Clark Pest Control
Receives IPM
Innovator Award
Clark Pest Control, headquartered in
Lodi, CA, received the Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) Innovator Award
from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). This award is
given to organizations that develop and
promote methods of pest control that reduce the risks associated with using traditional chemical pesticides.
“IPM Innovators are role models for
change from traditional pest control to
strategies that reduce or eliminate toxic
pesticides,” said DPR Director Mary-
Ann Warmerdam. “One of our missions
is to encourage, through recognition, the
use of pest control methods that are
more protective of public health and the
environment. We especially applaud
Clark Pest Control for its efforts to find a
replacement for pyrethroid pesticides for
residential pest control.”
Clark Pest Control currently has a
large-scale IPM program in which each
of its technicians performs a site evalua-
tion and a customized service plan,
which reduces the overall use of pesti-
cides. Clark expects to have the entire
company performing this service within
3 years.
BizTracks
Romer Labs Expand into the UK
Romer Labs has recently expanded its global operations with another new subsidiary, Romer Labs UK. This investment strengthens its position as a global
provider of niche diagnostic tests for the agricultural, food and feed industries,
which includes sample preparation, rapid methods, accredited analysis, standards,
reference materials, laboratory equipment and training.
iGPS Announces Agreement with ConAgra Foods
Intelligent Global Pooling Systems (iGPS) has announced that ConAgra Foods
has begun shipping its products throughout the U.S. on iGPS’ all-plastic pallets
with embedded RFID tags. ConAgra Foods’ brands are found in 96% of U.S.
households.
“It goes without saying that ConAgra is one of the world’s leading food producers
and we are honored that the company has put its trust in us,” said Bob Moore, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iGPS. “It will be a great partnership as both companies share a commitment to quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility.”
Online & Of Note
www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/
Training/ALERT/ default.htm
The ALERT (Assure, Look, Employ-
ees, Reports, Threat) initiative is in-
tended to raise the awareness of state
and local government agency and in-
dustry representatives re-
garding food defense issues
and preparedness. It is
generic enough to apply to
all aspects of the farm-
to-table supply chain
and is designed to spark thought and
discussion with a variety of stakehold-
ers. ALERT identifies five key points
that industry and businesses can use
to decrease the risk of intentional food
contamination at their facilities.
Brochures, wallet cards and posters
can be ordered through the site.
Orkin and NSF International Launch myauditprep.com
Pest control company Orkin has partnered with NSF International to help food
processing and warehouse facilities prepare their pest control programs for food
safety audits via myauditprep.com.
“The idea for myauditprep.com was born when we asked several of our contacts
in the food industry how they stayed on top of their audit preparation duties. Some
of them were setting up calendar
invites or relying on memory,” said
Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., Orkin’s Director
of Quality Systems, which provides
quality assurance inspections to
Orkin’s food processing customers. “Given the level of detail and the importance of
pest control during a food safety audit, we wanted to give them a more efficient and
To use the new tool, food processing and warehouse personnel simply go to
myauditprep.com and enter their next audit date. The Web tool counts down the
days until the user’s next audit and sends reminders and tips on important dates via
email.
“Users can also have the recommendations emailed automatically to their team
members so everyone is on the same schedule,” noted Jim Bail, NSF International’s Director of Technical Services. “The idea is to help food processors avoid
surprises and establish an effective food quality and pest management program.”
Axiom Earns Food Safety Compliance Designation
Axiom Millwrighting & Fabrication Inc. has achieved the Guelph Food Technology Centre (GFTC)’s Food Safety Compliance designation after a comprehensive
GFTC audit. Axiom is the first recipient of this designation and the first contractor to
align itself with a stringent and accountable HACCP-derived program based on prerequisites, procedures and documentation of food safety best practices.
The Food Safety Compliance designation assesses non-food companies against
standards that define the company’s ability to design, develop and implement their
product or service in a manner that is consistent with food safety and sanitary design principles and controls the food safety-related risks to their food-plant customers.
Such a designation is not a one-time achievement, but rather a program based
on sustained performance. Internal audits and an annual external audit by the GFTC
will monitor the program’s functionality and failure to comply will result in de-certifi-cation.
