 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notice About Enhanced Surveillance of BSE in Healthy Cattle
FSIS issued Notice 63-05 to establishments that have entered the Healthy Cattle Sample Collection Agreement.
The notice addresses the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) intentions to implement an
enhanced surveillance program for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
APHIS personnel are expected to collect 20,000 brain samples from apparently healthy adult cattle 30 months of
age and older presented at slaughter. Notice 63-05 provides instructions to FSIS personnel on their involvement
and responsibilities at the establishments that APHIS selects to participate in its sample collection program.
APHIS will conduct all sample selection and collection from apparently healthy cattle, and will work with each
establishment to develop a sampling plan, which will include information on when, where and how samples will be
collected. APHIS will also document its agreement with the selected establishments with the Healthy Cattle
Sample Collection Agreement.
FSIS will continue to collect brain samples from all antemortem condemned cattle including non-ambulatory
disabled and animals showing signs of Central Nervous System disease as instructed in FSIS Notice 28-04.
A copy of Notice 63-05 can be found online at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/
FSISNotices/63-05.pdf (PDF Only).
Second Food Safety Mobile Deployed to Assist With Hurricane Relief Efforts
FSIS launched a second Food Safety Mobile this week to assist with hurricane relief efforts along the U.S. Gulf
Coast. The additional recreational-style vehicle will provide outreach to hurricane victims in Texas and
Louisiana while the original Food Safety Mobile continues its efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
The second vehicle has been dubbed "Food Safety Mobile II."
Like the original Mobile, Food Safety Mobile II will provide educational materials, hand sanitizers and other
cleaning agents.
The Mobile campaign is designed to educate the public about food safety challenges that residents along the
Gulf Coast may face as a result of the hurricanes.
A schedule of upcoming Food Safety Mobile events is available on FSIS' Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
education/Mobile_Events_by_Date/.
Directive 5100.2 for EIAOs Issued
Directive 5100.2, titled "Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Responsibilities Related to
Recalls and Consumer Complaints," was issued by FSIS Oct. 4.
The directive provides instructions to EIAOs on how to conduct activities other than comprehensive food safety
assessments as they were addressed in FSIS Directive 5100.1, which was issued September 30 and announced in the
previous edition of the Constituent Update.
The activities addressed in Directive 5100.2 include assignments related to effectiveness checks for recalls
and investigation of complaints entered in the Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.
This directive is the second in a series that will be published in the Constituent Update and on FSIS' Web site.
The directive is available online at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/
FSISDirectives/5100.2.pdf (PDF Only).
Meat and Poultry Hazards and Controls Guide Issued
FSIS issued Notice 64-05, a guide that identifies
the steps that should be employed in each HACCP process category. The Meat and Poultry Hazards and Controls Guide
lists common food safety hazards for each process step, and identifies some of the controls frequently used by
processors to address hazards.
The guide, described in FSIS Directive 5100.1, "Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EIAO)
Responsibilities Related to Recalls and Consumer Complaints," can be used by EIAOs as a tool for becoming
familiar with the common steps associated with a particular process.
In the coming months FSIS intends to issue instructions to inspection program personnel that define other
important uses for the Hazards and Control Guide.
The guide is available on the FSIS Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Notice_64-05/.
Guidelines to Follow After Disasters
FSIS, together with Food and Drug Administration, has issued guidelines titled "FSIS/FDA Guidelines For Retail
and Foodservice Establishments Affected By Natural or Other Disasters" (PDF Only). These guidelines are meant to provide
emergency action, food safety information and recommendations to retail food establishments that are forced to
shut down due to natural or other disasters.
These disasters can create conditions that may affect the integrity of an establishment's existing food supply
and may potentially have lingering effects on the operation.
The guidelines focus on issues that can create public health concerns about food safety during and following a
disaster, the availability and use of alternative equipment in the event of an interruption in electrical
service or potable water supply, unsalvageable food items and supplies, and the subsequent clean-up process.
Food Safety Before Tropical Storm Tammy
FSIS is providing food safety recommendations in advance of Tropical Storm Tammy.
The news release issued Oct. 5 provides a list of recommendations for keeping food safe and determining the
safety of food after power outages or flooding caused by severe weather.
Among the several recommendations is FSIS' motto, "When In Doubt, Throw It Out."
Anyone with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline
(1-888-674-6854); TTY, 1-800-256-7072. The hotline is available in English and Spanish and can be reached 24 hours a day.
The news release is available on FSIS' Web site at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_100505_01/.
Library of Export Requirement Updated
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for Mexico, and Russia. Complete information can be found at:
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations/Export_Information/
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
