Conference for

FOOD PROTECTION

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Promoting Food Safety

Through Collaboration

CFP Provides a Forum for Individuals who have an Interest in Retail Food Safety

The CFP is devoted to:

• Identifying emerging problems related to retail food safety.
• Formulating solutions to food safety problems that are based on sound science.
• Developing, implementing and/or revising recommended food safety practices as needed to promote food safety and consumer protection.
• Achieving consensus among constituent groups on food safety issues.
• Requires more than a simple majority opinion.

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1971 - First Conference Meeting in Denver, CO

• Sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the American Public Health Association.
• Participants representing industry, government and consumers focused on microbiological aspects of food safety.

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1984 - Second Conference in Washington, D.C.

• Focused on toxicological and microbiological concerns.
• A Constitution was adopted to provide structure and process for the organization.

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1986 - Third Conference in Ann Arbor, MI

• Agreed to focus on retail food safety issues and hold Conference meetings every two years.

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History of The Conference for Food Protection

CFP Governance

• Constitution and Bylaws
• Biennial Meeting/Conference Procedures Manual
• Biennial Meeting/Information Manual
• CFP Policies
• Antitrust policy – prevents antitrust violations
• Commercialism – prohibits CFP from endorsing a product process or service by brand name.
• Late Issue Submission – allows an Issue to be submitted after the deadline for a late-breaking food safety matter.
• Open Meeting – all meetings are open to all members and the public.
• Record Retention – records are retained electronically unless otherwise determined by the Executive Director

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ALL documents are available on the CFP website

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CFP Constitution and Bylaws

• Formalizes the objectives of the Conference.
• Establishes the organization and operation of the Conference.
• Establishes categories of membership.
• Created the Executive Board to manage the affairs of the Conference.
• Provides professional staff to support the Conference.
• Establishes rules for the CFP biennial meeting and the Assembly of State Delegates.

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CFP Objectives

• Focus on retail food issues and programs.
• Seek food safety solutions through collaboration of food regulatory agencies, the food industry, consumer groups, and academia.
• Identify/address problems that affect retail food safety from farm to table.

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• Promote science as the basis for food safety regulations.
• Propose regulations that will be accepted by regulators and industry alike.
• Disseminate information about food safety.

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CFP Organization

Conference for Food Protection

Member Constituent/Stakeholder Groups

• Regulators – Federal, State, Local, and District/Territory
• Industry – Food Service, Retail Food, Food Processing, Vending and Distribution, and Food Industry Support
• Academia
• Consumers

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Biennial Meeting/ Conference Procedures

Supplements the CFP Constitution and Bylaws in the conduct of the biennial meeting and other Conference business.

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The CFP Process

• Issue Submission.
• Council Deliberation and Decision.
• Assembly of State Delegates Vote on Recommendations from the Councils.
• CFP Recommendations forwarded to FDA/USDA/CDC or other relevant party.
• CFP Executive Board Manages Process.
• Ongoing Committee Formation/Work.

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Issue Submission

• Anyone may submit an Issue.
• Many Issues arise out of CFP committee work.
• An Issue Submission Form must be accurately completed and include a “Recommended Solution” to identified problems.
• The CFP Issue Committee reviews each issue that is submitted and, when accepted, assigns the Issue to a Council for deliberation.

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CFP Council Structure

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Council I – Laws and Regulations

Council II – Administration, Education and Certification

Council III – Science and Technology

• Each Council consists of 22 members.
• An equal number of regulatory and industry members is provided on all Councils.
• Council III can have up to 10 at-large members to assure expertise in science and technology.
• Federal agencies may provide a non-voting consultant for each council.
• Participation in CFP Biennial Conference Meetings and Committee work increases a member’s chance of being selected for a Council.

CFP Council Process

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• Issues accepted by the Issue Committee are assigned to the most appropriate Council.
• An issue may be referred by one Council to another if deemed appropriate.
• Council deliberations follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
• Any Conference member may provide testimony on an issue to a Council.

CFP Council Process

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• A Council may take the following actions on an Issue:
• Accepted as Written.
• Accepted as Amended.
• Take No Action.

(a reason for recommending no action must be provided)

• All Issues move to Assembly of State Delegates for consideration.

Assembly of State Delegates�and Final Disposition of Issues

• Each State has one vote (a vote may be shared between Agriculture and Health).
• Delegates vote to accept or reject Council recommendations on Issues.
• Delegates may vote on Issues in groups or extract Issues for further discussion.
• Council recommendations cannot be changed.

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Assembly of State Delegates�and Final Disposition of Issues

• State Delegates may refer an Issue to the Executive Board for consideration.
• Issues accepted by State Delegates are formally presented to Federal Agencies with request, in FDA’s case, to include in the next edition of the Food Code.

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CFP Committees

• Much of the work of the Conference is done by ad hoc and standing committees between biennial conference meetings.
• Committees work under the direction of Council Chairs and the Executive Board.
• Committees are formed to work on Issues that arise out of the Conference and are assigned to Councils or the Executive Board.

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CFP Committees

• Only CFP members may join a committee.
• Appointments to committees are made to ensure balanced representation of stakeholder groups.
• Most committee work is carried out via conference call and email.
• Committees present findings/recommendations at the next Biennial Conference meeting by submitting Issues that include a Final Committee Report and Recommendations from the group.

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�The Executive Board�

23 Voting Members

• Federal (3), State (6) & Local (6) Regulatory Agencies (geographically distributed)
• Industry (6)
• Consumers (1)
• Academia (1)

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13 Non-Voting Members

• Past Conference Chair
• Program, Issue, and Constitution & Bylaws Chairs
• Executive Director, Treasurer, and Assistant
• Council Chairs (3) and Vice chairs (3)

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Provides Administrative

Management of the Conference

Consensus/Caucus Meetings

Five Consensus/Caucus Groups

1. Local Regulators

2. State Regulators

3. Consumers

4. Industry

5. Academia

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Will meet 3 times during Conference to:

• Discuss issues.
• Elect members to the Executive Board for 6-year terms.

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Become a CFP Member and Participate in the Organization’s Activities

• Observe - all meetings are open (except for Caucus).
• Briefly Comment on Issues.
• Ask questions.
• Network.
• Join Committees and Councils and work on Issues to extend participation.

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Learn More about CFP

• Membership Information
• Mission and Objectives
• Conference History
• CFP Constitution and Bylaws
• CFP Conference Procedures

• Past/Future Conference Meetings
• Issue Submission Process
• Committee Progress Reports
• Executive Board Meeting Minutes
• Current News Section

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Visit the CFP Website at www.foodprotect.org

Check in often to stay informed

We Encourage You to Become a Member of the �Conference for Food Protection

??? Questions ???

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Feel free to contact the CFP Staff at dmcswane.cfp@gmail.com

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