The purpose of this grant is to continue to support a series of food safety and food security meetings which provide a forum to foster and facilitate communication and cooperation among Michigan stakeholders, which includes state, local, tribal public health and other public and private food safety agencies. Michigan has two statewide groups focused on complementary food supply issues: ? Food Safety Alliance (FSA) - quarterly meetings focused on general food safety and food policy issues, including collaborative strategies to successfully implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) preventive controls and produce safety rules. ? Michigan Food and Agriculture Protection &Defense Working Group - bi-annual meetings focused on food protection and defense issues. Both of these groups work to promote and implement food laws, the Food Code, and other food safety and protection regulations. A core focus for both groups is also to promote integration of a food safety and defense system that maximizes protection of public health through prevention, intervention and response.
The Michigan Food Protection Task Force Conference grant will support a series of food safety and food security meetings which provide a forum to foster and facilitate communication and cooperation among Michigan stakeholders, including state, local, tribal public health and other public and private food safety agencies. The Food Safety Alliance will address food safety and food security issues, and FSMA, of interest to a broad range of stakeholders, including ways to integrate resources and clarify responsibilities to enhance the statewide food protection and defense system to maximize the protection of public health. The MI Food &Agriculture Protection &Defense Working Group oversees the further development and refinement of Michigan's Food and Agricultural Protection Strategy and FDA's Food Protection Plan and is essential to effectively prepare for a wide range of hazards and build emergency preparedness with specific focus on prevention, intervention and response.
