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Comment Period Extended for Proposed Rule on Interstate Shipment
FSIS is extending the comment period for an additional 30 days for its proposed rule to allow interstate
shipment of meat and poultry products produced in selected state-inspected establishments.
The proposed rule, Cooperative Inspection Programs; Interstate Shipment of Meat and Poultry Products, was
published in the Federal Register on Sept. 16.
FSIS is now allowing interested parties until Dec. 16 to prepare and submit comments for the proposed rule.
All submissions received must reference docket number FSIS-2008-0039. The proposed rule is posted on the
FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
2009_Proposed_Rules_Index/index.asp.
Comments may also be sent to the Docket Clerk, USDA, FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601
Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705. Submissions can also be made through the Federal e-rulemaking portal at
www.regulations.gov.
The transcript and audio file for the Nov. 5 interstate shipment teleconference have been posted on the FSIS
Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
past_events/index.asp.
FSIS to Host Joint Public Meeting with FDA on Product Tracing
FSIS and FDA announced this week a joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing of food
products and ingredients that cause illness outbreaks or present other risks to the health of consumers.
Recognizing the need to increase the speed and accuracy of traceback investigations and traceforward operations,
both agencies are building on existing efforts by seeking public input that would help identify elements of
effective food product tracing systems, identify current gaps in food product tracing and suggest specific
mechanisms for improvements.
The meeting is also intended to improve the ability of FSIS and FDA to use the information in such systems to
respond to outbreaks more quickly by rapidly identifying the source of contamination during outbreaks of
foodborne illness, and improving the ability of all persons in the supply chain to more quickly identify food
that is (or potentially is) contaminated and remove it from the market during traceforward operations.
The meeting will be held Dec. 9 and 10 in the Jefferson Auditorium of USDA's South Building, 1400 Independence Ave.,
S.W., Washington, D.C.
Those interested in attending should pre-register at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/
Meetings_&_Events/index.asp.
Online pre- registration is preferred, but individuals may also fax information (including name, title, firm name,
address, telephone number, e-mail address and fax number) to 1-877-366-3322 by Dec. 2.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for all persons, regardless of whether they also wish to request an
opportunity to make oral comments at the meeting on issues and questions described in the Federal Register notice.
The notice is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/
FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/Docket_no_FDA-2009-0523.htm.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
Complete information can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli O157:H7
Weekly updates for the FSIS raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS Web site.
For comparative 2008 and 2009 results, go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.coli_Testing_Results/index.asp.
Register for Codex Meeting on Food Hygiene
The 41st session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) will be held Nov. 16-20 in San Diego, Calif.
Items to be discussed include a draft annex for fresh leafy vegetables to the code
of hygienic practice for fresh fruits and vegetables, draft guidelines for
the control of Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat, as well as a draft code of
hygienic practice for control of viruses in food.
The meeting will be held at the Loews Coronado Bay Hotel, 4000 Coronado Bay Rd., Coronado, CA.
For more information concerning the 41st Session of the CCFH, contact Barbara McNiff at (202) 690-4719 or Barbara.McNiff@fsis.usda.gov.
An agenda and other documents related to the 41st session of the CCFH will be accessible on the Codex Alimentarius
Web site at http://www.codexalimentarius.net/current.asp.
New Podcasts
Tune in to podcasts on selecting, handling and preparing meat and poultry products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
This week, FSIS released this podcast helpful to consumers.
- Food Safety at Home: Buying and Thawing a Turkey (English, Spanish and ASL)
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.
Video-casts in American Sign Language are available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/
SignFSIS/index.asp.
To continue automatically receiving podcasts, renew your subscription. For assistance, e-mail podcast@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS Provides Clarification on New General Food Defense Plan
FSIS recently issued new general guidance to assist small and very small establishments to voluntarily adopt sound
and functional defense plans. Information was mailed in October to establishments that did not have a food defense
plan when surveyed in 2008.
The agency would like to provide clarification of what establishments are to do once the document is signed.
Establishments were instructed to review the document and sign the cover page, then keep the signed document in their
on file at the plant as proof of having a functional food defense plan.
The plan then becomes proprietary property of the establishment and should not be mailed to FSIS.
To retrieve a copy of a general food defense plan, go to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Small_Very_Small_Plant_Outreach/index.asp.
For questions and additional assistance, contact the Small Plant help desk at 1-877-FSIS-HELP (877-374-7435).
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 and receive automatic updates. Recently posted topics include:
USDA to Host 2010 Food Safety Education Conference
USDA and NSF International are hosting the 2010 Food Safety Education Conference, Advancements in Food Safety: Trends,
Tools and Technologies, March 23-26, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.
Food safety educators and other professionals worldwide will have the opportunity to discover the latest advancements
in food safety education, including trends, tools and technologies.
For registration and to get more information, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Atlanta2010.
FSIS Announces New Leadership Within its Policy Division
This week, the Office of Policy and Program Development announced four new division directors.
- Labeling and Program Delivery Division: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins
- Policy Analysis Division: Soumaya Tohamy
- Policy Development Division: Laura McKee
- Policy Operations Division: William Shaw
Check It Out!
Visit the USDA Web site at http://www.usda.gov/H1N1flu and click on the
FLU.gov widget to get helpful information on where to get the seasonal and H1N1
flu vaccines, read myths and facts or even take an H1N1 flu self-evaluation.
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Last Modified:
November 13, 2009 |
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