=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:59:21 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 2006
 
   * * * *      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-- September 2006
 
IN THIS ISSUE
 
 
CONSUMER ADVISORY/ALERTS
*   FDA Statement on Foodborne "E. coli" O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach
*   FDA Consumer Advisory on Refrigeration of Carrot Juice
*   FDA Warns Consumers of Potential Food Safety Risks During Storm-Related
Power Outages and Flooding
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
*   Food Microbiologist Recognized With Top Food Safety Achievement Award (FSIS)
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
*   "Be Food Safe" Campaign Previewed at Food Safety Education Conference
*   "be Food Safe: the FSIS Magazine" Unveiled at Food Safety Conference
*   FDA Broadens Access to Lead Screening Test That Gives Immediate Results
*   "What Consumers Need to Know About Avian Influenza"-- Updated (FDA)
*   USDA Awards More Than $4.5 Million for Integrated Organic Research
*    FDA Asks U.S. Marshals to Seize Dietary Supplements Products Being Promoted
With Drug Claims
*   USDA Seeks Public Comment on Deregulation of Genetically Engineered Rice
*   Confirmatory Tests Being Conducted on Pennsylvania Wild Bird Samples (USDA,
DOI)
*   Avian Influenza Tests Complete on Maryland Resident Wild Mallard Ducks
(USDA, DOI)
*   Confirmatory Tests Being Conducted on Maryland Wild Bird Fecal Samples
(USDA, DOI)
*   "Ciguatera Fish Poisoning--- Texas, 1998, and South Carolina, 2004," MMWR,
Volume 55, Number 31 (CDC)
*   Revised "Cooking for Groups-- A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety" (FSIS)
*   "FDA Consumer Magazine," September-October 2006, Volume 40, Number 5
*   "Amber Waves Magazine," September 2006 (ERS)
*   FSIS Web Site Wins Prestigious Best Practices Award
*   National Nutrition Month(R) - 100% Fad Free -- March 2007
 
MEETINGS/EVENTS/CONFERENCES
*   Food and Drug Administration-Regulated Products Containing Nanotechnology
Materials
*   FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Risk-Based Inspection
*   National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) Public
Meeting (FSIS)
*   FDA's "Reducing Risk Factors at Retail and Food Service" Satellite Broadcast
 
INDUSTRY INFO
*   FSIS Notice 63-06: "Verification Procedures Involving 'E. Coli' O157:H7"
*   FDA's Guidance for Industry: Estimating Dietary Intake of Substances in Food
*   FSIS Notice 62-06: "Notice of Availability"
*   Questions and Answers Regarding Establishment and Maintenance of
Records--Updated
*   FSIS Notice 61-06: "Delay of Implementation Date for FSIS Directive 5420.3,
'Homeland Security Threat Condition Response - Monitoring and Surveillance of
Products in Commerce'"
*   FSIS Directive 5420.4- Revision 3: "Homeland Security Threat Condition
Response - Emergency Procedures for the Office of International Affairs Import
Inspection Division"
*   FSIS Directive 5420.3--Revision 3: "Homeland Security Threat Condition
Response - Monitoring and Surveillance of Products in Commerce"
*   FSIS Amends Directive on "Homeland Security Threat Condition Response - Food
Defense Verification Procedures"--Directive 5420.1, Revision 3
*   FSIS Notice 60-06: "Nationwide Young Chicken Microbiological Baseline Data
Collection Program"
*   FSIS Notice 59-06: "Illegally Imported or Smuggled Products"
*   FSIS Notice: "The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry
Inspection-- Nominations for Membership"-Docket No. FSIS-2006-0019, "Federal
Register," Volume 71, Number 176
*   FSIS Notice: "Harvard Risk Assessment of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
(BSE) Update-- Notice of Availability and Technical Meeting"-Docket No.
FSIS-2006-0011E, "Federal Register," Volume 71, Number 176
------------------------------------------------------------
 
CONSUMER ADVISORY/ALERTS
 
* FDA Statement on Foodborne "E. coli" O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach
 
On September 14, 2006, the FDA issued an alert to consumers about an outbreak of
"E. coli" O157:H7 in multiple States that may be associated with the consumption
of fresh spinach and fresh spinach containing-products. The FDA, in working
closely with the CDC and the State of California, has determined that the fresh
spinach implicated in the outbreak was grown in the following three California
counties: Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara. Spinach from the rest of the
U.S. has not been implicated in the current "E. coli" O157:H7 outbreak.
Individuals who believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness after
consuming pre-packaged spinach are urged to contact their health care provider.
The public can be confident that spinach grown in the non-implicated areas can
be consumed. An outbreak of "E. coli" O157:H7 infection continues to be
investigated and the FDA will continue to provide the public with regular
updates on the "E. coli" O157:H7 outbreak each day until further notice. Read
updated press releases at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/press.html
Nationwide "E. coli" O157:H7 Outbreak: Questions & Answers
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/spinacqa.html
For Q & A's in Spanish on the FDA's web site, go to:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/sspinaqa.html
 
*   FDA Consumer Advisory on Refrigeration of Carrot Juice
 
On September 17, 2006, the FDA advised consumers of the vital importance of
keeping carrot juice-including pasteurized carrot juice-refrigerated. There were
three cases of botulism in the state of Georgia associated with pasteurized
carrot juice that may have been due to the product not being properly
refrigerated. FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and
health authorities in Georgia have been closely monitoring and continue to
investigate these three cases of foodborne botulism.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpcarrot.html
Guidance on labeling of foods that need refrigeration by consumers, particularly
for safety, is available at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr970224.html
 
*   FDA Warns Consumers of Potential Food Safety Risks During Storm-Related
Power Outages and Flooding
 
The FDA is warning consumers to be alert to food safety risks that could result
from possible power outages and flooding due to storms that currently threaten
both coasts of the United States. "Foods that are inadequately refrigerated
during storm-related power outages, and foods or bottled water contaminated by
flood waters, present a potential health risk to consumers," said Robert E.
Brackett, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
"Consumers may want to look up FDA's advice on how to confront such risks, which
is available on the FDA Web site." View "What Consumers Need to Know About Food
and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods" at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdisas.html
 
 
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
 
*   Food Microbiologist Recognized With Top Food Safety Achievement Award
 
On September 27, 2006, the USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard
Raymond presented Dr. R. Bruce Tompkin with the prestigious 2006 Howard Bauman
Award. Dr. Tompkin was recognized for his achievements in advancing and applying
the science of food safety during his 40-year career as a researcher and
educator. The award was presented in Denver, CO, at the 2006 Food Safety
Education Conference, "Reaching At-Risk Audiences and Today's Other Food Safety
Challenges." To read this news release, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_092706_03/index.asp
 
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
 
*   "Be Food Safe" Campaign Previewed at Food Safety Education Conference
 
The "Be Food Safe" campaign was previewed in Denver, Colorado on September 26th
at the 2006 Food Safety Education Conference, "Reaching At-Risk Audiences and
Today's Other Food Safety Challenges."
 
The "Be Food Safe" campaign theme is easy to remember and complements other
important outreach efforts like Fight BAC!(R) It is designed to be an "umbrella
campaign" that can be incorporated into many existing educational efforts, and
provides the tools needed to launch your own local media campaign to spread the
"Be Food Safe" message. Watch future issues of the EdNet newsletter for
availability of "Be Food Safe" education materials including a toolkit featuring
a DVD containing ready-to-use print and radio advertisements, feature articles,
and other tools to help you run an effective, co-branded campaign.
For more information on "Be Food Safe," go to:
http://www.befoodsafe.gov, or
E-mail your questions to: befoodsafe@usda.gov
 
To read related news release-"USDA Sponsors Food Safety Education Conference--
Offers Preview of New Food Safety Campaign"-visit the USDA Web site at:
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0382.xml
 
*   "be Food Safe: the FSIS Magazine" Unveiled at Food Safety Conference
 
FSIS unveiled its new full-color glossy magazine titled "be FoodSafe: the FSIS
Magazine" on September 27, 2006 at the 2006 Food Safety Education Conference
"Reaching At-Risk Audiences & Today's Other Food Safety Challenges," in Denver,
Colorado. This quarterly magazine will focus on food safety behavior trends,
emerging science and research, inspection issues (domestic and international),
and education programs for food workers, consumers and caregivers. The magazine
replaces the quarterly newsletter "The Food Safety Educator" at no additional
cost and it will serve a larger audience. Subscriptions can be purchased for $29
through the Government Printing Office at:
 http://bookstore.gpo.gov
or visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Be_Foodsafe_Magazine/index.asp
 
*   FDA Broadens Access to Lead Screening Test That Gives Immediate Results
 
On September 18, 2006, the FDA expanded the availability of the first simple and
portable lead test system to more than 115,000 certified point-of-care locations
nationwide, including healthcare clinics, mobile health units and schools. This
will allow children and adults to be tested and treated for lead poisoning much
easier and faster.
The test, called the LeadCare II Blood Lead Test System and made by ESA
Biosciences of Chelmsford, MA, is used to screen children and adults for harmful
levels of lead using a finger stick or venous whole blood sample. It is
performed while the patient is present, in as little as three minutes. The rapid
result means a second sample for further testing can be obtained quickly if
needed, reducing the need for a follow-up visit.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01456.html
 
*   "What Consumers Need to Know About Avian Influenza"-- Updated
 
FDA has updated its Web page to answer questions about avian influenza, or bird
flu, which can cause disease in domestic poultry. The viruses that cause bird
flu have rarely infected humans, but severe, even fatal, cases have occurred
abroad over the last seven years. The page explains precautions to ensure that
the bird flu virus is destroyed in eggs and egg products from infected poultry.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/avfluqa.html
 
*   USDA Awards More Than $4.5 Million for Integrated Organic Research
 
 On September 13, 2006, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that USDA
is awarding more than $4.5 million in research grants to address organic
agricultural issues and priorities, including global competitiveness.
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0353.xml
 
*    FDA Asks U.S. Marshals to Seize Dietary Supplements Products Being Promoted
With Drug Claims
 
At the request of the FDA, on September 5, 2006, U.S. Marshals seized quantities
of Ellagimax capsules, Coral Max capsules, Coral Max without Iron capsules, and
Advanced Arthritis Support capsules distributed by Advantage Nutraceuticals,
L.L.C. of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, valued at approximately $55,000. The
products are alleged to be in violation of the new drug and misbranding
provisions of the "Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act." Although these products
are labeled as "dietary supplements," they are being promoted with claims
typically associated with drug products. FDA considers these products to be
unapproved new drugs.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fpseize.html
 
*   USDA Seeks Public Comment on Deregulation of Genetically Engineered Rice
 
On September 8, 2006, USDA issued a news release announcing that it is seeking
public comment on a petition to deregulate a rice genetically engineered (GE) to
be tolerant to herbicides marketed under the brand name "LibertyLink." In 1999,
after thorough safety evaluations, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) deregulated two similar "LibertyLink" rice lines. Under
petition, APHIS would extend its deregulation from the original two lines to
include the rice line known as "LLRICE601."
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0345.xml
 
*   Confirmatory Tests Being Conducted on Pennsylvania Wild Bird Samples
 
On September 2, 2006, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced
the presence of the H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from wild
mallard ducks in Pennsylvania. Testing has ruled out the possibility of this
being the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia,
Europe and Africa. Test results thus far indicate this is low pathogenic avian
influenza (LPAI), which poses no threat to human health.
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0337.xml
 
*   Avian Influenza Tests Complete on Maryland Resident Wild Mallard Ducks
 
On September 12, 2006, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior
announced final test results, which confirm that an H5N1 avian influenza virus
detected in fecal samples collected last month from resident wild mallard ducks
in Maryland is a low pathogenic subtype. This strain has been detected several
times in wild birds in North America and poses no threat to human health.
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0348.xml
 
*   Confirmatory Tests Being Conducted on Maryland Wild Bird Fecal Samples
 
On September 1, 2006, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced
that the presence of the H5N1 avian influenza subtype has been detected in fecal
samples from wild birds in Maryland. Testing has ruled out the possibility of
this being the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in
Asia, Europe and Africa. Test results thus far indicate this is low pathogenic
avian influenza (LPAI), which poses no threat to human health. To read this news
release, go to:
http://www.usda.gov/2006/09/0335.xml
 
*   "Ciguatera Fish Poisoning--- Texas, 1998, and South Carolina, 2004," MMWR,
CDC, Volume 55, Number 31
 
This report describes ciguatera fish poisoning in four persons (two in 1998, two
in 2004) who ate fish caught by recreational fishers in waters outside of
ciguatera-endemic areas (e.g., the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic and Gulf Coast
waters off southern Florida). These cases underscore the need for physicians,
regardless of whether they are in a ciguatera-endemic area, to consider
ciguatera in patients who have gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms after
eating large, predatory fish. To read this report:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5534a2.htm
 
*   Revised "Cooking for Groups-- A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety"
 
"Cooking for Groups-- A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety" from USDA's Food
Safety and Inspection Service has been slightly revised.
http://www.fsis.USDA.gov/PDF/Cooking_for_Groups.pdf
 
*   "FDA Consumer Magazine," September-October 2006, Volume 40, Number 5
 
The September-October issue of the "FDA Consumer Magazine" is available online
at:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/506_toc.html
 
*   "Amber Waves Magazine," September 2006 (ERS)
 
The September 2006 issue of the "Amber Waves Magazine" from USDA's Economic
Research Service is now available online at:
http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/September06/
 
*   FSIS Web Site Wins Prestigious Best Practices Award
 
FSIS' Web site (www.fsis.usda.gov) tied with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration's site to win top honors in the general audience category for the
prestigious best practices award presented to top government Web sites by
webcontent.gov, a consortium of government, Federal and military Web site
managers.
The award represented the FSIS Web site's achievement in displaying best
practices in serving its customers.  FSIS' Web site was selected by a panel of
Federal Web managers, mostly comprised of the Web Managers Advisory Council. The
group includes representatives from every cabinet-level agency, several
independent agencies and representatives from the judicial and legislative
branches. Over 50 Web sites were nominated for awards. Winners were named during
the group's Fall Government Web Managers Workshop, on September 19, 2006 in
Washington, D.C. A list of finalists and additional information about the award
can be found at:
http://www.firstgov.gov/webcontent/improving/marketing/awards/finalists.shtml
 
*   National Nutrition Month(R) - "100% Fad Free"-- March 2007
 
National Nutrition Month(R) (NNM) is a nutrition education and information
campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The
campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed
food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. NNM also
promotes ADA and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable
and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition
information. The theme is "100% Fad Free." If you have questions, e-mail ADA at:
nnm@eatright.org
To obtain permission from ADA for theme or artwork usage, see the "Guidelines
for Using NNM Service Mark and Slogan," visit:
http://www.eatright.org/nnm
 
 
MEETINGS/EVENTS/CONFERENCES
 
*   Food and Drug Administration-Regulated Products Containing Nanotechnology
Materials
 
The FDA will hold a public meeting on FDA-regulated products containing
nanotechnology materials, and has opened a docket on FDA-regulated products
containing nanotechnology materials. The purpose of the meeting will be to help
FDA further its understanding of developments in nanotechnology materials that
pertain to FDA-regulated products. The public meeting will be held October 10,
2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natcher Auditorium, National Institutes of
Health Campus, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 45, Bethesda, MD.
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06-6867.htm
 
*   FSIS to Hold Public Meeting on Risk-Based Inspection
 
FSIS will hold a public meeting to discuss risk-based inspection on October
10-11, 2006.   The meeting will consist of presentations and discussions on the
vision of risk-based inspection, establishment risk control, inherent product
risk and risk-based inspection implementation. The meeting is scheduled for
October 10, from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST, and for October 11, from 9:30 a.m. -
4:30 p.m., EST. and will be held at George Mason University, Arlington Campus,
3401 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Va. 22201. For more information about risk-based
inspection, the technical papers and the public meeting, visit the FSIS Web site
at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Risk_Based_Inspection/index.asp
To read this Notice, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2006-0029.pdf
 
*   National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) Public
Meeting
 
The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) will
hold a public meeting on October 12-13, 2006, to review and discuss the
following issues:
(1) "Using Risk to Direct In-Plant Inspection Activities in Processing
Assignments," and
(2) "Using Risk in Slaughter Operations."
Two subcommittees will also meet on October 12, 2006, to work on these issues
after discussion during the full committee session. The full Committee will
hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, 2006, fro
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Subcommittees will hold open meetings on Thursday, October
12, 2006, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. All Committee meetings will take place in the
conference room at the south end of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
cafeteria located in the South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, D.C. 20250. A meeting agenda is available on the Internet at the
NACMPI Web site:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/about_fsis/nacmpi/index.asp
 
*   FDA's "Reducing Risk Factors at Retail and Food Service" Satellite Broadcast
 
FDA is announcing "Reducing Risk Factors at Retail and Food Service" via
satellite broadcast on November 30, 2006. This program will focus on the topic
of reducing risk factors in retail food stores and food service facilities. The
goal of this program is to improve the ability of regulators and industry to
reduce the occurrence of risk factors and foodborne illness at retail.  Success
stories and tools will be discussed through interviews with various leaders in
the regulatory community and industry. Topics include communication skills,
using risk control plans, tools for improving food employee behaviors, food
preparation practices, personal hygiene of foodservice workers and techniques
used to ensure safe food temperatures.  This is an interactive program involving
a live audience and a Q & A segment so viewers will have the opportunity to
call/fax in specific questions.  Printout program materials will be available
several days prior to the broadcast at:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/training/Satellite/satmain.htm
Satellite technical coordinates will not be available until October 15, 2006.
Mark your calendars to visit:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ocer/dcm/html/program_calendar.html
 
 
INDUSTRY INFO
 
*   FSIS Notice 63-06: "Verification Procedures Involving 'E. Coli' O157:H7"
 
On September 27, 2006, FSIS issued Notice 63-06, titled "Verification Procedures
Involving 'E. Coli' O157:H7" to remind inspection program personnel of the
verification activities they are to perform regarding "E. Coli" O157:H7. The
high prevalence season for "E. Coli O157:H7 lasts until the end of September.
There has been a recent increase in the rate at which the FSIS is finding this
pathogen in its verification sampling of raw ground beef. To read this Notice:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FDA's Guidance for Industry:  Estimating Dietary Intake of Substances in
Food
 
This FDA guidance, one in a series of Chemistry Guidance documents, provides
general recommendations for calculating and submitting estimates of dietary
intake to support the documentation of the safety of substances introduced into
food either intentionally to accomplish a technical effect, adventitiously as a
component of an added substance, or inadvertently through contamination
resulting from processing. The FDA's pre-market approval processes for food and
color additives require an estimate of the probable consumer intake of the
additive to determine whether its use or presence in a food at a given
concentration is safe. This document is primarily directed at petitioners for
food and color additive regulations and notifiers for generally recognized as
safe (GRAS) substances, and include illustrative examples of calculations
performed by the Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS) reviewers in FDA's Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) to obtain an estimate of probable
intake for substances in the diet.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa2cg8.html#intro
 
*   FSIS Notice 62-06: "Notice of Availability"
 
On September 20, 2006, FSIS issued "Notice of Availability" to announce it has
posted answers to five commonly asked questions about the "Sanitation
Performance Standards." FSIS received these questions from small and very small
plants. The Agency compiled the questions as part of its enhanced outreach
efforts. This is the first of a series of question and answer documents that
respond to frequently asked questions that FSIS receives from small and very
small plants. The answers to the questions are on the Technical Service Center
Question and Answer page at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/HELP/FAQs_TSC/index.asp
To see this Notice, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   Questions and Answers Regarding Establishment and Maintenance of
Records--Updated
 
The FDA has issued the fourth edition of its guidance entitled "Questions and
Answers Regarding Establishment and Maintenance of Records." The guidance
responds to various questions raised about section 306 of the "Public Health
Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" and the
Agency's implementing final rule at 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart J, which requires the
establishment and maintenance of records by persons who manufacture, process,
pack, transport, distribute, receive, hold, or import food in the United States.
To read this guidance document and persons covered by the regulation, go to:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/recguid4.html
 
*   FSIS Notice 61-06: "Delay of Implementation Date for FSIS Directive 5420.3,
'Homeland Security Threat Condition Response - Monitoring and Surveillance of
Products in Commerce'"
 
On September 15, 2006, FSIS issued Notice 61-06, titled "Delay of Implementation
Date for FSIS Directive 5420.3, 'Homeland Security Threat Condition Response -
Monitoring and Surveillance of Products in Commerce.'" This Notice announces
that personnel of the Compliance and Investigations Division (CID), Office of
Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER) are not to implement the
instructions in FSIS Directive 5420.3, until October 16, 2006. This will provide
OPEER time to ensure that Investigators receive training in sharepoint. To view
this Notice, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Directive 5420.4- Revision 3: "Homeland Security Threat Condition
Response - Emergency Procedures for the Office of International Affairs Import
Inspection Division"
 
This Directive details the emergency Food Defense Verification Procedures that
Import Inspection Division (IID), Office of International Affairs (OIA), Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) field personnel will follow when the
Department of Homeland Security declares a threat condition Yellow, Orange or
Red. To read this Directive, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/5420.4_Rev3.pdf
 
*   FSIS Directive 5420.3--Revision 3: "Homeland Security Threat Condition
Response - Monitoring and Surveillance of Products in Commerce"
 
On September 14, 2006, FSIS issued Revision-3 to the Directive titled "Homeland
Security Threat Condition Response - Monitoring and Surveillance of Products in
Commerce." This Directive describes the procedures that personnel of the
Compliance and Investigations Division (CID), Office of Program Evaluation,
Enforcement and Review (OPEER), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will
follow when the Department of Homeland Security declares a threat condition
yellow, orange, or red. To read this Directive, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/5420.3_Rev3.pdf
 
*   FSIS Amends Directive on "Homeland Security Threat Condition Response - Food
Defense Verification Procedures"
 
On September 7, 2006, FSIS amended Directive 5420.1, Revision 3, titled,
"Homeland Security Threat Condition Response - Food Defense Verification
Procedures." This Directive details the emergency food defense verification
procedures that inspection program personnel will follow when the Department of
Homeland Security declares a threat condition yellow, orange or red. The
Directive, which became effective on September 15, 2006, is available on the
FSIS Web site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/5420.1Rev3Amend1.pdf
 
*   FSIS Notice 60-06: "Nationwide Young Chicken Microbiological Baseline Data
Collection Program"
 
On September 14, 2006, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Nationwide Young Chicken
Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program." This Notice provides
information to inspection program personnel at establishments participating in
the FSIS "Nationwide Microbiological Baseline Data Collection Program for Young
Chickens." Information in this Notice applies to the 90-day training (i.e.,
"shake down") period that will be conducted before the actual study begins. The
90-day training period will begin upon receipt of this Notice. The sample
collection procedures for this study are different than those for the routine
sampling of chicken carcasses. To read this Notice, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Notice 59-06: "Illegally Imported or Smuggled Products"
 
On September 13, 2006, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Illegally Imported or
Smuggled Products." This Notice provides methodologies that the Office of
Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER) and the Office of
International Affairs (OIA) will apply when surveillance or investigations
identify meat, poultry, or egg products from a foreign country that have been
illegally imported or smuggled into the United States (U.S.). To read this
Notice, visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/FSIS_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Notice: "The National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry
Inspection-- Nominations for Membership"-Docket No. FSIS-2006-0019, "Federal
Register," Volume 71, Number 176
 
On September 12, 2006, FSIS issued a Noticed titled "The National Advisory
Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection-- Nominations for Membership." This
Notice is to solicit nominations for membership on the National Advisory
Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The full Committee consists
of no less than 16 and no more than 18 members, and each person selected is
expected to serve a two year term. Existing members can serve three consecutive
two year terms. USDA is soliciting nominations in order to fill 16 to 18
vacancies on the Committee. Nomination materials must be received no later than
October 12, 2006. To read this Notice, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2006_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
*   FSIS Notice: "Harvard Risk Assessment of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
(BSE) Update-- Notice of Availability and Technical Meeting"-Docket No.
FSIS-2006-0011E, "Federal Register," Volume 71, Number 176
 
On September 12, 2006, FSIS issued a Notice titled "Harvard Risk Assessment of
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Update-- Notice of Availability and
Technical Meeting." This Notice is to announce that FSIS is reopening and
extending the comment period for the 2005 updated Harvard Risk Assessment of
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The original comment period closed on
August 11, 2006. The Agency is taking this action in response to a comment that
was submitted after the Agency held its July 25, 2006, technical meeting to
provide information on the updated risk assessment model and report. Comments
are due by October 27, 2006. To read this Notice, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2006_Notices_Index/index.asp
 
 
ARCHIVED EDNET NEWSLETTERS
Interested readers can access EdNet newsletters archived since October
1997 from the Web site:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/ednet.html
 
 
SUBSCRIBE
Please forward this issue to colleagues and friends and tell them how
to subscribe. Thank you for sharing.
 
 
Web Page Addresses of the EdNet Federal Sponsors:
 
- FDA/CFSAN: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
- USDA/FSIS: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
- CDC/NCID:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ncid.htm
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Feedback (comments or suggestions on this issue) contact
   Peggy Barrow <Peggy.Barrow@cfsan.fda.gov> and
   Argyris Magoulis <Argyris.Magoulas@fsis.usda.gov>
 
Subscription problems, contact
   Diane Schmit <dms@foodsafety.gov>
 
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".
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++