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Capital
Voices Volume 12 November 1999 Number 3 |
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Capital
Voices Volume 12 November 1999 Number 3 |
Labeling of the Trans-Fatty Acid Content of Foods - Proposed Rule
DC/ Virginia Section IFT is proud to present a symposium at the cutting edge of science and politics at our next meeting. Drs Virginia Wilkening and Sue Ann Anderson will present FDA's proposed rule regarding labeling of trans-fatty acids. The symposium will include a scientific lecture on the metabolism and effects of trans-fatty acids, and responses to the proposed rule by the public health community, the food industry and consumer advocates. This will be the first opportunity to hear this proposed rule discussed and to have your questions answered. The meeting will be held in the Blackburn Center Reading Lounge at Howard University. We look forward to seeing you there.
I am offering another thank you to the speakers and attendees for last week's DC/VA IFT meeting in Blacksburg, Virginia: "Food Safety Research Needs and Priorities". The opening speakers provided an overview of the numerous areas of ongoing and future food safety research, along with the recent research and risk assessment funding priorities for the FDA, USDA and the Food Safety Initiative. Afterwards, 14 graduate student or faculty researchers, from four departments at Virginia Tech, briefly discussed the significance of their food safety research projects. The next section meeting on December 15: "Labeling of the Trans-Fatty Acid Content of Foods: Proposed Rule" will provide an opportunity for FDA officials to review the contents of the proposal and for several interested parties to make comments. Finally, IFT has scheduled its first videoconference, entitled "Genetically Modified Organisms: Current Science and Global Issues", for November 16, 1999, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. You can learn more about how to join the videoconference or purchase a videotape of the conference by visiting the IFT web address: http ://www.ift.org/careers/index. shtml. We would like to hear what you think about the evening start time for the videoconference. In February, the DC/VA section plans to sponsor a mid-day videoconference featuring an update on important Food and Drug Administration issues. You will read more about this videoconference in the next newsletter.
Sincerely, Joe Eifert.
Letter to the Editor
To: The Editor, Capital Voices I recently attended the Washington DC/Virginia Section IFT's program on food safety held at VPI on Friday, October 29, 1999. In my opinion, the program was great from a technical / food science perspective as well my personal perspective. The program was well done - it moved along and kept on time. The presenters, including faculty, FDA, and students did well, and I especially liked having personal interaction with them. Food Safety Bingo was a nice touch for the end. I put in my strong support for making a Blacksburg meeting an annual part of the DCNA IFT program. This time of year - last two weeks in October - is probably the best time. Leaf color is at peak. As a result, I thoroughly enjoyed the drive Charlottesville, in spite of I-81. Blacksburg is certainly a long way from northern VA and Washington, but holding the meeting on Friday afternoon enables attendees to travel in the morning, stay overnight, and return home on Saturday morning. I am sure that reasonable accommodations can be arranged locally. If enough members are interested, a dinner and evening program might be added. Many years ago, New York Section did something like this for their annual Meeting in Miniature in conjunction with the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Congratulations on an excellent program.
Norman Bednarcyk
Employment Opportunities
Westat needs staff to code food data on major national nutrition survey beginning November and continuing through the next few months. Some are longterm assignments. For those who qualify: On-the-job paid training; Work 25-40 hours per week; Flexible daytime hours; Starting wage of $9.00 per hour.
QUALIFICATIONS: Experience or education in food or nutrition; Good computer skills; Logical thinking with attention to detail; Available for 8-10 day training session in November; Must meet certification requirements. Good command of the English language. To be considered, please send your resume, cover letter, and salary history to SPS Office, 1441 W Montgomery Ave., Room 392, Rockville, MD 20850-2062, or e-mail, HUBERJ1I@Westat.com or OMOLEWGI@Westat.com, fax: 301-610-5517, attn: WB392, or to receive an application, call 301-251-8238 or 301-330-7025.
The Nutrient Data Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture is hiring a GS 7/9/11 Nutritionist/ Food Technologist. The successful applicant will work on a team compiling, validating and disseminating data on the composition of foods. For more information see the USDA-ARS Vacancy Announcement No. ARS-XOE-0011 at the following URL: http://www.ars.usda.gov/afm/hrd/vacancy/XOE-0011.htm Applications must be received before the closing date of November 15, 1999.
If you are an employer, and wish to advertise a vacant position in Capital Voices, please contact the editor, Isabel Walls, (202-639-5974). These will be included on a space-available basis.
"Genetically Modified Organisms: Current Science and Global Issues"
SPEAKERS
James H. Maryanski, Ph.D,
Biotechnology Coordinator with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Regulatory aspects of genetically modified organisms.
Anne Vidaver, Ph.D.,
Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska
Scientific aspects of genetically modified organisms.
Tassos Haniotis, Ph.D.,
Counselor (Agriculture) for the European Commission Delegation to the United
States.
European issues of genetically modified organisms.
| WHEN? | November 16, 1999, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. |
| WHERE? | Chemical Manufacturers Association, 15th floor, 1300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA |
| HOW MUCH? | Free |
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS MEETING AS SPACE IS SEVERELY LIMITED:
CONTACT: Paul Grassman at IFT, tel. 312-782-8424; e-mail pdgrassman@ift.org
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Last Modified: November 07, 1999