NCDA&CS to offer seminar for food processors March 27 in Raleigh


RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will offer a seminar March 27 to help Triangle-area food processors develop strategies for reducing the risk of intentional food contamination and for handling such incidents if they occur.

The department’s Food and Drug Protection Division will conduct the seminar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jim Graham Building at the State Fairgrounds. The program is free and includes lunch, but registration is required by March 20. Register online at http://tinyurl.com/bvthnhr.

Speakers include Dr. Richard Linton, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University; Bob Reinhard, vice president for food safety, quality and regulatory affairs at Hillshire Brands Co.; and Jennifer Pierquet, FoodSHIELD coordinator at the National Center for Food Protection and Defense in St. Paul, Minn.

“I encourage anyone in the food processing business to attend this seminar,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Incidents of intentional food contamination can be catastrophic to the safety and security of our food supply.”

The seminar will cover a variety of topics, including a computerized and interactive food defense model; remediation and clearance goals; risk factors and risk communication; disposal of contaminated waste; and preventive controls.

Funding for the seminar is through a grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Innovative Food Defense Program.

For more information, contact Kristen Baughman at 919-733-7366 or kristen.baughman@ncagr.gov.