========================================================================= Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 16:55:46 EST Reply-To: EdNet@FOODSAFETY.GOV Sender: National Food Safety Educator's Network From: EDNET@FOODSAFETY.GOV Organization: National Food Safety Educator's Network Subject: EdNet Update February 2001 * * * * 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. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN THIS ISSUE FIGHT BAC!(TM) RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER SPECIAL INTEREST - BSE INDUSTRY INFO FEEDBACK SUBSCRIBE FIGHT BAC!(TM) Watch for New BAC((tm)) Web Features and Novelty Items The Partnership for Food Safety Education is introducing new novelty items over the next few months through their BAC store. First to be featured will be a new mousepad. Other items to watch for will be a magnetic refrigerator writing board, hot pads, tote bags and puzzles for the kids. In addition to these new novelty items, we will be introducing some new elements to the Fight BAC!((tm)) Web site over the next year. Watch for a new look, weekly tips, special pages for targeted audiences, interactive pages and expanded information on food safety, including the latest in research. http://www.fightbac.org Fight BAC!( (tm)) Needs Your Help Please let us hear from you about your Fight BAC!((tm)) programs. We will be introducing a new section of our Web site, devoted to groups that are using the Fight BAC!(() messages and materials. Send us your stories and pictures and we will feature them on our Web site starting in April. E-mail: fightbaced@mindspring.com RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS Thermy((tm))-- How to Borrow the Costume Many of you have requested information on how to borrow the Thermy((tm)) costume to promote USDA/FSIS's food thermometer education campaign. Simply send your request to fsis.outreach@usda.gov. You will receive a call to confirm your request. Please provide your name, address, phone number, fax number, dates of request, and type of function or event. There is no rental charge, however we ask that you pay for shipping and handling. The shipping trunk with Thermy((tm)) weighs about 50 pounds. Depending on location, an average 3-day (air) Fed Ex standard rate, is less than $100.00. Thermy((tm)) can be borrowed for large educational meetings, conventions, kick-offs, and local community events. Thermy((tm)) Appearances If you spotted Thermy((tm)) , at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, you were right. Thermy((tm)) was featured with the FSIS' District Office's Food Safety Education exhibit promoting the use of a food thermometer to thousands of mall-goers Feb-3-4! Over a thousand Thermy((tm)) brochures and refrigerator magnets were donated to remind consumers to cook to safe internal temperatures and to use a food thermometer! The Northeast Regional Office of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service will feature Thermy((tm)) at the Kid's First Nutrition Expo 2001 to be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence March 10-11. CDC's Division of Adolescent School Health is borrowing Thermy((tm)) for the National School Board's Association Conference coming up the end of March in San Diego. For more information about the FSIS food thermometer campaign, you can access a kit of resource materials for educators at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/thermy Resources for Industry Guidelines for industry and retail use of the Thermy((tm)) graphics and print materials has recently been updated on the Thermy ((tm)) Web site. The USDA's disclaimer has been added to the choice of graphics offered to promote the Thermy((tm)) campaign. The disclaimer, "USDA does not endorse any products, services, or organizations" must appear on all promotional materials used for sale. See the updated pages and other items now available for use by industry free of charge. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/thermy FDA Releases New "Playing It Safe With Eggs" Brochure The new consumer brochure "Playing It Safe with Eggs: What Consumers Need to Know" is now available, which replaces the December 2000 "Food Safety Facts for Consumers: Playing It Safe With Eggs." Educators/consumers can request a mail/fax copy of the document by calling 1-800-332-4010. The requestor will be prompted to follow the instructions and will have an opportunity to order the document by mail/fax. The requestor will be instructed to leave his/her name and mailing address for mail requests (allowing 4-6 weeks). For faxes, the requestor will be instructed to leave his/her name and fax number (allowing 2-3 business days). The brochure is now available on the Web at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fs-eggs.html Now Available: FDA Updated Food Service Safety Facts on Eggs "Assuring the Safety of Eggs and Egg Dishes Made from Raw, Shell Eggs," an FDA updated egg safety fact sheet for the food service industry. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fs-eggs2.html Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses: A Primer for Physicians is available: Physicians have a critical role in the prevention and control of food-related disease outbreaks. This primer is intended to help physicians in this role by providing them with practical and concise information on the diagnosis, treatment, and reporting of foodborne illnesses, a serious public health problem. A special food safety hand out sheet for doctors to give patients details the Fight BAC!(TM) messages: clean, separate, cook, and chill. And, it includes a handy reference chart of recommended cooking temperatures for different foods. The primer was developed collaboratively by the American Medical Association, the CDC, FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports, Volume 50, Number RR-2 Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses A Primer for Physicians: http://www.ama-assn.org/foodborne FDA and NSTA Sponsor Professional Development Program in Food Science Based on the success of last year's pilot program, FDA and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are again sponsoring a professional development program in food science for middle-level and high school teachers this summer in Washington, DC. This six-day program provides teachers an opportunity to learn how the science and technology of food production, transportation, storage and preparation has changed to meet the need for safe food products. Taking advantage of these new understandings, science educators have an opportunity to provide topically relevant lessons in food science for their students. From now until March 1, teachers across the country can apply for the training program. A peer panel selected by NSTA will review applications. Applications are available on-line at: http://www.nsta.org New Food Safety Web site from USDA/ERS: USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) provides analyses of the economic issues affecting the safety of the US food supply, including the effectiveness and equity of alternative policies and programs designed to protect consumers from unsafe food. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Emphases/SafeFood NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER Each issue of EdNet highlights interesting items from the USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness Educational Materials Database. Web Handwashing While virtual washing is not yet possible, these sites can help make plain old handwashing a reality. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC Handwashing page (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehserv/EHSA/Food/FoodSafety.htm) A great collection of sections pertaining to handwashing extracted from training guides day care providers and kid's materials. Super Scrub and Bubbles (http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SSB1.html) (best if viewed with Internet Explorer) Information, quizzes, and coloring pages about handwashing for kids. Clean Hands Campaign (http://www.washup.org) Download Don't Get Caught Dirty Handed brochure and poster, or a slide show on a handwashing survey. Glo Germ web site (http://www.glogerm.com/) K - 6th grade worksheets, available in French too. Healthy Hands, Healthy Kids (http://www.healthyhands.com/qualifier/qualifier.asp) Information on handwashing geared towards teachers, principals, or parents. For information on where to obtain videos and other training materials about handwashing, visit the Foodborne Illness Educational Materials Database (http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/data/search2.html) and do a simple search using the term 'handwashing'. You will find over two dozen materials to teach a variety of audiences about handwashing. For more food safety information, visit the center's Web site at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne SPECIAL INTEREST: BSE Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), widely known as "mad cow disease," is a chronic, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. Government agency Web pages for information on the disease: Recent Additions to the FoodSafety.gov web site: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/bse.html Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/topics/bse.htm Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/bse Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) http://www.fas.usda.gov/dlp/BSE/bse.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/cjd.htm Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bse.html INDUSTRY INFO USDA Names Members to Advisory Committee (NACMPI) U.S. Department of Agriculture has nominated members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The NACMPI was established in 1971 to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture about the meat and poultry inspection programs. The committee, which meets twice a year, addresses food safety concerns and policy issues affecting the USDA. Members will be confirmed upon acceptance of the appointment. A complete list of NACMPI appointees is attached. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/nacmpi7.htm USDA Names Members to Advisory Committee (NACMCF) On January 19, USDA announced the appointment of new members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). NACMCF, established in 1988, provides scientific advice on public health issues relative to the safety and wholesomeness of the United States food supply. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints committee members following consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The list of newly appointed members is posted at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/nacmcf7.htm. Nutrition Labeling of Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products and Single-Ingredient Products On January 18, FSIS published a proposed rule to amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products, unless an exemption applies. For these products, FSIS is proposing to make the guidelines currently in place for the voluntary nutrition labeling program mandatory. Thus, the Agency is proposing to require that nutrition information be provided for these products either on their label or at their point-of-purchase. FSIS is also proposing to amend its regulations to require nutrition labels on all ground or chopped meat and poultry products, with or without added seasonings, unless an exemption applies. Federal Register Proposed Rule: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oppde/rdad/ProposedRules.htm USDA Announces Food Safety Rule on Retained Water in Meat and Poultry USDA announced a new requirement intended to improve the safety of raw meat and poultry products. The proposed rule will require processors to justify any retained water in raw products as an unavoidable consequence of their process used to meet food safety requirements. The final rule will take effect one year after the January 9, 2001 publication date in the Federal Register. http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2001/01/0005.htm FDA Announces Report on Safety of Imported Foods On January 22, FDA published a proposed rule to require marking imported food shipments refused for safety reasons to indicate that the product was denied entry into the United States. This will help eliminate the practice of "port shopping" in which importers whose cargo is denied entry at one port try to re-introduce it at another port without bringing the food into compliance with U.S. laws and regulations. FDA also issued a talk paper that discusses the progress that has been made to date implementing steps to prevent the entry of unsafe imported food. FDA Talk Paper: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpimport.html FDA Publishes Final Rule To Increase Safety of Fruit and Vegetable Juices The FDA announced a final rule designed to improve the safety of fruit and vegetable juice and juice products. Under the rule, juice processors must use Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles for juice processing. Implementation of a HACCP system will increase the protection of consumers from illness-causing microbes and other hazards in juices. It's also another step in protecting the public health through the safety food. Press release: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/hhsjuic4.html Federal Register Final Rule: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr01119c.html FDA Announces Availability of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Risk Assessment The FDA announces the availability of a draft risk assessment report on the estimated public health risks associated with raw oysters containing pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus. V. parahaemolyticus is a bacterial species that occurs naturally in oysters, and occasionally this organism causes illness in humans, following the consumption of raw oysters. Most often, illness caused by V. parahaemolyticus occurs as sporadic cases of self-limiting gastroenteritis, with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. In recent years, however, several outbreaks have been caused by V. parahaemolyticus, involving dozens to hundreds of consumers. Also, though rare, the organism can produce a life-threatening septicemia, especially in people having underlying medical conditions such as liver disease or immune disorders. The FDA Talk Paper contains links to the Draft Risk Assessment and Federal Register Notice of Availability: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpvibrio.html FDA Announces Proposal and Draft Guidance for Food Developed Through Biotechnology FDA issued a proposed rule and a draft guidance document concerning food developed through biotechnology. If the proposed rule, is finalized, it would require food developers to notify FDA at least 120 days in advance of their intent to market a food or animal feed developed through biotechnology and to provide information demonstrating that the product is as safe as its conventional counterpart. Press release announcing the proposal contains links to the Draft Guidance and Consumer Focus Groups on Biotechnology and Labeling: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/hhbioen3.html Federal Register Proposed Rule: Premarket Notice Concerning Bioengineered Foods http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr010118.html FDA Announces Advisory on Methyl Mercury in Fish The FDA is announcing its advice to pregnant women and women of childbearing age who may become pregnant on the hazard of consuming certain kinds of fish that may contain high levels of methyl mercury. The FDA is advising these women not to eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. As a matter of prudent public health advice, the FDA is also recommending that nursing mothers and young children not eat these fish as well. Fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish contain high levels of a form of mercury called methyl mercury that may harm an unborn baby's developing nervous system. These long-lived, larger fish that feed on smaller fish accumulate the highest levels of methyl mercury and therefore pose the greatest risk to the unborn child. Mercury can occur naturally in the environment and it can be released into the air through industrial pollution and can get into both fresh and salt water. FDA Talk Paper: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tphgfish.html Sanitation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Seminar in Spanish The FDA, in cooperation with the California Department of Health Services, Food and Drug Branch's Food Safety Training Program, present a one day training course entitled "Sanitation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Seminar in Spanish." This one-day course is completely in Spanish and specifically designed for food processors that have received a limited amount of specialized sanitation training in Spanish. Firms that have received a warning letter from FDA or have significant GMP deviations noted during an inspection of their facility, would benefit from this course, which provides assistance to the food industry in complying with FDA's Food GMP regulations. The course will explain current FDA policy regarding GMPs and food. For dates and registration information visit: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/gmpsem.html FDA's Risk Assessment on the Human Health Impact of Fluoroquinolone Resistant Campylobacter Associated with the Consumption of Chicken Revised as of January 5, 2001, The Center for Veterinary Medicine prepared the following risk assessment concerning fluoroquinolone-resistance in Campylobacter found in poultry. In addition, an Excel version of the Risk Assessment Model has been included. This working model will allow modelers to either determine the risk using data sources other than those used in the model or allow use of different methods or distributions to model the risk. The document entitled "Human Health Impact of Fluoroquinolone Resistant Campylobacter Attributed to the Consumption of Chicken" is provided in its entirety in PDF and broken into sections in both Word and PDF formats. http://www.fda.gov/cvm/antimicrobial/Risk_asses.htm EPA's Tolerance Index System Has Been Updated The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is constantly updating its list of authorized pesticides and tolerances. Tolerances given by this system can be confirmed for accuracy by checking them against those published in the latest edition of Title 40 of the Code of Regulations (40 CFR). http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/tolerance/tisinfo/ Drinking Water Standard for Arsenic EPA is finalizing a regulation to reduce the public health risks from arsenic in drinking water. The Agency is revising the current drinking water standard for arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ars/ars_rule_factsheet.html New Mercury Research Strategy Documents The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) announced the availability of its Mercury Research Strategy. This strategy guides ORD's mercury research program and covers the FY2001 - 2005 time frame. ORD will use it to prepare a multi-year mercury research implementation plan in 2001. The Mercury Research Strategy summarizes the human health and ecological risks posed by mercury and methylmercury, and indicates that mercury needs to be considered at local, regional, and global scales. It identifies the key scientific questions of greatest importance to the Agency, and then describes a research program to answer those questions (National Center for Environmental Assessment). http://www.epa.gov/ncea/mercstra.htm. 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