========================================================================= Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 16:34:26 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 2005 * * * * 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. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ August 2005 EdNet IN THIS ISSUE CONSUMER ALERTS * Tropical Storm and Hurricane Katrina: Keeping Food Safe During Flooding and Power Outages (USDA) * FDA Offers Valuable Food Safety Information for Hurricane Katrina Aftermath * FDA Notifies Consumers of Recall of Esh Foods Cream Cheese Spreads Due to Undeclared Allergens * FDA Notifies Processors of Recall of Fancy Whole Basil Due to Possible Health Risk RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * Investigation Results of Texas Cow that Tested Positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (FDA/USDA) * FDA Launches New Education Campaign: "Food Safety For Moms-To-Be" * Reminder: September is National Food Safety Education Month(R) (NFSEM) * More Than Half of U.S. Population Sensitive to One or More Allergens (HHS) * Fight BAC!(R): News From the Partnership for Food Safety Education * Food Safety 101: USDA Offers Food Safety Tips For College Students * Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Commissioner of FDA, at the 51st International Congress on Meat Science and Technology * FDA-NSTA Teacher Program * FDA's CFSAN 2005 Program Priorities: Accomplishments Through June 2005 * USDA Food Safety Mobile Schedule for 2005-2006 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * FDA Commissioner Announces Appointments to Senior Agency Positions * Secretary Johanns Announces Appointment of Dr. Masters as Administrator of FSIS * Dr. Curt Mann is Named Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety (USDA) * Linda R. Tollefson is Appointed as FDA's New Assistant Commissioner for Science MEETINGS/COURSES/CONFERENCES * New Workshops on "Listeria monocytogenes" and Product Recall (AFDO) * Public Meeting to Discuss Agenda Items for the Codex Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (USDA/FDA) * "Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses," Docket No. 05-006N, "Federal Register," Volume 70, No. 154 (FSIS) * "Healthy Schools, Healthy People - It's a SNAP" Awards Reception * Vision 2006: A Conversation with the American Public (FDA) INDUSTRY INFO * FDA Bans Baytril for Use in Treating Poultry Bacterial Infections * FSIS Notice 40-04, Extension of Effective Date: "Additional BSE Surveillance Sampling Q & A" * "Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products)"- Docket No. 05-019N, "Federal Register," Vol. 70, No.147 (FSIS) * FSIS Directive 5610.1: "Consumer Complaint Monitoring System" * Bulletin to the Food Service and Retail Food Store Industry Regarding Cake Batter Ice Cream (TM) and Similar Products (FDA) * FSIS Directive 6030.1, Revision 1: "Religious Exemption for the Slaughter and Processing of Poultry" * FSIS Directive 6500.2: "Incident Investigation Team Reviews" * FSIS Notice 50-05: "Availability of Specialized Methodologies for Incident Investigation Teams" * "Notice of a Section 610 Regulatory Flexibility Act Review of The Pathogen Reduction/ HACCP Systems Final Rule"- Docket No. 05-024N, "Federal Register," Volume 70, No. 155 (FSIS) * "Irradiation in the Production, Processing, and Handling of Food" - Docket No. 1999F-4372, "Federal Register," Volume 70, Number 157 (FDA) * FSIS Notices 54-05: "Policy on Use of Results From Third Party Laboratories" CONSUMER ALERTS * Hurricane Katrina Aftermath: Keeping Food Safe During Flooding and Power Outages (USDA) The USDA provided recommendations on August 25, in advance of Tropical Storm Katrina, and on August 29, 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which has caused widespread flooding and power outages in Gulf Coast states. Distribution of this important public health information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages or flooding. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_082905_01/index.asp http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_082505_01/index.asp * FDA Offers Valuable Food Safety Information for Hurricane Katrina Aftermath As Hurricane Katrina hits Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, FDA wants area residents to be prepared for the aftermath. FDA is providing important tips to help people affected by this storm to protect their health and food supply. As flooding occurs, immediately evaluate stored food and water supply. Perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk and eggs that are not properly refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when it is thoroughly cooked. To view FDA's suggestions for keeping food safe at home, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fphurri2.html * FDA Notifies Consumers of Recall of Esh Foods Cream Cheese Spreads Due to Undeclared Allergens On August 12, 2005, FDA notified consumers that Esh Foods LLC, Gordonville, PA, recalled its 5 lb bulk packages and smaller unlabeled containers of Crabmeat Cocktail Cream Cheese, Shrimp Cream Cheese and Plain Whipped Cream Cheese spreads because they may contain undeclared fish, eggs, wheat, milk, shrimp, soy and crab. People who have allergies to these undeclared ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the products. The spreads were distributed in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. To read more about the Recall, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpallerg.html * FDA Notifies Processors of Recall of Fancy Whole Basil Due to Possible Health Risk On August 26, 2005, FDA advised processors and repackers that Majestic International Spice Corporation of Montebello, CA, is voluntarily recalling its dried "Extra Fancy Basil" spice in 12.5 kilogram bags because FDA found the product contaminated with "Salmonella Blockley." "Salmonella" is a well-known cause of both outbreaks and sporadic disease in various parts of the world and as such poses a potential health threat. FDA is issuing this advisory because there is concern that the firm has not adequately alerted its consignees to the problem. To view entire advisory, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpbasil.html RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS * Investigation Results of Texas Cow that Tested Positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (FDA/USDA) USDA and FDA have completed their investigations regarding a cow that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in June 2005. The agencies conducted these investigations in collaboration with the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service. To read the press release, visit: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/usdabse.html * FDA Launches New Education Campaign: "Food Safety For Moms-To-Be" As part of the FDA's ongoing commitment to educate expectant mothers about the potential risks of foodborne illness, the Agency is launching a new bi-lingual public health education campaign entitled "Food Safety for Moms-to-Be." This broad education campaign in English and Spanish features a new comprehensive Web site and an educators kit for healthcare professionals designed to educate pregnant and soon-to-be pregnant women about the food safety risks of "Listeria monocytogenes," Methylmercury, and "Toxoplasma." To view this easily-navigated Web site that offers food safety information for women before, during, and after pregnancy, including timely, seasonal articles on food safety and health tips, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/pregnancy.html * Reminder: September is National Food Safety Education Month(R)(NFSEM) September marks the eleventh annual National Food Safety Education Month(R) (NFSEM). The theme this year is "Keep Hands Clean with Good Hygiene." 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 and restaurant 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. For help with planning your 2005 activities, visit The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Web site at: http://www.nraef.org/nfsem 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. * More Than Half of U.S. Population Sensitive to One or More Allergens (HHS) More than fifty percent of the U.S. population tested positive to one or more allergens, according to a large national study. The new findings, based on data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), shows that 54.3% of individuals aged 6-59 years old had a positive skin test response to at least one of the 10 allergens tested. The new findings published in the August issue of the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" was conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, both components of the National Institutes of Health. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/news/allergen.htm * Fight BAC!(R): News From the Partnership for Food Safety Education The Partnership for Food Safety Education (Partnership) will highlight National Food Safety Education Month(R) this year with a Congressional luncheon and District Food Safety Action Kit distribution on September 15, 2005. Health and Agriculture legislative assistants will be invited to learn more about the Fight BAC!(R) Campaign and encouraged to mail envelopes of Fight BAC!(R) food safety educational materials aimed at public health agencies, middle schools, and local restaurant associations to constituents in their home districts. NSF International, a member of the Partnership, is sponsoring the event. Representatives from USDA, FDA, and the CDC will be on hand to talk about the value of the Partnership in efforts to sustain a national campaign to educate the public about the importance of practicing safe food handling. http://www.fightbac.org * Food Safety 101: USDA Offers Food Safety Tips For College Students When students pack up for college, they make sure to take along the basics -- TV, laptop, MP3 player and cell phone. Many students will also arrive at school with a microwave oven, tabletop grill, mini-fridge and toaster-oven in tow. Most students, however, don't know there are food safety considerations that need to be taken into account when cooking with these appliances. To read the news release, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_082405_01/index.asp * Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., FDA Commissioner, at the 51st International Congress on Meat Science and Technology On August 8, 2005, Dr. Crawford made a speech at the 51st International Congress on Meat Science and Technology. To view the entire speech, go to: http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2005/international0808.html * FDA-NSTA Teacher Program During the first week of August 2005, twenty-five high school teachers from around the globe learned about the science of food in and around Washington, D.C., thanks to a partnership between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science provides separate one-week workshops for middle and high school teachers to learn the latest information in food science. One of several lectures on scientific issues in food science and food safety was provided by Dr. David Acheson, Director of the Office of Food Safety, Defense and Outreach. He discussed with teachers the relationship between food safety and food defense and the importance of these issues regarding public health. To read about other lectures and learning activities, go to http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=50779 * FDA's CFSAN 2005 Program Priorities: Accomplishments Through June 2005 Robert E. Brackett, Ph.D., Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), provided a report on CFSAN's 2005 program priority accomplishments for FDA's Foods Program. To read highlights of program areas accomplishments, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cfsan805.html * USDA Food Safety Mobile Schedule for 2005-2006 The USDA Food Safety Mobile continues to travel throughout the continental United States, appearing at State and county fairs, food events, media events, schools, libraries, grocery stores, community events, parades, festivals, health and safety expos, conventions, trade shows, FSIS District Offices, and at FSIS events in conjunction with visits and presentations by USDA officials. August 30-Sep 1 Farm Progress Show, Decatur, IL September 10-11 NBC 10 HealthFit Expo, Providence, RI 14 Big Y Supermarket, West Springfield, MA 16-18 The Big E - Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA 29-Oct 1 AARP's National Event and Expo, New Orleans, LA October 7-9 Mississippi State Fair, Jackson, MS 12 Annual Family Conference (Huntsville, AL) 14-16 Alabama National Fair (Montgomery, AL) November 5 Penn State Football Game, University Park, PA 19 Raleigh Christmas Parade, Raleigh, NC January 2006 27-29 South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach, FL ¦ February 2006 15 Agape Food Bank, Lakeland, FL 18-20 Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL April 2006 15 Costco Wholesale, Kennesaw, GA 22 WalkAmerica 2006, Atlanta, GA If you are interested in having the Food Safety Mobile visit your event, grocery store, or school in 2005-2006, you are encouraged to make your requests as soon as possible. Look for updates to the Mobile schedule on the FSIS Web site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/foodsafetymobile Requests may be sent to FSIS at foodsafetymobile@fsis.usda.gov, or by calling (301) 504-9605. We look forward to partnering with you as we work together to promote public health through food safety education! http://www.fsis.usda.gov/foodsafetymobile PEOPLE IN THE NEWS * FDA Commissioner Announces Appointments to Senior Agency Positions On July 29, 2005, FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., announced the following appointments to senior FDA positions: Scott Gottlieb, M.D., Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs; Janet Woodcock, M.D., Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief Operating Officer; Murray Lumpkin, M.D., Deputy Commissioner for International and Special Programs; and Patrick Ronan, Chief Staff Officer to the Commissioner. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/new01215.html * Secretary Johanns Announces Appointment of Dr. Masters as Administrator of FSIS On August 1, 2005, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of Dr. Barbara Masters as Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), overseeing the regulation of meat, poultry and processed egg products, which constitute 40 percent of the American food dollar. "Dr. Barb Masters has excelled throughout her public service career in protecting the public health from foodborne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are safe, wholesome and correctly packaged," said Johanns. "I know she will continue to do an outstanding job as administrator and I am very pleased that she will serve in this important capacity on our management team." To read the entire press release: http://www.usda.gov/2005/08/0287.xml * Dr. Curt Mann is Named Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety (USDA) On August 12, 2005, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of Dr. Curt J. Mann to serve as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. "Curt Mann brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and dedication to food security, food safety and bio-defense that will assist our efforts to protect the public health from contamination of meat, poultry and egg products," said Johanns. "We are glad to welcome him back to USDA to serve in this important role and continue our commitment to safeguarding the public health." To read the announcement: http://www.usda.gov/2005/08/0306.xml * Linda R. Tollefson Appointed as FDA's New Assistant Commissioner for Science On August 23, 2005, FDA Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Linda R. Tollefson to the position of Assistant Commissioner for Science. Most recently, RADM Tollefson served as Deputy Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). In her new position, she will also serve as Coordinator for Commissioned Corps Affairs at FDA and direct FDA's Offices of Women's Health and Orphan Products Development. To read about Rear Admiral Tolleson's exemplary service to FDA for 21 years in a variety of key positions, go to: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01221.html MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/COURSES * New Workshops on "Listeria monocytogenes" and Product Recall (AFDO) The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) in cooperation with FSIS and FDA announced it will conduct two critical workshops as part of its Crisis Management Series, "Intervention Strategies for the Control of 'Listeria monocytogenes,'" on October 4, 2005 and "Product Recall," on October 5-6, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. Enrollment and hotel rooms are limited, advance registration is strongly encouraged. Contact AFDO at: (717) 757-2888. For more information visit AFDO at: http://www.afdo.org * Public Meeting to Discuss Agenda Items for the Codex Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (USDA/FDA) On August 9, 2005, USDA and FDA announced a public meeting to receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the Fifth Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (FBT) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which will be held in Chiba, Japan, September 19-23, 2005. The public meeting for comments will be held August 30, 2005, in Washington, DC. Members of the public can access or request copies of documents pertaining to the Fifth Session of the FBT at: http://www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp. For further details concerning the Fifth Session of the FBT, contact U.S. Delegate Bernice Slutsky at (202) 720-3631 or by fax at (202) 720-6314. For more information about the public meeting, contact Ellen Matten, U.S. Codex Office, FSIS at (202) 205-7760 or by fax at (202) 720-3157. To read this announcement: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Nr_080905_01/index.asp * "Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses," Docket No. 05-006N, "Federal Register," Volume 70, No. 154 On August 11, 2005, FSIS announced a public meeting, sponsored by USDA and the FDA, to be held on October 18, 2005. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 27th Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which will be held in Bonn, Germany, on November 21-25, 2005. View this announcement on: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2005_Notices_Index/ * "Healthy Schools, Healthy People - It's a SNAP" Awards Reception You are invited to help us celebrate "National Clean Hands Week" as we honor our "2005 Healthy Schools, Healthy People, It's a SNAP" national awards recipients. Join us for hors d'oeuvres, networking and special presentations. Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has provided a special message for this spectacular awards ceremony. The Reception is to take place on September 19, 2005, at 7 pm, National Press Club, 13th Floor, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20045. RSVP by September 9, 2005, by phone: 202-662-2528, or E-mail SNAP@cleaning101.com http://www.itsasnap.org * Vision 2006: A Conversation with the American Public (FDA) The FDA is holding a series of public meetings entitled "Vision 2006 -- A Conversation with the American Public," in three cities. The meetings will discuss five specific Agency programs or initiatives: drug safety, direct-to-consumer advertising, dietary supplements, the Critical Path Initiative, and the advisory committee process and how potential conflicts of interest are managed. We are holding these meetings to update the public on current Agency programs, engage the public in discussion, and obtain consumer input on specific issues. If you wish to make a presentation or attend any meeting, please register online at: http://www.grad.usda.gov/ INDUSTRY INFO * FDA Bans Baytril for Use in Treating Poultry Bacterial Infections On July 28, 2005, FDA announced its final decision to no longer allow distribution or use of the antibiotic Baytril (enrofloxacin) to treat bacterial infections in poultry. FDA took the action after determining that the drug can promote resistance in "Campylobacter" bacteria, a major cause of foodborne illness. The Agency's ruling does not affect other approved uses of the drug. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/new01212.html * FSIS Notice 40-04, Extension of Effective Date: "Additional BSE Surveillance Sampling Q & A" On July 29, 2005, FSIS issued an Extension for Notice 40-04 to provide answers to questions FSIS personnel have asked regarding FSIS' Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance sampling program. To view the entire Notice: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Notice_40-04/index.asp * "Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Voluntary Recalls of Meat and Poultry Products)"--Docket No. 05-019N, "Federal Register," Vol. 70, No.147 (FSIS) On August 2, 2005, FSIS announced a Notice to request a new information collection regarding the voluntary recalls from commerce of meat and poultry products. Comments on this Notice must be received on or before October 3, 2005. To view the entire Notice: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2005_Notices_Index/index.asp * FSIS Directive 5610.1: "Consumer Complaint Monitoring System" On August 8, 2005, FSIS issued Directive 5610.1 which describes the purpose and activities of the Consumer Complaint Monitoring System (CCMS). The CCMS is an electronic database used by FSIS to record, triage, analyze, and track all consumer complaints reported to the Agency. The FSIS Human Health Sciences Division of the Office of Public Health Science is responsible for the overall management of the CCMS program. To read this Directive in its entirety visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/regulations_directives_&_notices * "Bulletin to the Food Service and Retail Food Store Industry Regarding Cake Batter Ice Cream (TM) and Similar Products" (FDA) On August 9, 2005, the FDA posted a Bulletin informing the retail and food service industries that incorporating an ingredient that is intended to be cooked into a ready-to-eat food that will not be cooked or otherwise treated to eliminate microorganisms of public health concern can pose a serious food safety risk. A recent multi-state outbreak of "Salmonella Typhimurium" has been associated with consumption of "cake batter" ice cream. FDA wants to alert the industry that "Salmonella" is known to occasionally be present in flour and other non-animal foods such as barley, cereal powder, and yeast. For these reasons, FDA is asking food service operations to review their menus for these types of products and to either work with their suppliers to ensure all ingredients are intended to be ready-to-eat or to process their final products to eliminate microorganisms of public health concern. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/ret-batt.html * FSIS Directive 6030.1, Revision 1: "Religious Exemption for the Slaughter and Processing of Poultry" On August 10, 2005, FSIS issued a Directive providing instructions to inspection program personnel for verifying that establishments are properly performing under a religious exemption for the slaughter and handling of poultry. The Directive announces the use of the new poultry exemption form, FSIS Form 6030-1, which is a combination of the four previously used forms. It provides clarification to inspection program personnel about their verification responsibilities in establishments producing poultry products under a religious exemption. It also provides direction on the use of the new poultry exemption form, FSIS Form 6030-1 (replacing Forms 6001-1, 3, 4, and 5). http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/6030.1Rev1.pdf * FSIS Directive 6500.2: "Incident Investigation Team Reviews" On August 10, 2005, FSIS issued a Directive to define "Incident Investigation Teams (IITs)." The Directive explains when and how the teams are formed and provides the protocols that the teams will use to conduct reviews. Specialized methodologies that the IITs can use as guidance for sampling procedures will be developed and will be available on the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Emergency_Management_Policies/ To view the Directive in its entirety, visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/6500.2.pdf * FSIS Notice 50-05: "Availability of Specialized Methodologies for Incident Investigation Teams" On August 10, 2005, FSIS issued a Notice to announce the availability of the specialized methodology, "Incident Investigation Team Methodology for 'Escherichia coli' ('E. coli') O157:H7 in Beef Slaughter Establishments." This methodology will be used by incident investigation teams as instructed in FSIS Directive 6500.2, Incident Investigation Team Reviews. The specialized methodology is available on the FSIS Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Emergency_Management_Policies * "Notice of a Section 610 'Regulatory Flexibility Act' Review of the Pathogen Reduction/ HACCP Systems Final Rule"--Docket No. 05-024N, "Federal Register," Volume 70, No. 155 On August 12, 2005, FSIS issued a request for comments, as part of a review of the regulations established by the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) final rule under Section 610 of the "Regulatory Flexibility Act," as amended. These provisions require that all Federal Agencies review existing regulations that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether the associated impact can be minimized. FSIS is seeking comment from the public, especially from small meat and poultry establishments, on the regulations established by the Pathogen Reduction; HACCP Systems final rule. Comments on this Notice must be received on or before October 11, 2005. www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2005_Proposed_Rules_Index/ * "Irradiation in the Production, Processing, and Handling of Food" Docket No. 1999F-4372, "Federal Register," Volume 70, Number 157 On August 16, 2005, the FDA amended the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of "Vibrio" species and other foodborne pathogens in fresh or frozen molluscan shellfish (e.g., oysters, mussels, clams, etc.). This action is in response to a petition filed by the National Fisheries Institute and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This rule is effective August 16, 2005. Contact person: Lane A. Highbarger, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-255), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1204. To read how to submit written or electronic objections and requests for a hearing by September 15, 2005, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr050816.html * FSIS Notices 54-05: "Policy On Use of Results From Third Party Laboratories" On August 29, 2005, FSIS issued a Notice to reissue the contents of FSIS Notice 52-03 in its entirety. FSIS is periodically presented with positive results from a laboratory analysis conducted by a third party laboratory that indicates an adulterant is present in FSIS inspected and passed product. A third party laboratory is one not owned by, or under contract with, the establishment providing the sample. Under very limited circumstances, FSIS may rely on a third party laboratory's positive result to take action on the product (e.g., request a recall or take regulatory action). This Notice describes the circumstances in which FSIS considers it appropriate to rely on results from a third party laboratory. To view this Notice in its entirety: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/ 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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