EdNet February 2010

EdNet, the National Food Safety Educator’s Network, is a monthly, multi-agency electronic news journal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EdNet provides up-to-date information about food safety and nutrition programs and activities for educators, consumer advocates, government officials, and industry representatives.

 If you have questions or comments about this issue of EdNet, send e-mail to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FDA).

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In this issue:

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings

• USDA Offers Food Safety Tips In Preparation for Tropical Cyclone Rene
• USDA Consumer Alert: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency

Resources for Educators

• Reporting Problems to FDA (video)
• USDA and FDA Coordinating Efforts to Ensure Safety of Produce--FDA Invites Public Comments to Inform Future Rulemaking
• FDA Updates Statement on the Investigation into the “Salmonella” Montevideo Outbreak
• FDA’s Update on Bisphenol A (BPA) for Use in Food: January 2010
• USDA Announces New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability
• USDA Announces Food Safety Initiatives for School Lunch and Other Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs
• United States Seizes more than 1,500 Cases of Food from Wisconsin Distribution Warehouse
• USDA's Lending Hands to Assist Victims in Haiti
• USDA: 'Referee a Safe Super Bowl Party’
• FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science
• NIFA Awards Funding for Animal Health and Production Research
• FDA Requests $4.03 Billion to Transform Food Safety System, Invest in Medical Product Safety, Regulatory Science
• Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Highlights the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ Initiative at the University of New Hampshire
• February is American Heart Month (CDC)
• FDA Consumer Update: “Eat for a Healthy Heart”
• March is National Nutrition Month (R)
• Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System (ERS)
• New Podcasts(FSIS)
• "Amber Waves Magazine," March 2010 (ERS)

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

• FDA Public Workshop Notice “Measuring Progress on Food Safety: Current Status and Future Directions”
• Agency to Host Web Outreach Seminar on Sanitary Dressing Procedures
• FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Product Tracing
• Public Meeting To Address Agenda Items for the 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives
• 2010 National Food Safety Education Conference

Industry

• FSIS Notice 10-10: “Exception for Certain Products from the FSIS Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Sampling Programs”
• FSIS Extends Comment Period on Nutrition Labeling
• FDA’s PREDICT: A New Risk-Assessment Tool to Ensure the Safety of Imported Food and Drugs
• FDA Import and Export Guidance Documents
• FSIS Directive 9500.3: “Label Verification Procedure of Imported Products”
• FSIS Same Source Supplier List to Include New Format

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings

USDA Offers Food Safety Tips In Preparation for Tropical Cyclone Rene

On February 12, 2010, as Tropical Cyclone Rene intensified and a hurricane warning was in effect for Manu`a and Tutuila, American Samoa, the FSIS issued a news release providing recommendations to minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems often associated with severe weather. With the potential that Rene could cause flash flooding and high surf in American Samoa and, with the chance of power disruption, the FSIS wanted the public to be prepared.

Read this news release:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_021210_02/index.asp

USDA Consumer Alert: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency

On January 30, 2010, the USDA issued a consumer alert providing recommendations to those affected by dangerous winter storms, including heavy snow, sleet mixed with snow, ice, bitter cold weather, gusty winds or heavy rain in the Mid-Atlantic, the eastern portions of the Mid-West, and Southeastern regions of the United States.

Read this alert:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_013010_01/index.asp

Resources for Educators

Reporting Problems to FDA (video)

On February 23, 2010, the FDA released a consumer update video on how to submit reports of problems to the agency and how it uses this information.
View this video:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm201375.htm

USDA and FDA Coordinating Efforts to Ensure Safety of Produce--FDA Invites Public Comments to Inform Future Rulemaking

On February 18, 2010, the USDA and the FDA issued a joint statement to announce they are working together to achieve the goals of enhancing the safety and quality of fresh produce in ways that take into account the wide diversity of farming operations. While the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is in the midst of evaluating a proposed marketing agreement for the leafy green industry, the FDA is currently developing a proposed produce safety regulation.

Read this news release:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm200965.htm

FDA Updates Statement on the Investigation into the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak

The FDA, along with the CDC and FSIS, continues to work closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and other States in the investigation of an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections associated with certain Italian-style sausage products,  including salami/salame. The CDC reports that 213 people have been infected with a matching strain of Salmonella  Montevideo in at least 42 States and the District of Columbia.

View more details on the investigation into the outbreak:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm199902.htm

Get details on Salmonella” sources, symptoms, and treatment:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/salmonella.html

FDA’s Update on Bisphenol A (BPA) for Use in Food: January 2010

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s. Studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA. However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children.

View the results of in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm

USDA Announces New Framework for Animal Disease Traceability

On February 5, 2010, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States, and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities.

Read this announcement:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/02/0053.xml
Get more information on USDA's new direction on animal traceability and the steps to improve disease prevention and control is available at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability

USDA Announces Food Safety Initiatives for School Lunch and Other Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs

On February 4, 2010, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several new Initiatives to assure the safety and quality of food purchased by USDA for the National School Lunch Program and other food and nutrition assistance programs. Secretary Vilsack announced multi-Agency Initiatives, as part of the USDA’s ongoing effort to ensure safety of school lunches.

Read this new release:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/02/0052.xml

United States Seizes More Than 1,500 Cases of Food from Wisconsin Distribution Warehouse

On February 3, 2010, at the request of the FDA, the U.S. Marshals seized a wide range of human and animal food products stored under insanitary conditions at Mid-States Closeouts, a distribution warehouse in Ellsworth, WI. The products were seized under a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated human and animal food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination or other filth. The products are adulterated under the “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” (the “Act”) because they have been held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth.

Get information about how the FDA acts after inspections reveal contamination and filth:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm199848.htm

USDA's Lending Hands to Assist Victims in Haiti

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is working with other government Agencies to provide assistance in the recovery from the earthquake that struck Haiti in January. Much of that assistance involves providing emergency food supplies made possible by the great productivity of U.S. farms and producers. For individuals interested in making a contribution, FAS has created the “Haiti Response Team” and they can be reached at haitidisaster@fas.usda.gov.

Beyond the emergency activities and supplies, the FAS international development staff will be involved with other U.S. government Agencies in planning for the longer-term reconstruction and development of the devastated regions.

Get more information and additional resources:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/haitiearthquake.asp

USDA: 'Referee a Safe Super Bowl Party'

On February 2, 2010, FSIS issued a news release titled “USDA: 'Referee a Safe Super Bowl Party.'” When planning a Super Bowl XLIV party, hosts should have a defensive strategy against foodborne illness for their guests.

To read this news release and USDA’s tips to follow to “Be Food Safe,” go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_020210_01/index.asp

FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science

The FDA/NSTA Professional Development Program in Food Science is a sustained professional development opportunity for Middle Level and High School Science Teachers. Taking advantage of the new understandings in food science, educators have an opportunity to provide topically relevant lessons in food science for their students. To prepare teachers to do this requires a sustained effort. The FDA and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) partnered to initiate and implement a professional development program in Food Science consistent with the National Science Education Standards.

The new Web site contains information on how teachers can apply for our week-long summer training program in the science of food safety, how to order a free Science & Our Food Supply curriculum kit, and more.

Access this new Web site:
http://www.teachfoodscience.com/

NIFA Awards Funding for Animal Health and Production Research

On February 2, 2010, the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $24 million in grants to study animal heath, reproduction, breeding, genetics and nutrition. The agriculture animal industry plays a crucial role in the success and growth of the nation's economy, accounting for 42 percent of forecast U.S. agricultural receipts in 2009. Animal programs at NIFA address several critical issues, including children's health, food safety, international food security, and environmental protection.

Read more about these grants in detail or the entire announcement:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/02/0044.xml

FDA Requests $4.03 Billion to Transform Food Safety System, Invest in Medical Product Safety, Regulatory Science

FDA is requesting $4.03 billion to promote and protect public health as part of the President’s fiscal year 2011 budget – a 23 percent increase over the Agency’s current $3.28 billion budget. The FY 2011 request, which covers the period of  October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011, includes increases of $146 million in budget authority and $601 million in industry user fees.

Read more about FDA’s FY 2011 budget request:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm199516.htm

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Highlights the ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food’ Initiative at the University of New Hampshire

On January 29, 2010, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan provided highlights of how New Hampshire can tap into USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative, which promotes local and regional food systems by stimulating community economic development and ensuring equitable access to affordable fresh and local food. Merrigan was speaking to students, faculty and administrators at the University of New Hampshire.

Read this news release:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/01/0041.xml

February Is American Heart Month

Heart disease is the number one cause of death. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 will have a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one. A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease.

Get detailed information about how diet and nutrition, exercise and fitness can help fight heart disease:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HeartMonth/

FDA Consumer Update: “Eat for a Healthy Heart”

Making healthy food choices is one of many lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk for getting heart disease—the No. 1 killer in the United States. The Nutrition Facts found on most foods and health claims allowed on some foods can help you choose wisely.

Get updates about FDA’s food label and nutrition facts, nutrient highs and lows, health claims, and tips for healthy eating:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm199058.htm

March Is National Nutrition Month (R)

The theme for March 2010 is "Nutrition From the Ground Up." National Nutrition Month (R) is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian (RD) Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

Get more information and updates:
http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System

The USDA’s Economic and Research Service (ERS) has issued the “Food Availability (per capita) Data System.” This data includes three distinct but related data series on food and nutrient availability for consumption.

View, the data system:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodConsumption/

New Podcasts

Tune in to podcasts on selecting, handling and preparing meat and poultry products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. FSIS has released podcasts helpful to consumers.

• Food Safety At Home:
  • Food Safety At Home: “Understanding Food Product Dating” (English and Spanish) – February 18
  • “Food Safety at the Super Bowl: (Spanish and Video-cast) – February 3
  • “Safe Marinating” (English and Video-cast) – February 1
  • “The 2010 Food Safety Education Conference” (English and Spanish) – February 4

Check out these podcasts:

• English: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp
• Spanish: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp
• Video-casts in American Sign Language: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp

"Amber Waves Magazine," March 2010

The March 2010 issue of the "Amber Waves Magazine" from USDA's Economic Research Service is now available online at:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops 

FDA Public Workshop Notice “Measuring Progress on Food Safety: Current Status and Future Directions”

FDA is announcing a public workshop entitled, “Measuring Progress on Food Safety: Current Status and Future Directions.” The purpose of the public workshop is to inform the public about current and potential measurements for assessing progress in food safety and associated methodological issues and to discuss potential improvements.

The public workshop will be held on March 30, 2010, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Regency A Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW.,  Washington, DC, 20001.

For registration information and general questions regarding the workshop, contact:

Juanita Yates
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Food and Drug Administration
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy.
College Park, MD 20740,
Tel: 301–436–1731
E-mail: juanita.yates@fda.hhs.gov

For more information, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WorkshopsMeetingsConferences/ucm201102.htm

Agency to Host Web Outreach Seminar on Sanitary Dressing Procedures

On March 23, 2010, FSIS will host a Web outreach seminar on sanitary dressing procedures from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Participants will gain insight on FSIS sanitary dressing procedures and how they are critical to reducing E. coli O157:H7 to undetectable levels. The discussion will also provide a better understanding of validated HACCP plans and interventions.

Learn more:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Regulatory_Web_Seminars/index.asp

FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Product Tracing

FSIS will hold a second public meeting on product tracing to discuss and receive public input on procedures for suppliers of source material used to produce raw ground beef product that tests positive for E. coli O157:H7.

The Product Tracing public meeting will be held on March 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the USDA South Building's Jefferson Auditorium, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. All participants will need proof of identification and should enter the building at the Wing 5 entrance on Independence Avenue.

Get more information or pre-register for this meeting:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Meetings_&_Events/index.asp

Public Meeting To Address Agenda Items for the 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives

On January 28, 2010, the USDA Office for Food Safety and the FDA announced a public meeting to discuss information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to be held in China, March 15-19, 2009.

Read this announcement:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_012810_01/index.asp

2010 National Food Safety Education Conference

Update: Due to overwhelming response to the 2010 Food Safety Education Conference, titled “Advancements in Food Safety Education: Trends, Tools and Technologies,” registrations are no longer being accepted.

Get more information about the conference:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Atlanta2010

Industry

FSIS Notice 10-10: “Exception for Certain Products from the FSIS Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Sampling Programs”

On February 18, 2010, FSIS issued a Notice titled “Exception for Certain Products from the FSIS Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Sampling Programs.” Inspection program personnel are not to collect samples of oils, shortening, lard, margarine, oleomargarine, or mixtures of rendered animal fats that are Ready-to-Eat until further notice.

Read the entire notice:
http://origin-www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/10-10.pdf

FSIS Extends Comment Period on Nutrition Labeling

On December 18, 2009, FSIS published a supplemental proposed Rule entitled, "Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products." The comment period on the Rule was scheduled to end on February 16, 2010. In response to multiple requests, FSIS is extending the comment period for 30 days, until March 18, 2010. All submissions must reference docket number FSIS-2005-0018.

View this proposed Rule:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2005-0018.pdf

FDA’s PREDICT: A New Risk-Assessment Tool to Ensure the Safety of Imported Food and Drugs

On February 4, 2010, Commissioner Hamburg announced the launch of a new risk-assessment tool to ensure the safety of imported food and drugs. The Web-based PREDICT system will rank the risk hazards of food and drugs as they enter the country and allow inspectors to focus on the most likely threats to public health.

Watch a video about FDA’s new Web-based PREDICT system:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm199940.htm

Listen to audio of the speech by FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD regarding the “Safety of Food and Drug Imports”:
http://csis.org/multimedia/audio-fda-commissioner-margaret-hamburg-md-safety-food-and-drug-imports

Get additional background information on PREDICT:
http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ImportProgram/ucm172743.htm

FDA Import and Export Guidance Documents

The FDA has recently redesigned its Web site. As a result, some Web links (URLs) embedded within guidance documents are no longer valid. If you find a link that does not work, please try searching for the document using the document title.

Get Import and export guidance documents:
http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm122048.htm

Contact FDA for assistance with Web links:
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/default.htm

FSIS Directive 9500.3: “Label Verification Procedure of Imported Products”

On February 2, 2010, FSIS issued a Directive titled “Label Verification Procedure of Imported Products.” This Directive is addressed to Import Inspection Personnel and it provides instructions on performing label verification procedures (LVP) when reinspecting imported meat and poultry products.

Read this FSIS Directive in its entirety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/9500.3.pdf

FSIS Same Source Supplier List to Include New Format

Since August 2009, FSIS has been posting a "Same Source Supplier" listing on its Web site. FSIS will now feature a user-friendly version (MS Excel) that includes all violations recorded and collected over the past year. This information is aimed to help plant owners and operators, as well as inspection personnel, identify the residue history of livestock suppliers. Federally inspected slaughter plants provide this livestock supplier information.

Review the report, which is updated weekly:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Chemistry/index.asp