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USDA to Hold Public Meeting for the Codex Committee on Food Labeling
FSIS is hosting a public meeting to receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at
the 40th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL),
which will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The public meeting will be held on April 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jamie L. Whitten Building, USDA, 1400
Independence Ave., S.W., Room 107-A, Washington, D.C. 20250.
During the meeting, the committee will discuss:
- Proposed draft revision of the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims: Additional Conditions for Nutrient Content Claims and Comparative Claims;
- Draft definition of nutrient reference values for inclusion in the Guidelines for Nutrition Labeling;
- Requirements for mandatory nutrition labeling; and
- Guidelines for the production, processing, labeling and marketing of organically produced foods.
To submit written comments about the 40th Session of the CCFL, contact Barbara Schneeman at the Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy. (HFS-800), College Park, MD 20740 or at
barbara.schneeman@fda.hhs.gov.
For more information about the public meeting, contact Doreen Chen-Moulec at (202) 205-7760 or
uscodex@fsis.usda.gov.
Documents and agenda items related to the 40th Session of the CCFL are accessible on the Codex website at www.codexalimentarius.org.
Codex Public Meeting on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food
FSIS and the FDA will hold a public meeting to receive comments on agenda items 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 are 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.
Almanza Writes Blog on Proposed Chicken Inspection Policy
The Huffington Post today published on its blog an entry by FSIS Administrator Al Almanza titled
"Setting the Record Straight on the Proposed Chicken Inspection Policy." Almanza wrote the piece in
response to the misinformation in the media over the past few weeks regarding FSIS' proposal to modernize inspection
at poultry slaughter plants. The text of the entry is on the FSIS website at
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921170131/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_041312_01/
index.asp.
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/20120921170131/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
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 supporting
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.
Food Safety PSAs Available on YouTube
As part of the Food Safe Families campaign,
USDA has posted public service announcements (PSAs) called "Check Your Steps"—"Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill."
PSAs, entertaining depictions of the four key safe food handling behaviors, urge parents to keep their families
safe from food poisoning while delivering clear steps to reduce their risk.
Go to www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety and check out the YouTube USDA Food Safety Channel.
Visit USDA's Blog
Every day, the USDA Blog shares something new about USDA's expansive mission. The blog provides a rich and diverse
look at the work within the department, spanning the nation—and even the world—and highlights the breadth
of USDA programs and the role they play in the lives of every American.
Go to https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921170131/http://blogs.usda.gov and see what's happening within the agency and
across the department.
Webinars Available 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/20120921170131/https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda..
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/20120921170131/http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
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/20120921170131/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/20120921170131/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120921170131/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2012-0010.htm.
Food Safety Discovery Zone!
Visit the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone. See where we've been and watch for announcements of upcoming events.
For dates, times and more information, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/
Mobile_Events_by_Date/index.asp.
FSIS Policy Update
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
- Directive 12,600.2 - Revision 1, Reimbursable Overtime Inspection Services at Meat and Poultry Establishments
- Directive 7120.1 - Revision 11, Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat, Poultry and Egg Products
All notices and directives are available at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
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.
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