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Register Online for the Low Dose Irradiation Public Meeting
FSIS will hold a public meeting on September 18 to communicate with stakeholders and receive public comments on what action
it should take with respect to a petition from the American Meat Institute (AMI).
The Agency received a petition from AMI in July 2005 to recognize the use of low penetration and low dose electron beam
irradiation on the surface of chilled beef carcasses as a processing aid. A copy of the petition is available on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Petition_Carcass_Surface_Irrad.pdf (PDF Only).
In this petition, AMI argues that research studies demonstrate low dose irradiation in beef is exceptionally effective at reducing
levels of E. coli O157:H7, does not produce significant losses of either macro- or micro-nutrients and does not
have any effect on organoleptic properties, appearance or any lasting effects on shelf life.
Based on research and information collected, as well as a positive evaluation of the safety of irradiation by the
Food and Drug Administration, FSIS will consider data and information contained in the petition.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.
To register and review an agenda for this meeting, visit the "Meetings and Events" page of FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Meetings_&_Events/
index.asp.
FSIS Updates E. coli O157:H7 Reports
FSIS has updated Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 testing data to include information through September 7, 2008.
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| Results
from Analysis of Raw Ground Beef and Raw Ground Beef Component Samples for E. coli
O157:H7 |
| Raw Ground Beef |
| Source |
As of Sep 9, 2007 |
As of Sep 7, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
8,342 |
16 |
0.19 |
7,889 |
28 |
0.35 |
| Retail Stores |
121 |
0 |
0.00 |
282 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Imports |
61 |
0 |
0.00 |
38 |
1 |
2.63 |
| Raw Ground Beef Components |
| Source |
As of Sep 9, 2007 |
As of Sep 7, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
379 |
2 |
0.53 |
1,482 |
9 |
0.61 |
| Imports |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
377 |
2 |
0.53 |
| The above information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of
September 9, 2008. Results are from FSIS routine and follow-up sampling programs. |
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Individual positive results from the raw ground beef sampling programs for 2008 are reported on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/2008_Ecoli_Positive_Results/
index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Colombia
- Hong Kong
- Kazakhstan
- Taiwan
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Be Prepared, Be Food Safe
Two new videocasts in American Sign Language, titled, "Food Safety During a Power Outage" and "Be Food Safe" have
been added to the SignFSIS library.
Visit FSIS' Web site to check them out www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp.
USDA to Host Public Meeting on Animal Raising Claims
FSIS and USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a public meeting on
October 14 to discuss and review its policies on the use of animal raising claims in the labeling of meat and poultry products.
FSIS evaluates animal raising claims by considering information on animal production practices submitted by companies as part
of their label approval requests. However, recent events concerning labeling claims related to the use of antibiotics in the
raising of poultry have led FSIS to question its ability to verify that labels of meat and poultry products that contain
animal raising claims are truthful and not misleading.
Therefore, FSIS and AMS will solicit public input and review its policies on claims related to the use of antibiotics in poultry
and on animal raising claims in general.
The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. An agenda
will be available for review on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/meetings_&_events/
index.asp.
FSIS to Host Public Meeting to Review Policies on Sampling Procedures
FSIS is hosting a one and a half day public meeting on October 14 and 15 to review its policies on sampling procedures, as well
as those employed by non-FSIS entities, including the private sector.
The primary purpose of the meeting is to deal with sampling issues associated with raw beef, particularly for E. coli O157:H7
as a first step. FSIS will also expand this meeting format to address other pathogens and species/products in the future. The
Agency will also use this public meeting to gather input from all stakeholders on other sampling issues that need to be addressed.
FSIS will compile these issues into a list of discussion topics for a future series of quarterly public meetings on sampling.
More information on the location and an upcoming agenda will be available soon at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
meetings_&_events/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Directive
FSIS issued Directive 9030.1 titled Targeting for High-Risk Imported Product Shipments on September 10.
This directive provides instructions to designated FSIS field personnel in the Office of International Affairs and the
Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review as well as designated personnel in the Office of Food Defense
and Emergency Response, for monitoring risk assigned to imported meat, poultry or processed egg product shipments by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Automated Targeting System.
This directive also provides inspectors instructions to re-inspect imported products that may pose elevated food defense concerns.
To review this directive in detail, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/9030.1.pdf (PDF Only).
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Last Modified:
September 12, 2008 |
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