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FSIS Issues News Release on Single Minimum Internal Temperature for Cooked Poultry
FSIS issued a news release on April 5, to advise consumers that cooking raw poultry to a minimum internal
temperature of 165 °F will eliminate all pathogens and viruses such as Salmonella, Campylobacter
and the avian influenza virus. FSIS recommends the use of a food thermometer to monitor internal temperature.
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) held public meetings from March 21-24,
to discuss cooking parameters for seafood, consumer guidelines for the safe cooking of poultry products and the food
safety importance and public health significance of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis.
"The Committee was asked to determine a single minimum temperature for poultry at which consumers can be
confident that pathogens and viruses will be destroyed," stated Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond.
"The recommendation is based on the best scientific data available and will serve as a foundation for our programs
designed to reduce foodborne illness and protect public health."
FSIS will use NACMCF's recommendation to further guide consumers in the preparation of poultry products to ensure
microbiological safety. While NACMCF has established 165 °F as the minimum temperature at which bacteria and
viruses will be destroyed, consumers may choose to cook poultry to higher temperatures.
The news release is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
NR_040506_01/index.asp.
FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Posting Lists of Retail Consignees
FSIS published a Federal Register notice on April 6, titled, Public Meeting to Discuss the Proposed
Rule on the Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees During Meat or Poultry Product Recalls.
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.
FSIS has proposed to routinely post retail consignee lists on its Web site as they are developed by the agency during
its recall verification activities.
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, SW., 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 http://www.regulations.gov
or by electronic mail at
FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.
This notice is available on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?
main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2006-0009.htm.
FSIS Announces New Dollar Limitations for Retail Stores
FSIS published a Federal Register notice on April 6, titled, Exemption for Retail Store Operations.
This notice announces new dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products and poultry products
that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for
exemption from federal inspection requirements.
For calendar year 2006, the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products has been increased from $54,500 to $55,100.
The dollar limitation for poultry products has been reduced from $45,800 to $45,200. FSIS is changing the dollar
limitations from calendar year 2005 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index.
The notice is available on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?
main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2006-0006.htm.
FSIS Issues Notice on Salmonella Verification Sampling of Turkey Carcasses
FSIS issued Notice 20-06 on April 4, titled, Salmonella Verification Sampling of Turkey Carcasses.
This notice provides inspection program personnel who receive sample collection request forms (FSIS Form 10,210-7)
with information and instructions for conducting the Salmonella verification sampling of turkey carcasses.
The notice is available on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Notice_20-06/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Revised Notice for Certifying Beef Products under Export Verification (EV) Programs
FSIS issued Notice 19-06 on March 31, titled, Revised Notice for Certifying Beef Products under Export Verification
Programs.
This notice provides FSIS inspection program personnel with revised instructions for carrying out FSIS' certification
process for meat products exported under EV programs. FSIS personnel should verify that the applicant provides a signed
document from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) confirming that each EV requirement has been met by the
establishment or establishments that produced the product being presented for export to any country for which an
EV program has been established. The AMS confirmation letter is not required for EV programs for products being
exported to Mexico or Canada.
The notice, which was effective on April 3, is available on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Notice_19-06/index.asp.
This notice cancels Notice 9-06, Certifying Products Under Export Verification (EV) Programs and Notice 16-06, Delay of
Implementation of Instructions Certifying Products Under Export Verification (EV) Programs.
Export Tip of the Week
Country requirements often include additional information that is published for the sole purpose of the exporter.
For example, some countries have additional bilingual labeling or special packaging requirements. These requirements
are published for the benefit of the exporter and considered for marketing rather than food safety requirements.
If the product is presented and the additional bilingual labeling or special packaging requirements have not been applied
by the exporter, FSIS inspection officials should still provide the exporter with the health certificate.
The product should meet FSIS regulatory requirements as well as the country requirements indicated on FSIS Form 9060-5 or
letterhead certificates. If you have questions, contact the Technical Service Center at (800) 233-3935.
Visit FSIS' Web site at 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:
- Egypt
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
- Venezuela
Complete information can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
IKE Scenario Available Online
FSIS has made Interactive Knowledge Exchange (IKE) scenario 03-06, Clarification of the Appeal Process for FSIS Personnel
and Industry (example: Appeal Granted).
This scenario is the first of two which will focus on the appeals process.
The scenario can be viewed on the FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Employees/
IKE_Scenarios/index.asp.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this IKE scenario, contact the Technical Service Center at (800) 233-3935
or by e-mail at
ike@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Offers Food Safety Recommendations for Spring Holidays
FSIS issued a news release on April 7, to offer food safety recommendations for spring religious holidays. USDA's Meat
and Poultry Hotline receives a significant number of calls during the spring season regarding the preparation of
traditional religious holiday celebrations.
The news release addresses several egg safety questions and provides information about eating decorated eggs or eggs that
have been hidden. The news release is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
NR_040706_01/index.asp.
If you have questions about meat, poultry and egg products, call the Hotline toll-free at 1-888-MPHotline or
1-888-674-6854, TTY: 1-800-256-7072. The Hotline is open year-round Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST.
Information is provided in English and Spanish. Recorded food safety messages are available at the same number 24 hours
a day.
You may also visit FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov, or e-mail your questions to mphotline.fsis@usda.gov.
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Last Modified:
April 7, 2006 |
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