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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Congressional and Public Affairs Food Safety Officials Honored At Annual Awards CeremonyWASHINGTON, July 9, 2002—More than five dozen Food Safety and Inspection Service employees were honored today by Agriculture Secretary Ann M.Veneman for their exceptional performance in a variety of areas, including individual heroism to successful team efforts that demonstrably protected public safety, during the 56th Annual USDA Honor Awards Ceremony. "The Honor Awards are not only a way to celebrate the breadth and diversity of our department, but they are a good opportunity to showcase the important work we do in improving people's lives," said Veneman. "We are extremely proud of all USDA employees, particularly those being honored here today, for their teamwork and dedication to public service." Sixty-five FSIS employees nominated by the Agency were honored for their distinguished work. In addition to the three examples of individual heroism, multiple group awards were given to recognize the development of an original scientific educational program; for successfully removing a massive quantity of contaminated product from commerce; and for a joint effort with other federal agencies to recover and destroy "grossly unsanitary" foods. "It is a privilege to be associated with all the FSIS employees who were honored today by Secretary Veneman," said William J. Hudnall, acting FSIS administrator. "On behalf of the more than 10,000 FSIS employees, we thank you for making this Agency the best it can be." Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer Stanley Johnson, of Lawrence, Kan., and Compliance Officer Michael Cook, of Cassville, Mo., were honored for their heroism in coming to the aid and comfort of a fellow inspector who was injured in the line of duty. Their extraordinary efforts were all the more commendable because they took place at a remote plant location without "911" emergency response service nor extensive first-aid supplies. In addition to directing the initial trauma treatment, Dr. Johnson supervised the medical technicians in caring for and transporting the victim, including insisting that a "life flight" be ordered at the nearest possible location because of the severity of the injury. Remarkably, the injured inspector fully recovered and is back at work thanks to the life-saving heroics of Cook and Johnson. Also receiving an award for heroism was Compliance Officer Wallace Young, stationed in San Francisco, Calif., Young came to the rescue of a plant Quality Assurance Technician whose hand had become lodged inside a piece of equipment by providing her comfort, support and medical assistance until paramedics could arrive at the scene. Even after the medical technicians were in place, Young continued to assist the victim in hopes of lessening the shock. The technician survived. Plant employees and executives wrote a formal letter of appreciation that praised Young’s "courage and compassion." In addition to the individual heroism honors, Veneman recognized three different groups of FSIS employees for their workplace excellence and initiative. A group of 21 Washington, D.C.-based employees were recognized for establishing the Food Safety Fellows Program, which allows FSIS to incorporate the latest scientific approaches to help reduce foodborne illness by hiring scientists who recently completed their doctoral programs. The fellows are assigned to one of three scientific tracks: risk assessment, microbiology or epidemiology. The program allows the agency to ensure a continual infusion of leading-edge, scientific experts and enhance its proactive approach to public health and safety. A group of 26 employees from the Pathogen Detection Team -- based in a variety of states and territories including Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Arkansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Guam – were recognized for their efforts to swiftly remove 30,000,000 pounds of contaminated ready-to-eat poultry from the marketplace, a massive recall that remains one of the largest in USDA history. Upon further review, FSIS suspended plant operations by withholding the marks of federal inspection from all of the company’s products. Thereafter, the firm was unable to demonstrate that it could produce safe food and relinquished its license to operate. Fifteen FSIS employees from offices in Illinois, New York, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri and Washington, D.C., were also honored for their joint investigation of a company that sold and distributed foods produced under grossly unsanitary conditions and vast adulteration. FSIS collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Food and Drug Administration to detain, embargo and destroy 98,000 pounds of meat products and 87,000 pounds of other food products. The severity of the contamination led the U.S. Attorney to prosecute the firm and its chief executive officer. Last fall, the defendants pleaded guilty to numerous counts of violating the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The guilty plea resulted in a $300,000 fine and four years of probation. In addition, other USDA agencies nominated a total of 38 FSIS employees for departmental recognition. These employees served on teams that dealt with a variety of issues including protecting the U.S. from foot-and-mouth disease, investigating the distribution of adulterated meat products and ensuring USDA preparedness in time of a national emergency. #
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