 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Study by FDA, USDA Aims to Enhance Food Safety in Retail Delis
To help minimize the public health burden of listeriosis, FDA and FSIS have produced a major study to better understand the risk of foodborne illness associated with eating certain foods prepared in retail delicatessens and what changes in current practices may improve the safety of those products.
The study, a quantitative risk assessment, provides a scientific evaluation of the risk of foodborne illness associated with consumption of meats, cheeses and other ready-to-eat foods prepared in retail delis and examines interventions that limit the survival, growth or transmission of the disease-causing bacteria.
The study will be available on the FDA or FSIS websites. A public meeting to discuss the study and its findings will be held at USDA's Jefferson Auditorium at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., on May 22, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. More details will be published in a future issue of the Constituent Update.
Tips for Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
Did you know that a flood, fire, natural disaster or the loss of power from high winds, rushing water, snow or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Check out FSIS' fact sheet at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp to get tips on making the right decisions for keeping your family safe during a weather emergency.
Consumers with food safety questions can Ask Karen, the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. Ask Karen live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), is also available to consumers in English and Spanish and can be reached Monday through Friday from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following areas:
- Chile
- People's Republic of China
- Republic of Korea
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/
Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp.
Guidelines for Small and Very Small Plants on Developing a Recall Plan
FSIS will host a webinar on April 30, based on the soon-to-be released Small Plant News Guidebook titled "How to Develop a Recall Plan."
In accordance with the provisions and amendments within 9 CFR 418.3, small and very small plants will be required to prepare and maintain written procedures for the recall of all meat and poultry products produced and shipped by their establishments starting May 8, 2013. The webinar discussion will focus on the process that plants can use to develop their recall plans as well as in-plant personnel responsibilities in the event of a recall.
This presentation is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on April 30. To access the webinar, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207 and follow the on-screen instructions.
For questions or concerns, please contact Natasha Williams at
natasha.williams@fsis.usda.gov
or (202) 690-6531.
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.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
FSIS posts bi-weekly updates for the agency's raw ground beef E. coli sampling program. Included are testing results of raw ground beef component samples for E. coli O157:H7 and STECs from FSIS routine and follow-up sampling programs. Also featured is data for non-O157 STECs by each non-O157 STEC serogroup.
To review testing results, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/
Science/Ground_Beef_E.Coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
Follow Us On Twitter
Find food safety information for at-risk people, along with tips and resources to keep consumers and other
interested groups informed of the latest agency news and events. Follow FSIS on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/USDAFoodSafety.
Also Tweet en Español
The FSIS Spanish language Twitter feed keeps consumers and other interested communities informed of the latest
agency news and events and provides useful food safety tips.
Follow FSIS' Spanish Twitter account at www.twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.
|
Last Modified:
April 26, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
