Congressional and Public Affairs
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April Demert

FSIS Announces Public Meeting On Pre-Harvest Food Safety Issues

WASHINGTON,  September 5, 2003– The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a public meeting that will lead to the publication of best management practices to help producers reduce foodborne pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 in beef cattle.

The meeting will be held on September 9, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW, (Massachusetts Ave. at 14^th St.) Washington, DC 20005.

The meeting will include presentations of research and practical experiences that focus on the reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens in livestock prior to slaughter.  Also discussed will be interventions currently available to producers, promising new technologies that need further research and gaps in research data that need additional attention.  FSIS is interested in receiving public input and hearing concerns about research areas not currently under investigation, the economic impact of implementing new practices on farms and the impact of food safety on the marketability of meat, poultry and egg products. Using input received at the conference, FSIS plans to develop best management practices for animal production facilities such as feedlots to provide guidance in reducing pathogen loads prior to slaughter.

“The development of methods to reduce food safety hazards before slaughter is a critical component of the Agency’s effort to improve the safety of U.S. meat, poultry and egg products,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elsa Murano. “By developing best management practices, we can improve our ability to combat foodborne illnesses.”

Written comments concerning topics covered at the meeting may be submitted to: FSIS Docket Room, Docket # 03-031N, Room 102, Cotton Annex Building, 300 12^th St., SW, Washington DC 20250. Comments may also be faxed to (202) 205-0381. There is no pre-registration required for this meeting, but individuals requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations for the meeting should contact Sheila Johnson at (202) 690-6498 or Sheila.johnson@fsis.usda.gov as soon as possible.

The development of best management practices to reduce foodborne pathogens before slaughter is part of USDA's "food safety vision.”  The new, science-based initiatives outlined in the vision document will help FSIS better understand, predict and prevent microbiological contamination of meat and poultry products, thereby improving health outcomes for American families.  The “food safety vision” was announced on July 10 by Under Secretary Murano and FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee.

Other “food safety vision” initiatives include:

Risk Assessment -- The formation of a risk assessment coordination team was announced by Under Secretary Murano on July 25.  The coordination team will help identify and concentrate Agency resources on those meat poultry and eggs products that have the greatest potential for causing foodborne illness.  FSIS also will coordinate with researchers within and outside USDA so that risk analysis is conducted more efficiently, utilizing the best science. 

Food Safety Technologies – The FSIS New Technology Office was announced August 12.  The goal of the Agency is to shorten the time between the development and implementation of new technologies that will improve meat and poultry safety.  

Training – FSIS will update its education and training programs so that its workforce is better prepared to implement and enforce new food safety regulations.  Training programs will incorporate a public health focus and the delivery of training will be brought closer to employee work sites.  The location of Regional Training Centers was announced by FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 21.

Baseline Studies – FSIS will be conducting baseline studies to determine the nationwide levels of various pathogenic microorganisms in raw meat and poultry as a way of anticipating trends and judging the performance of Agency initiatives. The net result will be more targeted and effective elimination of sources of foodborne microorganisms.  President Bush included funding for this initiative in his FY 04 budget request to Congress.

Research Agenda – FSIS will work with USDA partners to coordinate food safety research priorities and needs.

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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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