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Food Defense Webcasts from Puerto
Rico
FSIS and the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez (UPRM) signed a cooperative
agreement this year to promote food safety and public health throughout
the Western hemisphere.
UPRM will host a webcast on December 9, 2005, to address food defense
topics and concerns that affect the U.S. meat, poultry, and egg products
supply as well as the import industry.
Viewers from across the country can log in to www.uprm.edu
and watch a live interactive classroom webcast of UPRM officials instructing
Puerto Rico's FSIS inspectors, small and very small establishment
owners, and industry representatives.
The webcast will take place December 9, from 8 a.m. to noon on http://www.uprm.edu/agricultura/iiaa/.
This webcast is a result of an April 2005 announcement by Secretary
Mike Johanns for meat, poultry and egg plants to adopt model food
security plans and undergo training on how to strengthen security
measures and prevent potential acts of intentional contamination.
The food security plans were created to guide the development and
implementation of food security plans for meat, poultry and egg processing
facilities, import establishments and identification warehouses.
Tools such as the model food security plans, FSIS' Industry Self-Assessment
Checklist for Food Security and FSIS Directive 5420.1 Revision 1,
Food Security Verification Procedures, are addressed during the half-day
meetings and will also be addressed in the December webcast. Registration
information and materials on the upcoming webcasts may be found at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Meetings_&_Events/. This webcast is part of FSIS' continuous diligence
to ensure a reduction in the incidence of foodborne illness associated
with meat, poultry and egg products. For more information, contact
Autumn Canaday of the Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, and Outreach
staff at (202) 690-6408.
Food Safety Conference Slated for Denver
FSIS, in conjunction with the non-profit public health organization,
NSF International, announced a joint sponsorship of a food safety
education conference on reaching at-risk audiences. The conference
will be held September 27-29, 2006, at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver,
Colo.
Titled "Reaching At-Risk Audiences and Today's Other Food Safety
Challenges," the conference will provide educators, communicators,
medical and public health professionals and food industry representatives
with information, research and insights into reducing foodborne illness
in the general and at-risk populations.
At-risk populations include older adults, young children, pregnant
woman and their unborn children, organ transplant recipients and others
with immunocompromised conditions.
In addition to addressing the specific food safety needs of at-risk
populations, the conference will also benefit those who work to educate
other groups such as healthy adults and young children.
Information at the conference will be provided in plenary sessions,
panel discussions, poster presentations and exhibits.
To submit abstracts or for further information, visit FSIS' Web site
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/denver2006/.
USDA to Hold Ag Forum in February
USDA will hold the 82nd Agricultural Outlook Forum, February 16 and
17, 2006, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington.
The theme is "Prospering in Rural America," and the program
will highlight the economic development of the rural United States.
In addition, there will be a broad range of sessions, including: shifting
trade patterns; Chinese agriculture; homeland security; the African
Growth & Opportunity Act; bio-fuel production and new energy forms
in rural areas; community-supported agriculture; and feedback from
the 2007 Farm Bill Listening Sessions. Secretary Mike Johanns and
other top experts in agriculture will be among the more than 130 speakers.
Find full program and registration details at www.usda.gov/oce/forum
or call toll free, (877) 572-6043. Forum speeches can be downloaded
from the site above after February 17, 2006.
November NACMPI Meeting Reminder
A public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry
Inspection will be held November 15 and 16. At the meeting, the Agency
will present and seek input on matters it will address in moving to
a more risk-based approach to inspection as well as using data to
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of this approach.
Subcommittees will also meet to discuss issues covering the full committee
session.
The meetings will be held in the conference room at the south end
of the USDA cafeteria located in the South Building, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC The full committee will meet November
15 and 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and subcommittees will meet November
15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Information about the meeting is available on FSIS' Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/05-031N.htm.
Food Safety Demonstration
On November 15, FSIS will sponsor a food safety demonstration at the
Capitol Area Food Bank in Washington, DC Under Secretary for Food
Safety Dr. Richard Raymond is expected to demonstrate how to safely
prepare and cook Thanksgiving dinner, and to discuss important food
safety considerations with volunteer groups working with the Capitol
Area Food Bank. Dr. Raymond will be joined by noted Washington, DC
Chef Terrell Danley of Crème Café. USDA's four basic
food safety messages: Clean, Separate, Cook
and Chill, will be highlighted.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes
in export requirements for the following countries: Canada, Romania,
and Russia. Complete information can be found at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations/Export_Information/ |
Last Modified:
March 28, 2006 |
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