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Date:         Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:29:22 EST
Reply-To:     EdNet@FOODSAFETY.GOV
Sender:       National Food Safety Educator's Network <EDNET-L@FOODSAFETY.GOV>
From:         National Food Safety Educator's Network <EDNET@FOODSAFETY.GOV>
Organization: National Food Safety Educator's Network
Subject:      Ednet Update January 2007
 
   * * * *      National Food Safety Educator's Network      * * * *
   * * * *             EdNet-L@foodsafety.gov                * * * *
 
EdNet is an  electronic newsletter from the Food  and Drug Administration
(FDA), Food  Safety and  Inspection Service (FSIS),  and the  Centers for
Disease Control  and Prevention (CDC),  providing updates on  food safety
activities  to   educators  and  others  concerned   about  food  safety.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
 
EdNet-January 2007
 
 
IN THIS ISSUE
 
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
*   USDA Offers Food Safety and Nutrition Advice for Your Super Bowl
    Party
*   Statement of Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers
    for Disease Control and Prevention on "Pandemic Influenza: Progress Made
    and Challenges Ahead"
*   FDA and States Closer to Identifying Source of "E. coli"
    Contamination Associated with Illnesses at Taco John's Restaurants
*   FDA Expands Use of the Nutrient Content Claim "Lean" on Food Labels
*   FDA Proposes Barring Certain Cattle Material from Medical Products
    as BSE Safeguard
*   FDA Announces Extension of Comment Period on Conventional Foods
    Marketed As "Functional Foods"
*   CDC awards $3.7 Million to Improve Public Health and Healthcare
    Information Sharing for Disease Detection
*   FDA Updates Health Claim for Calcium and Osteoporosis
*   USDA Proposes to Allow Additional Imports from BSE Minimal-Risk
    Countries
*   National Nutrition Month (R) - March 2007: "100% Fad Free" (ADA)
*   USDA "National Needs Fellowships" at Rutgers
*   Healthy Living Calendars (CDC)
*   "Five Keys to Safer Food" Manual (WHO)
*   "FDA Consumer" Magazine - January-February 2007 Now Online
*   "Emerging Infectious Diseases"(R) Journal, January 2007, is Now
    Available on the Web
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
*   Administrator Masters Leaving FSIS: Dr. David Goldman to Serve As
    FSIS Acting Administrator
*   FDA Commissioner Announces High-Level Agency Changes
 
MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
*   USDA's 83rd Agricultural Outlook Forum: Speaker Update
*   FDA's Food Defense Workshop
*   Workshop: Educational Program for Meat and Poultry Processors (UMES)
 
INDUSTRY INFO
*   FSIS Regulatory Education Sessions for Small and Very Small Plants
*   FSIS Food Defense Plan for Meat and Poultry Slaughter Processing
    Plants
*   FSIS Posts Summary Report of State Program Reviews
*   FSIS Notice: "FSIS Jurisdiction Over Flavor Products Containing Meat
    or Poultry"-Docket No. FSIS 2006-0035, "Federal Register," Volume 72,
    Number 17
*   FSIS Notice 05-07: "Revised Documentation Related To Specified Risk
    Materials (SRMs) and Other Regulations"
*   FDA Proposes to Define the Term "Gluten-Free" for Voluntary Use in
    Food Labeling
*   FSIS Issues "Supplemental Labeling Guidance and Additional Q & As"
    for Notice 75-06
*   FSIS Directive 12,600.1: "Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection
    Services"- Revision 1, Amendment 1
*   FSIS Directive 7120.1: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the
    Production of Meat and Poultry Products" --Amendment 10
*   FSIS to Extend Comment Period on Term "Natural"
*   FSIS Solicits Feedback from FOIA Customers
*   FSIS Food Safety Resource Brochures
*   FSIS Notice 02-07: "Export Library Revisions for December 2006"
*   USDA Proposes to Allow Additional Imports From BSE Minimal-Risk
    Countries
*   Statement of Dr. Richard Raymond, USDA Under Secretary for Food
    Safety, on the "Stakeholders Input Process of Risk-Based Inspection"
    Final Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
 
*   USDA Offers Food Safety and Nutrition Advice for Your Super Bowl Party
 
On January 26, 2007, USDA issued a news release providing consumers with
food safety and healthy eating recommendations in anticipation of Super
Bowl parties that will be held around the country. To read this news
release, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_012607_01/index.asp
 
*   Statement of Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers
    for Disease Control and Prevention on "Pandemic Influenza: Progress Made
    and Challenges Ahead"
 
On January 24, 2007, Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made a statement regarding
"Pandemic Influenza: Progress Made and Challenges Ahead." To view this
statement, visit the CDC Web site at:
http://www.cdc.gov/about/news/2007/01/gerberding-testimony-avian.htm
 
*   FDA and States Closer to Identifying Source of "E. coli"
    Contamination Associated with Illnesses at Taco John's Restaurants
 
On January 12, 2007, the FDA announced that it has moved closer to
identifying the source of illness for the Taco John "E. coli" outbreak.
FDA and the State of California, working in conjunction with State
health officials in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, have DNA-matched the
strain of "E. coli" O157:H7 bacteria associated with the outbreak with
two environmental samples gathered from dairy farms near a lettuce
growing area in California's Central Valley.  FDA has no indication that
any lettuce currently on the market, including iceberg lettuce, is
connected with any consumer illnesses. This outbreak is not connected to
any previous outbreak. To read entire press release, go to:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fptacoj.html
 
*   FDA Expands Use of the Nutrient Content Claim "Lean" on Food Labels
 
On January 12, 2007, the FDA published a final rule to expand the use of
the nutrient content claim "lean" on labels of foods that are
categorized as "mixed dishes not measurable with a cup." FDA
acknowledges that meals-on-the-go have made their way into consumers'
diets as a convenient meal option. The final rule is located in Dockets,
Docket No. 2004P-0183, and is available at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr070112.html
 
*   FDA Proposes Barring Certain Cattle Material from Medical Products
    as BSE Safeguard
 
The FDA is proposing to limit the materials used in some medical
products in order to keep them free of the agent thought to cause mad
cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. This
is the latest in a series of BSE safeguards that would bar material that
has been found to harbor the highest concentrations of this fatal agent
in infected cattle. These materials would be prohibited from use as
ingredients in medical products or elements of product manufacturing. To
read about the cattle materials prohibited in the proposed rule, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01545.html
 
*   FDA Announces Extension of Comment Period on Conventional Foods
    Marketed As "Functional Foods"
 
The FDA is extending to March 5, 2007, the comment period for the Notice
of public hearing that appeared in the "Federal Register" of October 25,
2006 (71 FR 62400).  In this Notice of public hearing, FDA requested
comments on how the Agency should regulate conventional foods marketed
as "functional foods" under its existing legal authority. The Agency is
extending the comment period in response to several requests for such an
action to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.
Additional information is available at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr070108.html
 
*   CDC awards $3.7 Million to Improve Public Health and Healthcare
    Information Sharing for Disease Detection
 
On January 8, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
announced $3.7 million in new grants designed to enhance healthcare
information in an effort to improve the detection and response to
emerging public health threats. The new grants will fund studies at
three new Centers of Excellence in Public Health Informatics located at
New York City Department of Health and Hygiene; the University of Utah,
Salt Lake City; and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. To
read this press release:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070108.htm
 
*   FDA Updates Health Claim for Calcium and Osteoporosis
 
The FDA is proposing to allow new claims on foods and dietary
supplements containing calcium and Vitamin D to show their potential to
reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The proposed rule would allow
manufacturers to include new information on their food and supplement
labeling and to eliminate certain other information. In addition, this
action is part of FDA's continued commitment to helping consumers make
informed healthy food choices.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fphclaim.html
 
*   USDA Proposes to Allow Additional Imports From BSE Minimal-Risk
    Countries
 
On January 4, 2007, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service announced a proposal to expand the list of allowable imports
from countries recognized as  presenting a minimal risk of introducing
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) into the United States.
Currently, Canada is the only minimal-risk country designated by the
United States. To read this news release, visit:
http://www.usda.gov/2007/01/0001.xml
 
*   National Nutrition Month(R) - March 2007: "100% Fad Free"
 
National Nutrition Month(R) is a nutrition education and information
campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
The 2007 theme of National Nutrition Month(R) is "100% Fad Free" and it
is ADA's members' perfect annual opportunity to highlight their services
and expertise and promote healthy eating to any audience - co-workers,
clients, community, school or church. For more information, visit:
http://www.eatright.org
 
*   USDA "National Needs Fellowships" at Rutgers
 
USDA "National Needs Fellowships" to support students' doctoral studies
in food safety microbiology are available at the Graduate Program in
Food Science, Rutgers, the State University. Fellows rotate through FDA,
industrial (FPA) and faculty laboratories. Dissertations research is
with Drs. Chikindas, Matthews, Montville, or Schaffner. For further
information on eligibility, funding, applications, course requirements,
and deadlines call or write: Dr. Tom Montville, Department of Food
Science, 65 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Tel: 732-932-9611, x
222; fax: 732-932-6776. Or, e-mail: montville@aesop.rutgers.edu. To
view this poster announcement on the Web, visit:
http://www.foodsci.rutgers.edu/USDA%20Fellowships/usda.htm
Visit the Rutgers' Web Site at:
http://www.foodsci.rutgers.edu/
 
To read more about the "Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs
Graduate Fellowships Grants Program," go to:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/about/offices/serd_funding_intl.html
 
*   Healthy Living Calendars
 
For the links to a variety of 81/2 x 11 one-page calendars that promote
taking simple steps every day for a safe and healthy life, visit the CDC
Web site at:
http://www.cdc.gov/women/calendar.htm
 
*   "Five Keys to Safer Food Manual"
 
The World Health Organization's Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and
Foodborne Diseases has published the "Five Keys to Safer Food Manual."
This manual elaborates the food safety information provided in the WHO's
"Five Keys to Safer Food" poster and suggests ways to communicate the
message. It also provides tips on how to adapt the training program for
different target groups (e.g. professional food handlers, consumers,
children and women). The English version is available at:
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/consumer/manual_keys.pdf
 
*    "FDA Consumer" Magazine - January-February 2007 Now Online
 
The latest issue of "FDA Consumer" magazine is available online. To
view, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/107_toc.html
 
*   "Emerging Infectious Diseases"(R) Journal, January 2007, is Now
    Available on the Web
 
To view the current issue of the "Emerging Infectious Diseases"(R)
Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2007, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/index.htm
 
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
 
*   Administrator Masters Leaving FSIS: Dr. David Goldman to Serve As
    FSIS Acting Administrator
 
On January 5, 2007, Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr.
Richard Raymond announced that Food Safety and Inspection Service
Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters would leave the Agency effective
January 19, 2007 to become Senior Policy Analyst for Olsson, Frank &
Weeda, P.C. To read this news release, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_010507_01/index.asp
 
*   FDA Commissioner Announces High-Level Agency Changes
 
FDA is creating the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to oversee the
Agency's scientific operations. FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von
Eschenbach, M.D., announced that Janet Woodcock, M.D., a 20-year FDA
veteran who has held several high-level Agency posts, will head the new
office. At the same time, the Agency has appointed John R. Dyer as its
Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief Operating Officer. He has
held several previous executive positions, including ones at the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security
Administration.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01549.html
 
 
MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
 
*   USDA's 83rd Agricultural Outlook Forum: Speaker Update
 
USDA's 83rd Agricultural Outlook Forum titled "Agriculture at the
Crossroads: Energy, Farm & Rural Policy" is scheduled to take place at
the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, on March 1-2,
2007. The 2007 Forum will feature Secretary Mike Johanns and leading
CEOs focusing on the impact of bioenergy on agriculture. For a program
preview, an up-to-date roster of session speakers and to register,
please visit:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/
 
*   FDA's Food Defense Workshop
 
The FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Southwest Regional Office
(SWRO), in co-sponsorship with the Risk Management Small Business
Development Center (RMSBDC), is announcing a public workshop entitled
"Food Defense Workshop." This public workshop is intended to provide
information  about food defense, the regulations authorized by the "Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" (the
"Bioterrorism Act"), and other related subjects to FDA-regulated food facilities
(farms, manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, and
restaurants). This public workshop will be held on March 29, 2007, from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hoblitzelle Auditorium at the Bill Priest Campus of El
Centro College, 1402 Corinth St., Dallas, TX  75215. The contact person is David
Arvelo and he could be reached at 214-253-4952. For more information, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html
 
*   Workshop: Educational Program for Meat and Poultry Processors
 
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Food Science and Technology
(UMES/FDST) PhD Program, incorporated with the ARS/UMES Center of
Excellence, and USDA/FSIS/OPPED will hold a workshop entitled,
"USDA/FSIS Enforcement Investigation and Analysis Officer (EIAO)
Educational Program for Meat and Poultry Processors."  The workshop is
scheduled to take place at the UMES Center for Food Science and
Technology Building, Room 1102, One Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD on
Thursday, February 8th, 2007, from 8.00 AM to 5:00 PM. and it is open to
general public. The course will be taught by Dr. Tom McDougal. Anyone
who is interested in the workshop is welcome. For more details, visit:
http://www.umes.edu/EIAOProgram/
 
 
INDUSTRY INFO
 
*   FSIS Regulatory Education Sessions for Small and Very Small Plants
 
FSIS will hold regulatory education sessions on February 2, 6 and 28,
2007, for the owners and operators of small and very small plants. The
sessions will cover a regulatory walk-through of sanitation standard
operating procedures and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
and rules of practice regulations. The Agency has moved forward with
plans to expand the regulatory education sessions. The regulatory
education sessions will be held at the following locations:
 
* Friday, February 2, 2007, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Wyoming
Department of Agriculture Conference Room, 2219 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, WY
 
* Tuesday, February 6, 2007,  from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Doubletree
Albuquerque, 201 Marquette Avenue, Albuquerque, NM
* Wednesday, February 28, 2007, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Crowne Plaza
Madison East Towne, 4402 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI
To register by phone, call (800) 336-3747. Online registration forms and
information about upcoming sessions can be found at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Outreach_Sessions_SVS_Plants/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Food Defense Plan for Meat and Poultry Slaughter Processing Plants
 
FSIS has posted on its Web site a Guide for developing a food defense
plan for meat and poultry slaughter processing plants. This Guide was
developed in consultation with very small, small and large meat and
poultry processors. The Guide provides an easy, practical and achievable
three-step method for creating a food defense plan. The Guide can be
viewed on FSIS' Web site at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/Small_Very_Small_Plant_Outreach/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Posts Summary Report of State Program Reviews
 
On January 25, 2007, FSIS posted on its Web site the summary report of
State program reviews. The report summarizes the results from
comprehensive reviews of 28 States that currently operate meat and
poultry programs. The summary report is available on the FSIS Web site
at:
 http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Review_of_State_Programs.pdf
 
*   FSIS Notice: "FSIS Jurisdiction Over Flavor Products Containing Meat
    or Poultry"-Docket No. FSIS 2006-0035, "Federal Register," Volume 72,
    Number 17
 
On January 26, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "FSIS Jurisdiction Over
Flavor Products Containing Meat or Poultry" to clarify that flavor
products, e.g., flavor bases, and blended and reaction/process flavors,
with greater than 3 percent raw meat or poultry, or 2 percent or more
cooked meat or poultry, in their formulation are amenable to FSIS
jurisdiction. Recent findings show that some manufacturers of flavor
products formulated with significant levels of meat, meat byproducts,
poultry, and poultry byproducts (e.g., 30-70 percent) are not aware that
such products are under FSIS jurisdiction. These manufacturers need to
take necessary steps to come under inspection. To view, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2007_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Notice 05-07: "Revised Documentation Related To Specified Risk
    Materials (SRMs) and Other Regulations"
 
On January 23, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Revised Documentation
Related To Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) and Other Regulations." The
purpose of this Notice is to emphasize the importance of citing every
relevant regulation on FSIS Form 5400-4, "Noncompliance Record (NR),"
and, in particular, stresses that inspection program personnel are to
always cite the appropriate sections of  "9 CFR 310.22" when a
noncompliance involves SRMs. This Notice cancels FSIS Notice 01-07,
"Documentation Related to Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) and Other
Regulations," and reissues its content to present a clearer example of
an SRM noncompliance.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Notice_05-07/index.asp
 
*   FDA Proposes to Define the Term "Gluten-Free" for Voluntary Use in
    Food Labeling
 
On January 23, 2007, FDA published a proposed Rule in the Federal
Register, Docket No. 2005N-0279, titled "Food-Labeling: Gluten Free
Labeling of Foods." Included in the proposed Rule is a definition
established by the FDA for the term "gluten-free" for voluntary use in
the labeling of foods. A definition for the term "gluten-free" would
assist those who have celiac disease (also know as celiac sprue or
gluten-sensitive enteropathy) and their caregivers to more easily
identify packaged foods that are safe for persons with celiac disease to
eat. This proposed Rule has been prepared in response to the "Food
Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004," Title II of
Public Law 108-282, enacted on August 2, 2004, which directs the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to propose, and
later make final, a Rule that defines and permits the use of the food
labeling term "gluten-free." FDA is proposing to define the food
labeling term "gluten-free." To read entire article and FDA's definition
of "gluten free," go to:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr070123.html
"Questions and Answers on the Gluten-Free Labeling Proposed Rule" has
been prepared by FDA and is available at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/glutqa.html
 
*   FSIS Issues "Supplemental Labeling Guidance and Additional Q & As"
    for Notice 75-06
 
On January 17, 2007, FSIS issued a "Supplemental Labeling Guidance and
Additional Questions and Answers (Q & As) pertaining to FSIS Notice
75-06, "Verification Instructions for Changes in Label Requirements for
Uncooked and Raw, Frozen, Breaded, Boneless Poultry Products. This
information supplements labeling guidance currently on FSIS' Web site
entitled, "Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Labeling Policy
Guidance for Uncooked, and Raw, Breaded, Boneless Poultry Products." To
view the "Labeling Guidance and Q & As," visit FSIS' Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/labeling_&_consumer_protection/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Directive 12,600.1: "Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection
    Services"- Revision 1, Amendment 1
 
On January 18, 2007, FSIS issued Amendment 1 to Directive 12,600.1,
Rev.1, titled "Voluntary Reimbursable Inspection Services." To view this
Directive in its entirety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/12600.1Amend1.pdf
 
*   FSIS Directive 7120.1: "Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the
    Production of Meat and Poultry Products" --Amendment 10
 
On January 18, 2007, FSIS issued an Amendment 10 to Directive 7120.1,
"Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in the Production of Meat and
Poultry Products." This Directive provides inspection program personnel
with an up-to-date list of approved substances for use in the production
of meat and poultry products.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/7120.1Amend10.pdf
 
*   FSIS Extends Comment Period on Term "Natural"
 
FSIS has extended the comment period on how to define the term "natural"
until March 5, 2007. FSIS held a public meeting on December 12, 2006, to
discuss a petition to establish a definition for the voluntary claim
"natural." The Agency also gathered comments on conditions under which
the claim should be allowed to be used on the labels of meat and poultry
products. The original comment period closed on January 11, 2007;
however, FSIS has taken this action to respond to requests that were made
at and  after the December 12, 2007 meeting.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Const_Update_011207/index.asp
To view a transcript from the public meeting, visit the FSIS Web site
at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Natural_Claims_Transcripts.pdf
 
*   FSIS Solicits Feedback from FOIA Customers
 
On January 10, 2007, FSIS launched an electronic customer feedback
section on the Agency's "Freedom of Information Act" (FOIA) Web page.
The feedback section has been made available so that unsolicited
comments and suggestions from customers who have requested records from
FSIS can be shared. To access the FOIA customer feedback section, visit
FSIS' Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FOIA/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Food Safety Resource Brochures
 
FSIS has mailed a copy of its "Food Safety Resources: Hazard Analysis
and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems Small and Very Small Plant
Outreach" brochure to all meat and poultry establishments. The mailing
is part of an ongoing outreach program to provide small and very small
plants with the latest and most comprehensive information on foodborne
hazards, up-to-date procedures and proven technologies. FSIS Generic
HACCP Models; guidance documents; and FSIS workshop materials on
"Listeria monocytogenes," "E. coli" O157:H7 and food defense materials
will be offered at no cost. Most materials are available in both English
and Spanish. The brochure is also available on the FSIS Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/HACCP_Resources_Brochure_Apr2006.pdf
 
*   FSIS Notice 02-07: "Export Library Revisions for December 2006"
 
On January 10, 2007, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Export Library
Revisions for December 2006." This Notice provides links to the pages of
the Export Library for those countries that have made changes in their
export requirements during December. To read this Notice, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   USDA Proposes to Allow Additional Imports From BSE Minimal-Risk
    Countries
 
On January 4, 2007, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service announced a proposal to expand the list of allowable imports
from countries recognized as presenting a minimal risk of introducing
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) into the United States.
Currently, Canada is the only minimal-risk country designated by the
United States. To read this news release, visit the USDA Web site at:
http://www.usda.gov/2007/01/0001.xml
 
*   Statement of Dr. Richard Raymond, USDA Under Secretary for Food
    Safety, on the "Stakeholder Input Regarding Risk-Based Inspection of
    Meat and Poultry Products" Report
 
On December 22, 2006, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard
Raymond issued a statement concerning a report on "Stakeholder Input
Regarding Risk-Based Inspection of Meat and Poultry Products." To read
this statement, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_122206_01/index.asp
 
 
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