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E. coli (STEC) Survey Available for Public Comment
In September 2011, FSIS announced in Federal Register notice Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Certain Raw Beef
Products, its intent to conduct a comprehensive survey of its field personnel who are stationed in beef slaughtering and
processing establishments.
Results will provide information on the methods establishments use to prevent Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
contamination. This survey is designed to gather information currently not collected in the Public Health Information System.
Before launching this survey, FSIS is seeking public comment on the questions it plans to use to survey its field personnel.
FSIS is particularly interested in receiving feedback concerning the clarity of questions. The comment period will be 30 days and
the survey may be updated in response to the comments. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal online at
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FSIS-2013-0010
to view the survey and provide comment.
FSIS Hold & Test Policy for Imports
The Office of Policy and Program Development hosted a teleconference this week and discussed new policy requiring importers of
record to hold shipments of specific products until they pass agency testing for foodborne adulterants.
While the mark of inspection may continue to be applied, the importer of record must maintain ownership and not allow the product
to enter commerce until negative results are received. FSIS will test for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,
Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, and appropriate chemical residues. FSIS anticipates most negative test
results will be determined within two days to four days from receipt at the laboratory. FSIS will work with the laboratories and
inspection program personnel to ensure establishments receive results in a timely manner.
Some issues were raised during this week's teleconference. FSIS will continue to provide updates and ensure that industry is
informed of the policy and procedures.
FSIS recently posted a compliance guide at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Compliance_Assistance/index.asp.
The agency also issued instructions to inspection program personnel to implement the new policy and procedures
(www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp).
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
- Cuba
- Japan
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
Complete information can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Codex Public Meeting
FSIS and the FDA are hosting a public meeting to receive comments and draft U.S. positions that are scheduled to be discussed at
the 41st Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) in Charlottetown, Canada. The public meeting is scheduled for
April 17, from 1-3 p.m. at USDA's Jamie L. Whitten Bldg., 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Rm. 107-A, Washington, DC 20250.
Agenda items include: implementation of the World Health Organization Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health;
proposed draft revision of the guidelines on nutrition and health claims concerning non-addition of sodium salts; and guidelines
for the production, processing, labeling and marketing of organically produced foods.
Documents and agenda items related to the 41st session of the CCFL will be available at
www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en.
For more information about the public meeting, contact Doreen Chen-Moulec at (202) 205-7760 or
uscodex@fsis.usda.gov.
Register for USDA's 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA is hosting the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Managing Risk in the 21st Century," from Feb. 21-22 at the Crystal
Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.
This year's food safety panel, "The Food Safety Revolution: How Far Have We Come? What's Next?," will be moderated by
Elizabeth Weise of USA Today. Panel members include: Craig Wilson, VP for Quality Assurance and Food Safety at Costco; Nancy Donley,
STOP Foodborne Illness; and Dr. Rodney Moxley of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
This year also marks 20 years since a major E. coli O157:H7 outbreak led to that strain being declared an adulterant and
15 years of HACCP. The discussion will focus on how food safety evolved; what has been the impact of a HACCP-based system; and
the battle against O157:H7 on FSIS, establishments and consumers. The panelists will explore what new strategies have recently
been deployed, and what is the next advancement for food safety.
For the program schedule and registration, go to www.usda.gov/oce/forum.
Learn About Paperless Label Submissions
FSIS is offering webinars on the Labeling Submission and Approval System (LSAS)—a Web-based application for accepting label
submissions that launched last May.
The discussion will focus on the steps establishments can take to register and submit label applications. LSAS allows industry to
electronically submit the required information to obtain label approval. It also makes it possible to flag application submission
errors that could delay the approval process, and allows users to track the progress of their submission.
Webinars are scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 20 and March 20. To access the webinar, go to
https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207
and follow the on-screen instructions. Materials from the Jan. 20 session are available on the FSIS website at
www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/LSAS_Industry_Webinar_012313.pdf.
For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or
kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Policy Updates
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. All notices and directives are available at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp. The following policy
updates were recently issued:
The following policy updates were recently issued:
- Notice 09-13, Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Disabled Cattle
- Notice 12-13, Certifying Products Under Export Verification and Less Than 30 Months of Age Verification Quality System Assessment (EV/QSA) Programs
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