martes, 1 de mayo de 2012

EdNet - April 2012 | FoodSafety.gov

EdNet - April 2012 | FoodSafety.gov


EdNet - April 2012

EdNet, the National Food Safety Educator’s Network, is a monthly, multi-agency electronic news journal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EdNet provides up-to-date information about food safety and nutrition programs and activities for educators, consumer advocates, government officials, and industry representatives. 

In this issue:
Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings
Resources for Educators
Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops
Industry

Advisories, Alerts, and Warnings

 FDA: Moon Marine USA Corporation Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Raw Yellowfin Tuna Product

Moon Marine USA Corporation (also known as MMI) of Cupertino, CA, is voluntarily recalling 58,828 pounds of a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, labeled as Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA. Nakaochi Scrape is tuna backmeat, which is specifically scraped off from the bones, and looks like a ground product. The Nakaochi Scrape is associated with an outbreak of 116 cases of Salmonella Bareilly in multiple states. Distributors and end users should consult their suppliers to determine the origin of any Nakaochi Scrape AA or AAA in their possession. Because raw seafood is not fully cooked to assure that pathogens are destroyed, it is not considered as “safe” as cooked seafood. Because the tuna may have been broken into unmarked sublots and may not be readily identifiable, consumers should take precautions in choosing to eat raw Nakaochi Scrape and be sure that it is not from the implicated lots.
For more information about what the product looks like and what is being done about the problem, visit the FDA website at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm300397.htm

FDA: Investigation of Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly Infections

The FDA, the CDC and several states are collaborating to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Bareilly infections. FDA, CDC and the states are working closely together in the ongoing investigation into individual food items and the sources of those items; however, at this time, the investigation has not conclusively identified a food source. Persons who think they might have become ill from eating any potentially contaminated food product should consult their health care providers. FDA will provide updates on this outbreak and the investigation as new information becomes available. If a specific food source is identified for this outbreak, public health officials will alert the public and take further steps to prevent additional illnesses.
Detailed information regarding the investigation of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bareilly infections can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm298741.htm#advice

FDA Warns Consumers not to Eat Crispy Brand Cookies and Rusk Manufactured by TWI Foods Inc., Ontario, Canada

TWI Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling several varieties of Crispy brand cookies and rusk. The FDA along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and TWI Foods Inc., are warning people with allergies to milk or almonds not to consume Crispy brand cookie and rusk products. The affected products contain almonds and/or milk which are not clearly declared on the label. Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death.
For more detailed information about this FDA warning, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm299042.htm

Resources for Educators

FDA Statement on USDA Announcement of Positive BSE Test Result

The U.SDA confirmed that a dairy cow in California tested positive for atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow" disease). The USDA also confirmed the cow did not enter the animal feed or human food supply. The FDA is working with federal and state authorities to further investigate this case. The FDA is confident in the effectiveness of the existing animal feed safeguards designed to prevent the spread of BSE through feed. Although current science suggests that atypical cases of BSE, such as this one, are unlikely to be transmitted through animal feed, the FDA will work with the USDA to complete a thorough epidemiological investigation. Importantly, scientific research indicates that BSE cannot be transmitted in cow's milk.
To read this Press Announcement, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm301850.htm

Update from USDA Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

On April 26, 2012, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released an update on the BSE detection.
Read this update at:
http://www.usda.gov/2012/04/0136.xml
For more information on BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or Mad Cow Disease), visit:
http://www.usda.gov/BSE

Statement by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

On April 24, 2012, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement regarding a detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States.
Read this statement:
http://www.usda.gov/2012/04/0133.xml

Statement by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

On April 24, 2012, a statement was issued by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States.
Read this statement:
http://www.usda.gov/2012/04/0132.xml

FDA: It's a Small World, After All

These days, a trip to the supermarket or drugstore is like a trip around the world. Many of the products you and your family buy, the medicines you use, and the foods you eat are from other countries. Take food. FDA regulates most food products in the United States, from the lettuce you put in your family’s dinner salad, to the eggs and juice you serve for breakfast. As of 2011, roughly one in six FDA-regulated food products consumed in the United States comes from abroad. And the percentage is much higher in foods like fruits (about 50 percent) and vegetables (about 20 percent).
More facts about FDA-regulated food products can be found on FDA’s Web site at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm301141.htm

Remarks by Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Regarding, Retail Food Safety: Complementing the Preventive Controls Approach Embodied in the Food Safety Modernization Act

On April 14, 2012, Michael R. Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods, issued remarks regarding, Retail Food Safety: Complementing the Preventive Controls Approach Embodied in the Food Safety Modernization Act at the Conference for Food Protection in Indianapolis, IN.
To read this speech, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/OfficeofFoods/ucm300464.htm

Setting the Record Straight on the Proposed Chicken Inspection Policy

On April 13, 2012, FSIS issued a news release regarding a blog entry titled Setting the Record Straight on the Proposed Chicken Inspection Policy by Administrator Al Almanza addressing misinformation in the media about a proposal to modernize inspection at poultry slaughter plants.
Read this news release in its entirety, go to:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_041312_01/index.asp

FDA Takes Steps to Protect Public Health

On April 11, 2012, the FDA announced that it is taking three steps to protect public health and promote the judicious use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals. The FDA is issuing three documents that will help veterinarians, farmers and animal producers use medically important antibiotics judiciously in food-producing animals by targeting their use to only address diseases and health problems. Under this new voluntary initiative, certain antibiotics would not be used for so-called “production” purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency in an animal. These antibiotics would still be available to prevent, control or treat illnesses in food-producing animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Read this news release in its entirety:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm299802.htm

Update on FDA Testing for Carbendazim in Imported Orange Juice Products, April 5, 2012

To March 30, 2012, the FDA announced it has collected samples from 144 shipments of orange juice or orange juice concentrate. Of these, 103 shipments tested negative for carbendazim, a pesticide that is not legal for use on oranges in the United States, and all have been released. Of the 103 samples, 49 were shipments from Mexico, 22 from Canada, seven from Dominican Republic, four from Belize, three each from Honduras and Italy, two each from Argentina, Costa Rica, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turkey, and one each from South Korea, Brazil, Lebanon, Poland and United Kingdom. Eleven samples are currently pending.
To view FDA's most recent update on its testing of orange juice for carbendazim, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm287783.htm

FDA Continues to Study BPA

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of plastics and resins, such as some water bottles and the coatings of some food cans. It is also used in some consumer goods, such as compact discs and thermal cash register tapes.  And it has generated controversy about its impact on human health and development. The FDA’s assessment is that the scientific evidence at this time does not suggest that the very low levels of human exposure to BPA through the diet are unsafe.
Read this Consumer Update in its entirety:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm297954.htm

FSIS Issues Tips to Stay Food Safe During Spring Festivities

On April 2, 2012, as Spring celebrations called for traditional menu items that families may not prepare often during the year, FSIS issued a news release providing food safety tips to reduce the risk of foodborne illness when using unfamiliar cooking and serving methods.
Read this news release in its entirety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_040212_01/index.asp
In addition, FSIS released a new video sharing food safety how-to's in an educational video to prevent food poisoning when enjoying Easter eggs, brisket, and ham on its YouTube channel:  
http://www.youtube.com/usdafoodsafety

Remarks by Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Regarding “Ensuring Produce Safety in a Global Food System”

On March 22, 2012, Michael R.Taylor, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods, issued remarks regarding, Ensuring Produce Safety in a Global Food System before the America Trades Produce in Tubac, Arizona.
To read this speech, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm297839.htm

FDA’s CFSAN Education Resource Library

FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Education Resource Library is a compilation of printable educational materials on topics related to food safety, nutrition (including labeling and dietary supplements) and cosmetics. These materials are intended for educators, teachers, dietitians and health professionals as well as for general consumer education. Materials are available in PDF format for immediate download and may also be ordered in larger quantities using the CFSAN's Consumer Related Resources Order Form.
To see the full spectrum of CFSAN’s information on various topics, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/food

"Agricultural Research Magazine," April 2012, Vol. 60, No. 4

The April 2012 issue of the Agricultural Research Magazine from USDA's Agricultural Research Service is now available.
View online
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/apr12/

New FSIS Podcasts

Tune in to podcasts and listen to food safety specialists providing consumers with advice and up to date information on how to prevent foodborne illness through the safe handling, preparation and storage of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. FSIS has released the following new podcast:
  • Food Safety At Home podcasts:
    • USDA Changes Consumer Guidance for Cooking Pork (English and Spanish) – April 25, 2012
    • Food Safety for Transplant Recipients (Spanish)- April 18, 2012
Check out these podcasts:        http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Food_Safety_at_Home_Podcasts/ (English)                                         
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/En_Espanol/Podcasts_SP/index.asp  (Spanish)
Videos in American Sign Language:     http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/SignFSIS/index.asp
Visit FSIS’ Food Safety Channel on YouTube:                http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAFoodSafety
For other food safety podcasts:              http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_&_events/Podcasts/index.asp

Meetings, Conferences, and Workshops

NACMCF Subcommittee to Hold Public Meetings

The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, (NACMCF) subcommittee on Control Strategies for Reducing Foodborne Norovirus Infections will meet to discuss improving control of the transmission of foodborne Human Noroviruses (HuNoV). The group will consider HuNoV incidence of infection, attribution in foods, detection methodology as well as the most effective control practices and interventions. The meetings will take place Tuesday,
May 8, through Thursday May 10, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Patriots Plaza III, Rm 9-131, 355 E St., S.W., Washington D.C. 20024. Due to increased security measures, all persons wishing to attend must RSVP in advance. To register, contact Karen Thomas-Sharp at (202) 690-6620 or karen.thomas-sharp@fsis.usda.gov.
See the FSIS Constituent Update for more information:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Const_Update_042012/index.asp#nacmcf
More about NACMCF:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/NACMCF/index.asp

USDA to Hold Public Meeting to Address Agenda Items for the Codex Committee on Food Labeling

On April 12, 2012, FSIS issued a news release to announce it is sponsoring a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items, and draft U.S. positions to be discussed at the 40th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL), which will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from May 15-18, 2012. The public meeting was scheduled for April 18, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jamie L. Whitten Building, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 107-A, Washington, D.C. 20250.
Read the news release in its entirety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_041212_01/index.asp
Documents and agenda items related to the 40th Session of the CCFL will be accessible at the Codex website:
http://www.codexalimentarius.org/

Industry

USDA Announces Steps to Improve Compliance with Residue Requirements and to Increase Testing at Establishments with Repeat Violators

On April 23, 2012, FSIS announced two steps designed to prevent meat products that contain illegal residues from reaching consumers: the issuance of a compliance guide that will help livestock slaughter establishments avoid purchasing animals with illegal drug or other chemical residues; and increased testing of animals from producers with a history of residue violations.
Read this news release in its entirety:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_042312_01/index.asp
FSIS will post the compliance guide, which can be utilized immediately, on April 25, 2012, on its webpage:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Compliance_Guides_Index

FDA Strengthens International Collaboration to Ensure Quality, Safety of Imported Products

On April 23, 2012, FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. released the Agency’s Global Engagement Report, detailing the many activities and strategies FDA is using to transform from a domestic to a global public health agency. The report describes the steps the Agency is taking to ensure that imported food, drugs, medical devices, and other regulated products meet the same rigorous standards for safety and quality as those manufactured domestically.  “As our world transforms and becomes increasingly globalized, we must come together in new, unprecedented, even unexpected, ways to build a public health safety net for consumers around the world,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.
This FDA News Release as well as more detailed information about the “Global Engagement Report” can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm301191.htm

FDA Announces Final Strategic Plan for the Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program

The FDA announces the release of the final Strategic Plan for the Foods and Veterinary Medicine Program (FVM) for 2012-2016. The plan addresses the responsibilities of the CFSAN and the Center for Veterinary Medicine while including activities supported by the Office of Regulatory Affairs. The plan illustrates the breadth and complexity of the program’s work and identifies priority initiatives. It outlines seven strategic program goals, each encompassing its own key objectives, as well as nearly 100 specific initiatives aimed at achieving goals and objectives.
Read more of this Constituent Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm301284.htm

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Use of Nanotechnology by Food and Cosmetics Industries

The FDA has issued two draft guidance documents:
  1. Draft Guidance for Industry: Assessing the Effects of Significant Manufacturing Process Changes, including Emerging Technologies, on the Safety and Regulatory Status of Food Ingredients and Food Contact Substances, Including Food Ingredients that are Color Additives
  2. Draft Guidance for Industry: Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products
The food draft guidance describes the factors manufacturers should consider when determining whether changes in manufacturing processes, including those involving nanotechnology, create a significant change in food substances. The cosmetic product draft guidance discusses the FDA’s current thinking on the safety assessment of nanomaterials when used in cosmetic products.
To read more about this Constituent Update, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm301097.htm

USDA Blog: Extending the Public Comment Period for USDA’s Proposal to Modernize Poultry Slaughter

On April 19, 2012, Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, posted a blog
Extending the Public Comment Period for USDA’s Proposal to Modernize Poultry Slaughter
Read her blog:
http://1.usa.gov/HXtUeW

FDA’s Blog: Succeeding on Produce Safety

On April 17, 2012, Michael R. Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods posted a blog entitled, Succeeding on Produce Safety.
Read his statement on FDA’s official blog, at:
http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2012/04/succeeding-on-produce-safety/

FDA's China Offices Focus on Product Safety

More than three years after a series of safety scares involving Chinese exports, officials in the FDA’s China office say the Chinese are on their way to developing an infrastructure that better ensures product safety. Christopher Hickey, Ph.D., who leads FDA’s 13-person staff in China, says the Agency has trained more than 1,600 manufacturers and regulators on United States safety standards over the past two years. The FDA’s China office represents a new era in cooperation between the United States and China on the safety of food and medical products,” he says.
To read this Consumer Update in its entirety, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm284461.htm

FDA Enters Consent Decree with Cheese Producer Due to Listeria Contamination

A Washington state cheese processor and distributor has agreed to keep its products off the market until they are proven safe for consumption as part of a consent decree of permanent injunction with the FDA. Del Bueno, of Grandview, Washington, processes a variety of cheeses and distributes them to specialty grocery stores and restaurants. Del Bueno, and owner Jesus Rodriguez, agreed to terms of the consent decree entered by U.S. District Judge Lonny R. Suko of the Eastern District of Washington, on April 3, 2012.
To read more about how this Washington state cheese processor agrees to FDA food safety action, visit:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm299441.htm

FDA Releases Updated Bad Bug Book with New Features

The FDA has made available on the internet the second edition of the Bad Bug Book, a handbook of basic information about foodborne bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, and naturally occurring toxins. In addition to updated scientific information, the book includes five new chapters (on Cronobacter, Enterococcus, Francisella tularensis, phytohaemagglutinin, and venomous fish). Although the book is intended primarily for scientific and technical readers, each chapter now also includes a separate section for consumers. The consumer sections are written in everyday language and focus on food safety, including tips on how to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Read more of this Constituent Update at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm298791.htm
Please check the FDA web site periodically, as more chapters will be added. The updated edition of the Bad Bug Book is available on the FDA web site at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/default.htm

FSIS Makes Fundamental Changes in its Residue Screening Methodology

This new method, Screening and Confirmation of Animal Drug Residues by UHPLC-MS-MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry), will cover multiple veterinary drug classes, including sulfonamides, anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-agonists and antibiotics, and is applicable to porcine and bovine kidney. This new multi-residue method provides significant improvements because it can screen for a variety of analytes, not just antibiotics; it can clearly distinguish individual analytes, even if multiple drugs are present in the same sample; and microbial inhibition responses that cannot be identified would be eliminated.
This new method is available in the FSIS Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/CLG_MRM_1_00.pdf

FDA Progress Report on Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act: January - March 2012

The FDA intends to provide regular updates to inform the public and Congress on its progress in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
The January – March 2012 Progress Report on implementing FSMA can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm255893.htm

FSIS Policy Updates

FSIS issues Notices and Directives to protect public health. The following policy updates were recently issued:
  • FSIS Notice 30-12: FSIS Verification Testing for Non-O157 Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia Coli (Non-O157 STEC) in Imported Product Under the MT51 Sampling Program
  • FSIS Notice 29-12: FSIS Verification Testing for Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (Non-O157 STEC) Under MT60, MT52, and MT53 Sampling Programs
  • Docket No. FSIS-2011-0008: Compliance Guide for Residue Prevention and Agency Testing Policy for Residues
  • Notice FSIS Notice 27-12: Changes in Sampling Frequency for E. Coli O157:H7 Testing of Beef Manufacturing Trimmings (Mt60)
All Notices and Directives are available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp 
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