Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president for regulatory affairs and counsel, was recognized last month by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition "for outstanding communication, coordination and collaboration” in the development and release of a new food safety emergency planning tool.

Known as the Food Related Emergency Exercise Bundle (FREE-B), the tool is designed to help government regulatory and public health agencies review their existing food emergency response plans, protocols and procedures. As a subject matter expert for the food and agriculture industry, Detlefsen participated in various rounds of reviews and refinement of the bundle.

According to Jason Bashura, senior food defense analyst on FDA’s food defense oversight team, the award was presented to thank Detlefsen for what he does daily to “help promote, protect and preserve the public’s health and well-being.”

At IDFA, Detlefsen has primary responsibility for issues related to food safety, bioterrorism, food defense and sustainability.

“It is good to know that FDA’s food defense team appreciates the hard work and commitment that Clay makes to keeping our food system protected, “said Clay Hough, senior group vice president and general counsel. “Congratulations, Clay!”

For more information, contact Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@idfa.org.