Introducing Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel: FSIS’ Face of Food Safety

Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel discovered community and public health at Tufts University in Massachusetts. “During that time, I learned to take a global, holistic view of what affects the public’s health,” she said.

After graduating, Dr. Zablotsky Kufel worked in Massachusetts in public health for a couple of years, and then moved to Baltimore, Md., to attend the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she earned her Masters in 2003 and Ph.D. in 2009. “I learned about the importance of the folks who, at a state and local level, inspect restaurants, provide food safety education to consumers and retailers and help to shape food safety policy,” said Dr. Zablotsky Kufel. “After learning all about food safety at the state and local level, I still wanted to learn more about food safety at the federal level, where you can influence food safety throughout the entire food chain.”

To read more about Dr. Zablotsky Kufel and other Faces of Food Safety, go to
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/
faces_food_safety/index.asp.

FSIS Solicits Feedback on AskFSIS

FSIS launched a survey on March 22 which is designed to enhance the usability and efficiency of AskFSIS—a Web-based question-and-answer forum. The purpose of the survey is to ensure that all customers have the most helpful experience possible when accessing the application. Survey responses will be used to enhance customer service in the future. This survey is available through April 12, 2013.

To access the survey, go to http://bit.ly/165iO2Q. For questions regarding the survey, contact Brittini Brown at Brittini.Brown@fsis.usda.gov. For technical issues with accessing the survey, contact Yolanda Kennedy-Edwards at Yolanda.Kennedy@fsis.usda.gov. Note that responses are voluntary and will remain confidential.

In addition, as the agency looks for ways to improve AskFSIS, a new feature called the “Help” tab has been added. This tool allows customers to better interact with the application and manage their own AskFSIS accounts.

Export Requirement Updates

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:

Hong Kong
Japan

Complete information can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.

Industry Implementation of PHIS Complete

In February, FSIS began rolling out the industry functionality of the Public Health Information System (PHIS) to FSIS-inspected domestic establishments and official import inspection establishments. Implementation for industry was conducted in phases through a web registration process. Establishments should have received a letter with the implementation schedule.

As of April 1, all FSIS-inspected domestic establishments and official import inspection establishments were granted access to register. An electronic copy of the letter as well as instructions on the web registration process can be found on the FSIS website at http://1.usa.gov/YLp0aZ. Participation in PHIS is voluntary.

This part of the system gives industry the ability to respond and view noncompliance records and file appeals.* It also gives industry the ability to view, export to a PDF, and print reports of sampling results, noncompliance records (NR), and the establishment profile.

PHIS users with questions or issues may contact the FSIS Service Desk at 1-800-473-9135. As a reminder, if an establishment elects to use PHIS, a Level 2 USDA eAuthentication (eAuth) account must be obtained to enroll and access the system. Steps for obtaining an eAuth account have been published in the FSIS Constituent Update and are available on the FSIS website.

*NOTE: The appeals functionality is not available for industry use at this time, but will be in the near future.

*Editor’s Note*

FSIS inadvertently published the below information in the March 29 issue of the Constituent Update. The agency will not use the method for raw ground beef at least until this intention is published in the Federal Register and the agency has had an opportunity to consider any comments that it receives on this planned action.

FSIS Salmonella Laboratory Method Has Been Extended to a 325 gram (g) Sample Portion for Raw Beef Product

FSIS laboratories have validated a 325 g analytical portion option for Salmonella analysis of raw beef. The Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) method chapters MLG 4.06, MLG 4C.04 and associated method flow chart MLG 4 Appendix 2.00 will be posted to the MLG. FSIS intends to begin using it on May 1, 2013. To review the guidebook, visit
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Microbiological_Lab_Guidebook/index.asp.

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. Visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/to view recently posted topics.

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:

Notice 25-13, Increased Species Sampling Plan for Imported Products

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. Visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/ to view recently posted topics.