Register Now to Participate in Dairy Food Safety Alliance Meeting

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), in partnership with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW), encourages food safety professionals to register now to attend the inaugural meeting of the Dairy Food Safety Alliance, set for Monday, October 8 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

“The Dairy Food Safety Alliance serves to support the industry’s deep and enduring commitment to delivering safe, high-quality and delicious dairy products to the global marketplace,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.  “As we connect dairy plant personnel with food safety regulators, inspectors and researchers, we will facilitate greater communication and understanding of the goals we share.”

The Dairy Food Safety Alliance’s October 8 meeting agenda includes presentations on the Food Safety Modernization Act and related audits, food defense and intentional adulteration, and updates on USDA regulatory changes.  Scheduled speakers include Tim Anderson, Chief Regulatory Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Bureau of Food and Recreational Businesses; Tim Stubbs, Vice President-Product Research and Food Safety and Chad Galer, Director of Food Safety for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; Marianne Smukowski, CDR Outreach Program Manager; and, Adam Brock, DFW Director of Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance.

Participation in the Dairy Food Safety Alliance is open to all dairy manufacturers, processors, and related suppliers, regardless of membership status with WCMA.  Organizers encourage quality assurance personnel, lab technicians, and other plant personnel charged with food safety oversight to participate.  Meetings will be held twice annually, with time-sensitive regulatory updates and alerts distributed to the group as needed.

Please click here to register by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3 to attend the Dairy Food Safety Alliance.  Questions can be directed to WCMA Events Manager Kirsten Strohmenger at kstrohmenger@wischeesemakers.org or at 608-286-1001.