It’s been almost 18 months since President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Modernization Act. The FSMA was hailed as the most important legislation impacting the food industry in the past 60 years. Even though we are still waiting for the Office of Management and Budget to finalize their review and to release for publication several key regulations, we thought a look at the progress of this omnibus piece of legislation was in order. The FSMA greatly expands the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration to monitor the food industry. The FDA, under the powers provided in the Act will have the power to affect mandatory recalls and, in grave circumstances, it has the authority to close manufacturing sites that are considered a significant risk. The FSMA has faced the challenges of the budgetary crisis that has gripped the nation for the past four years. At a time when most agencies are facing cutbacks, the FDA will need to significantly expand its staff to meet the requirements mandated by the FSMA. In spite of budgetary restraints, significant progress has been achieved. In its report to Congress, the FDA cited, among other accomplishments, progress in the rule making process, establishment of the Produce Safety Alliance and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, and a cooperative program with Homeland Security to combat the smuggling of food into the United States. While the emergence of new regulations from Washington is frequently met with opposition from the business community and associations representing the affected industry, the…

While 50 million pounds of mechanically tenderized beef is sold in the United States each month, I found this article intriguing as we’ve entered yet another grilling season. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/04/delauro-urges-usda-to-label-mechanically-tenderized-beef/ Engage in safe practice and behaviors, no matter the season. Learn more about SafeTrain™, our online, blended learning, or classroom food safety training program.

Restaurants await the Conference for Food Protection to set a new edition of 2013 FDA guidelines, but that is not the only topic that will be on the table.  If you’d like to learn more about what The National Restaurant Association will be debating at the upcoming Conference for Food Protection, follow the link below: http://www.restaurant.org/nra_news_blog/2012/01/nra-gets-ready-for-food-safety-code-update.cfm Every industry has guidelines and standards. Russell Associates recently introduced software that makes those guidelines and standards easier to handle. inspectiTRAC™ can automate all types of food processor observations, inspections, and audits. Visit www.inspectitrac.com to learn more!

Russell Associates displayed at the Wisconsin Safety and Health Conference & Expo recently! We maintained a focus on bringing technology into the training and inspections process. There was overwhelming interest in Russell Associates newest product: inspectiTRAC!

As we all know, accidents happen and are costly.  In 2003, the Bureau of Labor (BLS) reported a whopping 4.4 million in nonfatal injuries. The company you work for has a moral obligation to employee safety.  http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Pr-Sa/Safety-in-the-Workplace.html Companies have a responsibility to their employees to promote a safe environment. That begins with inspections and audits in every operation and in all industries.  Russell Associates has developed inspectiTRAC, state-of-the-art software that expedites corrective actions, eliminates errors and saves time and money.  And, it’s customizable to meet the specific needs of a wide range of businesses and industries.

The best plans take time and money!  The Food and Drug Administration continues its slow and steady rollout of FSMA that will be laid out over the next five years. The FDA is planning to issue more than 50 new rules, add inspectors and ramp up oversight efforts to the tune of $1.4 billion. These new rules and regulations are to ensure the healthy and safety of…YOU and your family. http://www.omaha.com/article/20111226/MONEY/712269971/1167  Our new inspection software can make regulations a little easier to manage, inspectiTRAC™ can automate all types of food processor observations, inspections, and audits.  One major food company calculated a potential labor savings of 90% compared to manual, paper-based inspections and audits, with a payback of three to six months. 

We’ve all thought, at one point or another, that we could improve our auditing processes.  I came across an interesting article that will help you with 6 steps to an effective continuous audit process. http://www.theiia.org/intAuditor/itaudit/archives/2008/february/six-steps-to-an-effective-continuous-audit-process/ inspectiTRAC is the tool to make the process more efficient! The tablet-based technology will help expedite corrective actions, eliminate errors and save time and money. 

This article reinforces what I believe makes an employee remarkable. These people have a positive impact in their companies, their families, and in the social circles they frequent. Jerry Van Oort http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-8-qualities-of-remarkable-employees.html – Shared using Google Toolbar

Are you concerned about the safety of food?  With the recent closing of over 250 USSA offices, it is very important that companies continue to improve internal processes and vigilance of their food safety and inspection processes. http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2012/01/11/198650.htm Want to reduce labor and paper cost? Take the first step by checking out inspectiTRAC. inspectiTRAC can help you be more efficient, reducing labor and paper costs, and more effective, by improving data accuracy.

This article raises several thought provoking questions including food safety considerations. When you consider the materials used in conventional data collection, i.e., clipboards, paper, and pencils, the pros would outweigh the cons, considering the ability to clean and sanitize a ruggedized tablet. Russell Associates recommends using the Motion F5V Tablet (http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_f5.asp) with its inspectiTRACTM inspection application- (www.inspectiTRAC.com)    http://talk.gaelquality.com/blog-0/bid/130978/The-Use-of-iPads-in-Food-Production-Areas?goback=%2Egde_775057 – test