EdNet January 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

Haiti Ackee Fruit (FDA)
FDA Warns Consumers about Counterfeit Alli
FDA Issues Consumer Alert on HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and Some HAPPYBABY Stage 1 & Stage 2 Baby Foods
USDA CONSUMER ALERT: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency -- Midwest

Resources for Educators

Investigation Update: “Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections (CDC)
USDA's Lending Hands to Assist Victims in Haiti
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Releases Four Data Sets as Part of Open Government Initiative
USDA Hosts Outreach Webinars on Mobile Slaughter Units
FDA Commissioner Addresses Nation's Health Care Professionals on H1N1 Vaccine
FDA Launches “FDA Basics” Online to Enhance Public Understanding of the Agency
FDA’s Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food: January 2010
Launch of CDC “Healthy Water” Web site
Foodborne Outbreak Online Database (FOOD), Annual Listing of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks, United States (1998–2007)
FDA Ends Maryland Seafood Processor’s Pattern of Sanitary Violations
FDA Seizes More Than $1 Million Worth of Food from Nashville Food Processor and Warehouse
FDA Takes Action Against New Jersey Cheese Manufacturer
Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Associated with Beef from National Steak and Poultry (CDC)
“Food Safety at Home” Podcasts (FSIS)
"Agricultural Research Magazine" -- January 2010 - Vol. 58, No. 1

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

FDA Announces Dietetics and Nutrition Workshop
Public Meeting To Address Agenda Items for the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
Agricultural Outlook Forum 2010
2010 National Food Safety Education Conference Program Available

People in the News

President Obama, Secretary Vilsack Announce Intent to Nominate Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety
Michael Taylor Appointed Deputy Commissioner for Foods

Industry

What is the Public Health Information System? (FSIS)
Guidance for Industry: Factors that Distinguish Liquid Dietary Supplements from Beverages, Considerations Regarding Novel Ingredients, and Labeling for Beverages and Other Conventional Foods
FSIS Issues Supplemental Proposed Rule for Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products – Rule Would Help Families Make Healthier Food Choices
FSIS Policy Updates

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings

Haiti Ackee Fruit

People in Haiti with access to ackee orchards might try to eat the fruit as a result of food scarcity due to the recent tragic earthquake. They should not eat unripe ackee fruit or certain parts of the ripe fruit because naturally occurring toxins in them can cause sickness or death. There are several ackee orchards not far from the Port-au-Prince airport. The fruit on the trees are in various stages of ripeness.

Get a detailed description and photos of unripe and ripe fruits:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm197850.htm

FDA Warns Consumers about Counterfeit Alli

The FDA is warning consumers about a counterfeit and potentially harmful version of Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit). Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)—the maker of the FDA approved over-the-counter weight-loss product— revealed that the counterfeit version did not contain orlistat, the active ingredient in its product. Instead, the counterfeit product contained the controlled substance sibutramine. Sibutramine is a drug that should not be used in certain patient populations or without physician oversight. Consumers began reporting suspected counterfeit Alli to GSK in early December 2009.

Read this advisory:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm197857.htm

FDA Issues Consumer Alert on HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and Some HAPPYBABY Stage 1 & Stage 2 Baby Foods

The FDA is recommending that the public not consume any varieties of HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and certain varieties of HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby foods in pouches distributed by Nurture Inc. The firm is recalling these products because some pouches are leaking or swollen. Swollen or leaking pouches may indicate problems with the product, including possible contamination by bacteria that can cause illness, or that the packaging has been compromised and is at risk of bacterial contamination.

Read this advisory:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm197575.htm

USDA CONSUMER ALERT: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency -- Midwest

On January 7, 2010, USDA issued an alert providing recommendations to those affected by dangerous winter storms, including snow and strong winds in the Midwest, temperatures below zero in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley areas, low temperatures and snow in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas, and snow or freezing rain in the South. USDA is hopeful that this information will help minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages and other problems that are often associated with severe weather events.

Read this alert:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_010710_01/index.asp

Resources for Educators

Investigation Update: “Multistate Outbreak of Human ‘Salmonella’ Montevideo Infections”

On January 25, 2010, CDC issued an update to announce it is collaborating with public health officials in many states, FSIS, and FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Montevideo infections. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

Read this CDC update:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo/index.html

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 on January 12, 2010. 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.

See more information and additional resources on the FAS Web site:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Releases Four Data Sets as Part of Open Government Initiative

On January 20, 2010, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA released four data sets to meet the first milestone of the Obama Administration's Open.gov Initiative. The President's Directive tasked each Federal Agency to make available a minimum of three "high-value" data sets available on the day of announcement. Those data sets are to also include the FSIS “Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory,” which provides a listing of Federally inspected establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products. The dataset will be updated monthly and provide the official establishment number, company, location, establishment telephone number, and date their grant of inspection was awarded.

Read about the full list of data sets and the announcement by the Agriculture Secretary:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/01/0025.xml

USDA Hosts Outreach Webinars on Mobile Slaughter Units

On January 20, 2010, as part of the USDA "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" Initiative, FSIS hosted two Web outreach seminars –on January 20 and 21—on mobile slaughter units. Amidst heightened interest in building the capacity for slaughter in rural areas, the seminars were meant to educate small and very small operators of meat and poultry establishments about mobile slaughter units' economic potential.

Read this announcement about USDA’s outreach Webinars:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/01/0024.xml

FSIS is scheduled to host the following NetMeeting Webinars on “Sanitary Dressing Procedures:”

Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET
Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET

To register and download the presentation before the meeting, go to: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/

FDA Commissioner Addresses Nation's Health Care Professionals on H1N1 Vaccine

On January 15, 2010, FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg sent a letter to America’s health care professionals thanking them for their efforts during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak and providing information on safety monitoring of the 2009 H1N1 vaccines.

Read the Commissioner’s statement:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm197818.htm

FDA Launches “FDA Basics” Online to Enhance Public Understanding of the Agency

“FDA Basics,” launched on January 12, 2010, is the first phase of the Agency’s Transparency Initiative, which was launched with the strong support of the Department of Health and Human Services in response to the Obama Administration’s commitment to an unprecedented level of openness in government. The Transparency Initiative is designed to explain agency operations, how it makes decisions, and the drug approval process.

View “FDA Basics” questions and answers about the Agency, short video conversations with agency personnel and more:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm197369.htm

View FDA’s consumer updates:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/default.htm

FDA’s Update on Bisphenol A 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. FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. These steps include:

Supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA-containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for the U.S. market;
Facilitating the development of alternatives to BPA for the linings of infant formula cans; and
Aupporting efforts to replace BPA or minimize BPA levels in other food can linings.

FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA. In addition, the Agency is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA.

View this press release in its entirety:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm

Read the full January 2010 update on Bisphenol A for use in food contact applications, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm197739.htm

Read Bisphenol A (BPA) Information for Parents:
http://www.hhs.gov/safety/bpa/

Launch of CDC “Healthy Water” Web site

CDC has launched a new Healthy “Water” Web site that includes a hygiene component.

View the new site:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/index.html

Foodborne Outbreak Online Database (FOOD), Annual Listing of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks, United States (1998–2007)

The Foodborne Outbreak Database (FOOD) has been designed to allow the public direct access to information on foodborne outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most outbreaks are reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) by the state, local, territorial, or tribal health department that conducted the outbreak investigation. Outbreak reporting is voluntary. Multi-state outbreaks are generally reported to NORS by CDC.

Access the FOOD application:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/foodborneoutbreaks/

View frequently asked questions about the FOOD application:
http://www.cdc.gov/outbreaknet/pdf/FAQsonFOOD.pdf

FDA Ends Maryland Seafood Processor’s Pattern of Sanitary Violations

On January 8, 2010, the FDA announced that a Maryland seafood processor, delivering fresh, frozen, and ready-to-eat seafood in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., is to stop processing and distributing adulterated fish and seafood because it is not compliant with Federal food safety laws. The Congressional Seafood Company Inc. of Jessup, MD, and three of its executives were cited by FDA for failing to follow the Agency’s Seafood HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) regulations in the handling of products including raw, ready-to-eat tuna for sushi and sashimi, fresh and vacuum-packed crabmeat, frozen octopus and shrimp, and molluscan shellfish.

View detailed information about the violations:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm196967.htm

FDA Seizes More Than $1 Million Worth of Food from Nashville Food Processor and Warehouse

On January 6, 2010, at the request of the FDA, U.S. Marshals seized bulk restaurant food products at Won Feng Trading Company, a food processor and warehouse in Nashville, TN. The products are adulterated under the “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” because they have been held under unsanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with filth. The “Act” uses the term "insanitary" to describe such conditions. U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated foods, including a wide variety of bulk restaurant foods, such as 44-pound bags of rice, fresh produce and frozen food products that are susceptible to contamination by rodents, insects, or other filth. The Agency has not received any reports of consumer illnesses.

Read about the steps the Agency has taken to prevent distribution of food from this rodent-infested facility:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm196487.htm

FDA Takes Action Against New Jersey Cheese Manufacturer

On January 4, 2010, the FDA announced intentions to ask a Federal court to shut down a New Jersey cheese manufacturer with an alleged history of operating under insanitary conditions and producing cheese contaminated with “Listeria monocytogenes.” The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint for permanent injunction against Quesos Mi Pueblito and two of its officers, Felix Sanchez and Jesus Galvez. The complaint alleges that recent inspections by the FDA and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services found Listeria contaminated cheese and insanitary conditions at the Passaic company.

View information about how the company failed to correct violations despite Federal, and State warnings:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm196119.htm

Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Associated with Beef from National Steak and Poultry

On January 6, 2010, CDC issued an update announcing it is collaborating with public health officials in several States and FSIS to investigate a multistate outbreak of human infections due to Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Read more about this outbreak:
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2010/index.html

“Food Safety at Home” Podcasts

Tune in and subscribe to podcasts and listen to food safety specialists providing consumers with advice and up to date information on how to prevent foodborne illness through the safe handling, preparation and storage of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.

Visit FSIS’s “Food Safety at Home” podcast page:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Food_Safety_at_Home_Podcasts/index.asp

"Agricultural Research Magazine" -- January 2010 - Vol. 58, No. 1

The January 2010 issue of the "Agricultural Research Magazine" from USDA's Agricultural Research Service is now available online at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan10/

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

FDA Announces Dietetics and Nutrition Workshop

The FDA has scheduled a Dietetics and Nutrition Workshop for Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, at the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Harvey W. Wiley Building, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD. The Workshop is designed for dietetic interns, students and faculty in dietetics and nutrition, practicing dietitians and nutritionists, and all other interested parties. The purpose of the Workshop is to communicate FDA’s nutrition and regulatory activities that are relevant to the practice of dietetics and nutrition. The online registration deadline is January 29, 2010.

View registration information:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm161695.htm

Public Meeting To Address Agenda Items for the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems

On January 12, 2010, FSIS announced a public meeting to discuss agenda items coming before the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS). The Codex Session will be held in Australia from March 1-5, 2010.

Read this announcement:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_011210_01/index.asp

Agricultural Outlook Forum 2010

Please join Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for the 86th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum to discuss: “Sustainable Agriculture: The Key to Health & Prosperity.” In addition to USDA leaders, this year's Forum will feature U.S. Trade Representative Ronald Kirk and distinguished guest speakers from the private sector. The Forum is scheduled for February 18-19, 2010 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia.

Read more about this forum:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/

2010 National Food Safety Education Conference Program Available

“Advancements in Food Safety Education: Trends, Tools and Technologies”, the fourth National food safety education conference, will be held March 23-26, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, GA. The conference will be hosted by the USDA and NSF, and co-sponsored by the FDA, CDC, the Partnership for Food Safety Education, and the NSF/WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Safety. The programs for the conference and pre-conference workshops are nearly complete.

Read this entire notice:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm198000.htm

People in the News

President Obama, Secretary Vilsack Announce Intent to Nominate Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety

On January 25, 2010, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Dr. Elisabeth Hagen as the USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety. Hagen will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Read this announcement in its entirety:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/01/0022.xml

Michael Taylor Appointed Deputy Commissioner for Foods

Michael R. Taylor was named Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA on January 13, 2010. He is the first individual to hold the position, which was created along with a new FDA Office of Foods in August 2009 to elevate the leadership and management of food programs at the agency. Mr. Taylor is a nationally recognized food safety expert, having served in numerous high-level positions at FDA and USDA, as a research professor in academia, and on several National Academy of Sciences expert committees.

Mr. Taylor returned to FDA in July 2009 as Senior Advisor to Commissioner

Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.

View the complete Constituent Update regarding Michael Taylor’s appointment to Deputy Commissioner for Foods:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm197828.htm

Industry

What is the Public Health Information System?

FSIS has been working on a number of activities designed to improve food safety and food defense, the most significant of which is the Public Health Information System (PHIS). PHIS is a Web-based application that will replace FSIS' legacy systems, like the Performance-Based Inspection System; facilitate data integration and analysis; and automate paper-based business processes, such as export certification and audits of foreign countries' inspection programs.

*Guidance for Industry: Factors that Distinguish Liquid Dietary Supplements from Beverages, Considerations Regarding Novel Ingredients, and Labeling for Beverages and Other Conventional Foods

FDA is issuing this guidance to assist dietary supplement and beverage manufacturers and distributors in reaching a determination as to whether a liquid product may be labeled and marketed as a dietary supplement. The guidance describes factors that can be used to identify liquid products that are excluded from being dietary supplements because they are represented as conventional foods. Further, this guidance reminds manufacturers and distributors of beverages and other conventional foods, particularly those that contain novel ingredients, about the requirements of the “FFDCA” (“Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act”) regarding ingredients and labeling.

View this guidance document:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/DietarySupplements/ucm196903.htm

FSIS Issues Supplemental Proposed Rule for Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products – Rule Would Help Families Make Healthier Food Choices

On December 18, 2009, FSIS announced that it will solicit further public comments on the proposed Rule, "Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products." The Rule is designed to help families make more informed decisions when purchasing and consuming meat and poultry products by requiring nutrition labeling of major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by February 16, 2010. For further information contact Sally Jones, Senior Technical Advisor, Labeling and Program Delivery Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, USDA, FSIS, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Block A, 2nd Wing, 2nd Floor Room 2-2124, Beltsville, MD 20705, or by phone at (301) 504-0878.

Send comments can also be sent through the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http://www.regulations.gov

Read this announcement:
http://www.usda.gov/2009/12/0623.xml

FSIS Policy Updates

FSIS has issued the following policy updates:

Notice 06-10: “Humane Handling at All Entrances and the Twenty-Eight Hour Law”
Notice 07-10: “Instructions for Sampling Ammoniated Beef Products”
Directive 5010.1: “Food Safety Related Topics for Discussion During Weekly Meetings”
Directive 7120.1: “Amendment 21, Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products”
Notice 01-10: “Pasteurized Egg Products Imported in Bulk Containers from Canada”

View all Notices and Directives:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp