EdNet March 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 Consumer Alert: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency
- FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Deli Meat Products
- FDA Alert for Consumers: The HVP Recall
Resources for Educators
- USDA Seeks Comments on New Rule to Enhance Food Safety
- FS.gov Blog Goes Live
- Video: “Start at the Store: Prevent Foodborne Illness” (FDA)
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Product Recalls (FDA)
- FDA Cites Food Firms on Labeling Violations; Commissioner Hamburg Issues Open Letter on Labeling to the Industry
- FDA Survey Shows Gains in Food-Label Use, Health/Diet Awareness
- Fact Sheet: Key Findings from 2002 and 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Health and Diet Survey
- FDA Update on the Investigation into the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak
- New Podcasts (FSIS)
Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops
People in the News
Industry
- FDA Task Force Seeks Public Comments on Increasing Transparency with Regulated Industry
- FSIS Policy Updates
- FDA’s New Front-of-Package Labeling Initiative
- FDA’s Nutrition Initiative Questions & Answers
Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings
USDA Consumer Alert: Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency
On March 18, 2010, USDA issued a consumer alert providing recommendations to those residents in the Midwest region, especially in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, to prepare for spring flooding along the Red River due to a heavy snowpack and rapid thawing due to milder temperatures. 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_031810_01/index.asp
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Deli Meat Products
On March 16, 2010, FSIS issued a public health alert due to illnesses possibly associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) deli meat products that may be contaminated with “Listeria monocytogenes.”
Read this public health alert:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_031610_01/index.asp
FDA Alert for Consumers: The HVP Recall
The FDA is taking steps to protect the public following the early identification of “Salmonella” in one company’s supply of a common processed food ingredient. At this time, no illnesses are known to be associated with this problem of contamination.
To prevent illnesses from occurring, the FDA is advising industry about which products to recall and providing consumers with recommendations.
Get more information:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm202989.htm
Resources for Educators
USDA Seeks Comments on New Rule to Enhance Food Safety
On March 25, 2010, FSIS announced that it is seeking comment on proposed measures to enhance food safety. The proposed Rule would implement a provision of the “2008 Farm Bill” and is a priority for the Food Safety Working Group (FSWG).
Read this announcementt:
http://www.usda.gov/2010/03/0150.xml
FS.gov Blog Goes Live
A new blog feature has gone live on the FoodSafety.gov Web site, the gateway to food safety information provided by Federal government agencies.
Read blogs:
http://foodsafety.gov/keep/asktheexpert/index.html
Video: “Start at the Store: Prevent Foodborne Illness”
On March 15, 2010, the FDA issued a video entitled, “Start at the Store: Prevent Foodborne Illness.”
Watch this new FDA Consumer Update video to learn how to prevent foodborne illness by starting at the store with safe food handling practices. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm204328.htm
View the Consumer Update publication:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm094535.htm
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Product Recalls
The FDA is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods.
Get more information about how the FDA is taking steps to instruct industry and protect consumers:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/MajorProductRecalls/HVP/default.htm
Read FDA’s press release about the HVP recall:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm203067.htm
Check www.foodsafety.gov for a list of recalled products at:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/
FDA Cites Food Firms on Labeling Violations; Commissioner Hamburg Issues Open Letter on Labeling to the Industry
On March 3, 2010, the FDA announced that it has issued Warning Letters to 17 food manufacturers informing them that labeling for 22 of their products violates the “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” The violations cited in the Warning Letters include unauthorized health claims, unauthorized nutrient content claims, and the unauthorized use of terms such as “healthy,” and others for which regulatory definitions have been established to assure that such claims are reliable. The action follows an October 2009 statement by Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret Hamburg, M.D., encouraging companies to review their labeling to ensure that they were in compliance with FDA regulations, and were truthful and not misleading.
Read more:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/default.htm
FDA Survey Shows Gains in Food-Label Use, Health/Diet Awareness
More than half of consumers in the United States often read the food label when buying a product for the first time. These consumers are also increasingly aware of the link between diet and heart disease. Those are among the key findings that the FDA released from its latest Health and Diet Survey, a snapshot of the nation's dietary habits.
View this Consumer Update:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm202611.htm
Fact Sheet: Key Findings from 2002 and 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Health and Diet Survey
Since 1982 the FDA has been conducting a nationally representative survey to assess the United States (U.S.) adult population’s self-reported behaviors, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about health and diet. This fact sheet summarizes the key results from the 2008 survey with comparisons to the 2004 and 2002 surveys. More Americans know about the link between diet and heart disease.
View this fact sheet:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm202780.htm
View FDA’s 2008 Health and Diet Survey:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/ConsumerResearch/ucm193895.htm
FDA Update on the Investigation into the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak
As part of the Salmonella Montevideo investigation, the FDA has been actively investigating the supply chain of black and red pepper supplied to Daniele International Inc., Pascoag, R.I. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 245 people have been infected with a matching strain of “Salmonella” Montevideo in at least 44 states and the District of Columbia. Analysis of an epidemiologic study comparing foods eaten by individuals who were sickened identified salami/salame as a possible source of illness.
Read more of FDA’s Update on the Investigation into the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm203344.htm
Read CDC’s Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo/index.html
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 the following new podcasts:
- Food Safety At Home:
- “Egg Food Safety” (English and Spanish)---March 24
- “Corned Beef and Food Safety” (English and Spanish)---March 10
- “Ask Karen Chat Goes Live” (English and Spanish)---February 23
Check out these podcasts:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp
Listen to Spanish language consumer podcasts:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp
View video-casts in American Sign Language:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp
To continue automatically receiving podcasts, renew your subscription, or for assistance, e-mail: podcast@fsis.usda.gov.
Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops
USDA and HHS Hold Public Meeting to Address Agenda Items for the 38th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling
On March 23, 2010, FSIS issued a news release to announce that the USDA’s Office of Food Safety and the FDA are sponsoring a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 38th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling, to be held in Quebec City, Canada, May 3 - 7, 2010. The public meeting will be held on April 7, 2010, from 2 to 5 p.m., in Room 107-A, at the USDA's Jamie L. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC.
Get more information:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_032310_01/index.asp
People in the News
Food and Drug Administration CFSAN Appoints Interim Director in the Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements
Philip C. Spiller has been appointed Interim Director of the Division of Dietary Supplement Programs in the Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. This announcement follows the recent retirement of Vasilios "Bill" Frankos, Ph.D. A formal recruitment announcement for a permanent replacement for the Division Director position will appear shortly on USAJobs.com.
Read more:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm205744.htm
Industry
FDA Task Force Seeks Public Comments on Increasing Transparency with Regulated Industry
As part of the final phase of its transparency initiative, the FDA is seeking comment from the public and other interested stakeholders on how the Agency can increase transparency in its interactions with regulated industry. Posted in the March 12, 2010, “Federal Register,” the request for electronic or written comments has a deadline of April 12, 2010.
Get detailed information:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm204236.htm
FSIS Policy Updates
FSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
- Directive 7530.1: “Handling a Process Deviation or Abnormal Container of Thermally Processed, Commercially Sterile Canned Product”
- Notice 16-10: “Reporting Field Screen Residue Results in the eSAMPLE Application”
- Directive 5500.2 - Revision 4: “Significant Incident Response”
All Notices and Directives are available at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp
FDA’s New Front-of-Package Labeling Initiative
Under the leadership of Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret Hamburg, M.D., reliable nutrition labeling of food products is a top priority for the FDA. In a statement issued October 2009, Dr. Hamburg encouraged food companies to review their labeling to ensure that they were in compliance with FDA regulations. In addition, FDA soon will propose guidance for the industry regarding nutrition labeling on the front of food packages, and plans to work collaboratively with the food industry to design and implement innovative approaches to front-of-package labeling that can help consumers choose healthy diets.
Get detailed information about the New Front-of-Package Labeling Initiative:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm202726.htm
Read “Understanding Front-of-Package Violations: Why Warning Letters Are Sent to Industry”:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm202784.htm
FDA’s Nutrition Initiative Questions & Answers
The FDA posted “Nutrition Initiative Questions and Answers” on its Web site to help stakeholders better understand why the FDA is taking action to ensure that statements made on the principal display panel are truthful, meaningful, and useful in helping consumers make healthy food choices and construct healthy diets.
Read “Nutrition Initiative Questions & Answers”:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm202734.htm
