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FSIS to Hold Workshops on E. coli O157:H7 Regulations
From May through September 2004, FSIS will hold 11 instructive workshops
to discuss information in three recently revised and released FSIS directives
dealing with E. coli O157:H7. Directive 10,010.1, Revision 1 Microbiological
Testing Program and Other Verification Activities for Escherichia coli O157:H7
in Raw Ground Beef Products and Raw Ground Beef Components and Beef
Patty Components; Directive 6420.2 Verification of Procedures for
Controlling Fecal Material, Ingesta, and Milk in Slaughter Operations; and
Directive 5000.2 Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program
Personnel will be among the topics discussed. The workshops are scheduled
on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will present the materials in the
directives to operators of small and very small federally inspected plants, state
inspected plants, federal and state inspection personnel, members of academia
and other interested parties. More details will be published soon.
The locations and dates of the E. coli O157:H7 workshops are:
- Toledo, Ohio May 22
- Los Angeles, California June 5
- Miami, Florida June 12
- San Antonio, Texas June 19
- Boulder, Colorado June 26
- New York, New York July 10
- Sacramento, California July 17
- St. Louis, Missouri July 24
- Montgomery, Alabama July 31
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 28
- Amarillo, Texas September 11
Uniform Compliance Date Proposed
FSIS is proposing to establish January 1, 2008, as the uniform compliance
date for new food labeling regulations that are issued between January 1,
2005, and December 31, 2006. The purpose of this uniform compliance date
is to minimize the economic impact of labeling changes by providing for a
more orderly industry adjustment to new labeling requirements. For more
information go to Regulations, Directives & Notices.
NACMCF Subcommittees Meet
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
(NACMCF) Subcommittee on Criteria for Refrigerated Shelf-life Based on
Safety will hold public meetings on May 11-13, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00
p.m., and on May 14, 2004, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at the Aerospace
Building, 901 "D" St., S.W., Room 369, Washington, D.C.
If you would like to attend any of these meetings, please contact Karen
Thomas, Advisory Committee Specialist, at (202) 690-6620. Please note due
to increased security measures at the Aerospace Center, all persons wishing
to attend must RSVP.
Reminder: Upcoming FSIS Business Registration Deadline
All business, unless operating under federal inspection, are required by law to
register with the USDA if it deals in meat or poultry products in, or for,
commerce. Since 1970, FSIS has required businesses affected by the Poultry
Products Inspection Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act to maintain
business records and to make such records available to FSIS employees upon
request. Registration information and business records are critical in any FSIS
investigation related to public health, food safety or misbranding of meat or
poultry products. This information is particularly vital in tracing the source
of pathogens and in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses. The
deadline for all applicable businesses to register with the Agency is
May 24, 2004.
All businesses, including those that are currently registered, must complete
the new form and submit it to FSIS. The new registration FSIS Form 5020-
1 Registration of Meat and Poultry Handlers is available at: http://
www.fsis.usda.gov/forms/
Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel Directive Now Available
FSIS announces the availability of
Directive 5000.2, "Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel."
In December 2003,
the Agency issued Notice 54-03 "Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel" to clarify that FSIS inspection program
personnel have access to a wide range of establishment food safety records
required under the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
systems regulations. FSIS has revised this notice and is reissuing it as a
directive.
Copies of Directive 5000.2, "Review of Establishment Data by Inspection Program Personnel," are available from the FSIS Docket Clerk, FSIS Docket
Room, Room 102, 300 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-3700.
An electronic copy of the document is also available.
Upcoming Codex Committee Meetings
On May 10-14, FSIS officials will participate in the Codex Committee on
Food Labeling (CCFL) meeting in Montreal, Canada. Issues to be discussed
at the meeting include guidelines for the use of health and nutrition claims,
labeling of organically produced foods, country of origin labeling, and
product tracing. The agenda for this meeting can be viewed at:
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/ccfl32/fl04_01e.htm
On May 20, the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Certification
and Inspection (CCFICS) & ad hoc Biotech will hold a public meeting from
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. in Room 107A Whitten Building 1400 Independence Ave.
S.W. Washington, D.C., to receive input into two Codex Circular letters.
Comments received at the public meeting will be used to assist in the
preparation of the U.S. Government's response to them. For more
information go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov
Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following:
- Canada
- European Union
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Poland
- Russia
Complete information can be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations/Export_Information/
Featured Office of the Week: Human Health Sciences Division
The Human Health Sciences Division (HHSD) is under the Office of Public Health
Science. HHSD provides scientific leadership in the application of risk
assessment, management and communication principles to safeguarding
public health. The division coordinates activities of
Public Health and Epidemiology Liaison officers, who provide on-site
assistance to state and local public health officials in the investigation of foodborne
diseases. For more information please visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/OPHS/
THIS WEEK'S HOT WEB LINKS
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