The IFSTL at JIFSAN is implementing a webinar series organized by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Food Safety Cooperation Forum Partnership Training Institute, in collaboration with ACHIPIA in Chile. This series focuses on rapid methods for the identification of Salmonella and E. coli.

The first IFSTL Newsletter is out! We hope it will help us keep you informed of the training opportunities that we offer as well as other activities that we participate in, which may translate in opportunities for you to join some of the initiatives mentioned.

Jason Huffman of Food Chemical News interviewed IFSTL Manager Dr. Janie Dubois for "The Knife and Fork Show".

We are very happy to welcome Ms. Romina Heymann as the new Chemist at the IFSTL. Ms. Heymann is a microbiologist and chemist; you will soon see a new blog page on our website that she will populate with articles, opinions and resources.

Asking for financial support to attend training is not easy. We have created a template letter and suggest some benefits to your organization that you may use to secure funding.

Dr. Dubois visits Indonesia for APEC, upcoming symposia, and new courses. Check out IFSTL activities coming up this spring.

IFSTL participants Gabriela Alvarez and Monica Mendez are now part of a new team able to offer pesticide residue analysis testing services at the Laboratorio Nacional de Salud for Guatemalan exporters of fruits and vegetables.

ABC News' Chief Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser, along with six graduate students from the University of Maryland, put soap and hand sanitizers to the test in the university's international Food Safety Training Laboratory (IFSTL).

ABC News' Chief Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser, along with six graduate students from the University of Maryland, put soap and hand sanitizers to the test in the university's international Food Safety Training Laboratory (IFSTL).

The Food and Environment Research Agency just opened the second laboratory training facility of the IFSTL network in York, UK. Speaking as he formally opened the new Training Laboratory Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords), said: "It's very encouraging to see the public and private sectors working together to facilitate trade from outside the EU. This will improve food safety testing for food imported into the EU, ensuring food is safe before it reaches our tables."

IFTSL is offering a unique opportunity to participate in hands-on laboratory training in methods for the detection and confirmation of pesticides residues in fruits and vegetables, and attend a symposium on laboratory methods in the context of international trade.

The Global Food Safety Partnership administered by the World Bank held its first meeting in Paris on December 11 and 12th, 2012. The IFSTL was present to support the laboratory capacity building effort and discuss how all JIFSAN programs, such as Good Agriculture, Aquaculture and Manufacturing Practices, Inspector Training, Risk Analysis and laboratory training could help in this global initiative.

Download JIFSAN's new brochure briefly describing all courses scheduled in 2013 in laboratory methods and risk analysis.

Dr. Janie Dubois, Manager of the IFSTL, attended the 6th Assembly of the Inter-American network of food analysis laboratories (INFAL) in Guayaquil, Ecuador. A group of 40 representatives from government laboratories in North, Central and South America were gathered to discuss their needs to capacity building and plan the network activities for 2013-2014.

After one year in operation, the International Food Safety Training Lab is doing exactly what it was founded to do: train foreign scientists in leading food testing methods.

It is only one year ago that the International Food Safety Training Laboratory (IFSTL) was inaugurated at the University of Maryland. In this short period, the IFSTL has already provided training to participants from 15 countries. A networking hub, the laboratory creates a haven for the discussion of scientific methods for the detection of food contaminants.

Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland (D), supported the International Food Safety Training Laboratory from the beginning and issued a statement commemorating the one-year anniversary of the lab.

House Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland commemorates IFSTL's one-year anniversary.

JAN 15-17, 2013: Food Microbiology for Industry Analysts FEB 25-MAR 1, 2013: Methods of Determination of Mycotoxins MAR 4-14, 2013: Methods of Determination of Drug Residue in Meat and Poultry APR 22-26, 2013: Methods of Identification of Shiga-toxin E. coli APR 29-MAY 3, 2013: Methods of Identification of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods JUN 3-12, 2013: Method Development for Pesticide Residue Analysis and Use of Data in Risk Analysis JUN 17-26, 2013: Chemical Identification of Intentional and Unintentional Additives (e.g. melamine and acrylamide) AUG 19-23, 2013:Methods of Detection of Artificial Colors in Foods SEP 16-25, 2013: Methods of Determination of Drug Residues in Aquaculture OCT 7-11, 2013: Methods of Identification of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Food NOV 4-8, 2013: Microscopic and Chemical Methods of Identification of Botanicals and Contaminants in Dietary Products DEC 4-13, 2013: Methods of Determination of Pesticide Residue Analysis

September is Food Safety Education month in the United States and IFSTl is helping spread some good advice to students at the University of Maryland.