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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
Dr. Elsa Murano, Under Secretary for Food Safety, participated in the National Food Service Management Institute’s (NFSMI) teleconference, "Responding to a Food Recall," held August 21. The teleconference was broadcast, via satellite, nationwide to child nutrition and food service professionals. Dr. Murano emphasized the importance of safe food handling and preparation through partnerships with the NFSMI, local county and city health inspectors, and USDA agencies involved in preventing tainted food from reaching schools. Access information about the teleconference at: www.nfsmi.org. Access the USDA news release on the teleconference at: www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/08/0351.htm.
The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold a public meeting on August 28, 2002. The meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Jurys Washington Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave., Washington, DC. Access the agenda at: www.fsis.usda.gov/ophs/nacmcf/meetings.htm.
NACMCF subcommittees also will hold meetings that are open to the public on August 26, 27, and 29. The subcommittee on Microbiological Performance Standards for Raw Meat and Poultry Products will meet August 26 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Aerospace Building, Room 369, 901 "D" St., SW, Washington, DC. The subcommittee on Criteria for Shelf-life Based on Safety will meet on August 27 and 29, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. each day at the Jurys Washington Hotel. For additional meeting information, contact Karen Thomas, Advisory Committee Specialist, at 202-690-6600.
Comments are due August 26, 2002 for:
Access both dockets at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/Notices02.htm.
Access Frequently Asked Questions about the National Organic Program on the FSIS web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/op/whatsnew.htm.
FSIS has issued important consumer information on keeping food safe during an emergency, Cómo Mantener los Alimentos Sanos Durante una Emergencia. Access the information at: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/pofeature_sp.htm.
Visit FSIS’ News Photo Gallery on its web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/news/newsphotos.htm.
Notice of availability and request for public comment—Docket No. 02-023N—FSIS Security Guidelines for Food Processors
The notice, which published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2002, announces the availability of the FSIS Security Guidelines for Food Processors in both English and Spanish. For further information, contact Dr. Perfecto Sanitago, Program Development Staff, FSIS, at: (202) 205-0699. Access the docket at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/02-023N.htm.
A confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7 was reported from a raw ground beef sample taken on August 15 at a retail establishment in Arkansas. Approximately 240 pounds of ground beef were recalled. The Agency issued a news release August 20 to notify consumers of the recalled product.
This brings the number of confirmed positives in CY 2002 to 32 out of more than 4,200 samples and 203 overall out of more than 51,000 samples since FSIS began the sampling program in 1994. Access this information on the FSIS Web site at: www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/ecoltest/ecpositives.htm
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*This section has been added to remind readers of information available on the FSIS web site. Web links will vary from week-to-week.
For Further Information Contact:
FSIS Constituent Affairs Program
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 720-5704
E-mail:
LisaWallenda.Picard@fsis.usda.gov