 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Official Dr. Karen Hulebak Elected Chair of Codex Alimentarius Commission
USDA's Secretary Ed Schafer announced July 2 that Dr. Karen Hulebak, a chief scientist for FSIS,
has been elected to serve a two-year term as Chair of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) - The
International Food Standards Organization.
The announcement was made on July 1, in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 31st Session of the CAC being convened there.
"We are pleased that Dr. Hulebak was elected to this important position," said Secretary Schafer.
"With a distinguished career in food science, food safety and a long association with Codex, I cannot
think of a better choice to lead the organization."
Prior to her election as Chair, Hulebak served as the organization's Vice Chair and Chair of the
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene.
In both positions, she gained tremendous respect for her inclusive approach and ability to build consensus
throughout the world on important food standard issues.
"Dr. Hulebak's inclusive approach to leadership, coupled with an outstanding background in food safety,
makes her an excellent choice and an excellent leader for Codex," said USDA Under Secretary for
Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "I have the great pleasure of working with Dr. Hulebak on Codex
issues and I am certain that under her leadership, the Commission will continue its commitment to science-based
decision-making and standard-setting."
To view the related press release, visit www.usda.gov/2008/07/0175.xml.
FSIS Updates E. coli O157:H7 Reports
Results of E. coli O157:H7 testing by FSIS has been updated to include data through June 29, 2008.
The table below reports year-to-date information for the current year and one year prior for raw ground
beef and raw ground beef components in federal plants, retail stores as well as imports.
|
|
| Results
from Analysis of Raw Ground Beef and Raw Ground Beef Component Samples for E. coli
O157:H7 |
| Raw Ground Beef |
| Source |
As
of July 1, 2007 |
As
of June 29, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
Federal
Plants |
5,825 |
13 |
0.22 |
5,957 |
15 |
0.25 |
| Retail Stores |
99 |
0 |
0.00 |
231 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Raw Ground Beef Components |
| Source |
As
of July 1, 2007 |
As
of June 29, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No.
Positive |
Percent
Positive |
Federal
Plants |
207 |
2 |
0.97 |
907 |
2 |
0.22 |
| Imports |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
273 |
0 |
0.00 |
| The above information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of July 1, 2008. |
|
|
The number of CY08 positive results (as of June 29) remains at 15, the same number as in last week's report.
This means that no new positives have occurred since the last update.
Individual positive results for 2008 are reported on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
2008_Ecoli_Positive_Results/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notices and Directives
FSIS issues notices and directives to enhance the agency's efforts in protecting public health.
Last week, the Agency issued a change transmittal
(PDF Only) on June 26, extending Notice 39-07 - Certifying Beef Exports to Korea until July 1, 2009.
In addition the following notices and directives were recently issued:
Notices and directives are available on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Register for Regulatory Education Workshop in Raleigh
FSIS will hold a regulatory education workshop for owners and operators of small and very small plants in
Raleigh on July 15 as part of the Agency's outreach to these establishments.
The workshop will cover a variety of topics and prerequisite programs, including hazard analysis and critical control points,
sanitation performance standards, sanitation standard operating procedures, rules of practice, food defense strategies, E. coli
O157:H7 workshops and the following notices:
- 65-07, Notice of Reassessment for Escherichia coli O157:H7
Control and Completion of a Checklist for all Beef Operations;
- 66-07, Multiple Follow-Up Sampling After FSIS Positive Escherichia
coli O157:H7 Results; and
- 68-07, Routine Sampling and Testing of Raw Ground Beef Components
Other Than Trim and Imported Raw Ground Beef Components for Escherichia
coli O157:H7.
The July 15 session will be held at the Holiday Inn Crabtree Valley, 4100 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747. Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.
Food Defense Plans
FSIS will conduct a survey on August 1 to determine how many FSIS-regulated slaughter and processing plants
have voluntarily adopted functional food defense plans.
A documented set of procedures will improve an establishment's ability
to respond quickly. A food defense plan also helps to maintain a safe
working environment for employees, provide a quality product to customers,
and will be particularly helpful during emergencies.
Also be sure to visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Defense_&_Emergency_Response/
Guidance_Materials/index.asp to review guidelines for completing
a functional food defense plan.
NACMCF Subcommittee to Hold Public Meetings
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF)
subcommittee on Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for FSIS to Adopt in Performing Routine and
Baseline Microbiological Analyses will hold public meetings from July 28 through July 30.
The purpose of this meeting is to continue to discuss and develop guidance and recommendations for FSIS to consider
on improving laboratory and in-plant testing methods for pathogens and indicator organisms.
This project will also assist the Agency with its goal; moving into the next generation of microbiological
testing methods and focus on exploring the utility of new technologies.
The meetings will be held on Monday, July 28 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, Tuesday, July 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
and Wednesday, July 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Aerospace Building, 901 D Street S.W., Room 369, Washington, D.C.
A summary report of the subcommittee meeting will be posted on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/
NACMCF_Subcommittee_Meetings/index.asp.
If you would like to attend these meetings please contact Karen Thomas-Sharp by phone at (202) 690-6620 or by email at
karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
All persons must RSVP in advance.
Handling Food Safely on the Road
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Oh, how we long for that eight letter word every summer, when millions of us eagerly get away
from school and work.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's nationwide, toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline reminds everyone that some
simple, common-sense food safety rules can save a vacation from disaster.
Following this advice could make the difference between a vacation to remember and one that is remembered
because people got sick from improperly handled food.
FSIS offers some general rules while traveling this summer. Check them out at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Handling_Food_Safely_on_the_Road/index.asp.
Learn about other basic food safety principles by visiting FSIS' fact sheets at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/index.asp.
|
Last Modified:
July 3, 2008 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
