlos Menes, Senior Director, Food Safety & PQA, Service Operations, Sodexo

Ecolab Prep N’ Print

  • Jordan Meaker, Corporate Account Manager – Food Safety Solutions, EcoLab

Bear Robotics

  • Doug McCaskill, Regional Sales Executive, Bear Robotics
  • Ben Mowrey, Robotics Field Engineer, Bear Robotics

Kiwibot

  • Mateo Mayor, Head of Government Relations & BI, Kiwibot

PizzaForno

  • Travis Edmondson, Chief Development Officer, PizzaForno

Stratix Labs

  • Mark Mulvahill, Chief Executive Officer, Stratix Labs

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Benefits of Collaboration of State Produce Programs and State Marketing Programs 

Discover the pros of collaboration between Produce and Marketing Programs. Hear about the ways this collaboration can be used as an asset to the implementation of the PSR and farm inventory development.    

Moderator
  • Kristin Esch, Produce Safety Expert, PSN, FDA 
Panelists
  • Kelly Johnson, Produce Safety Manager, South Carolina Department of Agriculture
  • Justin McConaghy, Produce Safety and Cottage Foods Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry 
  • Kristina Banks, Produce Safety Specialist, Senior, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services  

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Being Creative When Verifying Qualified Exemptions 

Learn some creative ways to verify or audit Qualified Exemption (QE) claims versus accepting a claim at face value; also, the pros and cons of verifying (QE) status. 

Moderator
  • Ben Marshall, Produce Safety Expert, PSN, FDA 
Panelists
  • Rene Nieto, Program Coordinator-Produce Safety, Texas Department of Agriculture
  • Michael Botelho, Produce Safety Director, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources 
  • Matt Fout, Produce Safety Manager, Ohio Department of Agriculture 
  • Duane Sinning, Program Manager, Colorado Department of Agriculture

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

How State Programs Are Handling Mixed-Type Facilities  

We will discuss those inspections that fall under 21 CFR Part 112 and Part 117 and those that fall under 21 CFR Part 112. Conversations include whether inspectors are cross-trained to do these inspections if there are MOUs with other programs, and which obstacles have been encountered. 

Moderator
  • Aaron Finley, Produce Safety Program Office Administrator, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets  
Panelists
  • Natalie Adan, Food Safety Division Director, Georgia Department of Agriculture 
  • Connie Fisk, Produce Safety Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture   
  • Matt Fout, Produce Safety Manager, Ohio Department of Agriculture 
  • Steve Schirmer, Produce Safety Field Administrator, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets  

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Innovative Programs  

Panelists discuss the ways an innovative program design can turn obstacles into opportunities in areas including program sharing and staffing in the off-season. 

Moderator
  • Steve Pilis, Produce Safety Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources 
Panelists
  • Duane Sinning, Program Manager, Colorado Department of Agriculture 
  • Ananda Fraser Ramirez, Chief Program Development – Produce Safety Coordinator, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
  • Riley Boland, Senior Consumer Protection Specialist, Missouri Department of Agriculture 

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Basic Science Related to Tattoo Inks

This presentation will discuss the basic science of what is in tattoo inks and how they age, what the research indicates about tattoo inks and what concerns are around pigments in inks; specifically, regarding how pigments break down and why pigments break down.

MODERATOR
  • Ben Shaw, Owner, Archetype Tattoo
Speaker
  • John Sweirk, Assistant Professor, Binghamton University, Department of Chemistry 

2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where We Stand in Purity of the Inks/Pigments Due to Their Sourcing

This presentation will address where science is currently, what the analytical data is telling us, and where we stand in terms of purity of the inks/pigments due to the sourcing of materials.

MODERATOR
  • Ben Shaw, Owner, Archetype Tattoo
Speaker
  • John Sweirk, Assistant Professor, Binghamton University, Department of Chemistry

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Body Art Plan Check/Plan Review 

This presentation is an overview of a facility operational plan, the review process, and how this can help regulators navigate inspections of body art facilities.

MODERATOR
  • Ben Shaw, Owner, Archetype Tattoo
Speakers

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

NEHA Body Art Model Code – Building Blocks to a Cohesive Regulatory Program

This presentation will discuss the Body Art Model Code (BAMC), which is the only comprehensive model code that addresses current body art issues and public health risks. You’ll get an inside look at how the process of updating the BAMC looked from start to finish and an outline of significant changes that were made to the code. You will not only gain a greater understanding of how the BAMC is updated, but also major insights that can be applied to other code update processes.

MODERATOR
  • Megan Snyder, Manager, Drugs and Medical Devices, Texas Department of State Health Services
Speakers
  • Sadie Shervheim, Project Coordinator, National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) 
  • Christl Tate, Associate Director, Programs, EZ, National Environmental Health Association

4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Body Art Inspection, Negotiation Tools  

This presentation is interactive and allows inspectors and body artists to simulate a body art inspection and the various situations that might be encountered. Participants (regulators and artists alike) will be able to get hands-on experience, ask questions, focus on engagement, and learn how to build trust between regulator and artist.

MODERATOR
  • Megan Snyder, Manager, Drugs and Medical Devices, Texas Department of State Health Services
Speakers
  • Michael Crea, Executive Director, Florida Environmental Health Association
  • Selina Medina, President, Alliance of Professional Tattooists

Dinner Cruise Aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon

Experience the best of Norfolk, Virginia! Dine, dance along to the DJ, and enjoy unbelievable views during the 3-hour dining cruise along the Elizabeth River. The Spirit of Mount Vernon is a three-level dining vessel with two interior climate-controlled dining decks and three exterior observation decks.

The cruise route taken offers views of some of the mighty ships and submarines of the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, the Merrimac Battle Site, Fort Norfolk, and the Portsmouth Naval Hospital to name a few.

Ticket includes dinner buffet, cruise and one drink ticket.

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