 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transcripts and Presentations from May 15th Meeting are Now Available on FSIS' Web Site
FSIS hosted a public meeting with its partners 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 on May 15 and 16.
Federal, state and local public health partners as well as consumer groups and industry were invited to share
their perspectives on best practices and challenges to coordinate effectively during these outbreaks.
The summit also featured an invitation-only simulation exercise which included representation from member
organizations of the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response, as well as other stakeholders like
industry, consumer groups, federal, state and local public health/regulatory agencies.
A transcript and the PowerPoint presentations from the public meeting are available for review at
www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/RD_2008-0013/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notices
FSIS issued Notice 39-08 (PDF Only) on June 6, titled
Collecting Information On Receiving Establishment Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Testing.
This notice instructs inspection program personnel to collect information about the results of E. coli O157:H7
testing performed by receiving establishments on incoming trim and other raw ground beef components supplied by another establishment.
The Agency is preparing to begin a new testing program at establishments that supply trim and other components of raw
ground beef in response to increased positive findings and recalls associated with E. coli O157:H7 in 2007.
Before beginning this program, the Agency needs to collect information on receiving establishments' E. coli O157:H7
test results (including laboratory testing on behalf of the establishment) of trim and other raw ground beef components
received from a supplying establishment.
The Agency also released Notice 40-08 (PDF Only) on June 9, titled
Nationwide Young Turkey Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program – Update.
This notice announces the launch of FSIS' Nationwide Young Turkey Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program.
In addition, this notice also details the end of a 90-day training ("shake down") period as referenced in
FSIS Notice 55-07, Nationwide Young Turkey Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program.
Finally, this notice cancels Notice 55-07 dated August 31, 2007. Inspection program personnel should note that this
new notice only applies to establishments that are included as part of the FSIS Nationwide Young Turkey Microbiological
Baseline Data Collection Program. The sampling instructions from the previous notice are included and have been slightly modified.
These notices are available on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
FSIS_notices_index/index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Cuba
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Taiwan
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Upcoming Podcasts for Industry Offer Tips on Food Defense
The first food defense podcast was posted on June 11, describing the functions of FSIS' Office of Food Defense and Emergency Response.
Additional topics to be posted will include: What It Means to You (June 18) and How to Develop a Food Defense Plan (June 25).
The following month's topics include, Reducing the Insider Threat (July 2) and Emergency Support Function 11 (July 16),
which provides information of how USDA serves as the lead federal agency in coordinating emergency support with industry,
state and local governments when meat, poultry and processed egg products are involved in large-scale incidents —
whether natural disasters or man-made, such as riots, demonstrations or acts of terrorism.
These podcasts are available on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/
Food_Safety_Inspection_Podcasts/index.asp.
For questions or suggestions for future podcasts, send an email to podcast@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS to Hold Regulatory Education Workshop in Philadelphia
FSIS will hold a regulatory education workshop for owners and operators of small and very small
plants in Philadelphia on June 25 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 June 25 session will be held at the Holiday Inn - Historic District, 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 be particularly helpful during emergencies.
Visit FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106031126/http://askfsis.custhelp.com
and select "Food Defense Plans in FSIS Inspected Facilitates" to review common questions and answers.
Also be sure to visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Defense_&_Emergency_Response/
Guidance_Materials/index.asp
to review guidelines for completing a functional defense plan.
Comments on the April 9-10 E. coli Public Meeting are Available on the Web
FSIS held a public meeting titled E. coli O157:H7 — Addressing the Challenges, Moving Forward With Solutions
on April 9-10 in Washington, DC.
Participants at the meeting explored broad perspectives on the challenges of addressing E. coli O157:H7, including
illness and recall trends, progress on non-O157:H7 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) and proposed next steps
to lower the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 STECs.
Stakeholders were given an opportunity to submit comments on any of the topics discussed during the meeting so that
the Agency could consider these before moving forward with any initiatives. A list of commenters and their submissions are
now available for review at www.fsis.usda.gov/
regulations_&_policies/RD_2008-0011/index.asp.
|
Last Modified:
June 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
