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Comment Period for E. coli Public Meeting Extended, Transcripts Posted to Web
FSIS held a public meeting to discuss challenges and proposed solutions in moving forward to address
recalls and illnesses related to E. coli O157:H7.
Speakers outside the Agency shared their perspectives on the causes of the recent uptick in E. coli
O157:H7 at the pre-harvest and processing stages as well. In addition, they shared their views on
how best to move forward.
The comment period has been extended to May 28. FSIS has taken this action to respond to requests that
were made during and after the April meeting.
Transcripts from the meeting are available for review at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
RD_2008-0011/index.asp.
FSIS Posts 2007 Microbiological Data for E. coli, Salmonella and Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products
FSIS posted on its Web site 2007 microbiological data for Escherichia coli (E. coli)
O157:H7 in raw ground beef samples as well sampling results in Ready-to-Eat meat and poultry for
calendar year 2007.
The Agency also posted the 2007 Annual Salmonella Progress Report.
FSIS verifies that establishments are meeting performance standards by collecting and analyzing randomly
selected product samples.
This testing program was initiated in the 1990s and has become a key component of the Agency's overall
system for hazard analysis and critical control point verification. The objective of the testing program
is to estimate the prevalence and levels of bacteria on a sample of inspected carcasses. All FSIS studies
focus on foodborne pathogens as they relate to public health.
Over time, the Agency has taken steps to improve the effectiveness of testing and its impact on
protecting public health through techniques like increased sample size and adoption of more sensitive
testing methods.
Results for 2007 microbiological data for all three reports are available on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Microbiology/index.asp.
FSIS to Co-Host Public Health and Food Safety Summit on May 15 and 16
FSIS announced a public meeting co-sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled:
Better Communications, Better Public Health Outcomes: Strategies for Improved Coordination During Foodborne
Outbreaks to discuss strategies on improved information sharing and coordination during
multi-jurisdictional foodborne outbreak investigations last month.
Local, state and federal public health partners as well as consumer groups and industry are invited to
share their perspectives on best practices and challenges to coordinate effectively during these outbreaks.
The meeting will be held May 15-16 at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand and Suites Hotel, 800 Washington
Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.
The summit will include a public meeting and an invitation-only simulation exercise. The steering
committee will include representation from member organizations of the Council to Improve Foodborne
Outbreak Response, as well as other stakeholders.
Online registration can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Meetings_&_Events/index.asp.
For further information, contact Bonnie Kissler, Office of Public Health Science, FSIS, at (404) 562-5940 or
by e-mail at Bonnie.Kissler@fsis.usda.gov.
Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify Dr. Kissler by May 8.
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.
FSIS to Hold E. coli Workshop in Michigan
FSIS is offering regulatory education workshops on E. coli for owners and operators of small and very
small plants in Michigan next week.
The May 7 session will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Kalamazoo, 100 West
Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747. Online registration forms can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp.
FSIS Podcast Service Available through Apple, Inc.'s iTunes
Last week FSIS launched a series of educational podcasts tailored to address food safety and education
issues for consumers and other stakeholders.
After last week's successful launch, the Agency submitted podcasts to the Apple iTunes store, and these
are now available on iTunes.
While the initial focus is to provide information to small and very small plant owners and operators and
their employees, the Agency plans to use this tool to communicate with other stakeholders as well.
Users can subscribe to free podcasts through FSIS' Web site, as well as direct subscription from the iTunes
store by typing "Food Safety and Inspection Service podcast" in the search engine. Customers
can also go directly to https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106033056/http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/
MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=279346056
to access the podcast.
NACMCF Subcommittees to Hold Public Meetings
Subcommittees for the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF)
are scheduled to hold public meetings from May 19 through 22.
The Subcommittee on the Determination of the Most Appropriate Technologies for FSIS to Adopt in
Performing Routine and Baseline Microbiological Analyses will hold a public meeting on May 19 and 20.
The focus is to discuss and develop guidance to improve laboratory and in-plant testing methods for
pathogens and indicator organisms. This project will assist the Agency with its goal to enhance
microbiological testing methods and will focus on exploring the utility of new technologies.
The Subcommittee on Parameters for Inoculated Pack/Challenge Study Protocols is set to hold a public
meeting on May 21 and 22.
Discussions for this meeting will include recommendations for appropriate criteria in inoculated pack/challenge
studies, determining time/temperature controls for safe food preparations. Both public meetings will be
held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in conference room 369 of the Aerospace Building, 901 D Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C.
To register, contact Karen Thomas-Sharp, advisory committee specialist at (202) 690-6620 or by email at
karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
Individuals are encouraged to pre-register to attend.
A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes
Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice
could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food
safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The guide titled, A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes |
PDF, provides specific food safety
recommendations on what to do before, during and after tropical storms and hurricanes.
The guidelines also include recommendations about what to do with food stored in refrigerators and freezers.
To view the consumer's guide, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/
Severe_Storms_and_Hurricanes_Guide.pdf.
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Last Modified:
May 2, 2008 |
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