Food Safety Advisory Meeting Notes 03/22/2018

Here is a brief synopsis of the meeting on March 22, 2018 of the Food Safety Advisory Committee.

Illinois Department of Agriculture has a new compliance officer for the southern half of the state, her name is Danielle Austin.  IDOA also reported that brokers licenses are not required by IDOA for individuals selling meat products at Farmers Markets.

Discussion regarding farm fresh eggs being donated to Food Pantry's.  According to IDOA the cannot regulate this product according to state law.  Question was asked regarding how the offering these eggs in a facility permitted as a food establishment by a LHD complies with the 2013 FDA Food Code.  IDPH was of the opinion that the availability is based on state law it trumps the FDA Rules.  FDA will discuss this and get back to the committee.  More detailed information on this is located on the Portal under Retail Food.

Discussion to clarify what is acceptable for LHD's to accept as documentation to meet the Certified Food Manager Requirement.  Only certificates from ANSI accredited testing entities are acceptable such as ServeSafe, Prometric, Registry of Food Professionals etc.  As of January 01, 2018 the Illinois Certified Food Manager Certificate is not acceptable as documentation to meet this requirement.  Legislation has been proposed to accept existing Illinois Food Manager Certificates until they expire, HB5011 (see below).  Advise people to not throw Illinois Certificates away since if this legislation is passed they will be acceptable until they expire.

Discussion on the Allergen Training requirement in business's that have internal training programs.  If a business has an internal training program approved in another state and/or is a multi-state business or a franchise they do not have to provide an employee a certificate.  They just have to provide they have documentation of an internal training program and documenting who has taken the course.

Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium brought up they have heard that the Illinois Stewardship Alliance is discussing legislation regarding Temporary Food Stands.  Illinois Public Health Association is trying to arrange a meeting with Senator Koehler and the Stewardship Alliance to discuss this issue.

Legislative Update:
HB5011Acceptance of Illinois Food Manager Certificate until expiration - Hearing April 09, 2018 at 3:00 pm.  Everyone needs to file a witness slip in support of this prior to the hearing date. witness slip

Hb4689 - would require Allergen posters in all Food establishments, require LHD's report violations to IDPH to post on a webpage.  Information is this bill is not going to move so will need to watch.

Rulemaking Update - Most recent draft approved by State Board of Health in two different rulemakings.  SBOH recommended the rulemakings be combined and the Director has asked it reference the 2017 FDA Food Code.  Will provide draft as soon as I get it.

Training:  Do not plan on a Food Symposium this year.  IAMFES is having a conference in May with one day being on  Crisis Management starting at a Dairy Farm.  Sounds interesting.  IDPH is also trying to get a FDA Retail Food Course this year.  So plan training accordingly.  See IAMFES Meeting Brochure on IAELHA Facebook page