|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Issues Notice for Melamine Testing of Retail Meat and Poultry Products
In light of recent disclosures of melamine found in certain imported food products, FSIS has determined
that it is prudent to conduct sampling to assess any reasons for concern about the presence of this
chemical in meat and poultry products.
Since FDA's import alert
issued on November 12, the Agency has developed a validated testing methodology and issued a notice
to investigators that will collect the samples.
Investigators from the Compliance and Investigations Division of the Office of Program Evaluation,
Enforcement and Review, will collect certain types of products at retail stores and send samples to
FSIS laboratories to test for the presence of melamine.
The Agency will focus on meat and poultry products that contain milk-derived ingredients such as
non-fat dried milk, casein, whey, evaporated milk and milk powder.
FSIS intends to begin random retail sampling in the next two weeks, with a total of 45 samples per week
over a 12-week period.
To review this notice in detail, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/97-08.pdf (PDF Only).
Update on FSIS testing for E. coli O157:H7
FSIS has updated Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 testing data to include information
through December 9, 2008.
Beginning in January 2009, testing results for E. coli O157:H7 will be posted on the Agency's
Web site instead of the Constituent Update. Look to future issues of FSIS' Constituent Update for more
information.
|
|
| Results
from Analysis of Raw Ground Beef and Raw Ground Beef Component Samples for E. coli
O157:H7 |
| Raw Ground Beef |
| Source |
As of Dec 9, 2007 |
As of Dec 7, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
11,335 |
26 |
0.23 |
10,631 |
50 |
0.47 |
| Retail Stores |
170 |
0 |
0.00 |
349 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Imports |
62 |
0 |
0.00 |
38 |
1 |
2.63 |
| Raw Ground Beef Components |
| Source |
As of Dec 9, 2007 |
As of Dec 7, 2008 |
No.
Ana- lyzed |
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
No.
Ana- lyzed
|
No. Positive |
Percent Positive |
Federal
Plants |
838 |
3 |
0.36 |
2,184 |
18 |
0.82 |
| Imports |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
493 |
3 |
0.61 |
| The above information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of
December 9, 2008. Results are from FSIS routine and follow-up sampling programs. |
|
|
Individual positive results from the raw ground beef sampling programs for 2008 are reported on FSIS' Web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/2008_Ecoli_Positive_Results/
index.asp.
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
Complete information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp.
FSIS Offers "How to" Workshops for Small and Very Small Plants
In 2006, FSIS' Center for Learning regional trainers gathered in College Station, Texas, to prepare
for their role in conducting regulatory educational seminars to support the Agency's small and very
small plant outreach initiative.
Since then, the Agency has hosted various outreach sessions to review basic regulatory principles with
small and very small plant owners and operators and to provide them with information to enhance the design
and implementation of their food safety systems. Topics have included FSIS' Sanitation Standard Operating
Procedures, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, rules of practice, food defense strategies,
E. coli 0157:H7, and FSIS Notices 65-07, 66-07 and 68-07.
Starting January 2009, FSIS will hold a series of "how to" workshops to provide
practical tools and methods for proper application and compliance. These outreach workshops will
cover various information such as developing controls for Salmonella and Campylobacter,
establishing effective sanitation practices, developing food defense plans, ensuring humane handling
of livestock and conducting product recalls.
Look to future issues of FSIS' Constituent Update for workshop dates and registration details.
FSIS Offices in Omaha to Relocate: Closed December 18 and 19
FSIS offices located at the Landmark Center in Omaha, Nebraska will be closed on December 18 and 19 to
move to the Edward Zorinsky Federal Building located at 1616 Capital Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska.
Minimal amount of down-time is anticipated as the offices plan to be operating under normal business
hours with phone and email service by Monday, December 22. Phone numbers and other contact information
at PDD's new location will remain the same. Some Omaha units of FSIS from the following program areas
will be affected:
- Office of Policy and Program Development's Policy Development Division (PDD) (formerly the Technical Service Center);
- Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement, and Review; and
- Office of Public Health Science.
The askFSIS Web-based system will be operational during the move and can be found at http://askfsis.custhelp.com.
In the event of an emergency December 18 or 19, contact your local District Office.
Preparing Ground Beef for Safe Consumption
Beef can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.
Eating a ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature has been reached is a
significant risk factor for foodborne illness.
When preparing ground beef products, consumers should only eat meat that has been cooked to a safe
internal temperature of 160 °F with the use an accurate food thermometer.
Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or
serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for foodborne illness, especially young children,
seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
Learn more about basic food safety principles through FSIS' facts sheets at www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/index.asp.
FSIS Issues Directives
On December 8, FSIS issued Directive 7000.4, Verifying Certain Transferred Labeling
which supplements the instructions for performing the 04B04 general labeling verification procedure
in FSIS Directive 7000.1.
This document adds procedures for inspection program personnel to follow when one establishment
(the transferring establishment) has transferred to another establishment (the receiving establishment)
labeling with official marks and its own pre-printed establishment number. This directive will not
be implemented until January 12, 2009.
In addition, Directive 7530.1 Revision 1, Handling Process Deviations And Abnormal Container Incidents For Shelf-Stable Canned Products
was issued on December 11.
This directive provides inspection program personnel at thermal processing plants with updated procedures
to follow when an abnormal container is found by either inspection program personnel or the plant, or
there is a process deviation during the production of thermally processed commercially sterile (shelf stable)
canned products.
This also supplements but does not replace FSIS Directive 7530.2, Verification Activities in Canning
Operations that Choose to Follow the Canning Regulations, which delineates the verification
responsibilities of inspection program personnel during production of thermally processed commercially
sterile canned product.
To review all FSIS directives, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Directives/index.asp.
What Are Egg Products?
The term "egg products" refers to eggs that are removed from their shells for processing.
The processing of egg products includes breaking eggs, filtering, mixing, stabilizing, blending,
pasteurizing, cooling, freezing or drying and packaging.
Safe storage and handling is necessary for all egg products to prevent bacterial contamination. Here are
some recommendations from USDA:
- You can store frozen and unopened egg products for up to one year. Check to be sure your freezer is set at 0 °F or lower. After thawing, do not refreeze.
- Thaw frozen egg products in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Do not thaw on the counter.
- If the container for liquid products bears a "use-by" date, observe it. Follow the storage and handling instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Check out other suggestions about the safe handling and storage of egg products through FSIS' facts sheets at
www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/
Egg_Products_and_Food_Safety/index.asp.
|
Last Modified:
December 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
