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FSIS Announces Initiative to Reduce Salmonella in Meat and Poultry
FSIS issued a news release and published a Federal Register notice on February 21 titled,
Salmonella Verification Sample Result Reporting: Agency Policy and Use in Public Health Protection.
The news release is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_022306_01/.
The notice announced how the agency will use the results from its Salmonella verification sampling program
for meat and poultry establishments to enhance public health protection. The agency also changed how it reports
these results. These actions follow an April 2003 FSIS Federal Register notice asking for public comments on
improving agency policy. The current notice responds to the comments received and presents the agency's views
on the issues raised in the 2003 notice.
FSIS held a public meeting on February 23 and 24 in Atlanta, GA, to discuss advances on post-harvest interventions
to reduce Salmonella in poultry. The meeting informed establishments of the research that was conducted
pertaining to Salmonella testing for broilers and the Agency's policy to protect public health.
Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond and FSIS Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters delivered opening
remarks. FSIS officials provided an overview of the 2005 broiler and ground poultry Salmonella data and
explained FSIS' Salmonella verification categories for broilers. Industry officials explained the details of a
recent study between visible fecal contamination and Salmonellae incidence in broiler slaughter operations.
Industry officials also discussed Salmonella interventions in the U.S. broiler industry.
The agency is accepting comments on the Federal Register notice through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
http://www.regulations.gov or by electronic mail at
FSIS.RegulationsComments@usda.gov.
The notice is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/04-026N.pdf
(PDF Only). The Salmonella progress report is available on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Progress_Report_Salmonella_Testing/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Notice on Export Stamp Manufacturing Error
FSIS issued Notice 8-06 on February 23 to announce an export stamp manufacturing error.
Because of a manufacturing error, a recent batch of FSIS export stamps received at the FSIS Field Supply Center was
not in the format described in the Code of Federal Regulations. The incorrect stamps were distributed with
an"H" to the left and right of the certificate number instead of
a star.
Office of Field Operations (OFO) personnel possessing export stamps shown in Notice 8-06 under the"example of
an incorrect stamp" should stop using the incorrect stamps immediately for any export activity including
marking boxes and for application to certificates. Only stamps in the format indicated in the regulations and shown
in the notice should be used.
OFO personnel should not return the stamps; however they should cut off or deface the rubber imprinting of the seal.
District managers may need to reallocate correct versions of export stamps among establishments until they are again
available in the Field Supply Center.
This notice is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Notice_08-06/index.asp.
Contact the Technical Service Center with questions at 800-233-3935.
FSIS to Conduct On-Site Reviews of Four State Inspection Systems
FSIS began comprehensive reviews of the 28 state meat and poultry inspection programs in 2003. The reviews were
initiated due to an increased agency emphasis on review of all FSIS programs and activities and because report
language for the 2002 Farm Bill called for USDA to provide Congress with a report on a full review of state inspection
programs.
As part of this effort, FSIS created a review manual that contains a two-part methodology for the state reviews:
annual self assessments by the states and FSIS on-site reviews. The self assessments are completed each year.
To date, FSIS has conducted on-site reviews in 20 randomly selected states.
In April, FSIS will begin on-site reviews of state inspection systems in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine and West Virginia.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- European Union
- Switzerland
Complete information can be found at: www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/.
Cooking Safely in Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens can play an important role at mealtime, but special care must be taken when cooking or reheating meat,
poultry, fish and eggs to make sure they are prepared
safely.
To access safe microwaving tips, visit FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Cooking_Safely_in_the_Microwave/index.asp.
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Last Modified:
February 24, 2006 |
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