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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
News Release
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Congressional and Public Affairs Food Safety Officials Honored At Annual Awards Ceremony: ProfilesStanley Johnson and Michael CookOn a day that seemed like any other, Dr. Stanley Kent Johnson, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer and Mr. Michael Cook, Compliance Officer, went about their work as guardians of the meat, poultry and egg supply. For these two men, being on constant alert is a built-in part of their jobs. However, on July 12, 2001 they would not only make decisions about food safety but would be called upon in a way they never envisioned. What they didn’t know on that day was that they would need to draw upon their medical knowledge and investigation techniques to rescue a fellow employee in a life-threatening situation. Dr. Johnson, on a temporary assignment filling in for another veterinarian, was sitting in his government office at a remote slaughter facility when Roger Mather, a FSIS food inspector, suddenly appeared before him with blood gushing from his abdomen. Dr. Johnson quickly observed the wound. "Doc," said Mr. Mather, "I cut myself." Dr. Johnson would soon realize that Mr. Mather’s simple assessment failed to adequately describe his condition. The floor was now completely covered with the inspector’s blood and began to run into the floor drain. Dr. Johnson immediately attempted to call 9-1-1. He soon discovered, however, that there were no 911 emergency services at this remote plant location. Dr. Johnson hurriedly asked some plant personnel to call an ambulance. Dr. Johnson then seized a clean inspection frock, placed it over Inspector Mather’s wound and applied pressure. Noting the degree of blood loss and recognizing the need for speed, Dr. Johnson then took another frock and wrapped it tightly around the by now weakened inspector. While this was occurring, Mr. Michael Cook, a Food Safety and Inspection Service Compliance Officer, who was visiting the plant at the same time, immediately assisted in the rescue mission. Dr. Johnson and Mr. Cook thought the office first aid kit might be of some use, but soon discounted the idea as useless for such a large wound. The rescuers decided an Ace bandage would be just what was needed to hold the crudely fashioned compress in place. Mr. Cook quickly obtained the bandage from the plant and Dr. Johnson promptly tied it tightly around Inspector Mather. At this point, the two rescuers noticed Inspector Mather beginning to look faint. They recognized he might be going into shock. To counteract the effects, Dr. Johnson and Mr. Cook raised Inspector Mather’s feet up on a chair as Dr. Johnson plucked an icepack from his lunch box and placed it on the inspector’s forehead. While waiting 20 minutes for the ambulance, the rescuers carefully kept Inspector Mather talking to keep him alert and conscious. Two emergency medical technicians moved to take the victim’s vital signs, but were unable to get a measurable blood pressure. They started cutting Inspector Mather's shirt off to facilitate getting a blood pressure reading. Dr. Johnson asked them what they could give the victim for shock, but they responded they had nothing available. Dr. Johnson advised the medical response team that they needed to hurry and get the victim to the hospital as soon as possible because of the massive bleeding. At first, the emergency medical technicians wanted to remove the wrapping over the compress; however, Dr. Johnson argued that the external bleeding appeared to be arrested and expressed his fear that removing the wrapping might only increase the bleeding and could even hasten the inspector’s death. Responding to Dr. Johnson’s urgent advice, the two medical personnel left the makeshift compress in place. While they were diligent in trying to aid the victim, they were severely hampered by their limited equipment and supplies. Recognizing the severity of the situation, and knowing that Inspector Mather’s life was in danger, Dr. Johnson also insisted the medical personnel call for an emergency "life flight" helicopter to come to the plant. Much to his dismay, the medical technicians responded that due to the plant’s remote location, the helicopter crew probably would not be able to find the place. They decided instead to call the small local hospital and requested a "life flight" helicopter to be sent there. Dr. Johnson, Mr. Cook and several plant employees then used a stretcher to carry Inspector Mather out of the office because it was too small too accommodate the ambulance gurney. They carefully placed him on the gurney in the hallway and loaded him into the ambulance for the fast trip to the local hospital. Knowing their fellow inspector was safely on the way to getting much needed medical attention, Mr. Cook went on to the local hospital to be there when Mr. Mather's wife and daughter arrived. Although concerned for his colleague, Dr. Johnson remained at the plant so that he could carry out his vital inspection duties. After arriving at the small local hospital, Inspector Mather finally developed measurable blood pressure. It was, incredibly, only about 80/40. The doctors, meeting with Mr. Mather’s wife, said the external bleeding had been arrested, but they had no way of knowing about internal bleeding. Mr. Mather himself told them he felt like he was still bleeding. Soon, however, the helicopter arrived and Inspector Mather was transported to a larger facility in Joplin, Missouri, about 100 miles. There, he was immediately taken into surgery, where they discovered a severed gastric artery and a cut in his stomach. The doctor in Joplin later reported Inspector Mather had lost about 75 percent of his blood. Despite the mammoth blood loss and the critical injury to his body, Inspector Roger Mather has recovered fully and is back on the job performing his inspection duties. What began as a regular day for Dr. Stanley Johnson and Mr. Michael Cook grew into a grave emergency that required them to act quickly and decisively to come to the aid of their colleague in distress. While no one knows exactly what would have happened had they not responded as they did, it is highly likely that their swift actions to administer first aid in those crucial moments after the injury, saved the life of Inspector Roger Mather. Their selfless and laudable actions on behalf of their co-worker can truly be called "heroic" and are most worthy of a Secretary’s Honor Award. Wallace YoungFrequently the term "public servant" is overused or used without meaning, but when the term was applied recently by plant personnel at Establishment 6032 to describe Consumer Safety Inspector Wallace Young’s profound act of human service, it was used with the highest regard and most heartfelt meaning. Consumer Safety Inspector Young was performing his meat and poultry inspection verification and oversight duties in a sausage processing plant in the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s Alameda District, on what he thought was going to be an ordinary day. However, August 24, 2000, turned out to be a day when Inspector Young was called upon to take extraordinary steps above and beyond the call of duty to provide critically needed assistance to a plant Quality Assurance Technician whose arm suddenly became lodged in a grinder. Inspector Young is the unlikeliest of heroes you might want to meet; his unassuming nature and low-key style is evident as he describes in his own words what unusual happening occurred that day in San Francisco, California. Mr. Young related that, "I was performing my duties. When I heard a noise in the adjoining room which was (the location of the) establishment lab facilities, I proceeded to open the door and saw a Quality Assurance Technician calling for help. I noticed that her right hand was lodged into a food grinder. An accompanying maintenance engineer left to call 911 for assistance. I supported her as her position caused her to be leaning onto the grinder. I stayed with her until paramedics arrived and then was relieved by paramedics. Unfortunately, this incident ended up with her losing her right hand." Inspector Young’s matter of fact, low key recounting of the incident is typical of him so it is not surprising that he understated his pivotal role in coming to the aid of the severely injured plant worker. The San Francisco Circuit Supervisor singled out Inspector Young for high praise and provided additional insight into Mr. Young’s caring actions on that day. The Circuit Supervisor said that, "Wally was monitoring operations near the field lab at Columbus and heard a noise coming from that room. No one was responding from plant operations, so he investigated and found a young woman lab tech up to her elbow in the sample grinder, screaming for help and almost passed out from shock. He immediately went to aid and shut off the power while calling for assistance from the plant. He held and comforted her until emergency assistance arrived and attempted to reduce her bleeding while providing comfort and assurance during the horrific event. The young girl lived, but lost her hand to the accident. I’m very proud to have such an employee under my supervision and only wish for prompt and complete recognition of Mr. Young’s magnificent contribution to the image of our Agency." The San Francisco Circuit Supervisor was not the only one to recognize Mr. Young’s valiant deed. Plant employees at Establishment 6032, in a letter to the District Manager, Alameda District, paid personal tribute to Consumer Safety Inspector Young and conveyed their heartfelt thanks for his decisive response during the incident. In describing the event, plant personnel stated, "One of the first to respond was Wallace Young. During the time that the rescue personnel were working, he continued to render both physical and emotional assistance… The plant employees then went on to capture the essence of Mr. Young’s contribution by saying, "Courage and compassion are the mettle of the hero’s character- all of us here at San Francisco Sausage are honored to work with Mr. Young." As further testimony to Mr. Young’s compassionate deeds, the letter was signed by five employees at the establishment (the Vice President of Manufacturing, the Plant Manager, Manager, the Chief Executive Officer, and two other plant employees.) The United States Department of Agriculture can take pride in the actions of Inspector Wallace Young. On that unique day, August 24, he not only diligently performed his job as Consumer Safety Inspector, protecting the public health, but rose above and beyond the call of duty to help his fellow human being in need. His exceptional efforts during this terrible emergency crisis would be atypical for many, but for Inspector Young, it was typical of his selfless nature and desire to help others. To him, it would probably be considered all in a day’s work. Inspector Young is truly a top-notch "public servant" and one worthy of the highest recognition that can be bestowed in USDA, a Secretary’s Honor Award. Promoting Health by Providing Access to Safe, Affordable and Nutritious Food21 FSIS employees were recognized for establishing the Food Safety Fellows Program, which allows FSIS to incorporate the latest scientific approaches to help reduce foodborne illness by hiring scientists who recently completed their doctoral programs. All of the recipients work in Washington, DC.
Food Safety Fellows Program TeamThe Food Safety Fellows Program is an innovative program (designed by Food Safety and Inspection Service) that was developed to continually incorporate the latest scientific approaches to help reduce foodborne illness based on sound scientific principles. Successful candidates are appointed for a 2-year period with the possibility of a 2-year extension if warranted. This program provides the Agency with the ability to attract and hire a diverse cadre of superb scientists who have recently completed their doctoral program in order to provide valuable expertise and knowledge in the cutting-edge science needed by Food Safety and Inspection Service. In creating a program that provides the possibility to continually tap into these varied fields of scientific knowledge (e.g., microbiology, molecular biology, epidemiology, risk assessment, etc.), the Agency can ensure a continual infusion of leading edge scientific expertise and take a more proactive approach to public health and safety. The Food Safety and Inspection Service Food Safety Fellows Program Working Group implemented the program initiative which was funded by Congress in its appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001. This initiative was a major component in the Agency’s transition to a more science-based approach to food inspection. Specifically, since the introduction of its landmark rule on Pathogen Reduction and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point systems in 1996, Food Safety and Inspection Service has moved rapidly towards a strategy that systematically targets, reduces, and prevents foodborne hazards in meat, poultry, and egg products to better protect the public health. This dramatic transition to a public health regulatory agency has immediately demanded a higher level of scientific and technical knowledge and skill in Food Safety and Inspection Service’s workforce. Despite the Agency’s growing need, however, it has been difficult for the Agency to keep pace with cutting-edge science and newly developing fields. The number of scientific and technological advances has been dramatic and has been moving at an astounding rate. With new developments, the Agency’s work and growth will depend upon a continual infusion of these advanced skills and scientific expertise into the Agency’s food safety programs. In designing the program, a number of obstacles needed to be overcome. Specifically, Food Safety and Inspection Service did not have its own hiring authority to allow customization based on staffing needs. The Agency had to work within existing Title 5 appointing authorities. However, in the group’s research, the Agency was able to devise a practical Fellows program for Food Safety and Inspection Service by using an established, but little known, hiring authority under Title 5 {i.e. 213.3102(r)}. This authority allowed Food Safety and Inspection Service to target that pool of scientists who recently completed a doctoral program in a key field of Agency interest, instead of concentrating solely on work experience, as typically required by other hiring methods. Despite considerable competition for fellows from other Government agencies, the working group creatively used this authority in conjunction with the full range of recruitment incentives to offer an attractive recruitment package to applicants. Since the Food Safety Fellows Program is designed to support activities of special scientific interest to the Agency, Fellows currently concentrate in one of three scientific tracks--Risk Assessment, Microbiology or Epidemiology. They work on public health and food safety related issues of emerging foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Yersinia in meat, poultry, and egg products. Specifically, by assisting Food Safety and Inspection Service in expanding its competence in critical areas such as risk assessment, the Fellows will bring advanced skills and scientific expertise into the Agency’s food safety programs, allowing a more proactive approach to public health policy. Once the groundwork was laid, the Working Group, headed by an Acting Program Director, implemented the program. Some of challenges for the group were to plan the Program and to develop a recruitment strategy. A Program description, recruitment materials (including a professional Program brochure), and procedures for reviewing applications and interviewing candidates were developed. Contacts were made with 36 universities, and advertisements were placed in 10 scientific journals and websites. Managers from each track reviewed its applicants independently, and made independent decisions regarding interviews. Each track developed an interviewing format appropriate to its needs and consistent with Human Resources requirements and recommendations. At the conclusion of the first round of applicant review and selection, positions were offered to and accepted by three applicants, for a 100% Fellowship acceptance rate. One applicant was offered a track in Microbiology and two applicants were offered tracks in Risk Assessment. As of this writing, two Fellows have begun their Fellowships, and one will begin in December 2001. The two current Fellows bring expertise in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering to the Agency. The Microbiologist has begun to address issues involved in non-O157 Escherichia coli, and the Risk Assessment Fellow brings an engineering perspective to the Agency’s Risk Assessment arena. As evidenced by these candidates, the program will be an excellent recruitment source for seeking and hiring highly trained scientists who possess the skills needed to enhance agency expertise in critical food safety programs. While some of these outstanding scientists will continue in their fields outside of the Agency, some may also choose to compete for permanent career positions in Food Safety and Inspection Service, an additional benefit to the Agency. The group recommended for an award successfully established the Food Safety Fellows Program and recruited three fellows to work under the program. The Working Group showed creativity, innovative thinking, and a commitment to excellence in undertaking this activity and implementing the Fellowship Program. The members of this group are being nominated for recognition of the program’s pioneering effort, cooperative approach, and the team members’ dedicated effort beyond their regular work assignments to developing the first model for Fellowship Programs within the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The Group will continue to develop the Program and plan for future growth and excellence. The implementation of the Food Safety and Inspection Service Food Safety Fellows Program will provide Food Safety and Inspection Service with a steady stream of fresh, highly-trained scientists to provide the Agency with their expertise, and to bring a high quality recruitment pool to the Agency. This in turn enables the Agency to apply current science to food safety questions, benefiting the farmer, consumer and taxpayer. Promoting Health by Providing Access to Safe, Affordable and Nutritious Food26 employees were recognized for their efforts to swiftly remove 30,000,000 pounds of contaminated ready-to-eat poultry from the market place and to stop the company from violating USDA food safety laws.
Joint Enforcement TeamThe innovative efforts of the Joint Enforcement Team overcame historic barriers to interagency cooperation and led to a model for enforcement of food safety laws and consumer protection. This team is composed of Chicago area and headquarters personnel from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration, as well as the United States Attorney’s office and state and local officials. Despite sharing many similar food safety objectives, the historical authorities of diverse agencies often lead to different methods and procedures that can result in obstacles to successful collaboration. Working with tenacity and professionalism, the team overcame these obstacles to complete the first ever joint prosecution of serious food safety violations. USDA regulates meat, poultry and egg products and the Food and Drug Administration regulates other foods. Although the two agencies have a long history of cooperative efforts, in recent years they have recognized a need to make more efficient use of federal resources. In 1999, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve cooperative efforts for public health protection. At the time of the signing, both parties recognized that one of the most difficult areas of joint undertaking would be to coordinate enforcement measures when irresponsible or criminal activities threaten foods. Among other things, a joint enforcement effort would need to take into account different investigative methods, standards and policies for recommending prosecution, approval channels and referral methods. During a routine review at a retail store in Indiana, in December 1999, a USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service compliance officer observed and photographed a large quantity of poultry products that were gnawed by rodents. Upon further inquiry, the compliance officer determined that the products had been sold and transported by an Illinois wholesale food producer and distributor. The firm sells meat, poultry and other food products to retail stores and restaurants in the Midwest. The firm also manufactures other food products, such as soy sauce and sprouts, for sale to restaurants and retail stores in the area. Consequently, there is dual federal jurisdiction (Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration) covering the compliance of this firm’s interstate operations. Acting under the new Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies, the Chicago district office of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in consultation with headquarters officials, undertook a joint investigation with the Food and Drug Administration. They decided that the Illinois departments of Public Health and Agriculture and the Chicago Department of Public Health could also play a crucial role in the problem. Subsequently, the team encountered deplorable conditions at the wholesale food company. For example, they found fifty live adult and baby rats, numerous dead rats, rat nests, rat excreta pellets, live birds, and hundreds of cockroaches. They observed significant quantities of gnawed poultry products and contaminated Food and Drug Administration-regulated food products adulterated by rodent and bird excreta. Laboratory testing of poultry and other food samples collected at the firm confirmed massive rodent adulteration of the products. One sample of bean sprouts tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly food pathogen. The investigators documented that the firm stored USDA-regulated meat and poultry products and the Food and Drug Administration-regulated foods under gross unsanitary conditions, and sold and transported adulterated products, in violation of the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Also, 98,000 pounds of meat and poultry products and 87,000 pounds of other food products were detained, embargoed, and destroyed. Headquarters team members, including USDA’s office of General Counsel and the Food and Drug Administration’s Chief Counsel’s office, then swung into action to use the specific case to develop new, uncharted processes for joint criminal case referral. The team effected a coordinated review and referral plan, and, within a short time, USDA and Food and Drug Administration enforcement officials were presenting these serious violations of Federal food safety laws to the United States Attorney in Chicago. The Assistant U.S. Attorney assigned to the case immediately agreed to initiate prosecution. On September 26, 2001, the firm and its Chief Executive Officer pled guilty to numerous counts of violating the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This case resulted in a $300,000 fine and probation for a period of four years. During the four-year probationary period, USDA and the Food and Drug Administration will jointly monitor the firm’s operations through periodic inspections in order to ensure future compliance with Federal and State food safety laws. The extraordinary cooperative efforts among Food Safety and Inspection Service and Food and Drug Administration field and headquarters investigators and enforcement managers, the two agencies’ general counsel offices, and the United States Attorney in Chicago assured the success of the case which should serve as a deterrent to other business who put consumers at risk. Further, this case is an excellent example of the benefits that can be derived from collaboration between these vital agencies moves the government closer to the envisioned seamless food safety system. The work of the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administrations’ Joint Enforcement Group is a model for others to follow and is deserving of USDA’s highest recognition. USDA Honor AwardsPromoting Health by Providing Access to Safe, Affordable and Nutritious Food15 FSIS employees were honored for their joint investigation of a company that sold and distributed foods produced under grossly unsanitary conditions. FSIS collaborated with the US Attorney’s Office and the Food and Drug Administration to detain, embargo and destroy 98,000 pounds of meat products and 87,000 pounds of other food products.
Pathogen Detection TeamBeginning in December 1998, a group of highly dedicated and skilled public health and law enforcement professionals from USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, and Office of the General Counsel worked collaboratively to swiftly remove 30,000,000 pounds of contaminated, ready-to-eat poultry from the marketplace, and stop the producing company from continuing to operate in violation of USDA food safety laws. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. The agency employs inspection experts to verify that producing plants are meeting critical sanitation and food safety requirements, such as Hazard and Critical Control Point Rule. To assist in carrying out its mission, the Agency also employees compliance officers, mostly assigned to field duty stations, to monitor products in distribution channels and investigate alleged violations of USDA food safety laws. Compliance officers also have authority to control unsafe products through detentions and voluntary plant recalls. When investigations disclose serious violations of Federal food laws, Food Safety and Inspection Service enforcement officials, including compliance officers, work with the Department’s Office of General Counsel and Office of Inspector General to initiate appropriate criminal, civil and administrative sanctions. On December 16, 1998, two USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service Compliance Officers were dispatched to conduct a review at a Federal processing plant in Arkansas because samples of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products produced by the plant had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly food borne pathogen. Within a short time, the compliance officers had gathered substantial evidence of serious sanitation violations by the company and repeated findings of adulterated products. Food Safety and Inspection Service district officials, working with the agency’s enforcement office and USDA’s Office of the General Counsel, immediately acted to withhold the marks of Federal inspection from any products produced by the plant, effectively stopping operations. Upon a further review of the documentation, the Food Safety and Inspection Service District Manager suspended operations at the plant until the company addressed the findings of the investigation and could demonstrate that it could produce safe food. Eventually the company relinquished its license to operate and dissolved. The investigation by Food Safety and Inspection Service also uncovered various other significant violations of food safety laws and evidence of deceptive practices by the company to hide critical information about the company’s sanitary and food safety practices from Food Safety and Inspection Service officials. The inquiry also showed that the firm had received numerous consumer complaints regarding the quality and wholesomeness of its products. A confidential informant identified by Food Safety and Inspection Service investigators confirmed that production practices at the plant had caused meat and poultry product to become adulterated with Listeria and other contaminants. Due to the evidence collected by Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Inspector General’s office, the firm initiated a voluntary recall in January 1999 of approximately 30,000,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products in the United States and abroad. This is still one of the largest recalls in USDA history. The initial investigation and massive recall, which included all of the United States and several other countries, was coordinated and monitored by the Food Safety and Inspection Service Compliance and Investigation Division working with the Office of Public Health and others.
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