 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Considering Recommendations as Part of Obama Commitment to Transparency in Federal Government
FSIS should consider making certain regulatory information public, so says a leading non-profit organization on
Nov. 30. The highly respected National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences issued its findings
during an hour-long public teleconference in a report, The Potential Consequences of Public Release of Food Safety
and Inspection Service Establishment-Specific Data.
The agency commissioned the study to determine implications of publishing disaggregated establishment-specific
data in the wake of the Obama administration's commitment to ensuring the public's trust in government through a
system of transparency, public participation and collaboration.
The study examined the potential food safety benefits and other consequences of making establishment-specific data
sets publicly available on the Internet. It also examined potential ways that food-safety benefits and other
effects of publicly posting the data might be measured.
"We appreciate the thoroughness of the National Research Council's report on the public release of
[FSIS] data and we are reviewing its recommendations," the agency said in a statement. "FSIS is
interested in increasing the public's access to information about meat, poultry and processed egg establishments
we inspect to ensure increased transparency, greater accountability, and in the end a stronger system to prevent
foodborne illness."
Among the committee's findings were that releasing establishment-specific data might favorably impact public health.
The study also identified several examples in which federal, state or local agencies release detailed data that
are directly linked to the performance of individual facilities or firms or to their products; FSIS was urged to
consult with those agencies and to build on their effective practices when designing a public-data release program.
The committee concluded that there are strong arguments supporting public release of establishment-specific FSIS data,
especially data that are subject to release under FOIA, unless there is compelling evidence that it is not in the
public interest to release them.
FSIS is in the process of evaluating all of the findings and conclusions and is expected to give considerable
thought to determine the types of information to make available to provide the maximum public benefit.
Discussing Non-O157 STECs
This week, the agency hosted a public meeting by teleconference on the agency's implementation plans and methods
for controlling non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in raw, intact and non-intact beef products and
product components. More than 260 participated in the hour-long call.
The agency intends to begin implementing a routine sampling program on March 5, 2012, that will include, besides
E. coli O157:H7, six additional STEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). Initial sampling
for these serogroups will begin with raw beef manufacturing trimmings and other raw ground beef product components
produced domestically and imported.
FSIS extended the comment period on the related Federal Register for 30 days, through Dec. 21, 2011. To review the
notice, Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Certain Raw Beef Products, go to
www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Federal_Register_Notices/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/20120924192646/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/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.
FSIS Revises Salmonella and Campylobacter Verification Testing End-of-Set Letters
FSIS has updated the content of the End-of-Set Letters (EOSL) that it sends establishments at the end of a
Salmonella (and Campylobacter, where applicable) verification set. This new letter format provides
establishments with more detailed information on each positive sample, including serotype and whether it is on the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Top 20 List" of serotypes most frequently reported in
association with human salmonellosis (www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dfwed/PDFs/
SalmonellaAnnualSummaryTables2009.pdf).
The agency is actively working towards providing PFGE-based and antimicrobial resistance profile information on
positive samples to establishments. FSIS will either provide this information to establishments in a separate
letter or in a further revision to the EOSL format. The new format also provides information on the level of process
control the establishment has shown in controlling generic Salmonella.
The new EOSL format provides an establishment with clear agency expectations on how it should consider the provided
information in its food safety system. FSIS expects establishments to consider the provided results in the
decision-making process when evaluating the effectiveness of its overall food safety system. The establishments
responses to provided results will then likely be evaluated in a food safety assessment conducted at the
establishment, as well as at other corporate-related establishments.
Finally, the letter advises that an establishment that does not adequately take the provided information into
account in the decision-making process when evaluating the effectiveness of its overall food safety system may
be determined to have an ineffective food safety system. Further, if FSIS determines that a product produced by
an establishment is associated with human illness because Salmonella is present in that product, FSIS
may consider the product adulterated and take appropriate regulatory action.
An example of the letter can be found on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/End_of_Set_Letter_Generic.pdf.
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/20120924192646/http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
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/20120924192646/http://blogs.usda.gov/ and see what's happening within the agency and across the department.
|
Last Modified:
December 2, 2011 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
