Inspection Services Blog

Commercial Feed Regulatory Program awarded for implementing FDA Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards

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.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee welcomes three new members

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.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division, Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Produce Safety Program launches Phase 1 of Farm Data Repository for growers to view FSMA Produce Safety Rule inspection records & more

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.

The Produce Safety Program is part of Inspection and Compliance Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA’s Nick Young discusses innovation of plant biostimulants in podcast

Nick Young

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program Supervisor Nick Young is featured in a podcast, Charting the Course for Plant Biostimulants, published by Redox Bio-Nutrients.

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.”

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Building Farm to School Bridges at Long Beach Foodways Summit

Farm to School Presentation at Long Beach Foodways Summit
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.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Apply by July 31 to fill 1 of 4 vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

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. 
 
For further information about FREP, please contact FREP staff at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov or visit http://cdfa.ca.gov/go/frep.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division, Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Newsletter highlights California Farm to School projects, funding opportunities, community of practice and more

Click here to view the California Farm to School Network March newsletter.

The California Farm to School Network includes farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage to subscribe to these monthly updates that include information about grants, resources, research, webinars, events and news from the National Farm to School Network. The California Farm to School Program is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) in the Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Women’s History Month Spotlight — CDFA’s Natalie Krout-Greenberg

CDFA is proud to continue to spotlight the talented women leaders at our agency, as part of Women’s History Month. Meet Natalie Krout-Greenberg, Director of the Inspection Services Division.

Click here to see this original CDFA Planting Seeds Blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Center for Analytical Chemistry shifts cold storage monitoring to state-of-the-art system

Caption: CAC scientist Katilyn Erickson (left) checks on a remote data logger unit while scientist An Dao (right) verifies the data is being transmitted accurately to a nearby computer for a new cold storage monitoring system.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) continuously improves processes and encourages staff to innovate new ways of doing things. For example, CAC recently implemented a new data logger system to automate temperature readings of cold storage units. These cold storage units keep samples, chemicals and more in controlled environments because their proper function is essential to the integrity of data that the labs produce.

CAC’s Nucleus Team was instrumental in the shift toward a state-of-the-art continuous temperature monitoring system. Nucleus Team members and technical lead Environmental Scientist Kaitlyn Erickson selected and installed the appropriate software and equipment for the lab upgrade that regularly transmits data to a secure cloud storage. The new system sends alert notifications for out-of-spectrum temperature readings to relevant supervisors, which enables timely appropriate actions to ensure temperature compliance and equipment performance.

The Nucleus Team is part of the Center for Analytical Chemistry Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry Nucleus Team, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged | Leave a comment

Apply by March 25 to fill one of three vacancies on Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

CDFA is announcing three vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee.  

This subcommittee provides technical and scientific advice to the Feed Inspection Advisory Board and CDFA on animal food nutrition, safety and efficacy data review of new and unapproved feed ingredients, research project oversight and other issues that will affect the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, the Livestock Drug Program and the Safe Animal Feed Education Program. 

Applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, pathology, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, as well as possess general knowledge of the California feed industry. 

The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses. Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should send a resume and a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/FIAB-TASC_PMAQ.pdf) to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov. The application deadline is March 25, 2024. 

For further information about the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC, please contact CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch staff at (916) 900-5022 or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/Feed_FIAB.html

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment