Judy Fox, Noble County Department of Health, (front row second from left) reviews proper packing techniques for maple syrup during the February 21 seminar and tour of Yoder’s Sugar Bush conducted by the Northeast Indiana Chapter of the Indiana Environmental Health Association.  Fox is joined by (back row left to right) Jerry Thomas, Indiana State Department of Health; Scott Wagner, Whitley County Department of Health; and Rob DeBeck, ISDH. In the front along with Fox are Tom McCue, Allen County Department of Health; Traci Hoover, Huntington County Department of Health; and Jennifer Coleman, Wells County Department of Health.

Heath Officials Gather for Local Session on Lead Testing and Maple Syrup Inspection

Members of the northeast Indiana Chapter of the Indiana Environmental Health Association along with officials from the Indiana State Department of Health met February 21 at the McMillen Program Center and nearby Yoder's Sugar Bush in northern Allen County for seminars on lead testing and inspection of maple sugaring operations.  Members of the Fort Wayne and Allen County Health Department hosted the event for some twenty five health inspectors from the 16 counties in NE Indiana.

In the morning session at the McMillen Center, Amy Hesting, Lead Program Director for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health spoke on “Lead Rule and Product Recalls.”

“Childhood lead poisoning is still a major public health threat in our community,” Hesting told the group. 
She noted that, while deteriorated lead-based paint and leaded dust in older housing is still the primary source of lead poisoning in children, health professionals must be on the alert for other sources such as consumer products that are contaminated with lead.

Hesting also reviewed new and pending legislation related to control of lead in our environment.

The group then adjourned to Yoder’s Sugar Bush for a pancake and sausage lunch topped with fresh maple syrup.

Judy Fox of the Food and Consumer Protection Division of the Noble County Department of Health and Larry Yoder from Yoder’s Sugar Bush conducted the afternoon session on maple inspection.

 As attendees toured the Yoder Sugar House, Ms. Fox explained how, through the use of portable hand washing stations and proper collection and processing of the maple sap, requirements for food safety can be met in a rustic setting.

The group then visited facilities at the farmstead where the syrup is packed for retail sale. Producers who sell maple syrup from their farm, farm market or roadside stand are now inspected by county health departments under guidelines issued by the Indiana State Department of Health.  The guidelines provide standards for inspection and help Indiana’s maple industry meet existing statutory requirements according to A. Scott Gilliam, Manager of the Indiana State Department of Health’s Food Protection Program.

The Indiana Environmental Health Association is a non profit organization of professional environmental health personnel who are responsible for various aspects of environmental health for federal, state and local governments, schools, medical care facilities, industries, trade organizations and solid waste districts.

The Yoder Sugar Bush is a popular site for school field trips.  Some 1100 students will visit during the sugaring season that runs from mid February to the end of March.