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December 16, 2011
Register for the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA is hosting the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum, Moving Agriculture Forward USDA — Growing, Innovating, and Celebrating 150 Years, Feb. 23-24, 2012, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

The forum features 30 breakout sessions spotlighting a range of issues related to global food security, locally grown foods, fighting foodborne illnesses, sustainability and the farm income outlook for 2012.

To learn more and register for the Forum, visit www.usda.gov/oce/forum/.

Regulatory Webinar Available on Recalls of Products With Undeclared Allergens
The agency will host a webinar on Jan. 10 and Feb. 7, 2012, to provide guidance on addressing a recent increase of products recalled because of undeclared allergens.

The discussion will focus on the steps establishments can take to prevent production of items containing undeclared allergens. Both webinars will begin at 2 p.m. EST.

To access the webinar, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207 and follow the on-screen instructions.

For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.

Proposed Rule to Streamline Generic Labeling Approval Processes
FSIS is proposing a new rule that will allow establishments to label a broader range of products without first submitting the label to the agency for approval. After the rule goes into effect, FSIS will continue to verify that labels are accurate, not misleading and in compliance with all labeling features.

The benefits of the proposed rule, are twofold: it will help consumers by getting new products into the marketplace sooner while still protecting them from misbranded products, and make the label-approval process more convenient and cost-effective for industry, especially smaller producers.

The proposed rule was posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/
Proposed_Rules/index.asp
and will soon publish in the Federal Register.

Individuals are invited to submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov until Feb. 3, 2012. Comments may also be mailed to USDA, FSIS, OPPD, RIMD, Docket Clearance Unit, Patriots Plaza III, 355 E St., S.W., Rm. 8-164, Washington, D.C. 20024-3221. All items submitted must include the docket number FSIS-2005-0016.

In addition, webinars on this subject will be held on Jan. 12 and Feb. 14, 2012, at 2 p.m. EST on both days. To access the webinar, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=85277207 and follow the on-screen instructions. For questions, contact Kristin Goodwin at (301) 504-0878 or kristin.goodwin@fsis.usda.gov.

Updates on FSIS Testing for E. coli
Weekly updates for the agency's raw beef E. coli sampling program are posted to the FSIS website.

For comparative previous and current year results, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/
Ground_Beef_E.coli_Testing_Results/index.asp
.

Export Requirement Updates
The Library of Export Requirements has been updated to reflect changes in export requirements for the following countries:
  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • United Arab Emirates
Complete information can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/
Export_Information/index.asp
.

Get Answers at askFSIS
AskFSIS is a web-based technology and policy question-and-answer forum on topics such as exporting, labeling, inspection, programs and procedures.

In addition, askFSIS offers Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds that link back to the Q&As. To view recently posted topics, visit http://askfsis.custhelp.com/.
Follow Us on Twitter
Find food safety information for at-risk people, along with tips and resources to keep consumers and other interested groups informed of the latest agency news and events. Follow FSIS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/USDAFoodSafety.

Also Tweet en Español
The FSIS Spanish language Twitter feed keeps consumers and other interested communities informed of the latest agency news and events and provides useful food safety tips.

Follow FSIS' Spanish Twitter account at www.twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.


Last Modified: December 16, 2011

 

 

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