Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Inspection Services Division (ISD) works to protect California food and environmental safety?
For example, in 2023, ISD’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program reviewed and registered 4,472 conventional fertilizer labels and obtained 1,423 fertilizer samples for laboratory analysis; ISD leadership joined discussions with federal, state, industry and academia to advance a strategy to enhance food safety in California; and ISD’s Center for Analytical Chemistry ran 17,958 laboratory analyses on 10,911 samples resulting in 5 million data points.
California’s agricultural bounty provides more than one-third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of the nation’s fruits and nuts.
CDFA’s Inspection Services Division (ISD) helps ensure this bounty, as well as imported produce, meets safety and quality standards for California consumers year-round.
From food safety to chemical safety, fertilizer safety and more, ISD works to ensure food on the plate is safe for all Californians.
“I am proud of the work performed by every hardworking member of the Inspection Services Division, some of which is showcased in this annual report,” Division Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg states in the report’s introduction. “As we look to the future, we will build upon the goals in our Strategic Direction and implement best and new practices to allow innovation to flourish.”
The annual report details Inspection Services Division’s (ISD) programs, boards and committees, 2022-23 fiscal year summary, mission, vision and strategic direction. Pictures and graphics offer an overview of ISD staff working to improve food and environmental safety, food access, climate-smart agriculture, organic agriculture, services for California farmers and ranchers, continuing innovation and next generation talent and tools.
Highlights include:
Fostering climate-smart food systems through cohosting an inaugural conference for collaboration and research that will help animal agriculture meet climate goals for a reduction of methane emissions
Building healthy communities through Office of Farm to Fork grants fostering farm to school, urban agriculture and food access
Collaborating on smarter regulations by meeting with government, academia and industry stakeholders to coordinate and advance a strategy to enhance California food safety
Click here to view the CDFA Division of Inspection Services Annual Report 2023 (FY 2022-23).
CFRP’s Samantha Moran-Defty (left) and Erika Lewis-Ortega accept an award on behalf of CDFA for successful implementation of FDA’s 2023 Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) was recently awarded for successful implementation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2023 Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS).
The award was accepted on behalf of CDFA by CFRP’s Research Data Specialist II Erika Lewis-Ortega and Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist Samantha Moran-Defty at the annual AFRPS Face-to-Face Meeting in Mobile, Alabama. At the meeting, Lewis-Ortega and Moran-Defty also participated in a panel discussion on the ways CFRP has utilized FDA funding to incorporate federal preventative controls requirements into routine state activities.
Click here to view a CFRP Run of the Mill Blog post for more information.
BACKGROUND: In 2011, FDA and the Association of American Feed Control Officials entered into a partnership to develop the AFRPS that were launched in 2014. These standards are designed to promote uniformity and consistency among animal food state programs to provide a mechanism for developing and implementing uniform and equitable statutes, regulations and standards to enhance the protection of the nation’s animal food supply.
Click here to view the 2023 Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards.
New FIAB TASC members in 2024 include (L-R) Dan Cook, Franklin Gaudi and Ehsan Toosi.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC) has welcomed three new members this year.
This FIAB TASC serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. TASC members assist in setting project priorities for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Program, review and recommend research and outreach proposals to FIAB for funding and advise on FREP activities.
New member Dan Cook is an agronomist with Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. and has more than 15 years of experience working with tree, vegetable and row crop growers in Central Valley. He is a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) with a specialty in nitrogen management and has a master’s degree in soil and water science.
New member Franklin Gaudi is the vice president of Design for Laurel Ag & Water and worked as an assistant professor and project manager at the Irrigation Training and Research Center in Cal Poly. He is a CCA and irrigation specialist and has an Ed.D. in educational leadership with a specialization in technology.
New member Ehsan Toosi has a Ph.D. in soil biogeochemistry and is the director of Research and Development in True Organic Products. He has 15 years of experience in annual and perennial cropping systems and carbon and nutrient cycling.
Click here to view a FREP Blog post about these new FIAB TASC members, as well as subscribe to the FREP Blog.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Produce Safety Program (CDFA PSP) announces the launch of Phase 1 of the Farm Data Repository website, also known as the PSP Portal.
Beginning in April 2024, California produce farms required to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule will be added into the system on an ongoing, rolling basis. Once added, growers can anticipate receiving a welcome email with instructions on how to create an online account and verify their account information.
The PSP Portal will allow California farmers having password-protected access to the data CDFA PSP collects on their farms and operations, including inspection reports and educational communications.
Click here to view a Produce Safety Rules! blog with further details.
During the podcast, Young discusses his CDFA role working at the state level and with the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) for uniform fertilizer regulations, protecting growers and consumers, and fostering environmental stewardship. He also discusses biostimulant innovation.
“It’s an exciting time,” Young comments in the podcast about biostimulant advancements. “There hasn’t been a time like this in 50 years at least, where there is so much innovation happening that can benefit this industry.”
CDFA Greater Los Angeles Farm to School Network Lead Sophia Bopp shares insights into the importance of connecting schools with local agriculture at the Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm in Long Beach as part of the recent Long Beach Foodways Summit. Sophia shared how farm to school is important for schools, local farms, urban farms and how regional farm to school staff across California are available to offer support and facilitate connections. Visit the CDFA California Farm to School Program webpage to connect with your regional farm to school network lead or regional producer engagement specialist!
Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds post.
CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee.
This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. Members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program and review and recommend research and outreach proposals for funding.
FREP is funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials, and the program facilitates research, education, and demonstration projects to improve proper use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water in agriculture. The program serves researchers, growers, agricultural supply and service professionals, extension personnel, public agencies, consultants, and the public.
Subcommittee applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, irrigation, production agriculture or environmental issues related to inefficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water in California. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years, beginning January 1, 2025. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.
Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should complete the Prospective Member Application Packet available on the FIAB TASC webpage and email it to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov with a two-page resume or curriculum vitae. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
This is a blog for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Inspection Services Division (ISD). Read here for the latest news about how ISD is providing Californians professional services that support and contribute to a safe, abundant and quality food supply; environmentally sound agricultural practices; and an equitable marketplace for California agriculture.
