=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:35:20 EDT
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 September 2004
 
   * * * *      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.
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EdNet  September 2004
 
IN THIS ISSUE
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
*   USDA Provides Information for Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency
*   "Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency" - New Video News Release
from USDA
*   FDA Offers Food Safety Information for Expected Power Outages and
Flooding Due to Hurricanes
*   USDA Natural Disaster Assistance
*   USDA, FDA and DHS Sign Agreement with NASDA to Make Nation's
Agriculture and Food Supply More Secure
*   FDA Report on the Foodservice Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
*   Back to School 2004: Tips for a Healthy School Year (FNS)
*   Home Alone? After School Snacks and Food Safety: USDA Quiz for
Parents and Kids
*   FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
*   New! Email News Updates from FSIS
*   FDA Proposes Further Action to Improve Farm-to-Table Shell Egg
Safety
*   USDA's BSE Testing--Protecting America's Herd
*   "Emerging Infectious Diseases" Journal (September 2004)
*   2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report
*   "Protect Your Baby and Yourself from Listeriosis" - New Factsheet
from FSIS
*   Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Associated with Snow Peas - Pennsylvania,
2004, CDC, MMWR
*   The Food Safety Advisor (WSU/UI)
*   Fight BAC!(R)
*   USDA Food Safety Mobile Schedule
*   "Proper Care and Handling of Venison from Farm to Table" (Penn
State)
*   "FDA Consumer" Magazine
*   "Free-Range" Chicken No Guarantee It's Free of "Salmonella" (ARS)
*   New Food Consumption Data Released (ARS)
*   FDA and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health Reaffirm Their
Commitment to Support Healthy and Informed Families
*   Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Acting Commissioner of
FDA at the U.S. Vatican Mission's Conference On Feeding a Hungry World
 
NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
*   "Baby Jake Gets an Indian Name"
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
*   Sheila Dearybury Walcoff Appointed Associate FDA Commissioner for
External Relations
 
INDUSTRY INFO
*   FSIS Issues Notice on Humane Handling Requirements
*   Availability of FSIS Form 10,240-1: "Production Information on
Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat Products" (Docket No. 04-014N)
 
 
 
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
 
*   USDA Provides Information for Keeping Food Safe During An Emergency
 
On September 15, 2004, USDA provided recommendations in advance of
hurricane Ivan that was expected to reach the Southeastern U.S. shortly
thereafter. This information was released in hopes that it would help
minimize the potential for foodborne illnesses due to power outages. The
information is generic and can be applied to any weather emergency
situation.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_091504_01/index.asp
Spanish version:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_091504_01SP/
 
*   "Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency:" New Video News Release from
USDA
 
When seasonal storms knock out the power, what steps can you take to
keep your food safe? USDA has some answers.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/video_releases/index.asp
 
*   FDA Offers Food Safety Information for Expected Power Outages and
Flooding Due to Hurricanes
 
FDA is cautioning consumers affected by hurricanes to take food safety
precautions following power outages or flooding. The Agency has created
a list of tips that advise what to do with food when power goes out, how
to handle food when power is restored, and how to maintain food and
water safety after flooding.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdisas.html
 
Additional consumer advice on food safety after a disaster can be viewed
at:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fsgdisas.html
 
*   USDA Natural Disaster Assistance
 
The USDA provides many types of assistance to farmers and other rural
residents as the result of natural disasters such as drought, fire,
flood, storm, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and volcanic eruption.
There is also assistance available to producers who suffer losses as a
result of crop or livestock disease or pest infestation.
http://disaster.usda.gov/
 
*   USDA, FDA and DHS Sign Agreement with NASDA to Make Nation's
Agriculture and Food Supply More Secure
 
On September 23, 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in
partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), signed a cooperative agreement
with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
(NASDA) to further develop integrated Federal-State response plans for
food and agricultural emergencies. This agreement advances one of the
many homeland security directives set by Presidential Bush to improve
Federal, State and local cooperation through enhanced response and
recovery procedures in the event of a disaster.
http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0407.04.html
 
*   FDA Report on the Foodservice Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
 
The FDA has just released its report on the "Occurrence of Foodborne
Illness Risk Factors in Selected Institutional Foodservice, Restaurant,
and Retail Food Store Facility Types (2004)." The Executive Summary is
available at
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/retrsk2.html
The full report may be downloaded from:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~acrobat/retrsk2.pdf
 
*   Back to School 2004: Tips for a Healthy School Year
 
As children grow, they learn how to make choices that will affect their
health and their lives. Choosing a lifestyle that combines healthy
eating with regular exercise is one of the most important decisions they
make. Children are influenced by what they see and experience at home,
at school, and in the community, and as parents and caregivers, we need
to create an environment that supports healthy living. The School Meals
and Child Nutrition Programs of USDA can provide a positive atmosphere
and support to help ensure successful and healthy futures for our
children.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/back_to_school/back_to_school_tips.htm
 
*   Home Alone? After School Snacks and Food Safety: USDA Quiz for
Parents and Kids
 
Book bags and backpacks get quickly tossed aside and the munchies take
over when kids burst through the door after school. If your child is
home alone for an hour or two after school, how can you make sure their
snacks are safe from foodborne bacteria and they are protected from
dangers in the kitchen?
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_090704_01/index.asp
Spanish version:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_091504_01SP/
 
*   FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
 
On September 8, 2004, FDA announced the availability of a qualified
health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on
conventional foods that contain eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids.
Typically, EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are contained in oily fish,
such as salmon, lake trout, tuna and herring. These fatty acids are not
essential to the diet; however, scientific evidence indicates that these
fatty acids may be beneficial in reducing CHD.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpqhco3.html
 
*   New! Email News Updates from FSIS
 
FSIS' new email subscription service notifies you when popular pages you
select are updated. Sign up now! To register, visit the FSIS Web site
at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov
 
*   FDA Proposes Further Action to Improve Farm-to-Table Shell Egg
Safety
 
On September 20, 2004, FDA proposed a regulation to further improve the
safety of shell eggs on the farm. When implemented, the production
changes defined by the regulation will significantly reduce the number
of illness caused by eggs contaminated with "Salmonella" Enteritidis
(SE). "The implementation of the provisions of this rule would reduce
the number of SE-related illnesses by 33,500" said Acting Commissioner
Dr. Lester M. Crawford. The proposed regulation would require
implementation of SE prevention measures for all egg producers with
3,000 or more laying hens that produce shell eggs for retail sale and do
not process their eggs with a treatment, such as pasteurization, to
ensure their safety.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpeggs3.html
 
*   USDA's BSE Testing--Protecting America's Herd
 
Information about BSE testing from USDA's Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse_testing/index.html
 
*   "Emerging Infectious Diseases" Journal
 
This study reviews the available evidence on unknown pathogenic agents
transmitted in food and examines the methods that have been used to
estimate that such agents cause 3,400 deaths per year in the United
States, Volume 10, Number 9 (September 2004).
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no9/03-0403.htm
 
*   2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report
 
The 13-member 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was appointed
by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to
assist the departments in providing sound and current dietary guidance
to consumers. The "National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research
Act of 1990," Pub. L. 101-445, Title III, 7 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.,
requires the Secretaries of HHS and USDA to publish the "Dietary
Guidelines for Americans" at least every five years. During its first
meeting on September 23-24, 2003, the Committee decided that the science
has changed since the 2000 edition of "Nutrition and Your Health:
Dietary Guidelines for Americans" and further evaluation of the science
was necessary. The Committee has finalized its recommendations and
submitted its Report to the Secretaries of Departments of Health and
Human Services and Agriculture. This Report will serve as the basis for
the sixth edition of "Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for
Americans" which HHS and USDA expect to publish in January 2005.
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report/
 
*   "Protect Your Baby and Yourself from Listeriosis:" New Factsheet
from FSIS
 
Pregnant women are at high risk for getting sick from "Listeria",
harmful bacteria found in many foods. "Listeria" can lead to a disease
called listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause miscarriage, premature
delivery, serious sickness, or death of a newborn baby. If you are
pregnant, you need to know what foods are safe to eat.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Protect_Your_Baby/index.asp
Spanish version:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Protect_Your_Baby_Spanish/
 
*   Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis Associated with Snow Peas - Pennsylvania,
2004, CDC, "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report," September 17,
2004/53 (Early Release); 1-3.
 
During June--July 2004, public health officials in Pennsylvania were
notified of cases of the parasitic disease cyclosporiasis among persons
associated with a residential facility (e.g., residents, staff, and
volunteers). CDC confirmed the diagnosis of "Cyclospora cayetanensis"
infection by examining stool specimens from multiple patients. This
report describes the findings of the epidemiologic and traceback
investigations, which determined the cases were linked to consumption of
raw Guatemalan snow peas at five special events, for which food was
prepared by the facility staff, from late May through late June. This is
the first documented outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to snow peas. FDA
and CDC are working with Guatemalan officials to determine the sources
of the snow peas and possible modes of contamination.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm53e917a1.htm
 
*   "The Food Safety Advisor Volunteer Handbook"
 
Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Idaho have a
master volunteer program related to food safety and food preservation,
which is called the "Food Safety Advisor." When WSU originally developed
the program about 30 years ago, it was called Master Food Preservers.
About 10 years ago, the emphasis on food safety was expanded and the
program was renamed Food Safety Advisors. Copies of the "Food Safety
Advisor Volunteer Handbook" cost $20.00 and are available at:
http://cru84.cahe.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/pubs/EM4895.html
To order by phone: 1-800-723-1763
 
*   Fight BAC!(R): Partnership for Food Safety Education
 
>>>Food Safety Partnership Continues to Grow: Expanded Board and New
Members Invigorate Fight Against Foodborne Illness
 
The Partnership for Food Safety Education, a non-profit organization
dedicated to educating Americans about safe food handling and
preparation, recently announced an expanded Board of Directors and the
addition of two new members. William Fisher, Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer for NSF International, has joined the Board of
Directors, and the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) and the
National Fisheries Institute (NFI) have joined the Partnership.
http://www.fightbac.org
 
>>>Congressional Food Safety Caucus Briefing
 
On Tuesday, September 14, 2004, in the Rayburn House Office Building,
members of the Partnership briefed members and staff of the
Congressional Food Safety Caucus on the many educational resources
available to their constituents, at no cost, through the user-friendly
Web site for the Fight BAC!(R) campaign and through the Federal
Agencies. Members of Congress were encouraged to take Fight BAC!(R)
consumer-tested materials into their districts and communities to
empower local BAC Fighters! to spread the word on safe food handling. Dr
Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health
Association, spoke to the dangers of foodborne illness as a public
health matter, and emphasized the need to provide public health
practitioners with the quality food safety education messages and
materials available through the Fight BAC!(R) Campaign.
 
>>>NSF Scrub Club(TM) Celebrates Clean Hands Week
 
"NSF's new public awareness program, The NSF Scrub Club(TM) aims to help
protect children from foodborne illnesses and infectious diseases by
teaching kids about the importance of washing their hands the right way.
The Scrub Club(TM) is a truly interactive, Web-based
experience--complete with music, games and cartoon "webisodes," as well
as seven fun characters that teach children about public health through
educational story lines."
 
"Our goal is to launch the NSF Scrub Club(TM) during National Clean
Hands Week, which was held September 19-26, 2004," said Jerry Bowman,
NSF director of communications. "Though we are focusing our efforts
during this week, NSF and the Partnership for Food Safety Education will
continue to promote the NSF Scrub Club(TM) throughout the school
year-especially during the holiday season when food safety and disease
prevention become more critical."
 
"Schools, companies, and nonprofits all can play a critical role in
helping protect children from disease simply by linking to:
http://www.scrubclub.org
For those organizations that would like to become more active in
promoting hand washing through the Scrub Club concept, NSF can work with
retailers on sponsorship opportunities that help promote this public
health campaign in stores and throughout the community. It's a great way
to help families live safer."
 
>>>Are You a BAC Fighter?
 
Do you Fight BAC!(R)?  BAC Fighters teach that clean, separate, cook,
and chill are the first line of defense in fighting foodborne illness at
home, work, and school. They deliver these key Fight BAC!(R) campaign
messages to community, State, and national audiences. Sign up to be a
BAC Fighter TODAY and receive important information on food safety
education research, tools, events, and program developments.
Go to the Fight BAC!(R) Web site and click on "Register to be a BAC
Fighter!" http://www.fightbac.org/main.cfm
The Partnership for Food Safety Education wants to help BAC Fighters do
their jobs by arming them with the latest in food safety education
research, best practices, and other tools. As a BAC Fighter you will
have access to an arsenal of materials and will be able to connect with
other food safety advocates.
Your contact information will be used only by the Partnership, and only
to keep you informed with occasional emails on food safety education and
research developments. Your information will not be shared in any way
with other organizations.>>> Fight BAC!(R), REGISTER TODAY!<<<
 
*   USDA Food Safety Mobile Schedule
 
The Food Safety Mobile continues to travel throughout the continental
United States, appearing at State and county fairs, food events, media
events, schools, libraries, grocery stores, community events, parades,
festivals, health and safety expos, conventions, trade shows, FSIS
District Offices, and at FSIS events in conjunction with visits and
presentations by USDA officials. Travels for 2004 continue with a
tightly packed schedule.
 
October 2004 (Accepting requests for Arizona and Nevada)
7-10    Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta(R), Albuquerque, NM
14-16   AARP's National Event and Expo, Las Vegas, NV
25      Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV
27      Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV
 
November 2004 (Accepting requests for Georgia, South Carolina, and
Texas)
4       Metropolitan Inner-Faith Association, Memphis, TN
 
Look for updates to the Mobile schedule on the FSIS Web site:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/foodsafetymobile
New requests may be sent to FSIS at foodsafetymobile@fsis.usda.gov, or
by calling (301) 504-9605. We look forward to partnering with you as we
work together to promote public health through food safety education!
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/foodsafetymobile
 
*   "Proper Care and Handling of Venison from Farm to Table"
 
Time was when every deer hunter was taught how to butcher a deer,
process the meat, and prepare a variety of tasty venison dishes. But
these days, it seems like that vital information is not passed down.
Penn State has prepared a pamphlet to advise hunters called "Proper Care
and Handling of Venison: From Field to Table" that tells how to reduce
the risk of foodborne illness by properly handling, processing, and
preparing deer. This publication contains guidelines and helpful hints
to help you make sure that your venison is safe to eat.
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/uk066.pdf
 
*   "FDA Consumer" Magazine
 
The September-October 2004 issue of the "FDA Consumer" Magazine is now
online at:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/504_toc.html
Subscribe to FDA Consumer: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/orderform/fdap.html
 
*   "Free-Range" Chicken No Guarantee It's Free of "Salmonella"
 
There is no discernible difference in "Salmonella" levels between
free-range, organically produced poultry and conventionally produced
birds, an Agricultural Research Service scientist has found.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040920.htm
 
*   New Food Consumption Data Released
 
After several years of careful planning, new, integrated Federal
nationwide food consumption data were launched on September 23, 2004 on
the World Wide Web for public use. The Agricultural Research Service
Food consumption survey, known as "What We Eat in America," has been
integrated with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/040923.htm
 
*   FDA and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health Reaffirm Their
Commitment to Support Healthy and Informed Families
 
FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), along with
such other agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services as
the National Institutes of Health and the Office of Minority Health,
will be exhibiting and distributing bilingual food safety materials at a
series of ten health fairs, held on Sundays in areas with large Hispanic
populations.  The principal goal of this initiative is to provide
preventive, action-driven information to Latinos across the country.
Read about CFSAN's objectives in its third year of participation in
these fairs at:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01118.html
 
*   Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Acting Commissioner of
FDA at the U.S. Vatican Mission's Conference On Feeding a Hungry World
 
Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Acting Commissioner of FDA, spoke
before the U.S. Vatican Mission's Conference on Feeding a Hungry World:
The Moral Imperative of Biotechnology Rome, Italy on September 24, 2004.
View entire speech at:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/vatican0924.html
 
 
NEWS FROM THE USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
 
*   "Baby Jake Gets an Indian Name"
 
To celebrate the opening of the new National Museum of the American
Indian in Washington, DC, we'd like to tell you about a food safety
curriculum for Native American school children and their families. "Baby
Jake Gets an Indian Name," developed by Oregon State University
Extension Service and University of Alaska Cooperative Extension
Service, uses storytelling to convey food safety messages to students.
The curriculum also includes a board game and materials for home visits
with students' families. For ordering information, Contact Carolyn Raab
from Oregon State University at:
raabc@oregonstate.edu
 
For more food safety information, visit the USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness
Education Information Center's Web site at:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/
 
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
 
*   Sheila Dearybury Walcoff Appointed Associate FDA Commissioner for
External Relations
 
On September 7, 2004, Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting Food and Drug
Administration Commissioner announced the appointment of Sheila
Dearybury Walcoff, Esq., as the new FDA Associate Commissioner for
External Relations. Ms. Walcoff is an attorney with extensive legal,
strategic, and legislative experience in FDA-related areas.  As the new
Associate Commissioner for External Relations, Ms. Walcoff will be a
senior advisor to Dr. Crawford. She will supervise FDA's Office of
Public Affairs, Office of the Ombudsman, Office of Special Health
Issues, and the Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01114.html
 
INDUSTRY INFO
 
*   FSIS Issues Notice on Humane Handling Requirements
 
On September 9, 2004, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service,
which vigorously enforces the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, published
a notice encouraging establishments to use a systematic approach to
ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the law during handling
and slaughter.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_090904_01/index.asp
 
*   Availability of FSIS Form 10,240-1: "Production Information on
Post-Lethality Exposed Ready-to-Eat Products" (Docket No. 04-014N)
 
On September 22, 2004, FSIS announced the availability of FSIS Form
10,240-1, "Production Information on Post- Lethality Exposed
Ready-to-Eat Products" in the "Federal Register". This form will be used
to collect information about the ready-to-eat products produced by
establishments.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/04-014N.pdf
 
 
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