PWDU - FSP Update September 5, 2018

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Partnership and Workforce Development – Food Safety Partnership Update

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September 5, 2018

Revisions to Minnesota Food Code Effective January 1, 2019

The official “Notice of Adoption” of the revised Minnesota Food Code (Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4626) was published in the State Register on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

The publication of this Notice is the final required step in the long process of rule revision.

Get ready for the new rules

The revised Code will take effect on January 1, 2019. Until that date, the current Code still is in effect. To learn more about the coming changes, register for the Food Safety Partnership video-conference on September 19, 2018. FSP is free and open to anyone. Registration is required only if you would like to receive continuing education credit (REHS/RS or CFM).

Full language available soon

MDA and MDH have not received a complete clean version of the revised Code from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. We will post a Revisor Office document containing all of the revised Code when we receive it.

Look for another Update soon announcing that a complete clean version of the revised Code is available.

If you have any questions, please email Linda Prail or call 651-201-5792.

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Chicken Liver

FSIS Guideline

FSIS is announcing the availability of a guideline to assist FSIS-regulated establishments, retail food outlets, and foodservice entities in minimizing public health risks associated with raw or partially-cooked chicken liver. The guideline was developed because there have been several recent Campylobacter and Salmonella illness outbreaks linked to chicken liver dishes like pâté.

Find the guideline online:

Minnesota outbreaks

Recent outbreaks in Minnesota associate with raw or undercooked chicken liver include:

  • In June 2018, an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni associated with chicken liver pâté prepared at a restaurant resulted in 3 cases of illness.
  • In April 2018, a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni was associated with pre-packaged chicken livers sold at retail; there was 1 case in Minnesota and 1 in another state.
  • In April 2015, an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli at a restaurant resulted in 9 cases; the implicated vehicle was chicken liver pâté.

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FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Eating, Drinking, or Handling Food Products Prepared with Liquid Nitrogen at the Point of Sale

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration alerts consumers and retailers of the potential for serious injury from eating, drinking, or handling food products prepared by adding liquid nitrogen at the point of sale, immediately before consumption.

These products are often marketed under the names "Dragon’s Breath," "Heaven’s Breath," "nitro puff" and other similar names.

LiquidNitrogen

Liquid nitrogen, although non-toxic, can cause severe damage to skin and internal organs if mishandled or accidently ingested due to the extremely low temperatures it can maintain. Inhaling the vapor released by a food or drink prepared by adding liquid nitrogen immediately before consumption may also cause breathing difficulty, especially among individuals with asthma. This safety alert advises consumers to avoid eating, drinking, or handling foods prepared using liquid nitrogen at point of sale and immediately before consumption, due to risk of injury.

You can read more from FDA about this liquid nitrogen warning at Safety Alerts & Advisories.

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Food | Ag | Ideas Week

Get your tickets now for the first Food ǀ Ag ǀ Ideas Week led by Grow North October 8 through 12, 2018.

The event will bring together diverse perspectives and communities to create a more interconnected, dynamic and competitive ecosystem for food and agriculture entrepreneurship and innovation. Panels, speakers, startup showcases and experiences will address industry-leading topics across sustainable agriculture, food innovation and tech, and food and society.

TheGoodAcre

Session highlight: Farm to School Food Forum

Join The Good Acre at a gathering to share best practices and innovations in implementing and expanding Farm to Schools programs in Twin Cities K-12 schools. You'll hear from farmers, local Farm to School leaders, and the Nutrition Service professionals who feed children every day.

Date: Friday, October 12, 2018

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: The Good Acre, 1790 Larpenteur Avenue West, Falcon Heights, MN 55113

The format of this forum will give all attendees the opportunity to learn from experts and fellow practitioners, share successes and challenges, and leave with tools to help advocate for the sustainability of Farm to School in your district and beyond.

Full agenda and registration

For a full list of speakers and events, go to https://www.foodagideas.com/.

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