========================================================================= Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:00:36 EST 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 February 2008 * * * * 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-February 2008 IN THIS ISSUE ADVISORIES/ALERTS * California Firm Recalls Beef Products Derived From Non-Ambulatory Cattle Without the Benefit of Proper Inspection (FSIS) * New Era Recall Includes More Canned Vegetables (FDA) * USDA Consumer Alert: "Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency" * FDA Advises Seafood Processors About Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * USDA, EPA and FDA Statement on Genetically Engineered Corn "Event 32" * FDA Announces Permanent Injunction Against Food Companies, Executives * Fact Sheet: "Slaughter Inspection 101" (USDA) * Statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer Regarding Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company Two Year Product Recall * Statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer Regarding Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against Employees at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company * Statement by USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond on Suspension of Inspection at Hallmark/Westland Meat Company * FDA Investigation Leads to Several Indictments for Importing Contaminated Ingredients Used in Pet Food * President's FY 2009 Budget Advances Food and Medical Product Safety, and the Safety of FDA-Regulated Imports * United States Achieves Cattle Brucellosis Class Free Status (USDA) * USDA Restricts Surrey County, England for Imports Covered by Foot-and-Mouth Disease * USDA Proposes Additional Port for Control of Mexican Cattle * Reminder: March is National Nutrition Month(R): "It's a Matter of Fact" * "Amber Waves Magazine," February 2008 (ERS) MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS * Public Meeting to Address Agenda Items for Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (USDA-FDA) * FDA Public Meeting: "Draft Compliance Policy Guide - "Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat (RTE) Foods" * FSIS to Host Regulatory Web Seminar PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * H. Scott Hurd Named Deputy Under Secretary of the Office of Food Safety (USDA) * Parham Named Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services (APHIS) INDUSTRY * FDA'S Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables * FSIS Directive 7120.1 Amendment 14: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products" * FSIS Posts Supplementary Guidance to Control "Listeria monocytogenes" * FDA Posts "Listeria monocytogenes" Guidelines for Comments * New Course Available on Meat and Poultry Processing to Small Plant Owners (AFDO-FSIS) * FSIS Notice 12-08: "Sampling of Low Production Volume Raw Ground Beef Establishments for 'Salmonella' and 'Escherichia coli' O157:H7" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADVISORIES/ALERTS * California Firm Recalls Beef Products Derived From Non-Ambulatory Cattle Without the Benefit of Proper Inspection On February 17, 2008, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., a Chino, CA, establishment, voluntarily recalled approximately 143,383,823 pounds of raw and frozen beef products that FSIS has determined to be unfit for human food because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection. Through evidence obtained by FSIS, the establishment did not consistently contact the FSIS public health veterinarian in situations in which cattle became non-ambulatory after passing ante-mortem inspection, which is not compliant with FSIS regulations. To read this entire recall news release, visit FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp * New Era Recall Includes More Canned Vegetables On February 8, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer update alerting consumers, food service operators, and food retailers that for a third time New Era Canning Company is broadening its nationwide recall of canned vegetable products. To read entire press release, visit FDA's Web site at: http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/canveggies02808.html * USDA Consumer Alert: "Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency" On February 7, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an Alert providing recommendations to those affected by tornadoes and severe weather in the mid-South. USDA is hopeful that this information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to food spoilage from power outages and other problems that are often associated with severe weather events. Read this alert at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_020708_01/index.asp * FDA Advises Seafood Processors About Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary On February 5, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a letter to seafood processors, advising them of recent illnesses linked to consuming fish carrying the ciguatera toxin, which has led to cases of ciguatera fish poisoning in consumers. The toxic fish were harvested in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, which is located in Federal waters south of the Texas-Louisiana coastline. To read more, visit: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01790.html To see FDA's related "Guidance for Industry," go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/haccp4f2.html RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * USDA, EPA and FDA Statement on Genetically Engineered Corn "Event 32" On February 22, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement announcing they are coordinating efforts following notification by Dow AgroSciences that the company detected extremely low levels of an unregistered genetically engineered (GE) pesticide product known as a plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) in 3 of its commercial GE hybrid corn seed lines. USDA, EPA and FDA have concluded that there are no public health, food or feed safety concerns. Additionally, USDA and EPA have determined that the unregistered GE corn PIP poses no plant pest or environmental concerns. To read this news release, visit APHIS' Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/02/ge_corn_e32.shtml * FDA Announces Permanent Injunction Against Food Companies, Executives On February 22, 2008, the FDA announced that Brownwood Acres Foods Inc., Cherry Capital Services Inc. (doing business as Flavonoid Sciences) and two of their top executives have signed a consent decree. The decree effectively prohibits the companies and their executives from manufacturing and distributing any products with claims in the label or labeling to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent diseases. The consent decree of permanent injunction is a result of the companies and their executives making unapproved drug claims and unauthorized health claims about their products, such as "Chemicals found in Cherries may help fight diabetes." To read entire press release, go to: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01800.html * Fact Sheet: "Slaughter Inspection 101" On February 22, 2008, USDA issued a fact sheet titled "Slaughter Inspection 101." To read this fact sheet, visit the USDA Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0055.xml * Statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer Regarding Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company Two Year Product Recall On February 17, 2008, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer issued a statement regarding the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company Two Year Product Recall. To read this statement, visit USDA's Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0046.xml Details about this recall and USDA actions are available at: http://www.usda.gov/actions * Statement by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer Regarding Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against Employees at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company On February 15, 2008, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer issued a statement regarding animal cruelty charges filed against employees at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. Read this statement at: http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0044.xml * Statement by USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond on Suspension of Inspection at Hallmark/Westland Meat Company On February 5, 2008, Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond made a statement regarding suspension of inspection at Westland Meat Company. To read this statement, go to: http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0033.xml * FDA Investigation Leads to Several Indictments for Importing Contaminated Ingredients Used in Pet Food On February 6, 2008, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) issued a press release announcing that two Chinese nationals and the businesses they operate, along with a U.S. company and its president and chief executive officer, were indicted by a Federal grand jury on February 6, 2008. They were indicted for their roles in a scheme to import products purported to be wheat gluten into the United States that were contaminated with melamine. These contaminated products ultimately led to a recall of more than 1,000 pet food products and resulted in one of the most complex recalls FDA has ever dealt with. To read the FDA press release in full, please go to: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01792.html To read more about FDA's pet food investigation, please go to http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html * President's FY 2009 Budget Advances Food and Medical Product Safety, and the Safety of FDA-Regulated Imports The FDA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is requesting nearly $2.4 billion to protect and promote public health as part of the President's fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget-a 5.7 percent increase over the budget that the FDA received for the current fiscal year. The FY 2009 request, which covers the period of October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009, includes $1.77 billion in budget authority and $628 million in industry user fees. The budget proposal includes strategic increases to strengthen food protection, modernize drug safety, speed approval of generic drugs, and improve the safety and review of medical devices. These investments will help ensure the safety of the food supply and accelerate the availability of new, safe, and innovative medical products. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01789.html * United States Achieves Cattle Brucellosis Class Free Status On February 1, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that for the first time in the 74-year history of the brucellosis program, all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have simultaneously achieved Class Free status. Texas is the last and final state to be declared brucellosis free. http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0027.xml * USDA Restricts Surrey County, England for Imports Covered by Foot-and-Mouth Disease On January 30, 2008, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced it is restricting Surrey County, England from imports into the United States related to the county's incident of foot-and-mouth disease. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/01/fmdsurrey.shtml * USDA Proposes Additional Port for Control of Mexican Cattle On January 29, 2008, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed a rule to include an additional port in San Luis, AZ, for controlling the entry of cattle from Mexico. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/01/mxcowimp.shtml * Reminder: March is National Nutrition Month(R): "It's a Matter of Fact" National Nutrition Month(R) is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The 2008 theme of National Nutrition Month(R) is "It's a Matter of Fact" and it is ADA's members' perfect annual opportunity to highlight their services and expertise and promote healthy eating to any audience ---co-workers, clients, community, school or church. For more information, visit: http://www.eatright.org/nnm * "Amber Waves Magazine," February 2008 The February 2008 issue of the "Amber Waves Magazine" from USDA's Economic Research Service is now available online at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/ MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS * Public Meeting to Address Agenda Items for Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling On February 14, 2008, the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services announced a public meeting to provide information and receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 29th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling, to be held in Budapest, Hungary, March 10 - 14, 2008. The public meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2008, from 2 to 3 p.m., in Room 1A001, Harvey Wiley Federal Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_021408_01/index.asp * Public Meeting: "Draft Compliance Policy Guide - 'Listeria monocytogenes' in Ready-to-eat (RTE) Foods" The FDA is announcing a Public Meeting to discuss a "Draft Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 555.320 'Listeria monocytogenes'" that provides guidance for FDA staff on the Agency's enforcement policy for "Listeria monocytogenes" in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods that support growth of the organism and RTE foods that do not support growth of the organism. The meeting will be held on March 28, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The closing date for requests to make an oral presentation is March 7, 2008. The registration deadline is March 21, 2008. The meeting will be held at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Bldg., Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD, 20740-3835. To view details about the meeting, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/registe8.html * FSIS to Host Regulatory Web Seminar On February 25, 2008, FSIS will hold a regulatory seminar as part of a continued effort for outreach to small and very plants. This Web seminar will cover a variety of technical topics concerning agency policies and new technologies of interest to industry, including the FSIS checklist, FSIS' enhanced risk-based sampling program for "E. coli" O157:H7, and industry best practices. The seminar will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. EST and from 6 to 7 p.m. EST. To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747 or e-mail questions to netmeetingseminars@fsis.usda.gov. Information about upcoming Web seminars can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Regulatory_Web_Seminars/index.asp PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * H. Scott Hurd Named Deputy Under Secretary of the Office of Food Safety On February 12, 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced the appointment of H. Scott Hurd as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the USDA Agency which protects public health through food safety and defense by ensuring that the nation's supply of meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe and wholesome. To read this announcement, go to: http://www.usda.gov/2008/02/0040.xml * Parham Named Deputy Administrator for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services On January 23, 2008, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a news release announcing Gregory Parham has been named Deputy Administrator of the Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services unit of APHIS. Read this announcement at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2008/01/parhamapt.shtml INDUSTRY * FDA'S Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables FDA has issued the "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables." This guidance is intended for all fresh-cut produce processing firms, both domestic firms and firms importing or offering fresh-cut product for import into the U.S., to enhance the safety of fresh-cut produce by minimizing the microbial food safety hazards. This guidance does not set binding requirements or identify all possible preventive measures to minimize microbial food safety hazards. The Agency is recommending that each fresh-cut produce processor assess the recommendations in this guidance and then tailor its food safety practices to the processor's particular operation. Alternative approaches that minimize microbial food safety hazards may be used so long as they are consistent with applicable laws and regulations. To read entire guidance document, visit: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodgui4.html * FSIS Directive 7120.1 Amendment 14: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products" On February 20, 2008, FSIS issued an update 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 see the updated Directive, go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/7120.1Amend14.pdf * FSIS Posts Supplementary Guidance to Control "Listeria monocytogenes" FSIS posted on its Web site a supplementary guideline on how to use antimicrobial agents to control "Listeria monocytogenes" in post-lethality exposed ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products. FSIS developed this guidance for establishments in response to the 2007 recall of RTE chicken products to help prevent recurrence of "Listeria" positive products. To view the complete document, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/97-013F/Lm_Suplementary_Guidance.pdf * FDA Posts "Listeria monocytogenes" Guidelines for Comments On February 7, 2008, the FDA posted guidelines for the "Control of 'Listeria monocytogenes' in Refrigerated or Frozen Ready-To-Eat Foods." The guidelines are being distributed for comment purposes only. For questions regarding this draft document contact the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at 301-436-1400. For more information, see: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lmrtegui.html * New Course Available on Meat and Poultry Processing to Small Plant Owners The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), under a cooperative agreement with FSIS, is offering an online course on meat and poultry processing beneficial to field regulatory personnel as well as food retailers. The course offers 13 training modules covering the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system principles and the application of processing controls for specific kinds of products including ground beef, smoked and cured product, fresh and fermented sausages, and dried products like jerky as well as other topics. The free course features quizzes that are available at: http://www.afdo.org/afdo/training/Meat-and-Poultry-at-Retail-Online-Training.cfm To view more information about other FSIS cooperative agreements, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Cooperative_Agreements/index.asp * FSIS Notice 12-08: "Sampling of Low Production Volume Raw Ground Beef Establishments for 'Salmonella' and 'Escherichia coli' O157:H7" On February 6, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Sampling of Low Production Volume Raw Ground Beef Establishments for 'Salmonella' and 'Escherichia coli' O157:H7." The purpose of this Notice is to provide direction to inspection program personnel on how to submit samples for "Salmonella" and "E. coli" O157:H7 testing for establishments producing low volumes of raw ground beef when the inspector receives "FSIS Form 10,210-3" with MT43S as the project code (Block 14). Note: do not implement this Notice until March 28, 2008. To view this Notice in its entirety, go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp 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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