Earlier this month, TOMI presented its products at the International Association for Food Production Annual Meeting, where food safety, academic and governmental professionals attended.

FREDERICK, Md. — TOMI Environmental Solutions, a global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination solutions, announced that the company believes TOMI’s SteraMist disinfection continues to make advancements in the food safety industry.

Earlier this month, TOMI presented its products at the International Association for Food Production Annual Meeting, where food safety, academic and governmental professionals attended. The company demonstrated its SteraMist iHP cold plasma technology and how SteraMist preserves the shelf life of produce. A poster summarizing the fourth and latest published paper by the USDA was presented at the meeting, which stated that “H 2 O 2 residues on the surface of tomato fruit decreased rapidly after the treatment.” Disinfecting food while leaving no residue on food is particularly important to maintain the quality and freshness of the product, TOMI said, and it believes that SteraMist, which uses H 2 O 2 solutions, is capable of providing this advantage.

TOMI has been working with partners to produce additional studies assessing the effectiveness of SteraMist iHP technology in killing commonly found pathogens on surfaces and produce. A recent study was conducted in a large-scale CEA vertical farm (Kalera Inc.) using 7.8% BIT Solution and SteraMist equipment. Molds such as Alternaria (Ulocladium), Aspergillus/Pennicillum, Acremonium++ , and Botrytis levels went from high/medium to non-existent/nondetectable showing a dramatic reduction of fungal growth and mold spores after the use of SteraMist disinfection. With a notable efficacy against Alternaria, a species causing 20% yield loss in annual vegetable production, SteraMist is able to reduce the amount of shrinkage and, in turn, reduce labor costs with the ease-of-use and no dwell time or no wiping needed.

“SteraMist partners that conduct these studies and testing, such as the USDA and IESC, are critical to ensure that we develop the optimal solution to protect our food from pathogens and contamination. We believe that the food safety industry is following the same path as life sciences companies for TOMI in terms of thinking and implementing disinfection measures. Multiple studies, trials and requirement were developed before SteraMist was accepted in the life sciences industry,” Elissa (E.J.) Shane, COO of TOMI, states. “After proven success, SteraMist has set a standard for effective disinfection in the life sciences industry, and we believe that is the same course the food safety industry is taking. In time, we believe SteraMist will become the food safety industry standard for disinfection as well.”

Mulrennan will lead the International Dairy Foods Association's people strategy, organizational human resources functions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today named Mia Mulrennan, Psy.D., as chief people officer and a member of the IDFA executive team. Mulrennan will lead a key dual role in both advancement of the IDFA People Strategy as well as ensuring IDFA’s internal human resources function is best in class. She will report to Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA.

Mulrennan joins IDFA following a decade spent as an organizational psychologist, consultant and executive focused on talent and human resources with Fortune 500 companies. She began her executive career in 2013 as Chief HR Officer for Sun Country Airlines and then was CHRO for Star Restaurant Group. Since completing her doctorate in applied business psychology, she has also consulted with several IDFA members, from dairy processors to suppliers. 

“The IDFA People Strategy has become a core business function of our organization as we provide the leadership programming, resources, and networking opportunities that empower dairy businesses to develop nimble and innovative leaders, attract top talent, and build inclusive, supportive and productive workplaces,” said Dykes. “In order for our members to compete and thrive in tomorrow’s food and beverage landscape, we need to lead in this space. That’s why we’re excited to have Mia Mulrennan—a proven, experienced human resources leader and organizational expert—to take our people-focused programming to new heights.”

“As the trade association for the entire dairy supply chain, IDFA is uniquely positioned to convene and empower the industry to become the most inclusive, supportive, and attractive industry for the workforce of the future,” said Mulrennan. “I’m looking forward to working with all the leaders who are already championing these efforts and bringing my unique experience and expertise to this industry. Together, we will share knowledge, tools, and connections to the dairy industry so that it continues to grow and thrive into the future.”

As lead of the IDFA People Strategy, Mulrennan will oversee the continued growth of its four signature programs—NextGen Leadership Program, Women in Dairy, HR Leaders in Dairy, and Dairy Diversity Coalition—and two signature events, The Power of People conference and the IDFA Leadership Symposium. The strategy focuses on ensuring IDFA members have the knowledge, tools and talent to succeed in a more competitive, diverse and inclusive future. Learn more about the IDFA People Strategy here.

Bayer’s Environmental Science Professional business announced it will become Envu as a standalone company, contingent on the successful close of Cinven’s acquisition of the business from Bayer.

The digital customer portal will aim to help clients visualize their pest prevention program.

TACOMA, Wash. — Sprague Pest Solutions launched an enhanced digital customer portal that will aim to help clients visualize their pest prevention program. Building upon the earlier version, the new portal’s features include:

“Our clients need their pest management partners to be more than service providers, they need us to be partners in their success,” said AJ Treleven, A.C.E., director of operations of Sprague. “The new customer portal offers clients a suite of enhanced tools to more effectively manage and measure their pest management programs.”

Once they log in clients can access a variety of new or enhanced tools that provide them with a comprehensive dashboard of detailed but easily accessible data. Clients can view records of upcoming and past service visits, request new or additional services as needed, manage credentials for multi-user logins, schedule when they receive reports and review detailed threshold and conditions reports, including photos.

The customer portal can be accessed by clients on both desktop and mobile platforms for greater ease of use. All customers will be transitioned to the new customer portal by October 31, 2022.

Tacoma-based Sprague is the largest privately owned pest management company dedicated solely to the commercial market in the United States. It specializes in preventive and remedial pest management and food safety consulting services for leading food processing, agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality and distribution facilities.

Danyluk became International Association for Food Protection president at the close of this year's annual meeting in Pittsburgh.

Editor's Note: Check out our wraps ups of Days 1, 2 and 3 at IAFP 2022.

DES MOINES, Iowa — At the end of this year's IAFP 2022 in Pittsburgh, Dr. Michelle Danyluk was announced as the International Association for Food Protection president.

IAFP also announced the appointment in a post on LinkedIn.

"Michelle is a Professor and Extension Specialist of Food Safety and Microbiology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida and is situated at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred," the post read. "She has been an active IAFP Member since 2002. We look forward to your guidance and leadership over the next year, Michelle!"

Next year's annual meeting is scheduled for July 16-19 in Toronto, Canada.