FSIS Constituent Update: August 15, 2003

Reminder: Listeria Workshops Begin September 13

As mentioned in last week’s Constituent Update, FSIS is holding five workshops around the country to explain its new rule, Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Meat and Poultry Products, to owners and operators of small and very small inspected establishments.

Workshops will be held September 13 in Raleigh, NC, and Bridgeport, CT; September 20 in Kansas City, KS; and October 4 in Oakland, CA and Albuquerque, NM. The meeting sites in each city will be announced soon.

The new rule becomes effective on October 6, 2003. Producers of RTE products exposed to the environment after lethality treatments are required to have controls for L. monocytogenes, and to verify the effectiveness of those controls through testing. FSIS also will test varying its verification activities according to the nature and effectiveness of the strategies being used by the plant. The workshops will provide attendees detailed information on the rule, including alternative control strategies that may be used, sampling and recordkeeping requirements, and the use of labeling claims.

To ensure access to the desired workshop, those interested in attending should register in advance by contacting Sheila Johnson at 202-690-6498 or sheila.johnson@fsis.usda.gov. Due to limited space, preference will be given to representatives of federal and state small and very small meat and poultry establishments.

FSIS National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods Public Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) will hold public meetings on August 20 and 22, 2003, to discuss protocols for FSIS ongoing microbiological baseline studies of raw meat and poultry products, performance standards for broilers, the scientific basis for establishing safety-based “use by” date labeling for refrigerated ready-to-eat foods, and scientific criteria for redefining pasteurization.

The full committee will meet Aug. 20 from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and Aug. 22 and from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Subcommittee meetings will be held on August 19, 20, and 21. The committee and subcommittee meetings are open to the public and will be held at the Hotel Monaco, Athens Room, 700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004. For additional information contact Karen Thomas at karen.thomas@fsis.usda.gov, or by telephone (202) 690-6620, or fax (202) 690-6334.

Access additional information and a full schedule of subcommittee meetings at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/03-028N.htm. Access the agenda at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ophs/nacmcf/meetings.htm

September is National Food Safety Education Month
“Store It. Don’t Ignore It.”

September marks the ninth annual National Food Safety Education Month^SM, one of the activities supported by the National Food Safety Program. The theme for 2003 is “Store It. Don’t Ignore It.” The goals of the Month are:

To reinforce food safety education and training among restaurant and foodservice workers; and
To educate the public to handle and prepare food properly at home, where food safety is equally important--whether cooking from scratch or serving take-out meals and restaurant leftovers.

Access additional information and campaign materials at: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/september.html.

Export Requirement Updates

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes on export requirements for Romania and Ukraine. Access the export requirements at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm.

Eligible Plant Listings Updated for Russia and South Africa

The list of plants eligible to export fresh meat and poultry products to Russia and South Africa has been updated in the Export Library on FSIS' Web site. Access the eligible plant lists at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm.

THIS WEEK’S HOT WEB LINKS

*This section has been added to remind readers of information available on the FSIS web site.
Web links will vary from week-to-week.

FSIS Homeland Security Information:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/topics/biosecurity.htm
Food Safety Jobs Online:
http://www.foodsafetyjobs.gov/
FSIS Organization and Program Areas:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/programs/programs.htm

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For Further Information Contact:
FSIS Constituent Affairs Program
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 720-5704
E-mail: LisaWallenda.Picard@fsis.usda.gov

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