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FSIS Welcomes Beth Johnson as Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety
This week, USDA Secretary Ed Schafer welcomed the designation of Elizabeth (Beth) Johnson as Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
A native of Madison, Indiana, Johnson holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Maryland and a
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Ball State University.
Johnson has most recently served as Chief Assistant to Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and Deputy Chief of Staff since May 2005.
A registered dietitian, Johnson joined USDA in 2002, having served more than a decade advising government and the private
sector on the subjects of nutrition, farm credit and livestock. Her previous government experience includes positions at the
Food and Drug Administration as a nutritionist for the food labeling division and as a research dietitian at the USDA
Agricultural Research Service.
The designation is pending the October 1 retirement from federal service of Dr. Richard A. Raymond who has been
responsible for overseeing the policies and programs of FSIS since July 2005.
FSIS Updates E. coli O157:H7 Reports
FSIS has updated Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 testing data to include information through September 23, 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 23, 2007 |
As of Sep 21, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
8,835 |
17 |
0.19 |
8,362 |
32 |
0.38 |
| Retail Stores |
128 |
0 |
0.00 |
288 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Imports |
61 |
0 |
0.00 |
38 |
1 |
2.63 |
| Raw Ground Beef Components |
| Source |
As of Sep 23, 2007 |
As of Sep 21, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
438 |
2 |
0.46 |
1,591 |
11 |
0.69 |
| Imports |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
397 |
2 |
0.50 |
| The above information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of
September 23, 2008. Results are from FSIS routine and follow-up sampling programs. |
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On September 28, 2007, FSIS issued Notice 62-07 titled Instructions for Verification Sampling Programs for E. Coli O157:H7 in Raw Beef Products.
In this notice, field personnel were instructed to collect samples and submit them to FSIS for testing without waiting for an establishment to
complete its pre-shipment review.
Prior to this document, FSIS personnel were to hold samples until the establishment completed its pre-shipment review. Some of the
collected samples were not sent to the lab for testing because the product was diverted to cooking. With the issuance of Notice 62-07,
these samples are now being analyzed by FSIS.
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:
- Canada
- Chile
- Hong Kong
- Japan
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/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 the
Agency 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 8:30 a.m. and adjourn at 12:30 p.m. It will be held 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 and Stakeholders to Discuss the Control of E. coli O157:H7: Addressing Sampling Methodologies and Compliance Guidelines
FSIS will host a public meeting on October 14 and 15 regarding control of E. coli O157:H7. This one-and-a-half day public meeting will
address uniformity and consistency of sampling methodology for E. coli O157:H7, both by industry and FSIS.
FSIS will also address E. coli O157:H7 compliance guidelines and will also use the meeting to gather input from stakeholders on other E. coli
O157:H7 control issues that need to be addressed which will be compiled into a list of discussion topics for future public meetings.
The meeting will be held at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. An agenda is forthcoming and will be available soon at
www.fsis.usda.gov/
News_&_Events/meetings_&_events/index.asp.
Review New Podcasts for September
This month, FSIS released new podcasts helpful to plant operators and owners.
- September 3 - Designing a HACCP Plan - Part 8
Learn about the sixth HACCP principle - Establishing record keeping procedures.
- September 10 - Designing a HACCP Plan - Part 9
Learn about the seventh HACCP principle - Establishing verification procedures.
- September 17 - Designing a HACCP Plan - Part 10
Find out about the common pitfalls when designing a HACCP plan, how to overcome them and sources for more information.
- September 24 - What Is Avian Influenza and How Is FSIS Preparing for It?
Learn about Avian Influenza and what FSIS is doing to prepare for an outbreak within the United States.
Check out these new podcasts on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Food_Safety_Inspection_Podcasts/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notices Regarding Sampling and Testing Instructions
FSIS issued the following notices this week.
- Notice 63-08 titled Further Sampling Instructions Regarding FSIS Notice 18-07;
- Notice 65-08 titled Use of FedEx Stamp for Shipping Samples to the Appropriate Laboratory; and
- Notice 66-08 tilted Raw Product Destined For Ready-To-Eat Product Excluded From Salmonella Testing.
Visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
to review these notices in detail.
FSIS Posts a Compliance Guideline for State Cooperative Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs
The Agency has posted a compliance guideline for State Cooperative Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) Programs. This document was
written to clarify standards that FSIS uses in its annual review.
Specifically, the compliance guideline focuses on nine components that determine whether MPIs are operating in a manner that is "at
least equal to" the Federal inspection programs.
FSIS is requesting comments on the document and will consider any suggestions or comments received during the 30-day comment
period. If appropriate, the Agency will revise the document based on the comments received. To review this compliance guideline,
visit FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/At_Least_Equal_to_Guidelines.pdf (PDF Only).
Comments are to be submitted on or before October 27. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments to the Office of Policy and
Program Development, Policy Issuances Division at
FSISGuidanceDocumentComments@fsis.usda.gov
All submissions will be posted to the Agency's Web site.
Be Food Safe
CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often. Because bacteria are everywhere, cleanliness is a major factor
in preventing foodborne illness.
SEPARATE: Don't cross-contaminate. Separate raw, cooked and ready-to eat foods while shopping,
preparing or storing. Never place cooked food on a plate which previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.
COOK: Cook food to proper temperatures. Use a food thermometer to be sure!
CHILL: Refrigerate promptly. Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours or sooner.
Learn more about basic food safety principles by visiting FSIS' facts sheets at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
index.asp.
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Last Modified:
September 26, 2008 |
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