Federal Bill would Remove Food Programs from FDA

On July 13, 2022, Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Food Safety Administration Act which would remove existing food programs from the FDA and establish a single food safety agency, the Food Safety Administration, under the Department of Health and Human Services. Other provisions of the Act include: The FDA will become the Federal Drug Administration; the Administrator of Food Safety must have food safety expertise; requires establishment of a food facilities inspection program; and sets the frequency of facility inspections. For more information and a copy of the bill…

FDA to Resume Testing of Fresh and Frozen Berries

FDA is developing a strategy to enhance the safety of fresh and frozen berries. It will identify measures to limit or prevent contamination throughout the supply chain, approaches to re-enforce control measures, and areas where research is needed. This strategy is in response to a history of hepatitis A and norovirus outbreaks linked to berry consumption. In August, FDA plans to resume collection and testing that it paused at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. FDA will collect and test about 427 more, however, it will not test strawberries as it has already met the target for these berries. In developing the food safety strategy, FDA will work with industry, academia, and regulatory partners. Click here for more information…

Food Northwest Members Aid Morrow County

Debbie Radie of Boardman Foods along with Lamb Weston, Oregon Potato and Tillamook County Creamery Association are part of a coalition to help Morrow County resident impacted by a water emergency.

LOCAL BUSINESSES JUMP IN TO HELP TO RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY WATER EMERGENCY

A group of local businesses immediately responded to a request for assistance to help neighbors, families and workers throughout the community impacted by the water emergency recently declared in Morrow County.

The companies working under the guidance and in close cooperation with Morrow County Health officials include Amazon Web Services Boardman Food, Lamb Weston, Oregon Potato, Three-mile Canyon Farms and Tillamook County Creamery Association.

Debbie Radie of Boardman Foods, one of the organizers of the coalition of business community partners listed some of the immediate action steps including:

• Helping the County Health Department to distribute safe drinking water
• Assisting well-owners and residents in the process of ordering and paying for testing kits/ filtration systems
• Providing information on wells from the Oregon Health Authority and other support

She encouraged the 1200 well-owners and all community residents to use community information resources found at www.co.morrow.or.us as well as the Morrow County Health Department Facebook page to get the most up-to-date information about available help during the current emergency.

Starting June 20, 2022 Boardman Foods (71320 E Columbia Blvd, Boardman OR 97818) will have staff to assist in English and Spanish providing:

• Testing bottles and a collection site for well water testing
• Information from Oregon Health Authority for wells
• Support and information on certified reverse osmosis filters

Tests must be collected on the same day they are sent to lab. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday’s: [email protected]