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FSIS to Launch Label Submission and Approval System
The Labeling and Program Delivery Division
is completing its development of the Label Submission and Approval System. The launch of this system will have a
significant impact on the speed and accuracy of label review, as well as the ability to develop data-specific
reports based on labeling information.
While the system will not check labels automatically for errors, it will scan for some common errors in the label
submission process including illegible labels, missing information on the transmittal form and missing support
documentation. This will help to improve the label submission process.
The system will also include a feature that will help submitters determine whether a label can be generically
approved or if it must be submitted to FSIS for approval. To use the system, users will need to have
level 2 e-Authentication. Look for additional information
in future issues of the Constituent Update.
FSIS Offers Webinars for Generic Labeling Approval Processes
The agency will soon implement a generic labeling system that will allow establishments to label a broader range
of products without first submitting the label to FSIS for approval.
FSIS will host webinars on this topic on April 24 and May 22 at 2 p.m. ET. To access the webinar, go to
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207 and follow the on-screen instructions.
For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or Kristin.Goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
Codex Public Meeting on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food
FSIS and the FDA will hold a public meeting to receive public comments and draft U.S. positions to be discussed
at the 20th Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF), which will be held
in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The public meeting will be held on April 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. ET in the Jamie L. Whitten Bldg., USDA, 1400
Independence Ave., S.W., Rm. 107-A, Washington, D.C. 20250. Documents and agenda items related to the 20th
Session of the CCRVDF is available on the Codex website at www.codexalimentarius.org.
For more information or to submit written comments about the 20th Session of the CCRVDF, contact Kevin Greenlees at (240) 276-8214 or
kevin.greenlees@fda.hhs.gov.
For more information about the public meeting, contact Kenneth Lowery at (202) 690-4042 or
kenneth.lowery@fsis.usda.gov.
USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule for Poultry Slaughter Inspection
The deadline to submit public comments for the Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Proposed Rule is April 26.
Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov
or by mail to USDA, FSIS, OPPD, RIMD, Docket Clearance Unit, Patriots Plaza III, Rm 8-163, Mailstop 3782, 355 E St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250.
All submissions must include the agency name and docket number FSIS-2011-0012.
FSIS Issues Tips to Stay Food Safe During Spring Festivities
Spring celebrations call for traditional menu items that families may not prepare often during the year.
FSIS is providing food safety tips to reduce the risk of foodborne illness when using unfamiliar cooking and
serving methods at www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
NR_040212_01/index.asp.
In addition, FSIS released a new video this week on its YouTube
channel, www.youtube.com/usdafoodsafety,
which demonstrates safe food handling for this time of year.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
Complete information can be found at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
NACMCF Seeks Nominations for Members
USDA is seeking applications and nominations for membership to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological
Criteria for Foods. Membership is encouraged for individuals with scientific expertise in the fields of
epidemiology, food technology, microbiology (food, clinical and predictive), risk assessment, infectious disease,
biostatistics and other related sciences.
Persons from academia, industry, consumer groups, state and federal government, as well as all other interested
persons with such expertise, are invited to submit nominations. Members who are not federal government employees
will be appointed to serve as non-compensated special government employees (SGEs). SGEs will be subject to
appropriate conflict of interest statutes and standards of ethical conduct.
For consideration, submit a resume and USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information form AD-755.
The resume or curriculum vitae must be limited to five, one-sided pages and should include educational background,
expertise and a list of select publications. For submissions received that are more than five, one-sided pages
in length, only the first five pages will be reviewed. USDA Advisory Committee Membership Background Information
form AD-755 is available at https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755.pdf.
Nomination packages can be mailed to Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave.,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250, Attn: National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. Nominations
must be received by April 23. Self nominations are also welcome.
For additional information, contact Karen Thomas-Sharp, Advisory Committee Specialist at (202) 690-6620 or
karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
To read the Federal Register notice, go to
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2012-0010.htm.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
Weekly updates for the agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.
For comparative previous and current year results, go to
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
FSIS Policy Update
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. The following policy update was recently issued:
- Notice 26-12, Pre-implementation Information on the Upcoming FSIS Non-O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli (STEC) Verification Testing Program
All notices and directives are available at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting,
labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.
In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As.
To view recently posted topics, visit https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917024518/http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
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Last Modified:
April 13, 2012 |
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