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FSIS to Hold Meat and Poultry Inspection Seminars for International Government Officials
From May 19 through June 5, the Agency will host the first of three Meat and Poultry Inspection
Seminars for International Officials in Puerto Rico.
The purpose of the seminars is to familiarize international government officials with U.S. inspection
regulations and procedures used by USDA to assure that the nation's meat, poultry and egg products are
safe, wholesome and properly labeled.
Seminars will cover issues from farm to table, including the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Point (HACCP) rule, animal production, import and export procedures, and the roles
of the Food and Drug Administration and State and local inspection agencies.
This session, to be held at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, will cover basic HACCP
certification and in-depth review of FSIS verification of HACCP and sanitation requirements. Other
topics and activities include: import and export policies and procedures, foreign inspection program
equivalence, and field trips to import and export locations and processing and slaughter plants.
This seminar will be conducted in the Spanish language. Participation will be limited to thirty individuals.
For more information regarding the seminars, visit FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
2009_Meat_&_Poultry_Inspection_Seminars/index.asp.
Register for Food Safety Education Conference
Foodborne illnesses are preventable but present a major challenge to both general and at-risk populations.
Empowering consumers with knowledge and better safe food handling behaviors is the best line of defense
against pathogens causing these illnesses.
To help educate stakeholders, USDA and NSF International are hosting the 2010 Food Safety Education
Conference from March 23 through the 26 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Food safety
professionals worldwide will have the opportunity to discover the latest advancements in food safety
education, including trends, tools and technologies.
For more information and to register, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
2010_FSE_Conference/index.asp.
FSIS to Hold Regulatory Education Workshops
The Agency will host two regulatory education workshops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for owners and
operators of small and very small plants.
The workshops will cover a variety of topics and prerequisite programs, including Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points (HACCP), sanitation performance standards, sanitation standard operating procedures,
rules of practice, food defense strategies and E. coli O157:H7.
The May 15 session, which will focus on E. coli O157:H7, will be held at Estación Experimental
Agrícola - University of Puerto Rico, Jardín Botánico Sur, 1193 Calle Guayacán, in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The May 23 session will be held at Edificio Darlington - University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, 165
Oeste Calle Méndez Vigo, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. HACCP and sanitation standard operating procedures
will be discussed during this meeting.
Online registration forms and information about upcoming sessions can be found at
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Registration_Regulatory_Ed_Sessions/index.asp.
Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- China
- Ecuador
- European Union
- Honduras
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysia
- Russia
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Policy Updates
FSIS issues directives and notices to enhance the Agency's efforts in protecting public health. The following
directives and notices were issued this week:
- Directive 10,000.1, New Technology Summaries Intranet Site;
- Directive 6410.1, Verifying Sanitary Dressing Procedures in Slaughter Operations of Cattle of Any Age;
- Notice 34-09, Revised Notice for Certifying Products Under Export Verification Programs;
- Notice 35-09, Contacting the Policy Development Division;
- Notice 36-09, Export of Poultry Product Produced For Russia;
- Notice 37-09, Synchronization of Field Computers;
- Notice 38-09, Verification of Carcasses That an Establishment Further Processes Without an Official Inspection Legend; and
- Notice 39-09, Electronic Sample Phase I - Reporting In-Plant Fast Antimicrobial Screen Test Results.
All directives and notices are available on the FSIS Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
regulations_directives_&_notices/index.asp.
FSIS Posts New Podcasts
Tune in and subscribe to podcasts that offer information on the selection, handling and preparation of meat
and poultry products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
This week, FSIS released podcasts helpful to the everyday consumer and to plant owners and operators.
- Food Safety at Home - Food Safety During a Power Outage (Spanish)
- Humane Handling - Inhumane Handling of Livestock, Part 6 of 7
Check out these new podcasts on FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp.
Spanish language consumer podcasts are available at www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli O157:H7
Weekly updates for the Agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS Web site.
For comparative 2008 and 2009 results, go to
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.Coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is searchable by visitors for answers related to diverse topics such as exporting, labeling
and inspection-related policies, programs and procedures.
Visit FSIS' Web site to view recent questions and answers at http://askfsis.custhelp.com.
Updates on H1N1 Influenza
In response to an intensifying outbreak of H1N1 influenza, USDA has posted frequently asked questions and answers
to its Web site at www.usda.gov.
Also, be sure to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov
for more updates and to learn more about H1N1 Influenza.
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Last Modified:
May 11, 2009 |
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