What is Cronobacter and why should we be concerned about it?
Cronobacter, a genus of bacterial pathogens in the Enterobacteriacea family is of considerable concern in infant formula manufacturing and in the manufacture of products for populations with compromised immune systems. The genus includes seven species, the most familiar of which is C. sakazakii. Cronobacter is naturally found in the environment and is able to survive in low-moisture, dry foods such as powdered infant formula and dry milk. Illness caused by Cronobacter can be serious and even deadly to infants and people with compromised immune systems and it has been the cause of several large recalls in recent years. This microbe tends to flourish in habitats where moisture and food is abundant. Damp floors, pooling water, damaged grout, floor crevices and spilled product are particularly suitable for growth of the bacteria.
As a member of the Certified Group and Food Safety Net Services, EAS clients have access to world-renowned testing laboratories that meet your organization’s sophisticated needs. In this column, you’ll hear about their capabilities, environmental challenges and more. We hope you’ll enjoy a look “under the microscope.”
Understanding “Ultra-Processed Food”
The term “ultra-processed” was coined by a Brazilian nutrition professor (at University of Sao Paulo) based on the “NOVA System of Food Classification.” There’s no hard and fast definition, but, in general, it refers to food with a high proportion of artificial ingredients or added ingredients.
Processing per se does not make a food or an ingredient less healthy, but the NOVA food classification system implies that there is a direct correlation between the “degree” of processing and the healthfulness of a food. Diets high in ultra-processed foods have been associated with obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, and other diseases.
EAS is on the go. Find out about our latest seminars, webinars, speaking engagements, articles published in industry journals, tradeshows and more!
Meet Certified Group, EAS Consulting at IBA’s Cosmetic Convergence Spring Symposium April 10-11
Join Certified Group and EAS Consulting Group at the Independent Beauty Association’s Cosmetics Convergence Spring Symposium April 10-11 to discuss timely and topical technical, regulatory, and sustainability issues with practical implications for the beauty industry. Register today for this exclusive and fully virtual event.
Tobacco Merchants Association Annual Conference Kicks Off April 22 in Arlington, VA
Labstat and EAS Consulting Group are proud sponsors of TMA 2024 happening April 22-24. Join EAS Senior Director Shelly Blackwell for a kick-off workshop on Risk Management or meet EAS’ Dean Cirotta and Labstat’s Mike Bond at our exhibitor table. More information is available at TMA.org/2024.
EAS’ Tim Lombardo Presenting at 2024 Petfood Forum April 29
EAS Senior Director for Food and Beverage Consulting Services Tim Lombardo will present Pet Food Safety and Regulatory Updates during the 2024 Petfood Forum covering pet food FSMA compliance starting April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
EAS Heading to IFT First
Heading to the Institute of Food Technologists’ IFT First Annual Event & Expo starting July 14 in Chicago? We’d love to meet you at the EAS Consulting Group and Certified Group exhibitor tables! Event information and registration details are available at IFTevent.org.
Media Spotlight: EAS Senior Director Shelly Blackwell in Tablets & Capsules
Check out the latest issue of Tablets & Capsules magazine featuring EAS Senior Director Shelly Blackwell: “Quality Culture in Regulated Industries: A Critical Attribute for Success”
Registration is Open for Our Spring Food and DS Labeling Seminar Starting May 1
Environmental Monitoring Programs Webinar Available On-Demand
Our recent webinar presented by Dr. Rocelle Grabarek is now available on the EAS Consulting Group website.
Submit Your Questions to the EAS Team Today!
Do you have a regulatory question or concern? Are you interested in seeing a particular topic covered in a future issue of eNews? We want to hear from you! Use the EAS Contact Us form to send a note or question to our team any time.
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We’re Hiring Independent Contractors!
EAS is always interested in broadening our industry experience and expanding our independent consultant team. If you’re interested in joining EAS as a 1099 contract employee, please email your CV to Dean Cirotta at dcirotta@easconsultinggroup.com.
Consultant Corner
EAS offers over 150 independent consultants strategically located around the globe whose expertise provide core value for clients.
Beth Koenig is passionate about food safety and has experience in a variety of food processing environments with emphasis on dairy processing. She has successfully developed, implemented and maintained quality and food safety management systems to meet stringent customer and certification requirements. Experience as an auditor has provided her with insight into setting up successful programs. Her focus has been on SQF, ISO 9001, HACCP, FSMA, supplier management, environmental pathogen monitoring, State, FDA, USDA regulations, laboratory management and waste reduction. She has also managed facility infrastructure improvement projects and program development to meet infant grade processing requirements.
Eiman Raouf is an accomplished food science leader with a big-picture understanding of the industry spanning product development, manufacturing, quality, food safety, operations, sustainability, and regulatory compliance developed over a 23-year career. Eiman has a history of enabling growth for innovative food brands by implementing GMPs, developing unique, cutting-edge products, and rolling out effective quality/food safety strategies and systems, repeatedly improving performance.
Eiman is passionate about food industry trends including regenerative agriculture, reduction in meat consumption, and resource optimization, and advanced from entry-level R&D technician to key Director/VP roles at well-known food companies, launching 30+ new products over the course of their career. Eiman also liaised extensively with various big chain retailers, CFIA and FDA.
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