Source: Brian Long, NCDA&CS, 8/5/14

Topics will include impact of federal food safety law on international trade

RALEIGH – Registration is open for the 10th annual Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum, scheduled for Aug. 26 at the State Fairgrounds.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will host the event from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Expo Center. It is open to farmers, food businesses, regulators, health professionals and others with an interest in food safety. Admission is free and includes lunch.

“This year’s forum will focus on how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act will affect international accountability, international trade and the importation of food products,” Troxler said. “In addition, a panel of North Carolina producers will discuss consumer food choices and food safety practices on the farm.”

Keynote speaker will be Dr. David Acheson, president and CEO of the Acheson Group, a food safety consulting firm. Acheson, a former associate commissioner at the Food and Drug Administration, has worked in food safety for 30 years. His presentation will focus on the impacts of the food safety law on international trade.

Other speakers include Jeff Hawley, food safety manager with Harris Teeter, and Kim Taylor, meat and seafood director with Delhaize America.

Following lunch, attendees are invited to stay for a screening of the documentary “Farmland,” which focuses on the lives of young farmers and ranchers.

Go to www.ncagr.gov/ncfoodsafetyforum by Aug. 22 to register for the forum. People with questions should contact Christina Waggett at christina.waggett@ncagr.gov or 919-707-3008.

The forum is organized by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and sponsored by Harris Teeter and Publix.