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   * * * *      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  October 2004
 
IN THIS ISSUE
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
*   FSIS Announces 2004 State Partnership Cooperative Agreements for
Animal and Egg Production Food Safety
*   FDA Releases 2004 Produce Safety Action Plan
*   Officials Inaugurate Food Safety Institute of the Americas (USDA)
*   FDA Reports Progress on Agency Strategic Action Plan
*   "Let's Talk Turkey - A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey"
(FSIS)
*   Fight BAC!(R)-Partnership for Food Safety Education
*   USDA Launches New Food Safety E-Mail Subscription Service
*   Quarterly Update on U.S. FDA Food Code Adoptions
*   USDA Food Safety Mobile Schedule
*   Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Acting Commissioner of
FDA at the Soyfoods Association of North America Conference on Creating
a Healthier America
*   Safety Tips for Halloween from FDA
*   CSREES requests applications for National Integrated Food Safety
Initiative for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005
*   "Application of Gap Analysis to Education: A Case Study of the Food
Safety and Quality Assurance Program at the University of Guelph"
(Canada)
*   Food Microbe Gets Genes Decoded (ARS)
*   "Salmonella" Can Cause Poorer Eggshell Quality (ARS)
*   New Issue of "The Food Safety Educator" is Now Off-Press (FSIS)
*   Study Finds That Implementing Food Safety Management Systems
Significantly Reduces Restaurant Level Violations
*   USDA Reestablishes General Conference of the National Poultry
Improvement Plan
*   Nominations Sought For Advisory Committee on Microbiological
Criteria for Foods (USDA)
*   USDA Awards Contract to Fort Dodge Animal Health to Establish an
Avian Influenza Vaccine Anitgen Bank for Poultry
*   Kansas State Researchers Seek to Improve Food Safety Practices of
Restaurant Employees
 
USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
*   Home of Hundreds of Training Tools and Educational Programs
 
MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/COURSES
*   FDA to Hold Public Meetings on Proposed Egg Safety Rule
*   Notice of Dietary Supplement Public Meeting Pre-Market Notification
Program for New Dietary Ingredients (FDA)
 
INDUSTRY INFO
*   Guidance for Industry from FDA--"Use of Material from BSE-Positive
Cattle in Animal Feed''
*   FSIS Announces Final Rule to Amend Nutrition Labeling Regulations
for "Meal-Type" Products
*   USDA Releases Voluntary Security Guidance for Agricultural and Food
Transporters
 
 
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
 
*   FSIS Announces 2004 State Partnership Cooperative Agreements for
Animal and Egg Production Food Safety
 
On October 6, 2004, FSIS announced that $275,000 will be awarded to nine
states to help educate food animal producers about production practices
that promote food safety.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_100604_01/index.asp
 
*   FDA Releases 2004 Produce Safety Action Plan
 
On October 18, 2004, FDA announced the final 2004 Produce Safety Action
Plan (the Plan) entitled "Produce Safety from Production to Consumption:
2004 Action Plan to Minimize Foodborne Illness Associated with Fresh
Produce Consumption."
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodpla2.html
Because of the importance of fresh produce in a healthy diet and
continuing outbreaks associated with the consumption of fresh produce,
FDA developed the Plan to further minimize foodborne illness associated
with the consumption of fresh produce.
FDA Talk Paper:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01318.html
 
*   Officials Inaugurate Food Safety Institute of the Americas
 
On October 13, 2004, in Miami, FL, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy
Secretary Jim Moseley and Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elsa
Murano, along with elected officials and dignitaries from throughout the
Western Hemisphere, inaugurated the Food Safety Institute of the
Americas to develop and promote effective food safety education and
training programs throughout the Americas.
Go to:
http://www.usda.gov
Select Newsroom, and then Press releases for October 2004.
 
*   FDA Reports Progress on Agency Strategic Action Plan
 
In 2003, FDA issued a plan that set action goals for the Agency and
mapped out a strategy to achieve them. To chart progress made toward the
goals in the past year, the Agency has released a report called
"Progress and Priorities 2004." Agency achievements covered in the
report include: enhanced consumer protection through new bioterrorism
countermeasures, improved protections against medical errors, and
increased efficiency of FDA reviews of new regulated products.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/reports/priorities2004.html
 
*   "Let's Talk Turkey - A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey"
 
A new consumer brochure from FSIS, "Let's Talk Turkey," gives advice on
buying, thawing, roasting, and storing a turkey. Look for it on the FSIS
Web site:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov
 
*   Fight BAC!(R)-Partnership for Food Safety Education
 
>>>Partnership for Food Safety Education Kicks-off Safe Produce Handling
Campaign-Goal to Raise Public Awareness of Produce-Specific Handling
Recommendations
 
On October 18, 2004, the Partnership for Food Safety Education
(Partnership), announced a national food safety education campaign
focused on safe handling of fresh fruits and vegetables. Unveiled at the
annual convention of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), the
recommendations build on the Partnership's successful Fight BAC!(R)
campaign. Consumer-tested messages will reach the public through the
media, the Partnership's national network of public and private
partners, grass roots food safety advocates and through fightbac.org.
The supporting produce handling education materials were developed as
part of a collaborative effort among the Partnership's full membership,
including several produce industry organizations as well as other
government, industry and consumer member-organizations. A complete list
of Partnership members can be found at fightbac.org. Dissemination of
the Web-based safe produce handling materials is being supported, in
part, through a generous gift to the Partnership from the PMA. Press
release:
http://www.fightbac.org/press/index.cfm?FuseAction=View&PRID=24
 
>>>New Enhanced Web Site!
 
Take a look, the Web site has changed! Go to www.fightbac.org and, by
clicking on the BAC Fighters! tab on the upper left you will be taken to
the BAC Fighters! "News and Tools" section. This is the BAC Fighters!
portal designed to better serve the most frequent users of the Web site.
On the lower right there is a new bar to take you to the "Consumer Food
Safety Research Resource Center." In the future, the "For Kids" section
will be enhanced to put all of the material for children in one exciting
and colorful place!
http://www.fightbac.org
 
*   USDA Launches New Food Safety E-Mail Subscription Service
 
On October 13, 2004, FSIS launched a new e-mail subscription service.
This service will give citizens automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and information.
 
"This Administration remains committed to protecting public health and
this service will guarantee our customers quick access to food safety
information," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elsa Murano.
"This service enables customers to choose the topics important to them
and stay updated whether or not they visit this Web site regularly."
 
This service allows FSIS customers to sign up for 21 initial
subscription options across eight categories. Options range from recalls
to export information to regulations, directives and notices. Additional
subscription options will be added based on demand. Customers can add or
delete subscriptions themselves and will have the option to password
protect their account. To subscribe, customers can visit the FSIS Web
site at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov or directly subscribe from:
http://www.govdocs.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=USFSIS
 
*   Quarterly Update on U.S. FDA "Food Code" Adoptions
 
The latest quarterly update on the progress of U.S. FDA "Food Code"
adoptions by States, Territories, Local and Tribal Nation agencies is
now available on the FDA CFSAN Web site.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/fcadopt.html
 
*   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.
 
FSIS is no longer taking Mobile visit requests for 2004 but you are
encouraged to make your requests as early as possible for 2005. The
Mobile will be taking a holiday maintenance break in December but will
be ready to travel in January 2005.
 
November 2004
4     Metropolitan Inner-Faith Association, Memphis, TN
9     Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Gordon, GA
13    Females in Science and Technology Conference, Silver Spring, MD
15    Elementary School, Roanoke, VA
20    Baltimore's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Baltimore, MD
 
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
 
*   Speech by Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., Acting Commissioner of
FDA at the Soyfoods Association of North America Conference on Creating
a Healthier America (October 14, 2004)
 
"In response to the growing epidemic of obesity in this country, FDA
established an Obesity Working Group (OWG) that was charged with the
task of determining what FDA could do to help combat this growing
problem within its areas of authority. In August 2003, the group was to
deliver its report and recommendation in six months. FDA released the
final report of its OWG in March 2004. This report was comprehensive,
and offered a number of compelling recommendations on how to combat
obesity. The cornerstone of the OWG report is the idea that America must
get back to basics and that 'Calories Count.' In other words, there is
no substitute for the simple formula that 'calories in must equal
calories out' in order to control weight." View the entire speech at:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/soyfoods1014.html
 
*   Safety Tips for Halloween from FDA
 
Halloween is a time of fun for children. FDA is providing a few simple
tips to parents to ensure that their children's holiday is a safe and
healthy one, too. View safety tips at:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/candyandtreats.html
 
*   CSREES requests applications for National Integrated Food Safety
Initiative for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005
 
The Cooperative State Research Education and Extension (CSREES) requests
applications for the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension
Competitive Grants Program -- National Integrated Food Safety Initiative
for fiscal year 2005 to support integrated, multifunctional agricultural
research, extension, and education activities that address food safety
priorities in the United States.
 
The purpose of the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative is to
support food safety projects that demonstrate an integrated approach to
solving problems in applied food safety research, education, or
extension. The National Integrated Food Safety Initiative requests
integrated research, education, and extension applications that address
a broad spectrum of food safety concerns -- from on-farm production,
post-harvest processing, and distribution, to food selection,
preparation, and consumption. Various models for integration of applied
research, education, and extension will be considered for funding.
Applications describing multi-state, multi-institutional,
multidisciplinary, and multifunctional activities (and combinations
thereof) are encouraged. Applicants are strongly encouraged to assemble
project teams that include those with expertise in research, extension,
and/or education. All members of the project team should be involved in
the development and writing of the application.
 
CSREES anticipates that approximately $12.6 million will be available
for support of this program in FY 2005.
 
Details are available at:
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1086
and
http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/USDA/CSREES/OEP/USDA-GRANTS-101304-001/Grant.html
 
*   "Application of Gap Analysis to Education: A Case Study of the Food
Safety and Quality Assurance Program at the University of Guelph"
(Canada)
 
Recent article from the "Journal of Food Science Education" looks at the
skills and knowledge set deemed important by industry and academia for
food safety professionals. It also examines various gaps in skills and
knowledge.
Full text of article may be downloaded from:
http://www.ift.org/pdfs/jfse/jfsev3n3p0033-0040ms20030712.pdf
 
*   Food Microbe Gets Genes Decoded
 
To help foil the number-one cause of food--related gastrointestinal
illness, scientists from USDA's Agricultural Research Service and
colleagues have decoded all the genes of a strain of the culprit, the
"Campylobacter" microbe. Investigations of these "C. jejuni" genes may
lead to the discovery of faster, more reliable ways to detect the
microbe in samples from food, animals, human, and water. Read more about
the research in the October issue of "Agricultural Research" magazine,
available online at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct04/genes1004.htm
 
*   "Salmonella" Can Cause Poorer Eggshell Quality
 
A decrease in eggshell quality is a trait that may be used to detect
chickens infected with "Salmonella," according to USDA's Agricultural
Research Service scientists. From the October issue of "Agricultural
Research" magazine.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2004/041004.htm
 
*   New Issue of "The Food Safety Educator" is Now Off--Press
 
"The Food Safety Educator," Vol. 9, issue No. 1, 2004, is now off-press.
This special 12 page issue highlights food safety education tools
focusing on food service, handwashing, programs for kids, and pathogens.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Food_Safety_Educator_Vol9_No1/index.asp
 
*   Study Finds That Implementing Food Safety Management Systems
Significantly Reduces Restaurant Level Violations
 
According to a study conducted by The Steritech Group, Inc., restaurants
that implement formal food safety management systems are able to
significantly reduce restaurant level food safety violations, and
typically experience ongoing improvements. The study shows that
providing employee training and committing to standard operating
procedures for tasks, such as cooling, thawing and cooking, is key to
reducing food safety violations."
Full-text of press release available at
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041006/phw017_1.html
A copy of the complete study entitled "The Annual Food Safety Audit
Trend Report" may be downloaded from
http://www.steritech.com/FSreport04/SteritechTrendReport04.pdf
 
*   USDA Reestablishes General Conference of the National Poultry
Improvement Plan
 
On October 20, 2004, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reestablishing the General
Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
 
The General Conference Committee is the official advisory committee to
the secretary of agriculture regarding poultry health issues. The
committee serves as a forum for the study of problems relating to
poultry health and as the need arises, makes specific recommendations to
the secretary of agriculture concerning how USDA can help the industry
solve these problems.
http://www.usda.gov
Select Newsroom, and then go to Latest Releases and select October 2004
News Releases.
 
*   Nominations Sought For Advisory Committee on Microbiological
Criteria for Foods
 
On October 22, 2004, USDA announced that it is seeking nominations for
membership on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological
Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).
 
Nominations are being sought for scientists with expertise in
epidemiology, food technology, microbiology, risk assessment, infectious
diseases and biostatistics and other related sciences. Nominees may be
currently employed by state and federal governments, industry, academia
or other scientific pursuits.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_102204_01/index.asp
 
*   USDA Awards Contract to Fort Dodge Animal Health to Establish an
Avian Influenza Vaccine Anitgen Bank for Poultry
 
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Veterinary
Biologics, has awarded a five-year contract to Fort Dodge Animal Health
to develop an avian influenza (AI) vaccine antigen bank for poultry that
will house enough antigen to produce 40 million doses of AI vaccine.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/news/2004/10/aivaccine_vs.html
 
*   Kansas State Researchers Seek to Improve Food Safety Practices of
Restaurant Employees
 
A three-year, $482,763 grant received by researchers at Kansas State
University (K-State) from the United States Department of Agriculture,
seeks to improve food safety practices of restaurant employees by using
the theory of planned behavior.
 
The full U.S. News Wire Press Release is available at:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=38603
 
 
USDA/FDA FOODBORNE ILLNESS EDUCATION INFORMATION CENTER
 
*   Home of Hundreds of Training Tools and Educational Programs
 
Since the pre-Internet days of 1994, the USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness
Education Information Center at the National Agricultural Library has
been collecting food safety training tools and teaching materials for
children, consumers, food service workers, volunteer food handlers, and
just about anyone else working with food. Many of these materials are in
the library's collection and can be borrowed via interlibrary loan. The
Center's Web site is at:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne
 
Take a look at some of the highlights of the site below.
 
Food safety materials in other languages:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/NonEnglishResources.asp
Hand washing materials:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/Handwashing.asp
Web sites for kids:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/Children.asp
Food service and retail:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/Foodservice.asp
HACCP resources:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/HACCP_resources.asp
Produce food safety:
http://peaches.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/fbindex/Produce.asp
 
The Center is home to Foodsafe, an e-discussion group for food safety
professionals, which is available free at:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne/foodsafe/index.html
 
The Food Safety Training and Education Alliance Web site is also a
product of the Center at:
http://www.fstea.org
 
Check out these and the rest of the Center's food safety resources
online at:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodborne
 
 
MEETINGS/CONFERENCES/COURSES
 
*   FDA to Hold Public Meetings on Proposed Egg Safety Rule
 
FDA announced a series of public meetings to discuss the proposed rule
for prevention of "Salmonella Enteritidis" (SE) in shell eggs during
production. On September 22, 2004, FDA published in the "Federal
Register" a proposed rule for egg safety national standards. The purpose
of these meetings is to solicit public comments on the proposed rule and
provide the public an opportunity to ask questions. The meetings will be
held:
* October 28, 2004, in College Park, MD, at the Wiley Federal Building
* November 9, 2004, in Chicago, IL, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown
* November 16, 2004, in Los Angeles, CA, at the LA Airport Marriott
The complete announcement is on CFSAN's Web site at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/egg1004.html
 
*   Notice of Dietary Supplement Public Meeting Pre-Market Notification
Program for New Dietary Ingredients (FDA)
 
The FDA is announcing a meeting and is soliciting comments on FDA's
pre-market notification program for new dietary ingredients (NDIs). FDA
is soliciting comments from industry, consumers, and any other
interested members of the public concerning the content and format
requirements for NDI notifications made under the "Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act." The public meeting will be held on November 15, 2004,
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be held at the Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition, Harvey W. Wiley Auditorium, 5100 Paint Branch
Parkway, College Park, MD 20740. Contact:  Kelly Williams-Randolph,
(301) 436-2506, Fax:  (301) 436-2639. Meeting information and
pre-registration form at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~news/whatsnew.html
 
 
INDUSTRY INFO
 
*   Guidance for Industry from FDA -- "Use of Material from BSE-Positive
Cattle in Animal Feed" ("Federal Register," Volume 69, Number 189,
Docket No. 2004D-0438)
 
FDA announced the availability of guidance for industry entitled "Use of
Material from BSE-Positive Cattle in Animal Feed." This guidance
document describes FDA's current thinking regarding the use in all
animal feed of all material from cattle that test positive for BSE
(bovine spongiform encephalopathy).
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/04-22014.htm
 
*   FSIS Announces Final Rule to Amend Nutrition Labeling Regulations
for "Meal-Type" Products
 
On October 1, 2004, FSIS announced a final rule that amends nutrition
labeling regulations. The final rule will permit nutrient content claims
on the labeling of multi-serve "meal-type" meat and poultry products.
Previously, FSIS only allowed nutrient content claims on single serve
meat and poultry products.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/00-046F.htm
 
*   USDA Releases Voluntary Security Guidance for Agricultural and Food
Transporters
 
On October 5, 2004, the USDA released a new voluntary security guidance
document for truck transporters of agricultural and food products to
bolster national security and safeguard public health.
http://www.usda.gov
Select Newsroom, and then go to Latest Releases and select October 2004
News Releases.
 
 
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Interested readers can access EdNet newsletters archived since October
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http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/ednet.html
 
 
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