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FSIS Issues Information on New Directives to Prevent E. coli O157:H7 and BSE Surveillance Sampling
Two new FSIS documents designed to respond to questions from industry and FSIS personnel concerning recent agency notices on
Directives 5000.2, 6420.2 and 10.010.1, Revision 1, the Compliance Guidelines on E. coli O157:H7 and the BSE surveillance
sampling program. FSIS intends to issue additional documents to respond to other questions on these directives and the compliance
guidelines, as necessary.
The questions and answers
for E. coli O157:H7 address: risk-based sampling; products
subject to sampling; implications of E. coli O157:H7 positive test results and information on
testing; FSIS' sampling procedures; the October 7, 2002, Federal Register notice; retail
sampling; import sampling and importers; instructional and disclaimer statements;
compliance guidelines; and review of establishment data by inspection program personnel.
FSIS issued the directives on March 31, 2004, and the guidance on April 13, 2004. Directives
6420.2 and 10,010.1, Revision 1, were implemented on May 17, 2004.
E. coli O157:H7 Workshops Continue Through September
FSIS is holding a series of teaching workshops around the nation through September 2004 on a new directive
designed to strengthen E. coli O157:H7 prevention procedures. The workshops are scheduled on Saturdays
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are designed for operators of small and very small federally-inspected plants,
state-inspected plants, federal and state inspection personnel, members of academia and other interested
parties. The three
FSIS directives to be covered during the sessions are: Directive 10,010.1 Revision 1,
Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for E. coli O157:H7 in Raw Ground
Beef Products and Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef Patty Components; Directive 6420.0, Verification of
Procedures for Controlling Fecal Material, Ingesta and Milk in Slaughter Operations; and Directive 5000.2,
Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel.
The remaining workshops are scheduled as follows:
- July 31 - Ramada Inn - East 1355 East Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36117, (334) 277-2200
- August 28 - Crown Plaza Philadelphia, 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 561-7500
- September 11 - The Ambassador, 3100 I-40 West, Amarillo, Texas 79102, (806) 358-6161
To pre-register for this weekend's workshop in Montgomery, Ala., please call (202) 690-6520 or e-mail renee.ellis@fsis.usda.gov.
You may also register for this workshop and all future workshops by calling (866) 553-3052 or via FSIS' Web site: www.fsis.usda.gov/News/Meetings_&_Events. E. coli workshop materials are now available at www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Workshop_SmallPlants_ecoli/
Upcoming National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) Meetings
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings Aug. 24-27.
The full committee will discuss performance standards for ground chicken and ground turkey, the scientific basis for
establishing safety-based "use by" date labels for refrigerated ready-to-eat foods and scientific criteria for
redefining pasteurization. All meetings are open to the public and will be held at the Hotel Monaco, 700 F Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C.
The full committee will meet Friday, Aug. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Three NACMCF subcommittees will meet prior
to the full committee meeting. The Performance Standards for Ground Chicken/Ground Turkey subcommittee will meet
Aug. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Aug. 25 8:30 a.m. to noon. The Scientific Criteria for Redefining Pasteurization
subcommittee will meet Aug. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Scientific Basis for Establishing Safety-Based "Use By" Date
Labeling for Refrigerated Ready-to-Eat Foods subcommittee will meet Aug. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For further information contact Karen Thomas, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office of Public Health
Science, Microbiology Division, Aerospace Center, Room 333, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC
20250-3700, phone (202) 690-6620, fax (202) 690-6334, email karen.thomas@fsis.usda.gov.
Important Circulating Letters Issued Following Codex Commission Session
Codex is requesting comments on circulating letters issued following discussion at the Commission in July. The letters
address antimicrobial resistance, additional work on animal feed and regional coordinating committees.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Comments are being reqeusted on the following questions as they relate to Antimicrobial Resistance:
- What should be achieved by Codex to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance related to nonhuman use
of antimicrobials (e.g. risk assessment principles, risk management options)?
- What mechanisms should be used by Codex to achieve the above outcome?
Additional Work on Animal Feed
The 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Comission adopted the Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding. The ad hoc
Task Force on Animal Feeding believes that further work in the area of animal feed is needed and that specific project
proposals for new work should be prepared and submitted to the Commission for consideration.
Member governments and interested International Organizations are invited to provide their views on areas where future
work on animal feeding would be desirable.
Regional Coordinating Committees
Comments on Regional Coordinating Committees are being sought on the following topics:
- Role of Regional Coordinating Committees in furthering the objectives of the CAC;
- Membership of Regional Coordinating Committees, including their current geographic coverage;
- Terms of reference of the Regional Coordinating Committees as set out in the Procedural Manual,
including the relevance of developing regional standards;
To learn more about Codex activities visit:
www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/codex_news_&_comments_
requested/.
Library of Export Requirement Updated
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
- European Union
- Nicaragua
- Trinidad
Complete information can be found at: www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Export_Information
Featured Office of the Week: Human Health Sciences Division
Human Health Sciences Division (HHSD) provides scientific leadership in the application of risk assessment,
management and communication principles to safeguarding public health. The Division coordinates activities
of Public Health and Epidemiology Liaison officers, who provide on-site assistance to state and local public
health officials in the investigation of foodborne diseases. To find out more visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/about_fsis/OPHS/
The USDA Food Safety Mobile: Taking Food Safety Education on the Road
The USDA Food Safety Mobile is a 35-foot, recreational-style vehicle covered with a bold, eye-catching
design and prominent food safety messages, including the four Fight BAC!® messages of the Partnership for
Food Safety Education.
The next stops for the Food Safety Mobile are:
- Aug 2, 2004 - Public Museum of Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Aug 4, 2004 - Lowe's (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Aug 5, 2004 - Spartan Grocery Store (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Aug 6, 2004 - Briarwood Mall (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Aug 7, 2004 - Dixboro Fair & Artisans on the Green Celebration (Ann Arbor, MI)
THIS WEEK'S HOT WEB LINKS
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