========================================================================= Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:30:45 EDT Reply-To: EdNet@FOODSAFETY.GOV Sender: National Food Safety Educator's Network From: National Food Safety Educator's Network Organization: National Food Safety Educator's Network Subject: Ednet Update August 2007 * * * * National Food Safety Educator's Network * * * * * * * * EdNet-L@foodsafety.gov * * * * EdNet is an electronic newsletter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), providing updates on food safety activities to educators and others concerned about food safety. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EdNet-August 2007 IN THIS ISSUE ADVISORIES/ALERTS * FDA Warns of Potential Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans * FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Products Promoted on Internet as Treatments for High Cholesterol * Consumers Warned to Avoid Eating Raw Oysters from Southern Tip of Hood Canal in Washington State (FDA) * Georgia Firm Expanded Recall of Canned Meat Products That May Contain "Clostridium botulinum"-Update (FSIS) RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * Food & Nutrition - Dietary Supplements Training Videos (FDA) * Be Food Safe - New Enhanced Photo Gallery Available (FSIS) * Federal Court Issues Permanent Injunction Against Puerto Rico Dairies for Drug Residues Found in Cows * FDA Takes Action Against Iowa Dairy for Illegal Drug Residues Found in Cows * American Angus Association Partners with USDA to Register Premises as Part of the National Animal Identification System * National Milk Producers Federation Partners With USDA to Register Premises Under the National Animal Identification System * Statement by Dr. Andrea Morgan on the Recent Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom (APHIS) * FDA Announces Program to Enhance States' Food Safety Programs * Update on FDA's Investigation of Serious Botulism Outbreak - July 27, 2007 * "Norovirus Activity-United States, 2006-2007," MMWR, Volume 56, Number 33 * Statement of David Acheson, M.D., F.R.C.P., Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection, Food and Drug Administration Before Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives * "U.S.: Botulism Associated with Commercially Canned Chili Sauce --- Texas and Indiana, July 2007," MMWR, Volume 56, Dispatch * Reminder: September is National Food Safety Education Month (R) * It's the 10th Anniversary of the Partnership for Food Safety Education! PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * FSIS Assistant Administrator Dr. Kenneth Petersen Named Food Hygiene Veterinarian of the Year MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS * FDA's Public Hearing on Use of Symbols to Communicate Nutrition Information, Consideration of Consumer Studies and Nutritional Criteria * FDA Hosts 41 Middle and High School Science Teachers for the 2007 Professional Development Program in Food Science INDUSTRY INFO * FSIS Notice 54-07: "Updated Requirements for Certifying Beef Exports to Korea" * FSIS Announces September Regulatory Education Sessions for Small and Very Small Plants * FSIS Notice 52-07: "Dioxin Survey 08 - Revised" * FSIS Announces Launch of 24-Hour Web Feature to Answer Technical and Policy Questions--"askFSIS" * FSIS Directive 7120.1: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products"--Amendment 12 * FSIS Notice 51-07: "Dioxin Survey 08" * FSIS Notice 49-07: "Conducting Food Safety Assessments Related to the Control of 'Salmonella'" * Notice of Public Meeting: "Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology"-Docket No. 2007-0025, "Federal Register," Volume 72, Number 152 (FSIS, FDA) * OPPED Offices to Relocate (FSIS) * FSIS Posts Second Quarterly Progress Report on "Salmonella" Testing of Raw Meat and Poultry Products * FDA's Questions and Answers: Polonium * Exploratory Data on Furan in Food: Individual Food Products (FDA) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADVISORIES/ALERTS * FDA Expands Warning on Eating Raw Oysters from Hood Canal in Washington State--Additional Growing Area Linked to Illness Outbreaks On August 24, 2007, the FDA issued a news release warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an additional part (growing area 5) of the southern tip of Hood Canal in Washington State due to a foodborne illness outbreak caused by "Vibrio parahaemolyticus" bacteria. This follows an earlier outbreak and August 10, 2007 warning about oysters harvested from growing area 6 of Hood Canal. This release was updated on August 27, 2007 to include additional areas of distribution. To read this warning in its entirety, visit the FDA Web site at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpoyste4.html * FDA Warns of Potential Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans The FDA is warning consumers not to eat certain brands of French Cut Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc, of Manitowoc, WI, because the product may not have been processed adequately to eliminate the potential for botulism toxin. This warning is not related to another recent warning for botulism. The canned green beans may cause botulism if consumed. FDA is providing this warning to make consumers aware of the possible risk of serious illness from eating these products. As of August 1, 2007, FDA had not received reports of illnesses related to the product. View FDA's advisory at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpbotul4.html * FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Products Promoted on Internet as Treatments for High Cholesterol The FDA is warning consumers not to buy or eat three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Web sites. The products may contain an unauthorized drug that could be harmful to health. The products are promoted as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol. The potentially harmful products are: Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, sold by Swanson Healthcare Products, Inc. and manufactured by Nature's Value Inc. and Kabco Inc., respectively; and Cholestrix, sold by Sunburst Biorganics. FDA testing revealed the products contain lovastatin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved for marketing in the United States as a treatment for high cholesterol. For more information, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpyrice.html * Consumers Warned to Avoid Eating Raw Oysters from Southern Tip of Hood Canal in Washington State The FDA is warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an area of the southern tip of Hood Canal in Washington after an outbreak of illness caused by "Vibrio parahaemolyticus" bacteria. Raw oysters harvested from "growing area 6" in Hood Canal from July 3, 2007 and after, have caused at least six people to become ill in California and Washington. Additional reports of illness are being investigated by the States. To date, records indicate that raw oysters from the area were distributed to California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia (Canada), Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. To view FDA's advisory, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpoyste3.html * Georgia Firm Expanded Recall of Canned Meat Products That May Contain "Clostridium botulinum"--Update On August 2, 2007, an update was posted regarding the expanded recall of canned meat products that may contain "Clostridium botulinum," to add UPC codes and clarify information for consumers. To see this update, visit the FSIS Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * Food & Nutrition - Dietary Supplements Training Videos The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) posted food safety training videos on its Web site that may be viewed at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/vltfst.html * Be Food Safe - New Enhanced Photo Gallery Available The "Be Food Safe" Campaign theme is easy to remember and complements other important outreach efforts like Fight BAC!(R) It is designed to be an "umbrella campaign" that can be incorporated into many existing educational efforts. To assist in your local campaign, four different styles of photographs are now available. To view the photo gallery visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Be%5FFoodSafe/BFS_Photo_Gallery/index.asp For more information on "Be Food Safe," or to receive a copy of the toolkit featuring a DVD containing ready-to-use print and radio advertisements, feature articles, and other tools to help you run an effective, co-branded campaign go to: http://www.befoodsafe.gov Or, E-mail your questions to: befoodsafe@usda.gov * Federal Court Issues Permanent Injunction Against Puerto Rico Dairies for Drug Residues Found in Cows The U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico issued an Order of Permanent Injunction against J.M. Dairy Inc. and Las Martas Inc., and Juan Manuel Barreto Ginorio, the owner of the dairies, after illegal drug residues were found in cows. The FDA is concerned about the sale of animals for human food that may contain illegal levels of animal drugs because of the potential for adverse effects on human health. FDA approves new animal drugs with requirements, including a specified time period to withdraw an animal from treatment prior to slaughter, to assure that a drug has been depleted from edible tissue to a level safe for humans. The order prohibits the sale of milk until compliance is met. The injunction is based, in part, on five illegal residues in the edible tissue of three dairy cows sampled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) between August 2003 and September 2005. To read FDA's entire press release, go to: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01682.html * FDA Takes Action Against Iowa Dairy for Illegal Drug Residues Found in Cows On August 8, 2007, a Complaint and Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Western Division, against Ysselstein Dairy Inc., Rock Valley, Iowa, and its owner and president, Sjerp W. Ysselstein, after illegal drug residues were found in the dairy's cows. The permanent injunction will not become effective against Ysselstein Dairy until the Court signs and enters the Consent Decree. The action follows FDA investigations into the dairy and its practices. The FDA is concerned about the sale of animals for human food that may contain illegal levels of animal drugs because of the potential for adverse effects on human health. For more information, go to: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01679.html * American Angus Association Partners with USDA to Register Premises as Part of the National Animal Identification System On August 8, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a partnership with the American Angus Association that will facilitate the registration of up to 15,400 new premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The premises registration component of NAIS ensures the availability of a nationwide communications network to assist livestock owners and animal health officials in the event of an animal disease event. More than 408,500 premises nationwide have been registered to date. To read the entire news release, visit USDA on the Web at: http://www.usda.gov/2007/08/0212.xml * National Milk Producers Federation Partners With USDA to Register Premises Under the National Animal Identification System On August 2, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a partnership with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) that will facilitate the registration of dairy farm, dairy calf and heifer grower premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). To see the entire news release, visit the USDA's Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/2007/08/0208.xml * Statement by Dr. Andrea Morgan on the Recent Detection of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom On August 3, 2007, Dr. Andrea Morgan, Associate Deputy Administrator of Regional Operations, Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, issued a statement regarding the recent detection of Food-and-Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom. To read this statement, visit the APHIS' Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/08/fmdstatement.shtml * FDA Announces Program to Enhance States' Food Safety Programs The FDA launched a national program to bring about the adoption of more uniform, equivalent, and high quality regulatory programs by State agencies responsible for regulating facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food under FDA's jurisdiction. The Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards are the result of five years of intensive cooperative effort by federal and State regulators. The standards define best practices for the critical elements of state regulatory programs designed to protect the public from foodborne illness and injury. To read about FDA's goal to strengthen safety of food facilities overseen by States, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpstates.html * Update on FDA's Investigation of Serious Botulism Outbreak - July 27, 2007 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and numerous State Agencies, has visited thousands of retail establishments this week to ensure that canned food and pet food products manufactured and distributed by Castleberry's Food Company that could contain botulism are removed from store shelves and ensure proper disposal of the product. The FDA, USDA and State Agencies will continue to visit stores, inform consumers of the significant health risk, and work with the recalling firm to support the most effective recall possible. For more information, go to: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry/update072707.html * "Norovirus Activity-United States, 2006-2007," MMWR, Volume 56, Number 33 In late 2006, CDC began receiving requests from numerous state public health departments for information about a perceived increase in the number of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE), especially those involving person-to-person transmission in long-term--care facilities. No national surveillance system exists for AGE outbreaks, including those caused by norovirus, unless foodborne transmission is suspected. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5633a2.htm * Statement of David Acheson, M.D., F.R.C.P., Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection, Food and Drug Administration Before Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives On July 24, 2007, a statement was issued by David Acheson, M.D., F.R.C.P., Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection, Food and Drug Administration Before Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives on the subject, "Federal Efforts to Mitigate Vulnerabilities in the Food Chain." To view entire speech, go to: http://www.fda.gov/ola/2007/foodsafety072407.html * "U.S.: Botulism Associated with Commercially Canned Chili Sauce --- Texas and Indiana, July 2007," MMWR, Volume 56, Dispatch On July 7 and July 11, 2007, public health officials in Texas and Indiana, respectively, reported to CDC four suspected cases of foodborne botulism, two in each state. Investigations conducted by State and local health departments revealed that all four patients had eaten brands of Castleberry's hot dog chili sauce before illness began. This report describes the ongoing investigation by members of "OutbreakNet" and others and the measures undertaken to control the outbreak, which is the first outbreak of foodborne botulism in the United States associated with a commercial canning facility in approximately 30 years. Consumers should not eat any of the recalled chili sauce or other recalled products and should carefully dispose of all recalled products. Information regarding product disposal is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm To read the full report, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm56d730a1.htm See also the latest FSIS and FDA news releases on Castleberry's Expanded Recall: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_expanded/index.asp http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html * Reminder: September is National Food Safety Education Month (R) September 2007 marks the thirteenth annual National Food Safety Education Month(R) (NFSEM). The goals of NFSEM are: * To reinforce food safety education and training among restaurant and foodservice workers. * To educate the public to handle and prepare food safely at home where food safety is equally important--whether cooking from scratch or serving take-out meals or leftovers. Restaurants and foodservice operations, hospitality associations, colleges and universities, federal, State, and local government agencies, and consumer organizations across the country participate in National Food Safety Education Month (R) in a variety of ways each year. The theme this year is "Foodborne Pathogens: Your Family's Health is in Your Hands" Industry can find help with planning 2007 activities at The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Web site: http://www.nraef.org/nfsem/ Food safety educators can visit: http://www.foodsafety.gov/september.html National Food Safety Education Month(R) is sponsored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's International Food Safety Council, an initiative focused on heightening the awareness of the importance of food safety education to the restaurant and foodservice industry and supported by many public and private sector organizations. * It's the 10th Anniversary of the Partnership for Food Safety Education! For 10 years the Partnership for Food Safety Education (Partnership) has played a special role with consumers, reminding them about important steps they can take, at home and at work, to reduce the risk to themselves and their families of foodborne illness. Repetition over time of the simple, but critical, messages of "Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill" has contributed greater awareness among consumers of what they can do to reduce their risk of foodborne illness. Consumer educators and public health practitioners across the country know they can count on the Partnership for science-based materials that get the message through in a world where advice is freely offered through so many channels. The Partnership is here for the future, as it continues to contribute to the food safety system by ensuring that consumers have important information they need. With its government, industry, consumer group and professional partner/advisors, the Partnership will continue to improve the science and practice of consumer education on food safety. http://www.fightbac.org PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * FSIS Assistant Administrator Dr. Kenneth Petersen Named Food Hygiene Veterinarian of the Year The American Association of Food Hygiene Veterinarians (AAFHV) has chosen Dr. Kenneth Petersen as its "Food Hygiene Veterinarian of the Year." Since 1989, Petersen has worked for FSIS in positions of increasing responsibility culminating in his appointment in 2005 as Assistant Administrator of the Office of Field Operations. Dr. Candace Jacobs, president of AAFHV said, "Dr. Petersen's accomplishments have brought stature to his Agency and the profession and we wanted to acknowledge his contributions that have significantly influenced food safety." Petersen is a member of numerous professional organizations and is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He received his doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois and a master's of public health from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS * FDA's Public Hearing on Use of Symbols to Communicate Nutrition Information, Consideration of Consumer Studies and Nutritional Criteria The FDA is announcing a public hearing concerning the use of symbols to communicate nutrition information on food labels. The purpose of the hearing is for FDA to solicit information and comments from interested persons about programs currently in use regarding the use of symbols to communicate nutrition information on food labels. The public hearing will be held on September 10 and 11, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To view more information about this public meeting, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/registe6.html * FDA Hosts 41 Middle and High School Science Teachers for the 2007 Professional Development Program in Food Science The FDA/NSTA week-long Professional Development Program in Food Science was held July 30 -August 4, 2007, for middle and high school science teachers. The selected teachers learn the latest information in food science, using "Science and Our Food Supply" (a curriculum developed for this program). Workshop participants learn basic microbiology and other food-related topics, including how to read the food label, and to incorporate food science into their courses. The program has included 380 teachers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Several FDA, USDA, and University of Maryland scientists and educators coordinate efforts to make this a highly valuable workshop for the teachers. In its 8th year, the program has graduated 380 teachers who, in turn, will have conducted workshops reaching approximately 7,800 teachers nationwide. This summer program in food science is estimated to have reached the classrooms of more than 2 million students. To find out more about the FDA/NSTA Partnership in food science and future conferences, visit: http://www.nsta.org/pd/fda.aspx/ INDUSTRY INFO * FSIS Notice 54-07: "Updated Requirements for Certifying Beef Exports to Korea" On August 28, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Updated Requirements for Certifying Beef Exports to Korea." To view this Notice, visit the FSIS Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp * FSIS Announces September Regulatory Education Sessions for Small and Very Small Plants On September 12, 2007, FSIS will hold regulatory education sessions for the owners and operators of small and very small plants. The regulatory education sessions will be held at the following locations: * Radisson Suites, 1211 E. Garvey Street, Covina, CA, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard operating procedures, and hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) and rules of practice regulations. * Holiday Inn Select, 549 S. Rock Road, Wichita, KS, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation performance standard regulations and food defense. * Holiday Inn Convention Center, 3321 S. 72nd Street, Omaha, NE, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard operating procedures, and HACCP and rules of practice regulations. * Holiday Inn New Philadelphia, 131 Bluebell Drive SW., New Philadelphia, OH, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard operating procedures, and HACCP and rules of practice regulations. * Crown Plaza Suites, Dallas Park Central, 7800 Alpha Road, Dallas, TX, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This session will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation performance standard regulations and food defense. To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747. Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp * FSIS Notice 52-07: "Dioxin Survey 08 - Revised" On August 23, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice to update some of the instructions in FSIS Notice 51-07, "Dioxin Survey 08." To see this Notice, go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/52-07.pdf * FSIS Announces Launch of 24-Hour Web Feature to Answer Technical and Policy Questions--"askFSIS" On August 16, 2007, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a news release announcing the Agency has launched "askFSIS," a new Web-based feature, designed to help answer technical and policy questions regarding inspection and public health regulations 24 hours a day. The new interactive feature will provide answers on technical issues in more depth than the standard list of "frequently asked questions" currently available through FSIS' Web site. It will allow visitors to seek answers on topics such as exporting, labeling and inspection-related policies, programs and procedures. Users can also register to be notified when answers are updated. To read this news release, visit the FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_081607_01/index.asp * FSIS Directive 7120.1: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products"--Amendment 12 On August 16, 2007, FSIS issued Amendment 12 as part of the ongoing updates to Attachment 1 for FSIS Directive 7120.1, "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products." Attachment 1 identifies the substances that have been approved in 21 CFR for use in meat and poultry products as food additives, approved in GRAS notices and pre-market notifications, and approved in letters conveying acceptability determinations. To view this updated Directive, go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/7120.1Amend12.pdf * FSIS Notice 51-07: "Dioxin Survey 08" On August 15, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Dioxin Survey 08," to inform inspection program personnel that FSIS, in conjunction with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is conducting the Dioxin 08 survey beginning September 4, 2007. This survey is scheduled to run 12 to 18 months. The survey will gather data about dioxin levels in U.S. beef, pork, and poultry. To see this Notice, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp * FSIS Notice 49-07: "Conducting Food Safety Assessments Related to the Control of 'Salmonella'" On August 8, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Conducting Food Safety Assessments Related to the Control of 'Salmonella.'" This Notice addresses Food Safety Assessments (FSAs) conducted to analyze an establishment's control of "Salmonella." FSAs generally assess all aspects of an establishment's food safety system (see FSIS Directive 5100.1). This Notice provides specified methodologies that FSIS personnel are to use when evaluating control of "Salmonella" in poultry slaughter operations. Notice 49-07 can be viewed on FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/49-07.pdf * Notice of Public Meeting: "Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology"-Docket No. 2007-0025, "Federal Register," Volume 72, Number 152 On August 8, 2007, the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Notice titled "Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology." This Notice is to announce that USDA and the FDA are sponsoring a public meeting on September 6, 2007, to discuss the agenda items coming before the Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (FBT) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. The Seventh Session of the FBT will be held in Chiba, Japan, September 24-28, 2007. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the FBT. This Notice is available on FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2007-0025.htm * OPPED Offices to Relocate FSIS is relocating three Washington, D.C., Office of Policy, Program, and Employee Development offices from the Cotton Annex building to the South Building. The Label Distribution Office will be relocated to Room 2542 South, and the docket and physical "Freedom of Information Act" (FOIA) Reading Room will be relocated to Room 2534 South. Correspondence about label applications sent by the U.S. Postal Service (including U.S. Priority Mail and U.S. Overnight Mail), and express mail not connected with the U.S. Postal Service, should be addressed as follows: USDA, FSIS, OPPED, Room 2542 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250. Inquiries or correspondence about label applications may be faxed to the Label Distribution Office or the Labeling Compliance Team at (202) 205-0145 or (202) 205-0271. Please provide a cover sheet indicating the reason for the fax. Label applications from small businesses will be accepted, provided the labeling is legible. Call (202) 205-0623 or (202) 205-0279 with questions about labels or labeling. * FSIS Posts Second Quarterly Progress Report on "Salmonella" Testing of Raw Meat and Poultry Products On August 3, 2007, FSIS posted to its Web site, the second quarterly progress report on "Salmonella" testing of selected raw meat and poultry products. This report provides preliminary data for the months of April through June 2007. FSIS is now providing results from individual "Salmonella" verification sample tests the Agency regularly conducts at meat and poultry establishments to establishments that have asked to be informed of various tests. The quarterly report is available on FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/data_collection_&_reports/index.asp * FDA's Questions and Answers: Polonium On August 2, 2007, the FDA was informed that Polonium-210 (Po-210) was found in well water in Fallon, (Lahontan Valley) NV, by the US Geological Survey (USGS). Some of the wells are on dairy farms. FDA tested the milk from these farms. The results indicate that the potential risk from lifetime consumption of this milk is extremely low and poses no human health concern. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/po-qa.html For background and information about the health effects related to Po-210, go to CDC's Web page at: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/polonium.htm * Exploratory Data on Furan in Food: Individual Food Products The most recent data on furan in food can be found on FDA's Web site at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/furandat.html FDA's report titled "An Updated Exposure Assessment for Furan from the Consumption of Adult and Baby Foods" may be viewed at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/furanexp.html ARCHIVED EDNET NEWSLETTERS Interested readers can access EdNet newsletters archived since October 1997 from the Web site: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/ednet.html SUBSCRIBE Please forward this issue to colleagues and friends and tell them how to subscribe. Thank you for sharing. 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