January 25, 2005
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold a workshop in Ketchikan and workshops throughout the state to solicit public comment on the updated Alaska Food Code.

The proposed changes include an enhanced food safety program, Active Managerial Control (AMC).  AMC requires food establishments to have standard operating procedures and a self-assessment process to be conducted by trained and certified food protection managers and food handlers.

DEC's Environmental Health Director, Kristin Ryan, says DEC will continue to inspect food establishments, but food will be safer under the new regulations.  "We're not stepping out of the food safety business, we're stepping up.  Despite our best efforts, we knew that inspections alone were not enough to ensure food safety throughout the state," Ryan said.  "Under the new program, we will continue inspections and have a system in place that ensures your food is safely prepared by trained and knowledgeable food handlers."  DEC also will now be able to establish civil fines for serious, repeat violators.

Workshops are scheduled from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the following locations:

January 27 - Ketchikan - Ted Ferry Civic Center, 888 Venetia Ave.
January 28 - Juneau - DEC, 410 Willoughby, Main Conf. Room, Suite 201
February 3 - Soldotna - Kenai Borough Building, Assembly Chamber
February 4 - Fairbanks - Noel Wien Library, 1215 Cowles St.
February 23 - Palmer  - Matsu Telephone Assn., 480 Commercial Dr.
February 25 - Bethel - Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center and Museum, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway
March 2 - Anchorage - Federal Building, Exec. Dining Rm., 222 West 7th
March 3 - Glennallen - New Caribou Restaurant, Mile 187 Glenn Highway
March 4 - Valdez - Valdez Civic Center

DEC is taking public comment until 5 PM, March 15, 2005. 

On the Web:

Alaska Division of Environmental Health
www.state.ak.us/dec/eh

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Web Site

 

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