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FSIS Seeks Comments on Rulemaking for Use of "Natural" in Labeling
FSIS is soliciting additional comments as the agency seeks to define the conditions under which it would
permit the voluntary claim "natural" to be used in the labeling of meat and poultry products.
FSIS has reviewed a high volume of comments that expressed divergent views on the use of the claim "natural"
following the December 2006 public meeting.
Therefore, the agency is seeking additional comments to clarify and resolve issues surrounding the "natural"
claim, including how best to coordinate FSIS' regulation with the Agricultural Marketing Service's voluntary "naturally raised"
marketing claim standard.
Individuals are encouraged to submit comments on this proposed rule on or before Nov. 13, 2009. The advance notice of
proposal rulemaking is available for viewing on the Federal Register Web site today at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
2009_notices_index/index.asp
and will be officially published Sept. 14.
Comments can be sent to the Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705.
Submissions may also be received through the Federal e-rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov.
All comments must identify docket number FSIS-2006-0040 A.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements does not reflect any changes for export requirements.
To learn more about exporting products to other countries, visit, FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Public Meeting to be Held for Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force
USDA's Office of Food Safety and the Food and Drug Administration will host a public
meeting to receive comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the third session of the Codex Ad Hoc
Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.
The public meeting is scheduled for Sept. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at USDA's James L. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 107-A,
Washington, D.C. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Doreen Chen-Moulec at (202) 205-7760 or
doreen.chen-moulec@fsis.usda.gov.
Interested parties may also submit written comments at the public meeting or by e-mail to David G. White at David.White@fda.hhs.gov.
FSIS to Host Web Outreach Seminars
To promote a uniform understanding of FSIS regulations, the agency launched a six-part series of Web outreach
seminars for plant owners and operators-especially those of small and very small plants.
The agency will host the fourth seminar, "In-Plant Validation of Food Safety Interventions in
Poultry Products," on Oct. 7.
This seminar will illustrate methods of determining the effectiveness of food safety interventions in small
and very small poultry establishments.
Three 90-minute sessions will be offered via net conferencing at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (ET) to
accommodate plant owners and operators nationwide.
To register, go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Regulatory_Web_Seminars/index.asp.
E-mail questions about upcoming outreach seminars to FSIS.Seminars@fsis.usda.gov.
Be Food Safe During Food Safety Education Month
September is National Food Safety Education Month®. FSIS and the International Food Information
Council Foundation will collaborate on a series of video news releases (VNRs).
These videos will feature the four Be Food Safe campaign messages—Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill—and
a fifth specific message, Use a Food Thermometer, focusing on ensuring that meat and poultry products reach a
safe, internal temperature before serving.
These VNRs will be filmed at a Washington, D.C., area grocery store, featuring representatives from several target,
at-risk populations.
Recent Policy Updates
FSIS issues notices and directives to protect public health. The following policy update was recently issued:
- Notice 62-09, Compositing of Environmental Samples Collected During Risk-Based Listeria monocytogenes (RLm) Sampling.
NOTE: Do not implement until Oct. 1, 2009
All notices and directives are available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.
FSIS Makes Changes to Podcasts: Renew Your Subscription!
Effective Sept. 16, the agency is switching to a new digital format for consumer and industry podcasts to provide listeners with the highest
quality of audio and video.
To continue automatically receiving podcasts, please renew your subscription. For assistance, e-mail
podcast@fsis.usda.gov.
This week, FSIS released a podcast helpful to plant owners and operators.
- Industry: Risk Assessments - Salmonella in Eggs
Check out this new podcast and renew your subscription at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp.
Spanish language consumer podcasts are available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp.
Get Answers at AskFSIS
AskFSIS is a Web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting,
labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.
In addition, AskFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As.
Visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/ to find the answers to your questions.
Recently posted topics include:
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Last Modified:
September 14, 2009 |
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