=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 28 Jan 2000 12:10:25 EST
Reply-To:     EdNet@FOODSAFETY.GOV
Sender:       National Food Safety Educator's Network <EDNET-L@FOODSAFETY.GOV>
From:         EDNET@FOODSAFETY.GOV
Organization: National Food Safety Educator's Network
Subject:      EdNet Update 01/2000
 
   * * * *      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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
 
 IN THIS ISSUE
 
 
   FIGHT BAC!(TM)
   RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
   NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE
   NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
   MEETINGS/CONFERENCES
   INDUSTRY INFO
   FEEDBACK
   SUBSCRIBE
 
 
 
 
FIGHT BAC!(TM)
 
Fight BAC!(TM) Calendars On Sale
The Partnership for Food Safety Education celebrates the new year
with a sale on the 2000 Fight BAC!(TM) calendar!! Check out the
BAC Store for the latest information.
www.fightbac.org/store
 
Fight BAC!(TM) USDA Liaison
USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service welcomes back Susan Conley
to her regular duties as the Director, Food Safety Education Staff,
Office of the Administrator.  Last year Susan was on special
assignment to the University of Maryland to assist the Partnership
for Food Safety Education on the Fight BAC!(TM) program and other
special projects.  Susan helped in the revitalization of the
Fight BAC!(TM) Web site, development of the Virtual Toolbox, and
promoting BAC nationwide.  Susan Conley remains the USDA Liaison
to the Partnership for Food Safety Education.  Susan Conley can be
reached at USDA/FSIS: (202) 720-7943; e-mail: Susan.Conley@usda.gov
 
Fight BAC!(TM) Campaign, Part of Food Safety Reinvention Project
A story in the current electronic issue of the National
Partnership for Reinventing Government's "REGO" features
Fight BAC!(TM), an education initiative that is part of the broad
food safety reinvention project.  The article recounts the grass-
roots success story of the FDA's Nashville District Office who
responded quickly to the Fight BAC!(TM) education challenge and
introduced several programs to promote the new food safety
initiatives.  In 1997, industry, government, and consumer groups
formed the Partnership for Food Safety Education to inform the public
about safe food handling to help reduce foodborne illness.
http://www.rego.gov/health/fightbac.htm
 
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
 
FDA and NSTA Announce Food Science Program for Teachers
The FDA and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) announce
a new Professional Development Program in Food Science for middle and
high school teachers.  According to NSTA, food science provides science
educators with an opportunity to provide topically relevant lessons for
their students.  The professional development program is being offered
to enhance teachers' understanding of food science.  A new
supplementary food science curriculum developed jointly by FDA and
NSTA will be distributed to schools in September.  In July, 25
middle school and 25 high school teachers from across the country
will come to Washington, D.C., to preview the supplementary curriculum
program; meet with scientists to discuss the science of food safety;
visit laboratories and food processing plants; and develop an
understanding of how food safety policy is created.
 
Teachers wishing to apply for the program must complete an application
and submit it to NSTA by March 10, 2000.  After completing the program,
participants will be required to present a follow up workshop in their
respective school or district during the 2000-2001 school year.
Program expenses will be covered and an honorarium will be provided.
Applications are available from NSTA by fax at 703-522-5413 or from
its Web site:
http://www.nsta.org/programs/fda.htm
 
For more information on the professional development workshop or the
supplementary food science curriculum program, contact Laura Fox at
FDA, (202) 260-0574; or e-mail Lfox@bangate.fda.gov.
 
 
CDC's "An Ounce of Prevention" Features Food Safety
Almost everyone has experienced a foodborne illness at some
point in time.  But do we only get sick from restaurant food?
All food may contain some natural bacteria, and improper handling
gives the bacteria a chance to grow.  The Web site features four
major tips you can use to prevent contaminated food.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/food.htm
 
Now Available: Food Safety Materials in Other Languages
A new section, "Other Languages," has been added to the
FoodSafety.gov Web site.  This new section will provide links to
all goverment food safety materials that are available to the
public on the Web in languages other than English.  Materials
available in the following languages: Chinese, French, German,
Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese. Video materials
on the Web that are in other languages are also listed.
http://www.FoodSafety.gov/~fsg/fsglang.html
 
USDA's National Food Safety State Contacts Directory
USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
has posted a state directory of university food safety contacts
on its Web site below.
http://www.reeusda.gov/pas/programs/foodsafety/foodstates/usamap1.htm
 
 
NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE
 
Egg Safety From Production to Consumption: An Action Plan
The Clinton Administration announced a new egg safety program that
is intended to reduce the incidence of Salmonella Enteriditidis by
50 percent by 2005.  Under the program, egg producers and processors
will carry out one of two strategies to improve egg safety.  The first
strategy requires rigorous on-farm agricultural and sanitation
practices, extensive testing for Salmonella, and diversion of eggs
that test positively to pasteurization or cooked products.  The second
strategy requires implementation of new technologies, such as in shell
pasteurization, to kill the organism at the packing stage of
production.
 
One of the objectives in this action plan includes the development
and distribution of consumer education materials.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/ceggs.html
 
 
NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
 
Each issue of EdNet highlights an interesting item from the USDA/FDA
Foodborne Illness Educational Materials Database.
 
Do you teach food safety to kids?  Are you always looking for new
resources?  There are some great materials on the Web!  A site
with interactive games and quizzes like "Dinner Dilemma" and
"Denizens of Dining" is the 'Food 4 Kids' - Food Safety Site for
Children from the University of Missouri Extension.
http://food4kids.missouri.edu/intro.html
 
Another great site is the 'Super Scrub and Bubbles' Web site from
the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Washington State.  At
Super Scrub and Bubbles you'll find information, quizzes, and
coloring pages.
http://healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/FCS/SSB1.html
 
Another good link for young children is the USDA, FDA and Chef and the
Child Foundation's coloring book 'Food Safety at Home, School and When
Eating Out'.  This site has both coloring and activity pages.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cbook.html
 
Not strictly food safety, but closely related, and great for junior
high schoolers and up, is the 'Mad Science Microbiology' site which
contains many links to information about foodborne illness bugs.
http://www.madsci.org/libs/areas/microbiology.html
 
To view more food safety sites for kids, visit the Center's Web site:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodborne/fbindex/016.htm
 
 
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES
 
FDA Sponsors 2000 Science Forum
The 2000 FDA Science Forum is devoted to the presentation and
sharing of data, knowledge, and ideas among the diverse disciplines
of risk management.  The Forum will bring FDA scientists together
with industry, academia, government agencies, consumer groups, and
the public to explore the scientific and practical issues related
to the safety evaluation and risk management of FDA-regulated
products.  Speakers and panelists will address emerging issues in
the safety assessment of foods, drugs, biologics, and medical
devices.  The Science Forum will take place February 14-15, 2000,
at the Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.
http://www.aaps.org/edumeet/fdasf
 
 
REMINDER:  CDC's Infectious Diseases Conference 2000
The International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases 2000
(ICEID 2000), will convene July 16-19, 2000, at the Atlanta
Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.  For more information
concerning ICEID 2000 registration, please visit the ICEID Web
site at:
http://www.asmusa.org/mtgsrc/iceid99main.htm
 
 
INDUSTRY INFO
USDA Approves Meat Irradiation To Help Improve Food Safety
USDA approves meat irradiation as a means to reduce the level
of pathogens.  The plan, published in the Federal Register,
will take effect 60 days after publication.  Irradiation will
be permitted to treat refrigerated or frozen raw meats and meat
products.  Ensuring consumer choice, USDA is requiring that
irradiated meat bear the radura international symbol for radiation
and a statement that the product was treated by irradiation.
These labeling requirements do not apply to products purchased
through foodservice operations, such as restaurants.
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/1999/12/0486
 
JIFSAN's Food Safety Risk Analysis Clearinghouse
On December 1, the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (JIFSAN) did a "soft launch" of the Food Safety Risk
Analysis Clearinghouse.  The "soft launch" allows the Risk
Assessment Consortium member agencies to preview the Web site
and provide comments prior to the "grand opening" planned
this year.  The Clearinghouse is intended to be a resource for
those conducting or interested in food safety risk assessment.
http://www.foodriskclearinghouse.umd.edu
 
Elemental Analysis Manual Now Available From FDA
The Elemental Analysis Manual (EAM) for Food and Related Products
provides a repository of the analytical methods used in FDA
laboratories to examine food for toxic and nutrient elements
and radionuclides for regulatory purposes.  The manual also
provides general guidance on related aspects of a laboratory analysis.
Sections of the EAM will be issued as they become available.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/eam-toc.html
 
FDA Procedures for Standardization and Certification Now Available
Retail Food Inspection/Training Officers' procedures are now
available as a result of the collective efforts by various
working groups within FDA, in consultation with the states. The
document focuses on preventive practices that are reflective of the
FDA Food Code interventions and that address Risk Factors known to
contribute to foodborne illness, and encourages a voluntary
HACCP-based response from industry to observed deficencies.  This
process provides regulatory personnel the opportunity to subject
their knowledge and skills related to the Code's provisions to a
uniform system of measurement.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/rfi-toc.html
 
CFSAN's Affirmative Agenda for International Activities
FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is
implementing new strategies for imported foods and cosmetics
to complement the agency's traditional enforcement approaches.
These new approaches are based on cooperative efforts with
governments and industries in producing countries to achieve a
higher level of protection for U.S. consumers and to prevent safety
problems at their source.  Over the last twenty years, international
issues bearing on the safety, quality and labeling of FDA-regulated
foods and cosmetics have become increasingly important to CFSAN.
During this period, the volume and variety of food and cosmetic
products imported into the U.S. has increased dramatically and, as a
result, FDA's traditional monitoring and border inspection approaches
for imported products are no longer effective as the sole means of
ensuring the safety of these commodities.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/intlact.html
 
FSIS Foreign Food Safety Review Completed
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) completed its
review of the countries that export meat and poultry products to the
U.S. to determine the equivalence of food safety systems to new U.S.
regulations.  Upon implementation of a new science-based, preventive
food safety system in the United States, FSIS needed to review each
country's system to ensure equivalent requirements were in place
for meat and poultry products exported to this country.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/news/equiv1.htm
 
 
FEEDBACK
 
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this issue, please
contact us via e-mail at:
ednet@foodsafety.gov.
 
 
SUBSCRIBE
 
Please forward this issue to colleagues and friends and
tell them how to subscribe.  Thank you for sharing this update.
 
 
 
Web Page Addresses of the EdNet Federal Sponsors:
 
- FDA/CFSAN: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
- USDA/FSIS: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
- CDC/NCID:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ncid.htm
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Your Listowners:
   Robyn Douglas <rgb@foodsafety.gov> and
   Holly McPeak  <Holly.McPeak@usda.gov> for content information
 
   Diane Schmit <dms@foodsafety.gov> for subscription problems
 
LISTSERV commands (send all commands to LISTSERV@FOODSAFETY.GOV):
- To subscribe, send "SUBSCRIBE EDNET-L YOUR NAME".
- To unsubscribe, send  "SIGNOFF EDNET-L".
- To get the list of EdNet files available, send "INDEX EDNET-L".
- For general LISTSERV commands, send  "HELP" or "INFO REFCARD".
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++