Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
This week, the Commissioner and Rhonda talk about the eighth annual Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Expo Center at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The event is open to farmers, food businesses, regulators, health professionals and others with an interest in food safety. Admission is free and lunch will be provided.
Much of the focus of this year’s forum will be new federal rules governing produce safety. In the wake of Congress’ adoption of the Food Safety Modernization Act, produce growers are anticipating the release of major rules regarding preventive measures and produce safety.
Keynote speakers will be Leanne Skelton, senior policy analyst with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council. Skelton’s presentation will focus on the new federal produce rules and the protective measures required by them. Wagstrom will speak about food safety issues in the meat industry.
Thomas Mack of Dole Food Co. and Bob Reinhard of the Hillshire Brands Co. will provide food-industry perspectives about the rules. And Ben Chapman, a food safety specialist at N.C. State University, will talk about food safety training for farmers markets. Commissioner Troxler also will speak at the forum.
Even though admission to the forum is free, registration is encouraged. To register, go online to www.ncagr.gov/ncfoodsafetyforum or contact Chrissy Waggett at 919-707-3008 by Friday, Aug. 24.
Click below to listen to the Commissioner and Rhonda discuss the forum.
[Audio:http://info.ncagr.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_8-7.mp3 |titles=Today’s Topic for Aug. 7]
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