Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250-3700

News Release

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Andrea McNally

Editor's Note: The due date for written comments on the draft risk assessment was incorrectly listed as Feb. 21, 2003, in a recent Federal Register Notice. Please note that written comments on the draft risk assessment will be accepted until March 14, 2003.

FSIS to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Listeria Risk Assessment

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 7, 2003--The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service will hold a public meeting Feb. 26 to discuss the results of a draft risk assessment for Listeria.

FSIS conducted an extensive, scientific risk assessment to examine how Listeria may contaminate meat and poultry products during the production and packaging processes. The risk assessment also addressed the effectiveness of testing food contact surfaces and the importance of sanitation standards. The draft risk assessment is an important step in developing new regulations for addressing Listeria monocytogenes.

"FSIS is committed to examining the scientific information necessary to develop effective policies to further improve public health," said Dr. Garry L. McKee, FSIS administrator. "This public meeting is designed to gather input on the risk assessment."

The draft risk assessment will be available to the public on the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov on or before Feb. 14. The public meeting is one of a series of symposia announced last year to discuss food safety and public health issues.

The public meeting will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, D.C. To request a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations, contact Mary Harris at (202) 690-6497 or mary.harris@fsis.usda.gov.

Written comments should be submitted to the FSIS Docket Room, Docket 03-005N, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 102, Cotton Annex Building, 300 12thStreet SW, Washington D.C., 20250-3700.

NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.

For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460

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