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CDC Reports 2005 Foodborne Illness Data
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report on April 14 titled,
Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food - 10 States,
United States, 2005. FoodNet collects data from 10 U.S. states regarding diseases caused by enteric pathogens
transmitted commonly through food. This report describes preliminary surveillance data for 2005 and compares them
with baseline data from the period 1996-1998.
In its annual report on the incidence of infections from foodborne pathogens, the CDC noted significant declines in
2005 from the 1996-1998 baseline in illnesses caused by Yersinia (49%), Listeria (32%),
Campylobacter (30%), E. coli O157 (29%), and Salmonella (9%). Although Salmonella
incidence decreased overall, of the five most common Salmonella serotypes, only the incidence of
S. Typhimurium (42%) significantly decreased. The estimated incidence of S. Enteritidis increased
25% and S. Heidelberg increased 25%.
"The release of the 2005 data clearly shows that the reductions in human illness from foodborne pathogens
witnessed during the past few years have been sustained. Healthy People 2010 national objectives are close to being
met for E. coli O157, Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes," stated Under
Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "FSIS looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the
CDC to find better ways to detect and prevent human illness from the foods we regulate."
The report is available on CDC's Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5514.pdf (PDF Only).
FSIS Posts Calendar Year 2005 Microbiological Data on Web Site
Today, FSIS posted on its Web site calendar year (CY) 2005 microbiological data for E. coli O157:H7 in
raw ground beef, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) and Salmonella in ready-to-eat (RTE) products,
and serotype data for Salmonella detected in raw meat and poultry products.
The data shows that in 2005, the percent of samples that tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 was 0.173 percent.
This is relatively unchanged from 2004, when the percent was
0.175.
The objective of the microbiological testing program to detect E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef is to
verify that industry's HACCP systems are working.
The percentage of Lm positive test results for RTE products was 0.64 percent. This is a slight increase
from 2004, when the percentage of positive test results was 0.55 percent.
The percentage of Salmonella positive test results for RTE products was 0.06 percent. This is a reduction
from 0.08 percent in 2004.
The CY 2005 microbiological data is available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Microbiology/
index.asp.
FSIS Reminds Consumers to Properly Handle and Cook Ground Beef Products
FSIS issued a public health alert on April 7, to remind consumers to ensure that meat products are fully cooked and
properly handled before they are consumed.
FSIS has received reports of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 with matching microbiological profiles.
There is no link to a specific product, but illnesses from this pathogen can be associated with consumption of raw or
uncooked ground beef.
Over a six-month period from September 2005 through March 2006, illnesses have been found in California, Iowa, New York,
Ohio, Michigan, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. FSIS is working closely with state and local health officials to
determine the exposure that led to the illnesses.
To prevent foodborne illness, consumers should follow the four Fight BAC!® guidelines to keep food safe:
Clean - wash hands and surfaces often; Separate - do not cross-contaminate; Cook - cook food to proper temperatures; and
Chill - refrigerate food promptly.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline line at 1-888-MPHOTLINE or
1-888-674-6854; TTY at 1-800-256-7072.
FSIS Updates Poultry Slaughter Guidance Materials
FSIS issued Notice 24-06 on April 12, to announce that two revised documents have been posted on FSIS' Web site.
Guidance for Determining Whether a Poultry Slaughter or Processing Operation is Exempt from Inspection Requirements
of the Poultry Products Inspection Act includes clarifications and corrects typographical errors. This document
is available on FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/
FSISNotices/Poultry_Slaughter_Exemption_0406.pdf (PDF Only).
Generic HACCP Model for Poultry Slaughter, HACCP-5, dated September 1999, incorrectly listed "fecal
contamination from gut breakage" as a physical hazard in the last row, second column of the "food safety
hazard" section.
The phrase has been deleted and replaced with "none." Also, "Salmonella" was removed from the
biological hazard row and replaced with "pathogens (fecal and ingesta contamination from gut breakage)" on
the same page. This document is available on FSIS' Web site at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/nis/outreach/models/
HACCP-5.pdf
(PDF Only).
Notice 24-06 can be assessed on FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Notice_24-06/index.asp.
FSIS Revises List of Safe and Suitable Ingredients
FSIS amended Directive 7120.1 on April 10, to revise the list of safe and suitable ingredients for meat and poultry products.
This directive titled, Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products,
identifies the substances that have been approved in the Code of Federal Regulations for use in meat and
poultry products as food additives, in generally recognized as safe notices, pre-market notifications and in letters
conveying acceptability determinations.
FSIS will continue to issue updates to the list as needed. For further policy information regarding the substances,
contact FSIS' Labeling and Consumer Protection Staff at (202) 205-0279.
This directive is available on FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/
7120.1_Amend_7.pdf
(PDF Only).
Export Tip of the Week
Recently, there have been additional cases where exporters diverted their product from the original country of
destination to another country of destination. The country is generally, but not always, located in the surrounding
area. This means that "replacement certificates" must be generated for the new country of destination and
fewer documents may be
required.
If an exporter requests new documents, inspectors must reconfirm that the product meets the new country's requirements
before issuing the replacement certificates. If the product meets the requirements, the documents should be issued.
If not, the documents should not be issued.
If the documents are issued and the product arrives at the new port of entry, there may be instances where additional
clarification or certification is required. Exporters should clear any additional requests with FSIS' Office of
International Affairs (OIA) prior to approaching inspection officials for additional documentation.
Often, OIA can work with overseas USDA Embassy staff to get the product cleared without any additional documentation.
However, inspection officials should be advised on how to proceed by OIA staff and should not take instructions from
U.S. exporters. U.S. exporters should contact OIA on (202) 720-3473 for further guidance.
Visit FSIS' Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp
to learn more about requirements for exporting products to other countries.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Australia
- European Union
- People's Republic of China
Complete information can be found at: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
OPM Issues Qualification Standard for Veterinary Medical Officers
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released on April 7, a revised version of the general schedule qualification
standard for individuals applying for positions in the veterinary medical officer series.
This new standard will improve agencies' ability to recruit and hire people into this occupation. The standard replaces
all previous versions for the 0701 occupational series.
This document is available on OPM's Web site at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Posting List of Retail Consignees
FSIS will hold a public meeting to solicit comments on its proposal to make available to the public lists of retail
consignees of meat and poultry products that have voluntarily been recalled by a federally inspected meat or poultry
establishment if product has been distributed to the retail level.
The public meeting will be held on April 24, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, in the conference room at the south end of the
cafeteria in the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250.
To pre-register, contact Diane Jones at (202) 720-9692 or by electronic mail at Diane.Jones@fsis.usda.gov.
The agency is accepting comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081105015009/http://www.regulations.gov
or by electronic mail at
FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.
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Last Modified:
February 9, 2007 |
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