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FSIS Seeks Comments on Agency Decision-Making During Investigation Into Animal Feed Containing Melamine
FSIS today issued a press release referencing a Notice that details
the decision-making process that FSIS followed related to pet food scraps fed to swine and poultry that
contained melamine and melamine-related compounds.
FSIS is asked for public comments on those decisions, which were made based on the best available scientific
data and information.
The Notice is available at: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/
FRPubs/2007-0018.pdf (PDF Only).
The press release also contains a link to an interim safety/risk assessment related to melamine.
The safety/risk assessment is available at: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/
DOCKETS/98fr/07n-0208-ra00001.pdf (PDF Only).
Based on currently available data and information, this safety/risk assessment indicates that the consumption
of pork, poultry, eggs, and domestic fish products produced when animal feed was contaminated with melamine
and melamine-related compounds is very unlikely to pose a human health risk.
NACMCF to Hold Public Meetings
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods subcommittees will hold public meetings on June 4-8.
The full committee will meet on June 4, from 1-2:30 p.m., and on June 8, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in the conference
room at the south end of the USDA South Building cafeteria, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, D.C.
The Subcommittee on Determination of Cooking Parameters for Safe Seafood for Consumers will meet on June 5,
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Subcommittee on Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for FSIS to Adopt in Performing Routine
and Baseline Microbiological Analyses will meet on June 5 and 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Subcommittee on
Assessment of the Food Safety Importance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
will meet on June 6 and 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All subcommittee meetings will be held in Room 369 of the
Aerospace Building, 901 D St., SW., Washington, D.C.
Issues to be discussed include:
- The Determination of Cooking Parameters for Safe Seafood for Consumers;
- Assessment of the Food Safety Importance of Mycobacterium avian subspecies paratuberculosis;
- Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for FSIS to Adopt in Performing Routine and Baseline Microbiological Analyses; and
- Parameters for Inoculated Pack/Challenge Study Protocols.
Further information on agenda items will be available prior to the meetings at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news/meetings_&_events/.
Persons interested in making presentations, submitting technical papers or providing comments at the June
4 and/or June 8, plenary sessions should contact Karen Thomas-Sharp by phone at (202) 690-6620 or by e-mail at
Karen.Thomas-Sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify Thomas-Sharp no later than May 29.
Federal Grant of Inspection Guide Available Online
The Small/Very Small Plant Guide - Applying for a Federal Grant of Inspection for Meat and Poultry
Establishments is now available online at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Grant_of_Inspection_Guideline/index.asp.
This comprehensive guide was developed to aid those who are contemplating applying for a federal grant of inspection.
The guide describes the seven basic steps required for obtaining federal meat and poultry inspection, including:
- filing an application for inspection;
- meeting regulatory performance standards at your facility;
- obtaining an approved labels and/or brands;
- obtaining an approved water source letter;
- obtaining approved sewage system letter;
- providing a written standard operating procedure for sanitation; and
- providing a written hazard analysis and hazard analysis and critical control point plan.
District offices can also provide either a hard copy or electronic version of the guide to every prospective
applicant. For additional inquiries, district office personnel will be able to assist prospective plant
owners with the application process. The guide also provides an extensive list of agency contacts, technical
resources and regulatory references. The federal regulations are also provided and are referenced throughout
the document.
The guide is featured on FSIS' home page and the Regulations and Policies page. The link for the guide is
located in the right column under "I Want To - Apply for a Federal Grant of Inspection." It is also located
on the Small Plant Outreach page and Business and Partners page. The links for these pages are located in
the left column, under the pull-down tab for "Browse By Audience."
FSIS Issues Notices
FSIS issued Notice 31-07 to announce that FSIS' Nationwide Young Chicken Microbiological Baseline Data
Collection Program (YCBS) will begin on June 25, and the 90-day training ("shake down") period referred to in
FSIS Notice 60-06, Nationwide Young Chicken Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program, has ended.
The YCBS baseline study will provide FSIS and the regulated industry with data concerning the prevalence and
quantitative levels of selected foodborne pathogens and microorganisms that serve as indicators of process
control (e.g., Campylobacter, generic Escherichia coli, Salmonella,
Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and plate counts of aerobic microorganisms).
This data will enable the agency and industry to target interventions and effectively work toward reducing
the risk posed by foodborne pathogens in FSIS-regulated products.
The agency also issued Notice 32-07 on May 23 titled, Cancellation of FSIS Directive 7010.4 and FSIS Form 7010-4.
This notice cancels the obsolete Directive 7010.4, Preparation and Submission of Revised FSIS Form 7010-4,
Meat and Poultry Processing Operations and Processed Products Condemned at Official Establishments, and
FSIS
Form 7010-4.
FSIS is cancelling this directive and form because the agency no longer relies on the information regarding
condemned products that the form seeks.
Notices 31-07 and 32-07 are available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp.
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. We take to the road in cars or recreational vehicles; live on boats; relax in beach
or mountain vacation homes; and camp.
No matter where we go or what we do, there is a common denominator that runs through all of our summer travels
and relaxation - it's called F-O-O-D!
The "road" to food safety, however, can either be a bumpy one or smooth - depending on what precautions are
taken while handling meals as we travel this summer.
USDA'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.
To learn how to handle food safely on the road, visit FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Handling_Food_Safely_on_the_Road/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for Japan and
Russia. Complete information can be found at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081031023328/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
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Last Modified:
May 25, 2007 |
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